Farm Aid Mission

 Since 1985 Farm Aid has been at the forefront of protecting the nations family farms; family farms are essential components of the economy, providing good jobs, growing healthy food, and acting as stewards of the environment.  Along with hosting the 1-800-FARM-AID hotline, they provide the most comprehensive national database of farmer resource referrals available.

Farm Aid also provides the Farmer Resource Network, an online space where new and established farmers can find the information and tools they need to thrive.

1% for the Planet Partners 

Farm Aid works with a wide variety of partners including a number of 1% for the Planet partner.  Some of these include: 

Center for Rural Affairs (NE)

CAFF

Cultivate Kansas City

EarthDance

Family Farm Defenders

Growing Power

Intervale Center

National Farm to School Network

Organic Seed Alliance

Slow Food USA

Successes to Date 

-  Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985.

“Shoppers! Buy with a conscience and save the family farm.”

– Neil Young

 -  Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001

-  Farm Aid has raised more than $40 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system

-  For over 27 years, Farm Aid has answered 1-800-FARM-AID to provide immediate and effective support services to farm families in crisis

-  Fielded 800 farm contacts via the hotline in 2012 alone

-  Provided drought assistance funds to 45 farm and ranch families in 2012

-  Provided emergency support to 7 farm families in 2012

Challenges:

-       Over the last 30 years, America has lost an average of 350 small and mid-sized farms each week

-       According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, between 1982 and 2007, the US lost over 40 percent of its small and mid-sized farms - or 460,000 farms

-       93% of soybeans and 80% of corn grown in the US are under the control of one company

-       The effects of climate change make running small and medium-sized farms even more challenging

Call to Action

1. Anyone can help to support Farm Aid’s cause by first and foremost, supporting your local farmers.

2. You can also check out, Farm Aid’s Action Center, where you can use a number of tools to make your voice heard for family farmers.  Issues discussed include the US Farm Bill, mandatory labeling of GMO’s, fair markets for all farmers, and farm to school programs.

3. There are also a multitude of opportunities for volunteering at Farm Aid’s annual concert.

A Brighter Future for Farm Aid and America

Farm Aid’s longevity and commitment to the American family farm make them a unique and inviting resource for independent farmers. As new resources and new organizations spring forward to service the next generation of America’s family farmers, Farm Aid is committed to the task of mapping out and promoting these educational opportunities and tools.   If Farm Aid is successful, it will meet these objectives:

- Farm Aid’s Farmer Resource Network is known, utilized and effective in getting farmers the resources they need.

- Family farmers are no longer driven off the land by corporate greed and outdated governmental programs.

- Fair farm policies are enacted to defend and bolster family farm agriculture.

- Strong markets exist to support more family farmers.

- Consumers prefer food from family farms, and reconnect with their local farmers.

- Everyone can afford good food from family farmers to feed their families.

- There is no longer a need for Farm Aid! Hopefully everyone who wants to grow can successfully make a living farming

Contact Kari Williams, Farm Aid’s Development Director, kari@farmaid.org, 617.354.2922 with any further questions.

Quesnel Construction is a full service construction company that was established in 1997. They assist clients from the conception stage of a project through completion. The company began by working in Government buildings and medical centers in Ottawa, Ontario and expanded to Vancouver in 2008. Quesnel Construction had the opportunity to be involved in the re-branding of a Best Western into a Sheraton, updated 158 bathrooms at the Holiday Inn at the Whistler Village Centre, renovated both a fitness center and a concierge lounge at the Marriott in Richmond, as well as several other projects in preparation for the 2010 Olympics.

Quesnel Construction has recently expanded and now offers QC MultiServices, a residential division servicing Barrie, Ontario and the surrounding area. QC MultiServices offers residential cleaning services, professional window washing, and additional services. They are committed to impeccable customer service, attention to detail and customer satisfaction.

Quesnel Construction understands the growing responsibility that the construction industry has to help create healthy, accessible, and environmentally sensitive spaces while maintaining integrity, beauty and efficiency for their clients. This is what sets them apart from other firms and keeps their clients coming back to them for all of their construction needs.  As a member of 1% for the Planet they will be able to partner with nonprofit partners that are making similar commitments to creating a more sustainable world.

1% for the Planet also welcomes For Our Grandchildren Holdings!

For Our Grandchildren Holdings Inc. is a small venture firm located in Vancouver, British Columbia that has a passion for creating and investing in companies and people that our grandchildren will be proud of. According to the firm, “Our interest reaches almost every sector of industry and community and membership with 1% for the Planet is simply an expression that we know our grandchildren would be proud of both of our organizations. We appreciate such a responsible perspective and hope that we can do our part to help you achieve these goals.”

1% for the Planet is proud to have both of these fine organizations as part of the network!

