Our mission is to reshape our communities and our local economies in the service of resiliency, racial equity, and carbon-neutrality. Instead of extractive ‘business as usual’, we aspire to inclusive models that prioritize drawdown; serve all community members equally; are healthy and generative; and that recognize the fragility and wisdom of nature in balance.
Wednesday Climate Action Coffee Series: Get woke and smell the coffee!
***Covid-19 Update: All meetings will now be virtual, Wednesdays 8:00 to 9:30 am
May 27 Meeting: Invasive Plants in Your Backyard
Many of us are making the most of quarantine by connecting more with our yards as we do spring clean-ups, plant vegetable gardens, and tend to our flower beds. This is a great time to tackle some of the invasive plants that may have found their way into your yard. Non-native invasive plants are not only a nuisance in your garden or lawn–when they escape to parks and other open areas they kill tress, crowd out native vegetation, reduce biological diversity and disrupt ecosystems.
Our guests will be “ Weed Warriors” Kit Gage and Jim Anderson from Friends of Sligo Creek (www.fosc.org) . Their presentation will cover the essentials of non-native invasive plants: why this matters, how to recognize and properly remove common invaders, what to plant instead, and where to find native plants for your yard. You will also hear about local training and volunteer opportunities. All are welcome. The program will be recorded live and will be available for later viewing on this webpage.
Resources on Non-native Invasive Plants.pdf
Invasive Plant Removal – Why Go Native?
Climate Action Coffee May 27 Part 1-Dorothy’s Woods and Invasive Plants from Galen Tromble on Vimeo.
Climate Action Coffee May 25 Mike Tidwell Takoma Trees from Galen Tromble on Vimeo.
Zoom Meeting Video Link
Sign up for CAC updates |
| To join our email list and Google Group, email Dan Sisken at dansisken@gmail.com |
https://zoom.us/j/387972672?
If you’re joining from the phone app, use:
Meeting ID: 387 972 672
Password: 227728For phone dial-in (voice only) dial: 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 387 972 672
Password: 227728
If you’re joining from the phone app, use:
Meeting ID: 387 972 672
Password: 227728For phone dial-in (voice only) dial: 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 387 972 672
Password: 227728
***Wednesday evenings farmer support group on Zoom (all welcome)
Continuing on the success of our prior weekly calls over the last six weeks, Caroline, Philip, and Jillaine Smith [more details about us below] will again host a Zoom call this evening, Wednesday, May 27, 8:00 p.m. to 9 or 9:30 p.m.
The purpose of the Zoom call is to provide a virtual space for any farmers/ranchers from the Montgomery County Ag Reserve and surrounding area to check in with each other as members of the agricultural community. We also are inviting others from the general public who may be purchasers of ag products and interested in how that community is faring, to join the call with the purpose of greater understanding, information sharing, and to learn where we might offer assistance. We have identified and acted on a number of suggestions heard on past calls (e.g., farm COVID signage, and evaluation of online platforms for marketing products).
Proposed agenda for May 27:
* Introductions, hopes & ground rules
* Check-ins
* Update on Ten Mile Creek ZTA
* Discussion
Potential topics for future monthly calls (inquiries are being made to identify resource people):
(1) market aggregator(s), and
(2) ag land investment
(3) a network of urban ag reserve farms
(4) possible step to foster greater regenerative agriculture
Please suggest other topics are of interest.
Resource: E-Commerce Platforms for Farmers
Please send an email to pbogdonoff@gmail.com with “MoCo Ag Check-in” in the subject to sign up for alerts of any future similar Zoom sessions.
