"Ladies of the Land"
Community Potluck and Program

Come out Friday, May 10, 6:30- 9:00 p.m. to the Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. Mingle with neighbors, share a potluck supper and learn about women in agriculture. We will screen the documentary "Ladies of the Land" followed by a discussion of "Women, Agriculture and the Ojai Valley."

Joining us on the panel and/or staffing a table are:

Megan Hooker, Corinne McAndrew and Greta Strautman
Restoration Grains

Shawn Shimokawa
Mountain CSA

Maegen Anderson and Meghann Percy
Rancho del Pueblo/Center for Regenerative Agriculture

Carol Wade
Earth Island Herbs Herbal CSA

Darinka Postal
Red Tail Ranch poultry

Christel Rogero
Day on the Farm tour

Elizabeth Del Negro
Rio Gozo Farm

Michelle Dohrn
Ojai Food Co-op

Lori Hamor
Food for Thought

There is a suggested $5 donation to support the Coalition hosting the event. Bring a vegetarian dish (local and organic ingredients encouraged) to share, and to reduce our landfill waste, please bring your own table service (plate, silverware, mug, and cloth napkin). For further details call (805) 669-8445. To share the flyer click here.

Then on Saturday set out on an inspiring tour

of farms and gardens in the Ojai Valley.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get your complimentary map here.

2013 May Board Changes

Besides our recent location change, OVGC Board changes are afoot. We are losing Marleen Luckman, our esteemed President, and her husband Frank Malle and welcoming a new board member, Cynthia Grier.

Marleen and Frank, who will be sorely missed not just by the OVGC, but the entire community, are moving out of state to be near family. Not to be too sad, we are looking forward to Cynthia coming onboard after being an active member since 2008.

Marleen (left) heads to Arizona; Cynthia joins the OVGC Board and will focus on business membership development.

to read more click here.

We've Talked About the Ventura River Watershed Council Before...

The Ventura River Watershed Council is a stakeholder group for watershed planning in the Ventura River Watershed. Lorraine Walter, whose position is funded through a grant administered by the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, is the watershed coordinator working with the VRWC to develop a detailed management plan for the Ventura River watershed. The plan outlines current conditions, identifies areas of concern, and prioritizes projects and programs to address those concerns

In consideration of the Coalition's new focus on our valley's energy/fossil fuel input and output, our watershed literacy and water security workgroup is formulating a collaborative project to work with residents to increase water retention and reduce water usage on their property. If we can swing enough funding and people power, we're on it!

What's the connection between energy and water you ask? Water and energy consumption are interdependent - the more water we use, the more energy we need, and vice versa. In fact, approximately four percent of the nation's electricity is used just for moving and treating drinking water and wastewater. Conversely, it takes 3,000 to 6,000 gallons of water annually to power just one 60-watt incandescent bulb for 12 hours per day (U.S. EPA).

We've had two seasons of minimal rainfall and this could be the norm! Let's all be water sensible and energy stars.

Earth Day Was Lovely

EarthPlay Earth Day 2013 had perfect weather and a nice turnout. Environmental and just plain fun activities abounded. The exhibitor area, which the Coalition organizes, had a great mix of live animals, environmental awareness, and 'green' companies.

Many thanks to our volunteers, who helped plan, prep, set-up, and staff the event: Frances Fitting, Dale Hanson, Anca Colbert, Christine Brennan, Russell Sydney, Kale Starbird, Noel Douglas, Marleen Luckman, Frank Malle, Libby Treadwell, Marci Murphy, Laurie Slade, Diane Squire, and Michelle Malinoski

And thank you to all who purchased raffle tickets, which supported the Coalition. The winners were:

See you in 2014!

Your Earth Day Committee: Andy Gilman, Oak Grove School; Lori Hamor, Food for Thought; Marti Reid, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Deborah Pendrey, Ojai Valley Green Coalition