Aww the tasting extravaganza that is ExpoWest!

1% for the Planet was pleased to have a solid presence from our member companies Clif Bar, ECOlunchboxes, Spindrift, PeopleTowels, Harney & Sons and TruSweets.  Wherever we went, a bustling member booth was to be found: Janie Hoffman, of Mamma Chia, was debuting her new Chia Squeeze vitality snack; Neal, of Three Twins Ice Cream, sported his Three Twins branded shoes around the show while also talking about his delectable new ice cream sandwiches; Klean Kanteen started the party off right with a Happy Hour to benefit their 1% for the Planet recipient partner, 5 Gyres; Mark, at Ascenta Health, showed off their new animal supplement line; Caroline, at Elemental Herbs, presented her beautiful new sunscreen line; Elizabeth, at Purely Elizabeth, discussed her up ‘n coming Ancient Grains Oatmeal; and Wean Green lit up the party with their colorful glass containers and gelato party to benefit their 1% for the Planet recipient partner, Grades of Green.

You guys rocked it and it was truly a delight to find so many familiar faces amongst the masses!

While we walked the show quite a bit to check in with all those near and dear, Rebecca, Brodie, and I were also hugely grateful to be sharing a booth space with Nature’s Path EnviroKidz.  In the midst of what could quickly become sensory overload, having our home base at Nature’s Path was just what the thing.  Perhaps unbeknownst to some, Arran Stephens, founder of Nature’s Path, is also quite a gifted poet.  I, along with many others, was hugely grateful for Arran’s calming presence and thoughtful poems that he would share with us throughout the show.  Thank you, Arran!

And while the show is a busy space, it’s also hugely inspirational and a true coming together of so many wonderful people working to really make a difference.

Bud Sorenson, board member of Whole Foods Market and proud padre to our beloved 1% Development Director, Trina Peterson, walked the show floor with us, introducing us to his many friends exhibiting at the show, and also invited us to join him in the conference room where Whole Foods Market was announcing live that they would be requiring all products in their stores to include GMO labeling, to achieve full transparency by 2018.  After a busy fall working to support GMO labeling through our high impact partnership initiatives, we were very excited to hear this news, along with many of our attending member companies.  This step taken by Whole Foods Market is a prime example of how business can work to really make a difference on this planet.

Cheers to transparency and a great show!

Steelhead Vineyards has entered into a partnership with 1% for the Planet, an alliance of businesses that support environmental causes. The Sonoma-based winery becomes one of a network of companies worldwide that donate one percent of sales through 1% for the Planet. Steelhead Vineyards has been a longtime supporter of conservation efforts through sales of its wines, and this new partnership with 1% for the Planet builds on the winery’s commitment to environmental causes.

“Steelhead Vineyards is a great addition to the network. By signing on to 1%, it shows they’re really walking the walk in their sustainability efforts,” says Terry Kellogg, 1% for the Planet CEO. “They’re using generosity as a tool with which to build their business and enabling valuable environmental work along the way. We’re excited to welcome them to the 1% family.”

Members of 1% for the Planet contribute one percent of revenues directly to any of the approved non-profit environmental organizations in 1%’s network. Non-profits are chosen based on referrals, track record and environmental focus. Over 3,000 non-profits worldwide are included in the 1% program.

“A commitment to the environment has been part of our mission from the beginning,” notes Katy Leese, co-proprietor of Steelhead Vineyards. “We were impressed with the commitment and reach of 1% for the Planet, and we are excited to partner with them to support conservation organizations. We’ve worked closely with Trout Unlimited for many years, and that support will continue under this new program.”

Steelhead Vineyards was founded by Quivira Vineyards as a tribute to creek restoration and biodiversity on its Dry Creek Valley estate. In 2002 the first vintage was released to recognize these efforts. This began a unique partnership with Trout Unlimited to maintain and improve the delicate equilibrium between water and land in Sonoma County. Since then, Steelhead Vineyards has grown into an award-winning, nationally distributed wine led by consulting winemaker Hugh Chappelle. In partnering with 1% for the Planet, Steelhead Vineyards is broadening its support of non-profit organizations focused on the environment, which will receive one percent of sales of Steelhead’s Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Steelhead Red blend.

“We’ve been averaging at least one new business member a day, and have nearly 1,400 members in 48 countries. 1% members have contributed over $100 million of critically needed funds into the hands of environmental non-profit groups to date,” comments Kellogg. “We are thrilled by the support we have gained as it proves the environmental ethic is trickling upward to larger corporate entities. The shared belief that you can do well as a business by doing the right thing with respect to the environment is clearly apparent. There’s a paradigm shift happening here and it’s happening organically.”

