Eco-LOCAL Harvest 2012 Edition

THE SOLAR POWER ISSUE Harvest 2012 • Issue 28

FREE

Greater Capital Region of NYS Local Living • Local Economy • Local Communities

INSIDE:

THE CO-OP EXPERIENCE Shopping, As If Your Community Depended On It PLUS: Solar Farms – Growing Power Passive Solar – The Gospel According to Bruce Brownell HVCC Tec-SMART – Next Gen Learnin’ The Den and the Living Room – Returning to Find the Soul of Saratoga

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The sun breaks through the clouds at the Berle Farm in Hoosick.

On the Cover The Honest Weight Food Co-op is the funky, fresh and uniquely original grocery store in Albany.

Lily Bartell on the left is the Communications Director, and Jennifer Grainer on the right is the Marketing Director. These two ladies are part of the management team that make Honest Weight one of the most vibrant Co-ops in the nation.

Membership owned, community driven, people centered…the Co-op is one of our local treasures, and is most definitely eco-LOCAL!

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

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News and Views Money Matters Green Designer Wellness Doc Joys of Functional Living Holistic Health Ask the EnergyExpert Washington County Eco-LOCAL People

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THE CO-OP ADVANTAGE - Shopping As If If Your Community Depended On It GROWING POWER - Local Farms Look To The Sun For Their Energy Needs PASSIVE SOLAR The Gospel According to Bruce Brownell Returning to Find the Soul of Saratoga HVVC TEC - Next Gen Learnin’ Local Sound - Wild Adriaric

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Letter from the Publisher The sun is the source of all energy on planet earth. We are either using it directly, or in its stored form, either as food or fuel. Plant photosynthesis is merely a chemical reaction that converts solar energy into matter. Take that matter and compress it and fold it within the earth’s crust, and we’ve got oil, gas and coal. Harvest that matter and eat it, and we are fed. In fact, all that matters, it seems, comes from the matter produced by the sun. The stuff within the earth, seemingly preserved for a millennia for our eventual discovery and use, is being depleted at a record pace. And the burning of it to release its stored energy is polluting our air and water. There is a huge debate going on right now as to whether or not we use a technology called fracking to capture gas within shale. It’ll create jobs and prosperity, one side says. The other side points out that the potential for groundwater contamination is not worth the risk. But we need energy. For electricity. For Heat. To maintain the American way of life. But are we really entitled to consume it all, just because we can? Should there be any regard for future generations? What will be left for them?

So while we battle the pros and cons of fracking, of drilling, and mountaintop strip-mining, there is a quiet but persistent movement going on that is actually harvesting the source of all energy, the sun, as it falls upon the earth’s surface every day. Some of those people are featured within this Harvest edition of eco-LOCAL . Some, like Bruce Brownell of Adirondack Alternate Energy, have been showing us how to capture the power of the sun everyday to heat and cool our homes. Bruce has been on a 30 year crusade to change how we build homes so that they need very little auxiliary heat. As Bruce adamantly points out, if we don’t need to heat our homes because the sun does it for us, then all that money that gets spent on fuel oil is instead available to be spent in the local economy. It’s the economic stimulus that we really need. Why aren’t we doing more of this?

Then there’s a bunch of folks out in the countryside tapping into the sun, and learning that solar power is growing power. The same sun that makes the corn grow is making kilowatts for their farms’ needs, and often producing a surplus for their neighbors to use, too.

And there’s a little college next to the big chip plant about to open in Malta, The HVCC Tec-SMART campus, that is ready to teach, train and turn out the next generation of problem solvers who will develop and implement the systems and procedures that will harness the free energy that falls upon our green planet every day to its fullest.

We don’t have an energy crisis. We have an intelligence crisis. We just need to get out of the old way of thinking, that energy must be produced by burning, polluting and exploiting the planet. We need to open our minds to the abundance of energy all around us – energy that freely flows to us and within us. We are at the dawn of this new way, and you, my friends, are fortunate enough to be part of it, just by holding this magazine in your hands.

