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Developing sustainable communities through education, innovation and collaboration.
ASN
509 Scott Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
501.837.7959
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www.arnetwork.org
www.littlerock.locallygrown.net
Facebook.com/ARsustainability
Twitter.com/friendsofasn
Members, Donors, Volunteers, and Supporters since the last newsletter (December 2nd)
2nd Presbyterian Church
LR Parks and Recreation
Jerry and Lynn Senn
Casey Pierce
Melissa Tucker
Allan Ward
Jo Blankenship
Ann Owen
JoAnne Mills
Amy Bell
Eileen Feldman
Bonnie Clinton
Laura Frankenstein
Laura Fiser
Cindy Franklin
Holly Mahony
Emily English
Megan McQueen
Tracy Wedel
Barbara Patty
Mary Cameron
Tammy Robinson
Shirley Jo Pine
Brenda Tiney
Cheri Martinka
Matthew McClure
Rita O’Kelley
Erin Bradford
Lucy Towbin
Helen Baldridge
Rhonda Atwood
Dotty and Ken Goss
Carrie Scott
Martin Maner
Sandy Haden
Robin and Emma Pearson
Jessica Clendenning
Rebecca Norris
Dwayne McFarlan
Juli Brandenberger
Ragan Sutterfield
Jonathan Buford
Nathanael Wills
Sherry Frigon
Judi Cassavechia
Shirley Gray
Kelly Hight
Elizabeth Ellis
Maggie Smith
Mark Robertson
Amie Lein
Erin Waller
Sheb Fisher
Erika Gee
Elaine Braddock
Shana Alexander
Tracy Johnson
Brett Wood
Sally Mengel
Eric and Milanne Sundell
Miranda Atkinson
Laurie Harrison
Becca Krukowski
Rebecca Rainwater
Ken and Pam Lake
MLK King Challenge Volunteers
Executive Director:
Katy Elliott
Food Club Coordinators:
Dwayne McFarlan
Rebecca Norris
Jessica Clendenning
Board of Directors:
Juli Brandenberger
Nancy Dockter
Tera Easter
Erika Gee
Alison Hall
Scott McGehee
Dwayne McFarlan
Ann Owen
Julie de Preux
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
SAVE THE DATE! March 5th – ASN Spring Fundraiser.
Come meet farmers from the ASN Food Club. They’ll highlight what’s in store for the 2010 season while we enjoy dinner prepared by Scott McGehee and ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood-Oven Pizza Company! More info coming soon.
January 30th – Learn about Cloth Diapering
Join ASN and Green Mommie Diaper Service on January 30th, 11am to 12pm at Christ Episcopal Church (509 Scott Street) to get a first hand look at how easy cloth diapering is and the many cloth diapers options available to parents today. Cost: FREE; Children welcome. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by emailing
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, or calling 501-837-7959 so we'll know how many people to expect.
February 20th – Soil Block Workshop at Willow Springs Market Garden
In Europe, the use of small blocks of soil, like a sandcastle, are a very common way to start seeds. No plastic container needed. At this workshop, Robert Lashley of Willow Springs Market Garden will show you how to make your own blocks. The composition of the growing medium will be discussed, the correct amount of moisture to add and the actual use of the blocking tools. Printed instructions provided, and attendees take home 12, 2-inch soil blocks for their home gardens. February 20th, 1pm, at Willow Springs Market Garden. Limit 10 people; Cost $7.50. To RSVP email ASN at
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ASN 2009 Year in review and what’s ahead for 2010!
2009 was a great year for ASN!– A few noteworthy achievements from our Annual Review publication (to be released next month) include acquiring our first grants from Arkansas Community Foundation and the USDA National Institute for Food And Agriculture, establishing a part-time Executive Director position, increasing membership by over 40% and decreasing our overhead costs by 70%!
