PacificNW SitesAdmin Login |
DiscussionsIWF is Named Risk Management Agency PartnerIWF has been awarded a partnership to work with the Spokane Regional RMA office to develop a bilingual outreach and educationlal program with a special emphasis toward Latino Farmers. IWF will help to develop educational and promotional materials in Spanish and offer bilingual workshops on crop insurance and other risk management issues in Washington State. Sean Hopps will coordinate the project and Miguel Urquiza will be the lead organizer and trainer. IWF Enters Joint Venture with Calyx Sustainable TourismIWF is pleased to announce its joint venture with Calyx Sustainable Tourism We will be working in partnership with Heidi and Steve from Calyx on aspects of our rural economic development strategies that emphasize agritourism development, other forms of niche tourism and how these approaches can support meaningful job development and small business ownership, including small farms. They recently completed a valuable farmland acquisition report which IWF is using for its existing work in Eastern Washington. Most importantly, our values and mission are nicely aligned and we enjoy each other’s company and work style.
Portugal Demonstrates What is PossibleOver the last 5 years, Portugal has forged ahead in the use of renewable energy. Now nearly 45 percent of the electricity in their grid comes from renewable sources, up from 17% five years ago. They use a mixture of wind, hydropower, solar and ocean waves, according to an article in the New York Times. Next year, in 2011, Portugal expects to be the first nation to establish a national network of charging stations for electric cars. Prime Minister José Sócrates used a landslide victory in 2005 to push through the program over the objections of the country's fossil fuel companies. It cost him. In 2009 he won by a far smaller percentage. It cost the ratepayers as well. The Portuguese have long paid about twice what Americans pay for electricity and prices have risen 15% in the last five years, accompanied by much grumbling. Tieton Farmers Markets Starts Up
Climate Change Exacerbates Water Shortages
Water Supply and the Impact on Food Security
|
Recent News
|