-David DeLozier, Publisher

eco LOCAL PUBLISHER / EDITOR / SALES David Delozier 518-858-6866 ecolocal@gmail.com DESIGN / PRODUCTION Centerline Design 518-883-3872 kgarriso@nycap.rr.com PRINTING Benchemark Printing of Schenectady, NY Benchemark.net PHOTOGRAPHY Anthony Aquino, David Delozier, StockStudiosPhotography.com CONTRIBUTORS Bruce Brownell, Katrina Clay, Tracy Frisch, Dr. Jessica Davis, Harry Moran, HVCC, Dr. Michael Quartararo, Miller Roberts, Karen Totino, Greta Yakel, Mary Beth McCue, Johanna Sophia SUBSCRIBE The eco-LOCAL magazine is a free bi-monthly magazine for people choosing to lead more sustainable lifestyles within the greater Capital Region of New York.

It can be found throughout the region at independent retailers, shops, restaurants and other high traffic locales.

Visit www.ecolocalmagazine.com to find a location near you. If you would like to receive a subscription by mail, send $12 along with your name and address to: Eco-LOCAL Media PO Box 621, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

If you would like updates and information by email, please sign up at our website.

SUPPORT We seek to transform this special region of upstate New York into a local living economy of vibrant towns, productive farmlands and healthy open space.

By reading eco-LOCAL, you become part of our team.

The eco-LOCAL magazine is brought to you solely by the advertisers found within. Please tell them you appreciate their support of eco-LOCAL. We are all in this together, and we must support each other. Thank you!

Every effort has been made to avoid errors and misspellings; however, if you see an error, please accept our apologies. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback so that we can give you the best service possible. EcoLOCAL Living does not guarantee nor warrantee any products, services of any advertisers, nor will we be party to any legal or civil claims or promises. We expect advertisers to honor any claims or promises. We reserve the right to revise, edit and/or reject any and all advertising with or without cause. Liability is limited to the cost of the ad space in which it first appeared for printing errors of the publisher's responsibility or if the publisher fails to print an ad or article for any reason. We reserve the right to edit articles if needed for content, clarity and relevance.

Unless otherwise noted, we use the Creative Commons License (in place of standard copyright), which allows anyone to freely copy, distribute, and transmit all content, although it must be attributed in the manner specified by the author or licensor, and no one may use it for commercial purposes, or alter, transform, or build upon it.

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News and Views 2012 NY Locavore Challenge participants can complete in their own home or communities. View or download the calendar here www.nofany.org/30challenges The month will also promote a growing number of food and farming events happening across the state. Participants are encouraged to try as many of the challenges and attend as many of the events as possible. Prizes will be awarded for blog posts, pin boards, photos and recipes that best highlight the challenge.

To conclude the challenge, NOFA-NY is again sponsoring a Potluck Across New York on Sunday, September 30. Registration for the Locavore Challenge is FREE, but donations are always welcome.

Sponsorship opportunities are also still available for farms, businesses and markets. For detailed information on the NY Locavore Challenge visit the challenge website at www.NYLocavoreChallenge.com This September, NOFA-NY will host its 3rd Annual NY Locavore Challenge. The NY Locavore Challenge is a first of its kind, monthlong campaign aimed at engaging consumers across the state in actively supporting the local organic food movement. The Locavore challenge starts with the theory "vote with your dollar," and takes it a few steps further, by appealing concerned citizens to participate in a wide variety of events and challenges that support their local economies, encourage organic and sustainable growing practices and propel the movement. The aim is for 5,000 people state-wide to participate in the challenge this year.

Questions on Being-a-Locavore: Call us at (585) 271-1979, email info@nofany.org, or visit www.nylocavorechallenge.com.

Registration Questions: Get in touch within Stephanie BackerBertsch, register@nofany.org, (585) 271-1979 ext. 509

The Locavore Challenge is a program by NOFA-NY. NOFA-NY, Inc is an organization of consumers, gardeners, and farmers working together to create a sustainable regional food system which is ecologically sound and economically viable. Through demonstration and educational opportunities, we promote land stewardship, The 3rd Annual NY Locavore Challenge's theme is 30 Challenges in organic food production, and local marketing. NOFA-NY brings 30 Days. Each day during the month of September, NOFA-NY and consumers and farmers closer together to make high quality food its partnerss will highlight a fun food based challenge that available to all people. Visit us online at www.nofany.org

Reclaiming Our Ancient, Wild Self As a child, I felt a deep sense of disappointment. Instead of investigating ways to feel love for the world, I spent most of my first 35 years figuring out how to better fit in-believing that would alleviate the dissatisfaction. I learned, or at least subscribed to, the notion that there was something fundamentally wrong with me because of this feeling, and that it should be overcome.

