Cornell Professor Awarded NYSERDA Grant to help NYS go Solar

News

Cornell Professor, Max Zhang, recieved a $200,000 grant, “aimed at determining efficient solar farm array configurations to avoid land-use conflicts or spoiling precious agricultural space”. More specifically, he plans to focus on 10 different land sites in New York State, to measure the viability of agrovoltaics – using land for both agriculture and solar arrays. Zhang’s research will provide scientific insight to policymakers as they make blueprints for the energy transition of the century. Read more about this story in the Cornell Chronicle.

Watershed rules & regulations approved by Auburn, Owasco officials

News

Auburn City Council and Owasco Town Board both approved new rules and regulations to protect the Owasco Lake Watershed at a special joint meeting this past Thursday. The meeting was to continue the work started in 2017 to update enforceable regulations – the first time since 1984. Public opinion seems to be split between environmentalists, and farmers wary of profit loss due to accommodations that are now required. Read the full article to learn more.

New Documentary on Local Farmers

News

The Martins and Oechsners have led the way on organic grain growing in the Northeast – and are proving what systems thinking can do to survive climate disruption. Our Farmers in Flux: Adapting to Climate Change is a new documentary on how local farmers like them are adapting to climate change, made by a dear friend of Sustainable Tompkins, Shira Evergreen, and produced by the Tracy Mitrano campaign. The 23-minute documentary gives a behind the scenes look at the priceless work they do, and features tons of stunning birds-eye view drone footage of the Finger Lakes. Bravo, Shira!

Iron Flamingo Brewery

Signs of Sustainability

Iron Flamingo Brewery in Corning, NY supports local businesses by allowing food to be ordered in from other restaurants 😱, and sourcing their hops and malt from local farmers. They earn extra points from us by proudly using solar power for the brewing process! 👍 Visit their Events page to see what food trucks will be there this week, and head over to enjoy 16 brews on tap and a rockin’ beergarden! You can also head over to their website to browse their beer menu and learn more about them.

Medical Motor Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc.

Signs of Sustainability

This nonprofit provides more than 475,000 trips per year to over 6,100 children, adults, and seniors with specialized needs in Monroe County. Their transportation solutions are safe, accessible and affordable, and include medical car services, shopping shuttles, senior center and elder care services and individualized contract services. And they’ve been doing this for over 90 years! 👏👏👏 Visit their website or Facebook page to learn more about this valuable organization.

Finger Lakes Native Plant Society

Signs of Sustainability

Founded in 1997, this organization is dedicated to promoting the appreciation of our native flora. They hold free public field trips throughout the year, including their 🌟 ANNUAL SEED COLLECTING WALK THIS SATURDAY AT 1:00PM in Ithaca! 🌟 Join them in this socially-distanced event! 🚶 🚶‍♂️ 🚶‍♀️ Members of the society receive their newsletter, and participate in a seed exchange, a spring native plant sale, and a December celebration of native plants. Join their Facebook group to keep up with them or visit their website to learn more.

Kindred Fare

Signs of Sustainability

This “spirited cookery” & cocktail bar in Geneva features seasonal & local foods. Cherish the fall weather and sit on their beautiful back patio for dinner on Mondays and get an additional pre fixe menu (ooh-la-la), or on Sunday for brunch; Or any other day! They’re open 7 days a week for dine-in and take-out. Visit their Facebook page or their website to check out their menu and learn more about them.

Acorn Designs

Signs of Sustainability

High-quality art, 100% recycled paper from a carbon-neutral mill, and great stories: Acorn Designs has it all on notecards, journals, and stationery. All their products are sourced and manufactured in the US; mostly within very close proximity to their studio in the Finger Lakes. Bravo, Acorn Designs! Visit their Facebook page or their website to learn more about what they have to offer.

Tell Governor Cuomo: “We Want Green Transportation Infrastructure in NYS”

Calls to Action

NY for TCI (New York for Transportation and Climate Initiative) has written a letter, urging Governor Cuomo to implement a “cap-and-invest” program – under which New York and neighboring states would limit and reduce carbon pollution from transportation fuels and invest in our communities to provide better, cleaner, and safer transportation options. By leading on TCI, NYS can accelerate our state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and build back stronger with good family-sustaining green jobs while protecting the long-term health and well-being of our communities. Sign this letter to Governor Cuomo to show your support for an equitable and sustainable Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) program for New York.

Muddy Fingers Farm

Signs of Sustainability

A small vegetable farm in Hector, NY using organic growing methods; CSA members can pick up their veggies at farmers markets in Corning and Elmira, or pick up straight from the farm. Is a weekly share too much? They have alternative options too! AND, they just won a grant through our very own Finger Lakes Climate Fund! Congrats to Muddy Fingers!

SewGreen

Signs of Sustainability

SewGreen is a reuse store right by the Ithaca Commons, that sells unwanted sewing textiles, yarn, needlecraft supplies, and sewing machines. All materials are donated by community members, saving about 22 tons 😳 of materials(!!!) from going to landfills EVERY YEAR! Proceeds help support apprenticeships 👩‍🏭 and meaningful jobs for young people 👨‍🏫, summer camps for kids 🏃, and sewing classes for all ages🧵 Wooooooohoooooo! 🥳 Visit their Facebook page or their website to learn more.

Dish Truck

Signs of Sustainability

Step 1: Dish Truck works with you to determine the specific needs for your event. Step 2: Dish Truck brings clean dishes to you and help set up clean dish pick-up and dirty dish collection stations. Step 3: Dish Truck hauls away the dirty dishes. Step 4: You smile, knowing your event did not create disposable dish garbage! 😇👍👍 Visit their website to learn more about this recipient of our Neighborhood Mini-Grant!

ArtRage Gallery

Signs of Sustainability

This Syracuse gallery has a mission to exhibit progressive art that inspires resistance and promotes social awareness – a mission we can get behind! 👍 ArtRage has reopened in person as of September 1st, but if you’d rather stay home, you can still view their virtual exhibition via their website, called 8 Minutes 46 Seconds, comprised of powerful moments captured from the current BLM movement, or their current exhibition, called The Seven Deadly Sins – A Trump Dystopian Heptology.