Conscious Choice Seattle: Green Lines

February 2006 | Green Lines

Green Lines

This Month: Choices come Full Circle, online pregnancy, more biodiesel pumps, talking green building

by Heather Nordell

Full Circle Farm’s (http://www.fullcirclefarm.com) organic community supported agriculture (CSA) program is working on enhanced services and projects. It recently formed partnerships with other local growers and producers to create the Green Grocery service. The program allows customers to add on to their existing weekly box of fresh certified organic vegetables, fruits and herbs with a wider choice of produce, plus other organic goods such as Moon Valley local honey, Stiebrs organic eggs and organic baked goods from Essential Baking Company. In 2005, Full Circle Farm donated almost six tons of produce to local food banks and school nutrition education programs. “It’s such a thrill,” says farm co-founder Andrew Stout. “The school programs introduce healthy, organic food to the next generation of kids who become excited about food and the way it is grown.” Recently, Full Circle teamed with Stewardship Partners to complete a habitat restoration project on Full Circle’s land. It will benefit salmon by creating a protective buffer between the farmland and the river. By planting native species of trees and shrubs, that section of the Snoqualmie River will soon be restored to its natural beauty.

Seattle Holistic Center (www.seattleholisticcenter.com) is offering new programs and products for 2006 including a new online store for pregnancy and birth (www.holisticbirthandlife.com), two new yoga videos/DVDs by co-founder Colette Crawford and upcoming workshops. The new online store sells a variety of items to support pregnancy, labor, birth and early parenting such as yoga props, books, videos, massage creams and baby slings. On Feb. 10 and 11, the Center will offer a special “Aikido for Children” workshop for newcomers or returning Aikido students. Sensei Bruce Bookman ’s Aikido program for children is nationally recognized. On March 31 to April 2, visiting renowned yoga teacher, Shari Friedrichsen will offer a special yoga course for experienced students and yoga teachers.

Bring on the biodiesel… Dr. Dan’s Alternative Fuelwerks (www.fuelwerks.com) announces the opening of three new biodiesel stations in the Roosevelt area, West Seattle and Snohomish County. Dr. Dan’s is one of the nation’s oldest and largest distributors of biodiesel. Its Ballard location sells biodiesel, provides auto repairs and offers education and user-resources such as long distance travel planning. Their resources helped a client go cross-country on biodiesel. Currently, Dr. Dan’s biodiesel comes from a farmer cooperative in Iowa, and they are working to create a Washington source. “Producing biodiesel locally would be great for the state,” says Fuelwerks founder, Dan Freeman. “Today, all of Washington’s fuel spending leaves the state. A local source would create a huge boost for our local economy, while also creating cleaner air.” Dr. Dan’s has a number of partnerships including Carter Volkswagen, the Northwest Biodiesel Network and Breathable Bus Coalition.

Built Green™ of King and Snohomish counties (www.builtgreen.net) will hold its annual Built Green Conference for industry professionals on March 16 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle. They anticipate the conference to be the largest yet with 400-some participants. The keynote speaker will be Sarah Susanka, author of The Not So Big House. The conference will include a trade show and numerous educational workshops. Built Green membership grew 279 percent in 2005, thanks in part to a state-supported website, www.builtgreenwashington.org. For more information, call 425-460-8238.

Heather Nordell is a regular contributor to Conscious Choice.

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