Over time, I began to recognize that this ache rarely left while I was participating in the world that humans created, no matter how well I looked to be “fitting in.”

Conversely, it often did feel satisfaction outside in nature, which brought up a deep sense of belonging to the earth and the universe as a whole. This happens while being welcomed by a tree as I lean up against its trunk, waving to a bird in flight and seeing its wing move just slightly in response, or walking through the woods where the leaves dance hello. It feels now as though that disappointment

was self-induced when shutting myself off from the life of nature. The longing in my soul was requesting for me to interact with all living beings-trees, plants, domestic and wild animals. It had asked me to delve deep in to my core and engage all my senses.

Not only the primary five, but also another sense that comes into play when the other five are heightened. I call it my wild sense, or ancient self. This name because it feels to me like a part of human nature that has always been in us. We needed it to keep ourselves keenly aware of danger and to find safety. Now instead of engaging this sense, we have built houses and buildings to protect us. In doing so, as is usually the case with protection of any kind, we also shut ourselves off from nature and separated ourselves from the very life that supports us.

This morning-months into contemplating the subject-I received the Wilderness Awareness School’s newsletter, in which they wrote; “According to best estimates, ecolocalmagazine.com 7

we have been biologically Anatomically Modern Humans for around 200,000 years. We have been fully behaviorally modern humans for 50,000 years. Agriculture really only began 10,000 years ago. The Industrial Revolution was over a 100 years ago. The internet was invented 30 years ago. iPhones came out less than 5 years ago. What are the implications of this? We have spent most of our existence as a species as Nature-Connected Bipedal HunterGatherers. We have deep instincts and inclinations to behave in this way. Some of these instincts may even be genetic and biological.” So, how does one go about touching their ancient self?

This awareness isn’t really achieved with a technique. Ultimately it happens on its own. Yet there are things to do that will prepare you to become more open to allowing it. I’ve come up with 5 suggestions that have worked in my life.

It is understood across all languages and cultures, although each location has its own preferences and uses. Music and movement allows humans to become aware in a way verbal language and thinking overlooks. It can give expression to feelings that are otherwise difficult to express. Any kind of music will do. Whatever captures your soul and whisks you away from analysis.

2.SPEND TIME WITH ANIMALS WITHOUT AN AGENDA. This has quite a bit of overlap with the first suggestion, but is worth its own bullet. As you are with animals, do the same as with the plants. Pay attention to what they are doing and how they feel doing it. They do not use words, instead behavior is their language. Humans so often think we know what is best, that we don’t listen to what animals are saying through their behavior-correcting it to what we want instead. I ask you to simply observe them out of curiosity about their nature. As you walk alongside your dog, imagine what it would be like to walk on four legs, what does is feel like to be always as close to the ground as your cat is, or what is the motivation for digging a hole or singing a song?

It is easy to blame our current predicament on technology.

However, my guess is that the separation started long before technology existed. Perhaps the beginning was with the invention of agriculture, or the birth of verbal language. Regardless of where it started, my call out to you is to shift your focused attention that technology and language need and expand it so it includes all that surrounds you. Become a participant of life, centered in your body while allowing your ancient, wild self to awaken. Know deeply that you are an integral part of the whole and be aware that you belong-not because of what you do, but because of what you are.

And what you are is alive. Enjoy it.

4.LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. This is an all-body awareness. Which means we need to first have reverence for the body we were born with-an undeniable challenge in our society. Yet, we cannot expect entertainment or anyone outside of us to change their ways or opinions. We have only control over our own. This, like much of what I’m saying, is an inside job-cliché as that sounds. Look for ways that allow you to feel appreciation for your body. Exercise, eat well, get bodywork. Once you have a reverence for your body, you 1.SPEND TIME IN NATURE. While doing so, become a participant will more easily listen to it and trust when it tells you something by in the outdoors. Pay attention to all that surrounds you and what putting a knot in your stomach, creating tingles of excitement or is happening. What birds are singing? What are they doing as they when something just feels right in your bones. sing? Where do the chipmunks live, and for what reason do they sound their alarms? Pay attention to the movement of the leaves, 5.LET GO OF WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE. Positive and negative and notice which plants grow wild near you. If you are gardening labels put limitations on you that you may otherwise outgrow. By pause from time to time and feel what the plants are doing? Stop dropping any preconceived notions of who you are, you make room before planting something and hold it in your hands, getting to for being in the moment and awake to your potential. Labels also know it as a being. I also recommend being without another put filters on your experience, altering your perception of what is human while in nature, and to either remain quiet, or speak out happening. Without knowing ahead of time what and how you are to interact, you are more available to spontaneity. loud and then be silent to allow for a response.