Based in Sonoma, California, Steelhead Vineyards makes wines from some of the top vineyards and appellations in the North Coast. Additional information on Steelhead vineyards is available at www.steelheadvineyards.com.

“The gathering was life changing. Welcome to a revolution!”
—Paul Tryba, THE FARM, Long Beach, CA

Looking for a new kind of social investing for the 21st century? If so, plan to join Slow Money’s emerging network of thought leaders, investors, donors, farmers, social entrepreneurs and everyday folks for their 4th National Gathering this April in Boulder, CO. Two days of conversations, network building and action planning in a food-loving town. What could be better?

The list of speakers is phenomenal: the international founder of Slow Food Carlo Petrini; Wes Jackson, founder of The Land Institute, which for 30 years has conducted cutting-edge research on sustainable agriculture; Author Joan Gussow, who Michael Pollan has referred to as “my guru”; and many more.

There will also be investment presentations from two dozen small food enterprises and break out sessions on topics ranging from New Visions of Corporate Philanthropy to Exploring Seeds and Biodiversity to Impact Investing, plus the opportunity to collaborate with folks from around the country who are finding new ways to connect money, culture and the soil—including members of the 16 chapters channeling millions of dollars into local small food enterprises.

The Slow Money National Gathering brings together people who are rebuilding local food systems across the U.S. and around the world. More than 2,000 people attended the first three national gatherings—with over $22 million now invested in more than 185 small food enteprises!

Join this forward thinking group now. For details and to register, click here.

Like many locations, Vermont faces two significant threats:  climate change and the development of wild and open spaces.  As the length and intensity of winters diminish, the state sees that the time is now to highlight it’s year round benefits.  Every year more of the state’s most beautiful locations are developed.  Vermont and other locations facing these threats must find innovative solutions to access nature and enjoy an uninterrupted outdoor experience.

VMBA Mission

The Vermont Mountain Bike Association works on these issues through its dedication to building and maintaining high-quality mountain bike trails.  VMBA serves as the statewide voice of riding and advocates for sustainably constructed trail resources.  Not only does it help to protect and conserve Vermont’s natural heritage, but it is reconstituting what it means to be a working landscape.  A thriving mountain bike trail system will help to reinvigorate Vermont’s outdoor tourism industry, promote healthy lifestyles, protect the natural environment, and provide a model for other state’s to follow.

“Vermont has long been revered as an outdoors destination for hiking and snowsports; attracting millions of visitors to its beautiful and invigorating landscape annually,” says Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Megan Smith. “Presenting Vermont as the ideal mountain biking destination that it is, is not only a natural step in the movement toward increasing healthy, outdoor recreation in the Green Mountain State, but it also has great potential to drive our tourism economy.“

In addition to working with individual mountain bikers, VMBA partners with a wide variety of public and private organizations.

Current Partners include:

• Lintilhac Foundation
• The State’s Tourism Department
• Darn Tough Socks
• Vermont Peanut Butter Company
• Long Trial Brewery

By now you’ve probably heard about our big 10th Anniversary event coming up this summer.  We’ve joined forces with the Mad Marathon here in our hometown of Waitsfield, VT to create the 1st ever 1% for the Planet Mad Marathon. Dedicated to sustainability and environmentalism in New England, this event will help us to provide awareness and funding for the nonprofits and partnerships that protect the places we play. Not only should all of our partners plan on attending, but we also want to help raise money for your important causes.  How can we do this you ask?

While most people associate their carbon footprint with their car, the United Nations found that more greenhouse gas emissions come from animal agriculture than from all the world’s planes, trains, ships, cars and trucks combined. The goal of the VegNation race car is to show America that a plant based diet is a win-win for human health, animals, and our planet.

Leilani is actively seeking partners who support the ideas behind a more plant based diet in the food and beverage industry, environmental organizations, animal advocacy groups and health education organizations – to join them in this historic VegNation awareness campaign. Once fully-funded, Leilani will drive the car in a major 2013 ARCA race to be televised on SPEED Channel, available in 80 million North American homes.

“By adopting a more plant-based diet, we can each help curb climate change while also doing something good for our health, for animals, and for our taste buds,” said Leilani. “With more meat-free meals than ever being eaten today, we’re on the right track toward a more sustainable diet.”

1% for the Planet (1%FTP), a global network of businesses committed to giving at least 1% of their sales to environmental causes, is hosting a web page at onepercentfortheplanet.org/leilani seeking tax deductible donations that 1%FTP will use to sponsor the VegNation race car. Leilani is an Ambassador for 1%FTP.

“1% for the Planet is all about inspiring business leaders, consumers and activists to support important environmental work,” said 1% for the Planet CEO Terry Kellogg. “Leilani’s concept is a great way to spread that message and engage the public on ways to solve key environmental issues.”