Meeting Topic: Check-in with MoCo Ag producers and consumers
Time: Wed., May 20, 2020 8:00 – 9:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87605182019?pwd=blU1SzBRMDhNZCtvbE9jZytnL0NRQT09
Meeting ID: 876 0518 2019
Password: 270981
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 876 0518 2019
Password: 270981
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aGfIPI9uK
Password: 270981
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,99935927101#,,#,529372# US (New York)
+13126266799,,99935927101#,,#,529372# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 876 0518 2019
Password: 270981
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aGfIPI9uK
Continuing on the success of our calls, Caroline Taylor (Montgomery Countryside Alliance), Philip Bogdonoff (TALLE/CAC), and Jillaine Smith (facilitator) [more details on us below], will again host a Zoom call on Wednesday, May 13, 8:00 p.m. to 9 or 9:30 p.m. We are starting at 8 pm to allow people to take advantage of any remaining evening light.
The purpose of the Zoom call is to provide a virtual space for any farmers/ranchers from the Montgomery County Ag Reserve and surrounding area to check in with each other as members of the MoCo agricultural community. We also are inviting others from the general public who may be purchasers of ag products and interested in how that community is faring, to join the call with the purpose of greater understanding, information sharing, and to learn where we might offer assistance.
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Notes from Previous Farmer Support Group Meetings
_______________________________________________
Previous Meetings
_________________________________________________
May 20 Meeting: Koiner Farm Proposal for an Urban Farm Network in Montgomery County
This Wednesday at 8 AM, the online Climate Action Coffee hosted Kate Medina of the Charles Koiner Conservancy for Urban Farming to talk about their vision for a network of urban farms in Montgomery County to complement the up-county Agricultural Reserve, and to provide education and food security in our communities.
Conference video here:
The Koiner Farm in downtown Silver Spring is a one acre oasis of life about two blocks from the downtown commercial district. Charlie Koiner started the farm when he retired in the 1980s, and sold produce at farmers markets in Silver Spring. Charlie passed early in 2019, and the farm is now operated by the CKC Farming, (https://www.ckcfarming.org/)
Action Item: Petition to Build A Sustainable Urban Habitat Demonstration at Dorothy’s Woods
Dear Neighbors: Thank you for supporting the Dorothy’s Wood Sustainable Urban Habitat project with your signatures and willingness to help plan, implement and maintain the project.
Now, with a team of more than 50 people/families on board, we can soon approach the City for their support and collaboration. We will advise you of our progress and any developments.
Thanks,
Takoma Park Mobilization/Talle
Update: read/download the draft proposal.
_______________________________________
March 25: Our Farming Community and Local Food Supply – What Now?
Notes and links from the March 25 call
Takoma Alliance for Local Living Economy (TALLE) invites you to join a “Regional Food Support Forum” via Zoom this Wednesday, 3/25 at 8 AM (Zoom details below).
This next Climate Action Coffee (BYO!) puts the conversation about issues facing our regional food system on the fast track and will explore what we can do to help. We will discuss how to mobilize local volunteers and other resources to support local farmers, distributors and retail stores if/when needed. This is a surreal time coming at one of the busiest times of the year for farmers as they start to plant their crops.
* Can we identify chief needs now and anticipated in the near future?
* How might we collectively and individually meet those needs?
Moderating the discussion will be Philip Bogdonoff, TALLE/CAC Steering Group and Director, Washington DC Chapter, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate
Anticipated Resource People:
-
Caroline Taylor, Executive Director, Montgomery Countryside Alliance (http://mocoalliance.org/)
-
Lee Langstaff of Shepherd’s Hey Farm
-
Mike Houston, General Manager, TPSS Co-op (tpss.coop)
- Nick Maravell of Nick’s Organic Farm
-
Jackie DeCarlo, CEO, MANNA Food Center (www.mannafood.org) [or an alternate]
-
Dale Tibbitts, Special Assistant, Office of the County Executive (https://www.
montgomerycountymd.gov/exec/) -
Heather Bruskin, Executive Director, Montgomery County Food Council (https://mocofoodcouncil.org/)
-
Gene Kingsbury, Kingsbury’s Orchard (in the Ag Reserve) (https://www.
kingsburysorchard.com/) -
And possibly others (e.g., Greg Glenn, Rocklands Farm & Vineyard; Delegate Lorig Charkoudian)
Please consider buying a share in a CSA in your region. Regenerative and other soil-building farming methods, when practiced in your watershed/foodshed, help protect community well-being.