3.GET INVOLVED IN MAKING, LISTENING OR DANCING TO MUSIC. For a long, long time people have been making music and dancing for ceremony, celebration, communication and connection.

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Katrina Clay is publisher of “The Healing Springs Journal”, which is upstate New York’s regional wellness publication. She is also a shamanic workshop facilitator, writer and speaker. She can be reached by phone at 518-332-6581 or email Katrina@healingspringsjournal.com. Her blog address is atreesvoice.com.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s annual Green Buildings Open House, the largest sustainable energy event in the Northeast, will be taking place on October 13, 2012 from 10 AM to 4 PM. On this day, homes, businesses, and schools invite the public inside to investigate the renewable technologies and green building features being employed on site. Last year, more than 10,000 people toured close to 500 sites from Maine to Pennsylvania, and this year’s event is expected to be even bigger!

30 area homes in the Capital Region will be part of this year’s Green Buildings Open House (GBOH). Owners will open their homes for you to learn about the many green and solar initiatives they have pursued. They are ready to share with you the what, why and how. If you have been thinking of using less fossil fuels or making your home environment safer and more sustainable this is a great opportunity. Please mark your calendar. Visit www.OEIC.us/tour for more details.

GBOH operates in conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society's (ASES) National Solar Tour and helps to kick off National Energy Awareness Month. For the past 15 years, the GBOH program has inspired thousands of individuals to learn about and implement energy efficient and renewable energy solutions in their homes. The goal of the GBOH event is to enable participants to see, firsthand, energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in their communities and motivate them to adopt similar solutions for their own homes. At host sites, participants are able to talk with home and business owners, ask questions, and see how their

renewable energy technologies actually work. GBOH also connects building owners and managers with professionals who can provide them with sustainable energy services or energy efficiency retrofits.

As host sites register, detailed information and photos of the buildings' innovative energy features are posted, providing an ongoing educational tool.

“As an organization, NESEA is committed to any and all measures which increase the adoption of clean energy solutions and improved energy efficiency,” says Jennifer Marrapese JD MA, Executive Director of NESEA. “Nothing breeds success like success.

When people see for themselves how families and businesses in their own communities are saving energy – and money! – Sustainable technologies and strategies become much more accessible. And that, ultimately, is our goal.”

At GBOH sites, you will: · See homes or businesses that feature any or all of the following: energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable materials · Learn ways to reduce a site’s eco-footprint, reduce embedded energy, conserve water, and ensure that buildings are healthy environments · Talk to home or building owners on-site, who can help answer your questions about installation, costs, and benefits Visit www.nesea.org/gboh for more information about Green Buildings Open House.

Solar & Green Buildings Open House Comes to the Capital Region on October 13th!

Get a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable technologies and renewable energy solutions, and see how they’re saving your neighbors lots of green!

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Money Matters

By Harry Moran, CFP® AIF®

Harvest Celebration and Wake-up Call One of AFT’s key initiatives is their Growing Local campaign. People across the country are searching for tasty, healthy food that’s grown on nearby farms. The economic, environmental and health benefits of locally sourced food are readily apparent. Meeting this demand however will require more farms and farmland dedicated to growing local food. AFT supports sustainable food and farming systems in an ongoing attempt to make fresh food from local farms a reality for all.

Reforming federal food policy remains another key thrust of AFT’s work. The next farm bill must help further support this growing consumer connection to local, healthy food. The farmers and ranchers who are working so hard to make this all happen, need programs to help improve their efficiency and profitability through innovative marketing, business management strategies and consumer education.

Unfortunately, the 2012 Farm Bill has become politically charged (along with most everything else!) and much of the information we see on it needs to be taken with several grains of salt due to the source being special interest groups with major financial axes to grind. In the effort to make clear, non-biased information on the bill available to everyone, AFT maintains a 2012 Farm Bill website at www.farmbillfacts.org. This is a great starting point for anyone looking to get the straight scoop on these issues.