Wildlife Works, based in Mill Valley, CA is also a partner in the project; the organization will be donating 100% of the profits from its Kukanga line to the VegNation race car.

“We are honored to be supporting Leilani and her VegNation race car,” said Joyce Hu, Wildlife Works’ creative director. “She’s a brave, sexy advocate for the earth – our kind of girl!”

VegNews Magazine, based out of San Francisco, CA, has also come on board as a partner of Leilani and her VegNation race car.

“A vegan-themed race car that educates NASCAR fans about the global-warming effects of a meat-based diet deserves the full-blown support of the green community,” said VegNews founder and publisher Joseph Connelly. “Leilani has shown that she is the real deal, both walking — and driving — her talk. She’s a committed vegan, a dedicated environmental activist, and unafraid to take risks both on and off the track. VegNews is honored to be part of her crew.”

Individuals can show their support for the VegNation race car bymaking a direct donation or by purchasing from the Kukhanga clothing line.

Contact information:
Gaelan Brown, 802-496-5408, Gaelan@OnePercentforthePlanet.org

About Leilani

Leilani Münter is a biology-graduate-turned-race-car-driver and environmental leader. She has been named the world’s #1 Eco Athlete by Discovery’s Planet Green, is a recipient of ELLE Magazine’s 2012 Genius Award, has been featured on the front page of CNN, in the New York Times, and was named as one of the top ten female race car drivers in the world by Sports Illustrated. She is the fourth woman in history to race in the Indy Pro Series, holds the record for the highest finish for a female stock car driver at Texas Motor Speedway (4th in 2006), and was the first woman in the 45 year history to qualify for the Bettenhausen Classic late model race. An almost-lifelong vegetarian, and now vegan, Leilani’s motto is “Never underestimate a vegetarian hippie chick with a race car.” On the web at carbonfreegirl.com

About 1% for the Planet
Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Files, 1% for the Planet is a platform of credibility and engagement for environmentally conscious brands that are truly committed to making a positive impact with their business. This global movement of more than 1000 member companies in 45 countries donate one percent of annual sales directly to approved environmental programs worldwide, and new members join on a daily basis. 1%FTP annually reviews financial records to certify that member businesses meet their commitment. On the web at onepercentfortheplanet.org

About VegNews
The premier vegan lifestyle magazine, VegNews serves up the latest in news, food, travel, politics, and buzz to this growing segment. Named one of the “Best 50 Magazines” by the Chicago Tribune (#18) and the country’s “Best Lifestyle Magazine” in 2008, 2009, and 2010, VegNews is read by more than 240,000 people in 38 countries. In addition to it’s flagship publication, the vegetarian media company also produces the award-winning VegNews.com along with a collection of popular e-newsletters, cookbooks, events, and vacations. On the web at vegnews.com

About Wildlife Works
Wildlife Works is the world’s leading REDD project development and management company with a unique approach to applying innovative market based solutions to the conservation of biodiversity. The company established a successful model that uses the emerging marketplace for REDD carbon offsets as a sustainable and scalable funding mechanism for biodiverse forest protection and to help local landowners in the developing world monetize their forest and biodiversity assets whether they are indigenous peoples, governments, communities, ownership groups or private individuals. Wildlife Works’ flagship “Kasigau Corridor REDD project” in SE Kenya was the first REDD project to achieve validation, verification, and issuance of REDD carbon credits under both the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCB). On the web at wildlifeworks.com

1% for the Planet has joined forces with Climate Ride for our 3rd year of climate advocacy on wheels.  Trina Peterson will be leading the 1% for the Planet Team this year, training for the ride from her home in the mountains of Colorado.  In addition to our team, 1% for the Planet has been named one of the beneficiaries for our dedication to sustainable solutions and bike advocacy.  Trina will be riding over 300 miles to raise awareness of sustainability solutions and further 1% for the Planet’s climate action.

Climate Ride is a nonprofit partner that organizes life-changing charitable events to raise awareness and support sustainability, bike advocacy, and environmental causes. Each year, Climate Ride holds two week-long events:  Climate Ride NYC-DC and Climate Ride California.

1% for the Planet will be represented during the California Ride (May 19- 23, 2013) and we are looking for additional climate advocates to saddle up.  Cycle to a clean energy future through majestic Redwood Forests, famed wine country, and iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

• Join the 1% for the Planet Team

OR

•  Support our efforts with a financial contribution

You will be joining a community of active advocates who believe in 1% for the Planet’s ability to transform business as usual. All skill levels are welcome as are all levels of financial support.  You can make a secure online donation today by clicking on the ‘Support Me‘ button. You’ll automatically receive an acknowledgment and I will be notified by email of your support.