Message from Montgomery Countryside Alliance on Helping the Farming Community
Here at MCA we are working on ways to help the farming community through this crisis and also help hungry folks tap into healthy local food. We want to hear from you on what you are worried about and what might help – is it labor, distribution, supply chain, what? The quick survey is anonymous but if you want to be involved in planning a response with us make sure you include your contact info. This can be our finest hour.
Take the survey here and thank you!
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March 4 – Climate Action Coffee: Sustainable Urban Habitat
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Busboys and Poets, Takoma
‘Nicolás Guillén room’,
235 Carroll St. NW
Washington DC
What are the sustainable options for our yards, pollinators and green space in an increasingly unpredictable wet, dry and hot climate? Please join us to discuss sustainable practices in our region how we can adapt to climate change by cultivating sustainable gardens and rainscapes with key resource people. All are welcome.
Resource People:
Galen Tromble (moderator) – yoga teacher, climate solution educator, founder of ClimateYogi.org, and Permaculture practitioner interested in
community based climate solutions.
Lincoln Smith – a certified landscape architect, permaculture design teacher and founder of Forested, LLC. Created a 10 acre demonstration
edible food forest in Bowie, MD. https://www.forested.us/
https://www.forested.us/permaculture-design-course
Liz Humes Estep – Founder of the pollinator non-profit Remeadow:
https://remeadow.org/blog/
Matt Cohen – Owner Matt’s Habitats, a Silver Spring business focusing on Edible Landscapes, Wildlife Friendly Gardens, Native, Drought
Tolerant & Low Maintenance Plants
https://sites.google.com/a/mattshabitats.com/www/gardening
Mary Travaglini – Montgomery County Program Manager, Organic Lawn and Landscape Program
Busboys and Poets will provide complimentary fair trade coffee.
Sponsored by Busboys and Poets, TALLE/Takoma Park Mobilization
Busboys and Poets’ full service breakfast menu will be available, as well as complimentary Fair Trade coffee. We encourage anyone who is able to continue the conversation following the 7:30-9 a.m. program, either in the main dining area or in the Guillen Room, as Busboys and Poets generously invites us to remain there if we choose. Full breakfast service is available.
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February 12 – Financing a Local Living Economy Through Green Banking
Video of Event
7:30-9:00 AM
How can finance help mitigate climate change and promote a just transition to a green economy? Please join us to discuss past, present and future initiatives in our region and beyond with key resource people. All are welcome.
Resource People
Larry Martin (moderator) – Steering Committee member of the DC Public Banking Center.
Michael Brennan – UMD grad student and public banking activist.
Thomas Deyo – Inaugural CEO of the Montgomery County Green Bank, mandate is to bring greater access to clean energy and energy efficiency financing for households, businesses, and institutions in Montgomery County.
Dan Robinson – former Takoma Park City Councilmember, leader in Takoma Credit Union initiative and local activist/entrepreneur.
Steve Seuser – Steering Committee member of the DC Public Banking Center. 25 years working with public, private and nonprofit sectors in affordable housing, renewable energy, economic development, and finance.
February 5 Discussion: Takoma Park’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
Agenda for TP City’s Feb 5 Public Discussion
Background document including recommendations
Video of Feb 5 Climate Action Coffee, including Powerpoint
January 29: “The Green New Deal & Sunrise Movement’s Plan To Win; a coffee date for Youth & Allies”
Wednesday, January 29, 7:30-9:00 am
Busboys & Poets (big room in back)•235 Carroll St NW, Takoma, DC 20012
Busboys will provide complimentary fair trade coffee. Full breakfast menu will be available.
Sponsored by: Busboys, Climate Action Coffee, Sunrise Movement, Organic Consumers Association
Then, same day in the evening: “Climate Reporting Challenges (6-8 pm); The Green New Deal & Sunrise Movement’s Plan To Win (8-8:30 pm)”
January 29, 6-8:30 pm; Reporting panel is 6:00-8:00 pm; Sunrise presentation is 8:00-8:30 pm, followed by discussion
Busboys & Poets (big room in back)•235 Carroll St NW, Takoma, DC 20012
Full menu available.