As we enjoy the bounty of a magnificent harvest season, I’d like to celebrate our good fortune and share some thoughts about the future of our food system. As many of you are aware, the House failed to pass the 2012 Farm Bill this summer. A one year extension of the 2008 plan was then pulled from the House docket in favor of a narrow $383 million disaster aid package to address the immediate needs of drought-stricken livestock producers. While disaster relief is clearly needed, we have at least for now, squandered an opportunity to pass a comprehensive 5 year plan that provides critical support for sustainable agricultural practices and local farms.

So, what can we do to support this important work? Laura Ten Eyck, With ever growing demand for local, sustainable food, we have both Senior Manager of N.Y. Projects and Outreach, suggests contacting tremendous opportunities and challenges. At the risk of stating the your local elected officials to voice your support for a comprehensive obvious though, without local farms, there is no local food. American farm bill which provides the necessary resources to protect and grow Farmland Trust (“AFT”), creator of the “No Farms, No Food” campaign the local food economy and support sustainable agricultural practices. has been a tireless advocate for saving local farms and ranches. She points out that that with the bill needing to be acted upon by According to AFT (www.farmland.org), America is losing more than 1 September 30, we still have time to let our thoughts be known but we million acres of farmland annually, much of it the best and most need to act now. Thankfully, in the Capital Region, we have very strong productive farmland near major population centers. Preserving this support of the bill and sensitivity to these issues from both sides of the land and the livelihood of these farmers and ranchers is central to the aisle, so our local leaders are very tuned in. They clearly understand the health of our local food economy, which in turn is the foundation of a key role that a thriving local food system will play in enhancing the quality of life in the communities they serve but we all need to work strong local economy. together on this.

Much additional information regarding how these issues are playing out in New York State and opportunities to take action, can be found on the N.Y. page (newyork.farmland.org) of the AFT website. Of particular note is the Harvesting Opportunities conference scheduled for November 15th in Albany, which will bring in several first-rate speakers to address these topics and further the dialogue that we all should think about being a part of. Ms. Ten Eyck can be reached for further information at the Northeast Regional Office of AFT at (518) 581-0078 or lteneyck@farmland.org.

Harry Moran helps socially conscious investors define and achieve their highest goals by aligning their money with their values. A 25-year veteran of the financial services profession, Mr. Moran has held the Certified Financial Planner® designation since 1991. He is a member of First Affirmative Financial Network, a national professional organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the socially conscious investing community, and a member of the Impact Investing Division of Portfolio Resources Advisor Group, a registered investment adviser. Mr. Moran can be reached directly at Sustainable Wealth Advisors at hmoran@prg-group.net or 518-450-1755.

Mention of specific securities, funds, or companies should not be considered an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell the security, fund, or company. To determine the suitability of any particular investment, please consult with your investment adviser. Remember, past performance is no guarantee of future results and no investment strategy can assure success. The opinions expressed are those of the author and may change without notice. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, SIFMA. 10 ecolocalmagazine.com

The Green Designer

By Sophie Castro & Karen Totino

Carpeting for allergy and asthma sufferers…WOOL!

Sure, the word WOOL probably makes your cringe in fear of allergies. The second you or your family starts to develop allergies you know it's time to rip up the carpets! The truth is, wool carpets are perfect if you suffer from allergies or asthma. The off gassing from flame retardant and glues on traditional carpets is far more harmful than wool and natural fiber carpets. Even with recycled content, most carpet sold today is still composed of almost 100% synthetic materials derived from oil (nylon, polyester, polypropylene) and treated with a wide array of chemicals and dyes. Wool rugs and carpets on the other hand, are good for the indoor air environment. That's because wool, unlike synthetic fibers, rapidly absorbs common contaminants in indoor air like formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide that may be emitted by paints and other household chemicals. Not only does wool keep the air free of many harmful pollutants, it will not re-emit them, even when heated. A wool rug continues to absorb pollutants for up to 30 years!

mites! Wool fibers are also water resistant, them. This can help to lower utility bills since so they have a far less chance of developing more of your home's air will be kept inside mold. and actively used for the purpose intended.

The same functional advantage that wool Besides the benefits of wool for allergies, fibers have in regards to insulation also and asthma, there are a whole host of other applies to noise reduction. Wool carpets are attributes that make wool attractive. the perfect dampener from sound being STAIN RESISTANT AND DURABLE emitted from one room to another, as well as Since wool is a naturally occurring fiber, it in between floors in a home. only makes sense that it is resistant to stains.

