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Artwork by Sally Harless www.sadlyharmless.com
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Hello from Local First Indiana!
I was lucky enough to attend BALLE's (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) annual conference a few weeks ago in Charleston, SC, where I met a number of lively people from across the country who are working to create a new way of working with the economy in their communities in order to grow from the inside.
Brave business owners are taking risks and choosing to create new supply chains that involve only local businesses rather than looking for cheaper goods from other countries. Organizations like ours are setting up Apps for cell phones that allow people to search for local independent businesses right from their phones, even when they are visiting other towns. Some communities are working to create distribution channels to get more farm goods into local businesses, including restaurants, schools, and hospitals. City governments like Phoenix, AZ are making the commitment to spend a little more initially to pay for office products from local office supply stores, because they found that when they do, they get a lot more back in tax revenue circulation than when they buy from non-local businesses.
There is some good work to be done out there, and you can see how it would improve our lives exponentially to get even a portion of these things accomplished. The current economic conditions are leading people to look at things differently across the country, and people are coming up with solutions that are better for our future, better for business, and better for our communities. As Paul Saginaw, owner of Ann Arbor's Zingerman's Deli, said at the BALLE conference, we can fix our economy by "asking not what's wrong, but what's possible."
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Check out the coupons at the end of our newsletter and save at your favorite Local Independent Businesses!
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Local First Indiana Sustaining Member
 | | Eat Local!
Look for this month's seasonal vegetables at the Farmer's Market and Bloomingfoods:
A big thanks to Bobbi Boos,
local grower, for this information!
Asparagus*
Beans Berries
blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cherries
Chives Collards*
Cucumbers
Garlic Greens
Green Garlic
Kale lettuce
New Potatoes
Onions
Peas*
Rhubarb
Snap Beans
Spinach*
Squash
Strawberries*
*Available early June, but on the decline
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 rhubarb simple syrup
Makes 1 ½ cups of syrup and 1 cup of compote
2 cups chopped rhubarb, rinsed and dried
1 cup sugar
1 ½ cups water
Combine everything in a pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the rhubarb is softened, about 20 to 25 minutes. Mash and strain the rhubarb over a large bowl, mashing as much liquid out as you can. Keep the mashed rhubarb to put over ice cream or make individual tarts topped with streusel (butter, oats, brown sugar), baked at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes. Use the simple syrup in rhubarb and lime soda and for bellinis (both recipes below).
Rhubarb and Lime Soda
Mix 1 part rhubarb simple syrup with 2 parts of club soda in a glass with ice, add a lime wedge.
Rhubarb Bellini
Add a small amount of rhubarb simple syrup to a glass and top with Prosecco or Champagne (instead of the original peach bellini).
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Celebrate Your Independents!
Oliver Winery
July 15, 2010
6:30-8:30 p.m.
 A Member Reception, to thank our Founding Members, at Oliver Winery on the terrace. Music from D.J. Junebug Jenkins, and food from local, independent restaurants. More details to follow... |
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Local First Indiana Sustaining Member
 | | | The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
 by Una Winterman
As I mentioned above, I attended the BALLE conference in late May. The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies aims to support autonomous networks of local, independent businesses like ours, with an emphasis on the triple bottom line: people, profit, and planet. BALLE runs on a philosophy that upholds values like knowledge, creativity, relationships, health, consciousness, and happiness, rather than continuous material growth. Local, independent business owners have chosen to stay in our community because this community means something to them, or because they have family here. Financially, they might be able to do better someplace else, but they stay here for other reasons. This loyalty to place is something that an organization like BALLE really celebrates. These are the true upholders of our economy and because of this, deserve careful consideration when it comes to deciding who our local heroes really are.
BALLE is a membership-based organization that offers an annual conference and events, training workshops, and regional gatherings throughout the year. They offer practical information and training that ranges from fundraising and board development to marketing advice.
BALLE also offers local, independent business alliances across the country the opportunity to support one another with shared information, resources, ideas for programming, and connections that help them attain their goals. Networks share stories with each other about businesses that use creative solutions to lure in customers or who support other businesses by sourcing their materials locally. One of the responsibilities of becoming a BALLE network is to share information with other networks across the country about programs that have been successful in their communities.
The ultimate goal of BALLE is, within a generation, to create a "global system of human-scale, interconnected Local Living Economies that functions in harmony with local ecosystems, meet the basic needs of all people, support just and democratic societies, and fosters joyful community life." Find more information here.
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Artwork by Sally Harless www.sadlyharmless.com | |
Spotlight On: Stranger's Hill Organics Farm
By Douglas Storm
A local farm that operates in such a way as to be truly locally sustainable is emblematic of an organization that supports local communities. These types of farms offer local produce in many venues-through Farmers Markets, local food co-ops and by offering a weekly subscription to their food through a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture program. Buy a "share" or a subscription (just like a magazine) and receive weekly seasonal harvest.