We’re gearing up for an informative and productive 2010. This coming year you can expect Food Club to continue to connect our members with even more local farmers and farm products, and we’ll continue to coordinate local food dinners. Our work with Felder Farm will continue to offer student and teacher support and volunteer opportunities and we’ll begin our summer youth employment, green job training, and community programs. We ‘re also looking forward to working with the Arkansas Renewable Energy Association, the Winrock Institute, the Arkansas Earth Institute and a host of other partner agencies to bring workshops and discussion courses to you.
Last, but not least, what do you want to see from ASN in 2010? Call or email us anytime. (501-837-7959, or
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)
Extending THANKS to members, donors, volunteers, and supporters
ASN would like to recognize all of our 2009 supporters, most recently Second Presbyterian Church for their donation to ASN and Felder Farm. We applaud Second Presbyterian Church for their outreach to numerous community initiatives. Felder Farm and ASN also celebrate a recent donation of a greenhouse frame from Little Rock Parks and Recreation. Construction is slated to begin immediately. Got skills and experience to help out? Let us know or email us for a list of materials that we will need to acquire to construct the greenhouse. We were happy to welcome MLK King Challenge Day of Service volunteers to Felder Farm for their incredible energy and assistance planting Felder’s first fruit bearing plants: Arkansas Black Apples and Blueberry bushes! We would also like to correct a misspelled name in our last newsletter and recognize Janet Udouj for her support of ASN.
February 17th - Global Perspectives on Sustainable Farming
Wednesday February 17th at Felder Farm’s own Ragan Sutterfield’s House (515 W. 24th St.), 6:00 pm. Interested in local food, community, and sustainable agriculture? Wondering about connections to other cultures around the world? Come hear Joanna Seibert share stories from her recent journey to China. Hear about the parallels, ironies, and wonderfully quirky idiosyncratic observations from grassroots farming villages to grasstop Chinese bureaucrats and academicians. Lots of photographs, appetizers and green tea provided. For more information or to RSVP, please call or email (501-837-7959, or
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).
Healthy Children, Healthy Planet Discussion Course
Let us know if you are interested in participating in a Healthy Children - Healthy Planet discussion course. This course, offered through ASN and the Arkansas Earth Institute, is a seven-session course addressing how the pervasive effects of advertising, media, and our consumer culture can influence a child's view of the world. For more information or to express your interest in participating, please call or email (501-837-7959, or
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).
ASN Facebook page and Twitter!
Connect with ASN on facebook - Facebook.com/ARsustainability and follow us on Twitter! - Twitter.com/friendsofasn. Connect with us as we post sustainability events, news and tips. Share your thoughts and join us as we build a discussion on topics such as food club products, green living tips, publications and local initiatives!
ASN Volunteer Positions Available
We are currently looking for 4 motivated and energetic volunteers to co-coordinate Little Rock Local Food Club Pick-ups. Volunteers must commit to one Saturday morning per month, and 2 Saturdays every 3 months. Shift hours are from 8:30am to 12:30pm. It’s a good time and great place to meet and network with ASN members and supporters. A fun way to be part of our vibrant local food movement! Interested? Email us at
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.
ASN February Board of Directors Meeting
February 11th, at noon at Christ Episcopal Church. We currently have a couple of positions available for Board members. Email or call for additional information or to apply to be a Board member – 501-837-7959,
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.
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Other Community Happenings
It’s our pleasure to keep you informed of these community events, info, and announcements…
State of the World 2010: Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability
In Worldwatch Institutes’ most recent State of the World publication, sixty renowned researchers and practitioners describe how we can harness the world’s leading institutions—education, the media, business, governments, traditions, and social movements—to reorient cultures toward sustainability. For more information visit http://www.worldwatch.org/sow10
Ensuring a Healthy Future for Arkansas’ Water Resources
Join ARKANSAS'S WATER FUTURE (A coalition of Audubon Arkansas, Arkansas Public Policy Panel and the The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Field office; Funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.) for a dinner and discussion on the Future of Arkansas’ Water Resources - Thursday, January 21st, 5:30-8:00pm, at Faulkner County Natural Resources Center, 110 S. Amity Rd, Conway, AR. Experts will be on hand to discuss the situation, listen to and answer your questions, and share how you can help protect your drinking water and favorite lakes, rivers and streams. Find more information and RSVP at www.ARPanel.org.
