More young folks working on local farms

For some, it's not enough to buy local food -- they want to help grow it.

The Post Magazine had a great article Sunday ("Growing Season") about the swell of young adults who are working on local farms, either for a season or year-round. Some plan to rent land and give farming a go on their own. Three 20-something friends who have been working at Wheatland Vegetable Farms in Loudoun County even have a blog about their experience at iheartnature.com.

Farming is hard work; your 20s are probably the best time to try it, because you're young and strong. I've thought about volunteering on a farm for a day or a week or two, but I'm not sure about a whole season or year. I would be interested to see how much work goes into farming organically versus non-organically. For now, I'm content to buy a half-share of a CSA and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of our local farmers' labors.

What do you think? Would you work on a farm or are you happy to just buy the local produce?

Green events calendar for October in the DC area

Okay, sorry for being a little late again with the calendar. Here are some upcoming events and classes.

October, various dates: Classes From the Green Building Institute
Take classes in greening your home, green building and energy efficiency and more. Schedules vary by location.
Bethesda, Loudoun County, Montgomery College, Silver Spring, Washington, DC
Costs: From $20-$55, depending on whether you are a student and/or a Green Building Institute member.

October 8: Our Sustainable Future: Making Change Happen
This special event hosted by National Geographic Live provides an insightful look at changes being made in communities across the nation that are moving us toward a sustainable future. The evening will feature an illustrated talk by National Geographic executive editor, Tim Appenzeller, followed by a panel discussion with environmental and business leaders.
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: National Geographic, 1600 M Street NW
Cost: $10

October 9-13 and 15-18: Solar Decathlon on the National Mall
Twenty college teams compete to design, build and operate the most attractive, energy efficient and effective solar house. They've built a small solar village on the Mall. The Solar Decathlon houses will be open for public tours 11 a.m.­–3 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free!

October 10-11: Green Festival Washington, DC
This big green expo features more than 125 renowned speakers and 350 green businesses, how-to workshops, green films, a Fair Trade pavilion, yoga classes, organic beer, delicious organic cuisine and live music.
Cost: $15 per person, $10 for college students (with i.d.), seniors, bike riders with a ticket from Green Festival bike valet, and transit riders with a fare card or pass.

October 10-30: CharityWorks GreenHouse Opens to the Public
Visit the first carbon neutral house on the East Coast, transformed by 19 premier designers into an eco-spectacular designers' showhouse.
Where: 1320 Old Chain Bridge Road, McLean, Virginia 22102
Cost: $25 per ticket online, $30 at the door

October 15: Happy Hour Sponsored by Planting Empowerment
Planting Empowerment works with rainforest peoples in Panama to make conservation profitable. Since 2007 they have planted 22,000 trees on their partners' deforested land. A $5 donation gets you a free drink; $10 gets you a drink and enters you to win a $50 Forest Savings Bond. Your donations will help us fund forestry projects and environmental education in our partner communities.
When: 5-8 p.m.
Where: ChiCha Lounge, 1624 U Street NW #100
Cost: $5 donation gets you a free drink

October 23: 'Green Your Business' Seminar Series Begins
Bethesda Green has partnered with Eco-Coach to offer an eight-part series of seminars that will teach your business how to go green. See link for seminar topics. Complimentary overview session on Friday, October 16 from 8 to 9 AM.
Where: Bethesda Green Education Center, 4825 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda
When: Starting Friday, October 23, 8 AM to Noon and continuing for the following 7 Fridays (except November 27)
Cost: $150 per session, $995 for all eight.

October 24 & 28: GreenerLiving Bethesda Orientation and Workshop
Learn concrete, practical steps you can take to impact the environment by saving energy in your home and on the road. Offered by Bethesda Green. Free spaces limited to first 100 homeowners.
Where: Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell AvenueSuite 200, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
When: October 24 10-11:30 a.m. and October 28 7-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to first 100 homeowners.
RSVP


--> Check out more events listed by Bethesda Green, Going Green DC and LiveGreen.net.

Bicycle center opens at Union Station

I noticed in the Post this weekend that a new bicycle center opened at Union Station on Friday.

The center, called Bikestation Washington D.C., has 150 enclosed bike racks and 20 outdoor racks. It also features a changing room, lockers, bike repair, bike rental, retail sales and free air for your tires.

Here's the Post's news brief about the bike center from Sunday's paper; here's the preview story, which gives more info.

Bikestation is a secure facility accessible via a membership card. You can pay for as little as $10 for 10 days of access, or as much as $96 a year. Plus there's a $20 annual administrative fee for all members.

The new center sounds like a great idea, because you can bike into town, change and go to work. We'll have to see how much use it gets. Have you seen it or used it? Post your comments!