Sponsored by: Busboys, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Mother Jones, TIME Magazine, Data for Progress, Sunrise Movement
Next, attend Sunrise Movement’s Plan to Win the Green New Deal Launch Party at Rhizome in Takoma.Friday, January 31. 4:00-6:30 pm |
January 15 Event: Community Choice Energy Bill—A Game Changer in the Transition to Green
Wednesday, January 15, 2020, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Busboys and Poets, Takoma
235 Carroll St NW, DC
Join us for a conversation about Community Choice Energy with Lily Hawkins of Food & Water Action and Gina Mathias, Takoma Park’s Sustainability Manager, on Wednesday, January 15.
Community Choice Energy (CCE), a bill sponsored by Delegate Lorig Charkoudian and by Senator Pamela Beidle, could enable Maryland to quickly transition to renewable energy and greatly reduce energy costs for Maryland consumers. CCE enables communities to establish energy aggregation programs, like others already operating successfully around the country. It would allow local governments to directly negotiate with utilities, driving down rates for consumers and enabling investment in clean, renewable energy. The City of Takoma Park and Montgomery County support the bill. Gina Mathias will discuss the importance of the CCE in reaching Takoma Park’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2035, and will discuss her sustainability plan that she will propose to the City Council on January 22.
Background
December 11 Event: The Future of a Low-Carbon Economic Development in Montgomery County: A Discussion between County Executive Marc Elrich and Michael Shuman
Throughout his political career, Marc Elrich has advocated reshaping economic development in Montgomery County in light of the emerging climate crisis. What has he accomplished thus far? What more should be done? What new strategies are needed? What can Montgomery County residents do to support this goal? This program will begin with discussion led by Michael Shuman, who has written five books on local economic development, and then will welcome your questions and recommendations.
November 13: Building Equity and Promoting Drawdown in our Regional Food Systems – The Conversation Continues
TPSS Co-op is joining Busboys and Poets and the Takoma Alliance for Local Living Economy (TALLE/Takoma Park Mobilization), to co-host the Climate Action Coffee series for the month of November and beyond.
Please join us for the continuing discussion on ‘Building Equity and Promoting Drawdown in our Regional Food Systems’ on November 13 with Lindsay Smith, Regional Food Systems Value Chain Coordinator, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
In mid-November, climate activists, legislators, small farmer advocates, cooperative grocery stores and other food system leaders came together to highlight the importance of strengthening our regional food system and to offer guidance in determining where activists can step up to further the urgent work already underway. Stay tuned for a list of action items, and watch the full session.
Also read the summary blogpost by Susanne Lowen on the TPSS Co-op website.
Busboys and Poets’ full service breakfast menu will be available, as well as complimentary Fair Trade coffee. We encourage anyone who is able to continue the conversation following the 7:30-9 a.m. program, either in the main dining area or in the Guillen Room, as Busboys and Poets generously invites us to remain there if we choose. Full breakfast service is available. 
7:30-9:00 am
Busboys and Poets, Takoma
235 Carroll St NW, DC
The Climate Action Coffee takes place every Wednesday, 7:30 am-9 am at Busboy and Poets, Takoma.
This is a weekly series meant to provide an organizing workspace with action-oriented discussion circles focused on building the kinds of markets, society, food systems and resiliency that we want for our region; raising watershed and environmental justice consciousness; and following youth climate leaders in taking immediate action to reverse the dramatic disruption of our climate systems. Bring your vision and passion for reshaping our communities and local economies in the service of resiliency, racial equity, and carbon-neutrality.
Free coffee compliments of Busboys!
Every Wednesday at 7:30-9:00 am
Busboys and Poets, Takoma
Nicolas Guillen Room
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2536864976380836/
Sign up for updates here
Sponsored by Takoma Park Mobilization/TALLE Working Group and Busboys and Poets
See Busboys In House Series