Audubon at Dim Sum and Discussion
January 25th, Lilly's will host Dim Sum and Discussion. We will be meeting in Lilly's Party Room. Come at 6:30 to enjoy some Dim Sum, with the Discussion starting at 7:00. This month, the speaker will be Neo Ueda from Audobon Society, who is the author of the blog greenarbytheday. She will speak about federal climate change legislation and how Arkansans can help get the bill passed. She will also talk about how to lead greener lives through food choices.
Arkansas Earth Institute’s Annual Retreat - Jan 29-30
Relax, get energized and gain fresh insights for the New Year. Enjoy a beautiful setting and informal atmosphere as we get creative with a hands-on art project, look at change and growth with interactive activities, take a labyrinth walk and explore ways to re-focus our energies and make an impact in our communities. Program begins Friday evening and concludes Saturday afternoon at 4 pm. Cost: $60 per person double occupancy; $90 for single occupancy. Price includes lodging plus three delicious meals (Friday night through Saturday afternoon), program, and hayride tour of Heifer Ranch. Location: Heifer Ranch Learning Center in Perryville, Arkansas. For more information or to register, please contact Jessica Clendenning at
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or 501-425-9443.
Sustainable Systems at Work Discussion Course
Sign up for this five-session discussion course designed to further organizational sustainability initiatives in the workplace. Participants in this discussion course will:
a) Evaluate the current economic model and consider the case for change,
b) Examine the concept of sustainability from an organizational perspective, c) Evaluate principles and frameworks for guiding a vision, d) Identify tools and strategies for implementing a framework and e) Develop an action plan to advance organizational change.
Date: Wednesdays, Feb 3rd - March 3rd from 6 - 8 pm
Cost: $35 covers the cost of the study guide
Location: Village Commons, 1423 Main Street
Space is limited so advance registration and payment is requested.
For more information or to register, please contact Shelley Green at 501-213-5388 or email
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.
Audubon Arkansas Backyard Bird Event
Join Audubon Arkansas on Saturday February 13th, from 8am to 3pm at Audubon Center in Little Rock. Learn how native plants, garden features, and smart planning can make your yard a healthy habitat for birds, butterflies, and beneficial wildlife. Featured experts include Mary Ann King, Lori Spencer, Jim Allen, Dan Scheiman, and Mary Smith. Cost: $50 for workshop & organic lunch. For more information, contact Mary Smith,
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Sustainable Business Network of Central Arkansas Kick-off
Tuesday, February 23, 5:30-6:30pm, Sustainable Business Network of Central Arkansas Inaugural Networking Event, Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro (200 Commerce St., Little Rock), $10/person, RSVP by Feb. 12 to
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.
Voluntary Simplicity Discussion Course starting March 3
Date: Tuesday evenings, March 2 - April 20 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm (Note: We will skip March 23rd). Location: Heifer Village, downtown Little Rock. Cost: $40 tuition fee includes course materials and moderated discussions. Register by Tuesday, Feb 16, to receive a $10 discount. To register, e-mail
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or call (501) 907-COWS (2697) for additional information, or visit www.heifer.org/discussions. Early enrollment is encouraged as space is limited.
Little Rock Green Drinks has moved
Green Drinks will now be held at Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro located at 200 Commerce Street in the Rivermarket (Formerly Vermillion). For more information, contact Pam Choate,
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2010 NWA Green Expo
The Planning and Coordination of the 2010 NWA Green Expo is underway. This expo will include:
National Featured Speakers, Green Seminars and Workshops, Eco-friendly Businesses and Services, Vendor Product Displays. When: April 30 and May 1, 2010 at John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers, AR. For information about this event visit www.nwagreenexpo.com.
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