Do you want to eliminate plastic waste associated with soaps and other cleaning products? Clear Future proves that affordable, sustainable cleaning products are more accessible than you realize. In 2024, Caleb Thomas noticed how everyday cleaning products contribute to environmental degradation and expose our bodies to microplastics. Thomas recalled, “I started to look at some…
Established in 2018, the Little Finger Lakes Center, located in the old Hemlock School on South Main Street in Hemlock, NY, serves as a vital hub for the residents of the Little Finger Lakes Region- Canadice, Conesus, Hemlock, and Honeoye Lakes. More than just a building, this center symbolizes the community’s commitment to preserving its…
The Ithaca Local Economy Lab Podcast is a conversation with local businesses and community programs that are doing things just a little bit differently. The old economy, based on the idea that more is better, isn’t working for us regular folks. But the New Economy is already here – it’s just camouflaged. Ithaca, NY is…
The Farmers Supporting Farmers (FSF) Program, an initiative of AIM Independent Living Center, sponsored by the NYS Office of Mental Health, is available to support farmers, agribusiness workers, and their families across New York State. Rooted in peer connection and real agricultural experience, FSF is designed to strengthen the long-term resilience of our farming communities,…
For years, Lansing Loves to Read has supported local literacy initiatives. According to Laura Morse, Director of Lansing Loves to Read, “We try to get books into the hands of children wherever they may be. For example, while waiting at local restaurants, dropping paperwork off at town hall… or visiting community spaces.” Morse’s team makes…
The individual in the above photo is Sandi Bassett, volunteer at Lodi Food 4 All. For the past 11 years, the Lodi Food Pantry has offered nutritious food for the town’s residents. In recent months, these services have become even more crucial: “Our numbers increased incredibly when SNAP and other federal programs were discontinued,” says…
As many NYSEG customers have realized, energy costs have gone up and will continue to rise. Gerri Wiley is an Energy Navigator and long-term resident in NY’s Southern Tier, dedicated to tracking and breaking down delivery and supply cost increases through her monthly updates. Her newsletter, Energy Updates, also provides the latest on offerings by…
Located in Yates County, along Seneca Lake, Anthony Road Wine Company has an ideal microclimate – cool temperatures in the summer and a few degrees above average temperature in the winter – for growing grapes. Their products depend on this delicate climate, and their mission of farming responsibly reflects that. To Anthony Road Wine Company,…
You know those tough, tennis-ball-shaped fruits that litter your yard every year and you ignore? Those are Black Walnuts, and they play a much more important role in our environment than you expect. Black Walnuts are an important species native to New York State, and Black Squirrel Farm aims to keep them from going to…
The New Roots Charter School, founded on values of empowering and educating students on paths in social, economic, and ecological sustainability, is now expanding its operations to be a middle and high school starting this Fall. New Roots offers interdisciplinary coursework for eligible students from grades 6-12, featuring hands-on, community-based learning that gives students problem-solving…
Seneca Lake Guardian (SLG) is a small grassroots group dedicated to preserving and protecting the health of the Finger Lakes Region, its residents and visitors, rural community character, and agricultural and tourist-related businesses that depend on the lake for their livelihoods. Their advocacy includes public education, citizen participation, engagement with decision makers, and networking with…
Are you passionate about the environment and want to get involved in a community dedicated to change? Third Act may be the perfect platform to check out! Third Act is a network of Americans over sixty that are committed to protecting our climate and democracy.
Hammerstone School combines craftsmanship with skill-building, offering classes that prioritize women as students and future builders. By teaching building skills, Hammerstone empowers both women and non-binary individuals to use their bodies and minds for creative and practical purposes. They aim to challenge the long-standing societal norm where boys are taught to build while girls are…
Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments (VINES) is dedicated to building a sustainable and equitable community food system. By bringing together diverse groups, with a focus on youth development, VINES establishes community gardens, urban agriculture projects, and green spaces. These programs revitalize urban areas and empower people of all ages and abilities. VINES embodies its mission through…
Written by Natalie Goldstein GreenSpark Solar, which is located in Rochester, NY and which installs solar energy systems throughout Central New York, is a certified Top Workplace, Top Solar Contractor, and a NYSERDA Gold Quality Solar Installer. The latter certifications are based on GreenSpark’s stellar work in installing both residential and commercial solar energy systems.…