Stranger's Hill, a farm owned and operated for over thirty years by Lee and Dale Jones has been certified organic since 1989. I asked Lee about this recently, surprised at the date-I'd never heard of such a thing as "organic" produce in 1989 (unless it was when a chemistry students lamented about how someone had blown the curve in his organic chemistry class) -how did they "get ahead of the organic market that way"? She responded, "Many younger people now don't realize there was a rather strong movement towards organic in the late 70's and early '80's. When Ronald Reagan was elected it all came to an end in the public view. But in places like Bloomington it was never completely forgotten. It may have been more a matter of hanging on than getting in front of."
"Hanging on" has become "showing the way" of late. In December of 2007 Lee and Dale partnered with Rick Dietz, George Huntington, Heather Reynolds and Dave Rollo to expand the farm and its operations.
I asked Rick Dietz what their focus is now and, not surprisingly it's "growing production and managing the farm." This is not so easy as the four new partners all have "day jobs" and found it difficult to communicate effectively with Lee, Dale, and the farm's manager Vanessa Caruso about the farm's needs. But Rick, who is the IT Director for the City of Bloomington, found a way for them to overcome this. They instituted a "real time collaboration tool" called Basecamp where each partner and the farm's manager, Vanessa Caruso, can input data about daily and scheduled activities so that the others can "check in" and comment or contribute as needed. (This "meeting" fix was profiled in Inc. Magazine.) This is an instance where technology is put in the service of a "back to the land" philosophy.
Dietz also pointed out that establishing and codifying the CSA policies have been a primary activity. This program has proven an early success with shares selling out quickly this year (the farm can only offer so many subscriptions due to farm and labor capacities). A lucky shareholder, Kelly Richardson, had this to say about the CSA's offerings.
"We joined Stranger's Hill because we wanted fresh, locally-grown organic produce and liked the idea of knowing where our food comes from. As a family of 3 vegetarians, we go through a lot of produce weekly. Everyone at Stranger's Hill is so enthusiastic and friendly-our daughter Ivy loves to see the dogs and chickens when we pick up our share. We receive a newsletter each week about the farm with a recipe using some of that week's ingredients. We made a great coconut curry tofu with spinach and garlic chives from Stranger's Hill. It was delicious. Our favorite veggies so far have been the sugar snap peas--we eat a lot on the way home. We're looking forward to seeing what else will show up in our CSA share this summer!"
As you might expect those involved in growing produce specifically for a local community have strong feelings about why this is important. Farm partner Dave Rollo puts it succinctly.
"My background is in biology, and I have a fervent interest in native bio-diversity. One wonderful aspect to the partnership is everyone's interest in developing a reciprocal relationship with our community - a principle of giving back. An essential part of this is giving back to nature, and this is evident in building soils, and providing habitat for a variety of organisms. We need a shift in our economic thinking and practice, from the competitive/predatory model to a regenerative/cooperative model. Modern industrial agriculture exemplifies the destructive trends that have left community and environmental wreckage in its wake. Local organic farming is a powerful antidote, and I feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to play a part in it." Heather, a plant ecologist who is married to Dave, had more to add about this.
"We are deeply invested in Bloomington and in nurturing its land, economy and community. We are thrilled to have the privilege of growing healthy food, restoring the soil and the plant, microbial and animal diversity on the land, and working to rebuild and restore the historic farmhouse, barn and other outbuildings on the place. We have exciting visions of seeing this wonderful property become a hub of activity for learning about organic farming, land restoration, and other sustainable homesteading practices such as renewable energy generation and natural building, and maybe someday there'll also be nature walks and a little restaurant in the old farmhouse that serves homegrown dishes right from the farm."
Dietz had included "making farm improvements" in his list of priorities and Rollo expanded on this.
"Although we are just beginning our natural restorations, this year we are offering native plants for sale, and for a giveaway at the farmer's market (in coordination with the City Environmental Commission). The extra plants that we don't sell, or give away, will be planted in an area cleared to begin a restored prairie. The prairie will expand the diversity of pollinators, and natural predators, which are essential for the ecological balance of our farm - since we do not rely on pesticides or herbicides as conventional farms do."
But what both Dietz and Rollo seemed particularly interested to detail is the farm's relationship with the Hoosier Hills Food Bank.