NATURALLY FLAME RETARDANT This aspect makes wool very easy to One of the greatest fears in many homes is maintain. Since all natural carpets don't fire. Wool carries a wonderful benefit: it is damage easily, they become a very ecovery hard to ignite. Many synthetic carpets friendly flooring option because they last simply melt and become unusable when they longer and have less need to be replaced. encounter an open flame of any kind.

SUSTAINABLE So, there you have it! If you have allergies or Wool-based products are biodegradable and asthma and are replacing carpets or area come from a naturally occurring source. rugs, think wool!

FUNCTIONAL Stop in or call Karen for questions and to see the selection Most people spend more time in their homes of wool and natural fiber carpets at Green Conscience than anywhere else. The feel of soft wool Home & Garden at 33 Church Street, Saratoga Springs NY. Green Conscience is a retail showroom that offers a variety under your feet is extremely comfortable. of non-toxic and eco-friendly home improvement products, Wool fibers also contain numerous areas including paint, wood, cork and linoleum flooring, clay that trap air and help maintain a consistent plasters, carpets, kitchen cabinets, countertops and beds.

Call 518-306-5196, email Karen@green-conscience.com ambient temperature in the space around or visit green-conscience.com.

What about dust? In addition to VOCS (Volatile Organic Compounds), house dust and dust mites are the main contributor to asthma and allergies is the US. Again, wool comes out on top! Wool is naturally inhospitable to dust and dust mites, more so than any synthetic carpet. Wool carpets generally contain very low levels of permethrin, a naturally occurring substance that kills very small insects. Good bye dust ecolocalmagazine.com 11

The Wellness Doc

By Dr. Michael Quartararo of Adirondack Advanced Chiropractic

Sitting Disease?

Well it’s official! The U.S. population sits so much we’ve created a new disease. Yes, sitting disease plaques more than 50% of the U.S. and those numbers are growing.

According to current research, more than half of us sit more than 6 hours per day and 65% of people spend more than 2 hours per day watching television. In my opinion, I find these numbers to be a little low. I speak with patient’s everyday and what I hear suggests much higher figures.

I’m sure this research doesn’t shock anyone, however the next finding may. This study also concluded that if people spent less than three hours per day sitting they would add two years

to their life! That’s significant, some even call sitting the new smoking! Several studies show prolonged sitting linked to poor posture, spinal arthritis, disc herniation, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even cancer. These are serious health issues, some, that frequently end in death! Do I have your attention? I hope so, because here’s the good news. If you’re conscious about excessive sitting you can change it and add YEARS to your life!

Here are some simple tips to sit less and live longer.

5. Use a Bluetooth and stand during phone calls. This not only gets you upright, it gets that nasty cell phone away from your brain.

laundry, park farther away from the store, have walk and talk meetings at work, lunch time walks instead of going to a restaurant to SIT more, etc. Look at these activities and implement them slowly, that way they will become a habit.

Dr. Michael Quartararo has been a chiropractic wellness practitioner for 17 years in Saratoga. He is the CEO and founder of AAC Family Wellness Centers, a Milton family and pediatric wellness center. He is a member of the New York State Chiropractic Council, International Chiropractic Council, International Pediatric Chiropractic Council and World Chiropractic Alliance. He can be reached at aacdocs@adirondackchiropractic.com or aacfamilywellness.com.

7. Get the family involved; we all need to sit less. Lets not teach our children excessive 1. If you have been sitting for more than sitting habits. Lets show them healthy living one hour, get up right away. Stand up at your habits now before bad habits set in! desk, get a glass of water, stretch, anything just move! General rule of thumb: for every These are just a few tips to help you sit less. one hour of sitting get up for 10 minutes.

Being conscious of the problem is the first step.

2. Take one day and monitor your daily For more information on sitting disease and activities. Write them down and evaluate what you can do about it, contact our office or where you can insert standing or walking visit our website. www.aacfamilywellness.com instead of sitting. Stand while folding the As always, Be Well!

3. Create a desk environment where you can stand or sit. Drafting desks work great; they can be raised and lowered quite easily.

This may seem like a big task, however, living longer is important right?