"I think the partnership with Hoosier Hills is one that captures a lot of our ideals," says Dietz. "It's not just a business venture. We want to give back in substantial ways to the community. We feed people as a business. We're proud that we partner with Hoosier Hills to help feed people that may not be able to be patrons of ours as well." Rollo agreed, "I've been pleased that we have an arrangement with Hoosier Hills Foodbank to provide them space to grow food for their clients. This way, they get fresh produce of a very high grade, instead of surplus or B grade that may or may not be of optimal quality."
It's clear that subscribing to Stranger's Hill Organics CSA, or finding them at the Farmer's Market or at Bloomingfoods does more that support a local farm, it fosters caring and community and encourages others to do so as well. These are exemplary stewards of our land.
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Local First Indiana Sustaining Members
click on the logos below to link to the webpages
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The Center for Sustainable Living is the Fiscal Sponsor for Local First Indiana
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Money Spent Locally Stays Local
Three times as much money stays in our local community when you shop in locally-owned, independent businesses. That's because local businesses tend to bank locally, use local services, & are a great supporter of local charities.
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New Local First Indiana Members!
click on the logos below to link to the web pages
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Yarns Unlimited
101 W. Kirkwood Ave. Ste. 129 Inside Fountain Square Mall
Serving South Central Indiana since 1979, Yarns Unlimited features unique and beautiful yarns from around the world, as well as books, patterns, notions, equipment and other supplies for weaving, knitting, spinning, and other fiber arts.
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101 West Kirkwood Suite #109
Fountain Square Mall
A locally owned artisan's co-operative, showing the work of over 70 local and regional artists.
- Jewelry
- Pottery
- Wood
- Glass
- Weaving
- Knitting
- Other Fiber Arts
- Leather
- Photography
- Works on Paper
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Prall & Company
Certified Public Accountants
812-334-7000
37 Years in business!
Intuit Solutions Provider
QuickBooks ProAdvisor
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
Accountant
Tax Preparer
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116 S. Grant
Studio of Karl Marti
I build a custom frame for each work of art, using solid North American hardwoods, including some urban salvage timber. Each unique frame is made up of custom shop-made molding, assembled with cabinet-quality joinery techniques. Each frame receives a natural shellac or other traditional finish, after assembly. High-quality materials and techniques together ensure a long life for the frame and your work of art.
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401 E. 10th St.
Revolution Bike & Bean
offers a full-service bicycle repair shop, a full-service coffee bar, and a wide selection of cycling accessories, products, and bikes.
We carry these brands:
Specialized
Raleigh
Kona
Scott
Masi
Volume
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The Local First Indiana logo and decal were created by Mediaworks, as a grant for Local First Indiana. Local artist Ellie Schreiner drew the skyline in the logo, based on Bloomington buildings. Thanks to all who participated in this effort! |
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Join Local First Indiana!
Bloomington residents want to shop local and we aim to make that easier.
Benefits
Window decal (identifies your business as local and independent)
Marketing campaigns, such as poster campaigns, press releases, coupon promotions, interviews with local media.
Listing in our online directory
Access to network of local, independent businesses
Twitter and Facebook postings about specials or special events happening in your business. We have over 575 followers on Facebook who will instantly see the postings.
Newsletter
Prices
$10 a year per employee, min. $35, max. $350. Part-time employees count as half.
Sustaining Members
$500, $1,000, or $2,000
Sustaining Member Benefits: Promotion at Local First Events, on our website, and in our monthly newsletter. Size of logo or business name will correspond to size of contribution.
For more information about becoming a member, please visit our website here.
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| Save 50% |
The Comedy Attic
located at the corner of 4th and Walnut
1/2 Price tickets all summer long! Offer not valid June 24-26 or July 22-24
Please call 336-LAFF for reservations and mention this ad!
visit comedyattic.com to preview each week's headliner! | | Offer Expires: Aug 25, 2010 |
| Free! |
Panache School of Ballroom and Social Dance
325 E. Winslow Rd
1 free 30-minute private dance lesson
1 free dance fitness class | | No Expiration Date! |
| Save $10 |
My Edible Eden
Certified Permaculture Designer & Urban Farm Consultant
Service: 1 hour walk-and-talk consultation
| | Offer Expires: August 30, 2010 |
| Save 50% |
Melody Music Shop
402 W 6th St
Guitar Strings
-Buy Two Get One Free Guitar Strings
-Any strings, acoustic, electric guitar or bass guitar strings | | Offer Expires: June 30, 2010 |
| Save! |
Melody Music Shop
402 W 6th St
Evans Drum Heads
-$9.95 each - 14" Evans G1 Coated Snare or Tom Head | | Offer Expires: June 30, 2010 |
| Save 10% |
Twisted Limb Paperworks
10% off Gift Card Subscriptions!
See more information here:
http://www.twistedlimbpaper.com/card_subscriptions.htm
| | Offer Expires: June 30, 2010 |
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