4. Most of us work on computers and have to print to a network printer. Pick the farthest one in the office so you have to get up and walk longer. This may seem like a small change but it all adds up.

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6. Get a pedometer! Just wearing a pedometer has been shown to decrease sitting. We all need to be held accountable!

This is a great way to monitor your steps per day. Wear it for 3 days with your current habits and check your steps. Then set a goal to double your steps per day!

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Holistic Health

By Dr. Jessica Davis

Healthy Gut, Healthy Families (Part 3) If you missed Parts 1 & 2, go back and check it out in the previous issues! I discussed some of the basics about leaky gut, and general steps that you can take to start the process of gut healing.

I have known about the importance of gut health for several years, but still found it overwhelming to tackle. There are so many diets, programs, 'good food/bad food' lists out there...it's hard to know where to start.

Should I try being vegetarian? Vegan? Paleo? Stick to whole foods?

What about dairy? That's when my head would start to hurt, and the eye strain from too much googling would kick in. I would postpone the decision another day, week...year...

It was easy to think that we were eating “healthy enough” as a family. Except if I actually wrote down what we ate, our breakfasts ended up being cereal or baked goods 90% of the time, and special treats were becoming a daily routine instead of a rare occasion.

We didn't have any real crises to motivate a change, but symptoms were creeping up for different family members... increasing food sensitivities in one, migraines in another, weight gain, hives, diaper rash...

Then there were times when it seemed like everyone we know was getting diagnosed with cancer or other chronic disease. I decided it was time to make a concerted effort to improve our family's nutrition, address these symptoms, and hopefully prevent future chronic disease from taking hold. With two young kids, it is important to me to model healthy living, and doing that means practicing what I preach! But at the same time - how do you transition them from habits like having cereal every day for breakfast?!

Whatever your motivation, or whichever specific changes you decide to make, here's some general tips to help transition your whole family to eating healthily: 1. Involve the whole family from the start. Kids need role models, so do a reality check of what the adults in the family are teaching them.

2. Commit to a plan. As parents, get clear on what your goals are and why you are making changes. Educate yourself and family so everyone learns to make their own healthy choices when they are outside of the home.

3. Emphasize whole foods, minimize processed foods. This goes for choosing breastmilk over formula, and transitioning your baby to solids too!

4. Start fresh: clean out the pantry and fridge of any major offenders. It may not work for your family to make a huge change overnight, so you might choose the transitional approach of not replacing them when they run out.

5. Focus on adding new things in, rather than cutting things out.

6. Eat a good breakfast. Make sure it has some healthy proteins and fats.

7. Try meal planning. Get family input on favorite meals, start by

transitioning those to healthier versions. Have 1 or 2 days a week for trying new recipes to consider for the rotation... they won't all be winners, and that's OK! But you might discover some new favorites.

8. Keep it fun and adventurous! For younger kids, cut foods into fun shapes, use creative names (think broccoli trees...). Dip everything! Use healthy dips like yogurt, hummus, salsa. Go to farmers markets, or better yet - actual farms. Explore the grocery store and let the kids pick a new fruit or veggie to try.

9. Have kids help choose, prepare, and even grow the food.

Even toddlers can start helping with some basic stirring. Grow a little herb garden together and let them choose different flavor combinations.

10. Just keep offering, modeling, and being consistent! As a parent your job is to offer a reasonable variety of healthy choices.

From those choices, your kids can choose how much to eat. Don't get into battles, or make kids clean their plate to get dessert. It's all too easy to fall into the trap of using unhealthy food as a reward!

Get support! There are tons of online resources for recipes, meal planning, creative presentations, and prepping meals ahead (Blogs, Facebook groups, Pinterest). If you need a little more help and personal assistance with getting started, consider a health coach or nutritionist to jumpstart the process and keep yourself accountable.

Check out www.jessicadavismd.com/resources for resource links!

Jessica Davis MD practices in Stillwater NY as “The New Mom’s Family Doctor”. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine, and also practices Medical Acupuncture. For more information call 877-664-6116 or visit www.jessicadavismd.com

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Joys of Functional Living

By Mary Beth McCue RD CDN Nutritionist in Integrative and Functional Health

True Harvest service connected to the food, or are they?

Most importantly, how does the food leave you feeling ? Does it give to - or take away from your energy and your health? Which, by the way, will equate to supporting - or not - your life. Our food should be loaded with the substances of life so as to provide “life back at us”. Substance such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, that can deliver themselves throughout our body without being compromised by competing chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other toxins.

Recently on my way home from a Sunday service, I was driving past a row of food chains that were lined up next to each other in a shopping plaza. The topic from the service I had just left was that of living in times of deception…or finding and living the truth.

As I slowly drove by the large bright colored plastic lettering of fast food chain establishments (not really resembling true food names), I felt like I was at a turning point in a movie where the mystery revealed itself. If the art of deception (ie. marketing) is the art of redirection or distraction, the distraction in many fast foods and grocery establishments are visual attractions, colors, smells, convenience and favorable “sale” pricing to name a few. Yet the discerning questions should be… where did this food come from, how was it grown, raised, handled and prepared?

How different is your eating or grocery establishment from a local farmers market , a sustainable farm, a local co-op or natural food store, a restaurant committed to local and sustainable foods ? How does your choice feel, smell, taste ? How are the people providing

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“

When we look at nourishment on a more conscious and energetic level, whole sustainable foods work with the body; are able to best “communicate” with the body because the body recognizes and knows what to do with it so to benefit in all ways we do from food. Documentation and research continues to prove how organic systems protect groundwater, and contain soil with increased nutritional value reflected in the organic foods.

Recent studies have consistently shown that organic foods have higher vitamin, mineral, and anti-oxidant levels. The case for organic is strong. It is estimated that over 75% of Americans are purchasing organic products

The next time your contemplating purchasing food - which for most of us is at least once a day, ask yourself, is this real food ? How was it grown ? Who is selling me the food, what do they know about foods and what is their intention for selling it? How has it been handed and prepared? What is really in it ?

The cleaner and How will this make me feel ? Is it health giving or taking ? Also keep in mind that, as Mark more “real” your food is, Hyman, MD, a pioneer in Funcitonal Medicine tells us. We are able to vote for real foods by the more authentic the power of our forks ! BY choosing locally grown and produced foods you'll enjoy fresher your life becomes. and more varieties of food, get in touch with the seasonality of foods, protect the -MB McCue environment, and help support the local So many people trade real food, real economy, AND help support yourself ! nourishment, real live energy for what many This season I challenge you to really take a look refer to as “dead food” - food that fills us, can at choosing true harvest for your mind body kill us, but not necessarily nourish us. and soul.

Genetically modified organisms (GMO's) have more than proven to be dangerous, yet are For a great recipe, shared to me by a client Go now estimated to be found in 70% of food on to blog my blog for : Paleo Zucchini Bread grocery store shelves, and throughout the fast Mary Beth McCue RD, CDN of Saratoga Nutrition is a Dietitian in Integrative and Functional Medicine, & NYS food industry.

“

We are living in a very interesting time of what I believe includes an unraveling of the truth, which will bring us to higher levels of integrity and consciousness in our lives as individuals, communities, nations and beyond. A time where our consciousness and awareness can literally save our lives when it comes to looking at what is “real”. This is especially important now more than ever where it relates to living a healthy life-style. Perhaps simply living the truth is all it really takes. Staying connected to who we are, what feels right in the choices we are making, the direction we are moving, and nourishing ourselves with “real true food”, to create “true harvest” in life.

such as infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. FDA scientists had repeatedly warned that GM foods can create unpredictable, hard-to-detect side effects, including allergies, toxicity, new diseases, and nutritional problems.

Many research organizations such as The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) warned the FDA of studies that prove GMO's cause many debilitating conditions

Certified Nutritionist in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY with more than 25 years as a professional speaker, counselor, hands on teacher and more. She has assisted many - including herself - to health and recovery. For more information visit www.saratoganutrition.com, and see her blog on www.Saratoga.com.

RAW-licious

By Prof. Johanna Sophia

Preserving the Life Force As a rawfoodist, I eat nothing but uncooked plant foods year round. “But what do you do in the winter when you don't have fresh veggies from yard or farm?” “And what to do with the abundance of our local harvest if not cook and can it?” people ask. Here are 4 answers: SPROUT fresh plant food throughout the winter in your kitchen DEHYDRATE and zip-lock veggies and fruits in your low temperature dehydrator FERMENT veggies into Kimchee or Sauerkraut creating probiotics FREEZE mixes such as raw pestos, cakes, or puddings GROWING SPROUTS - Some of the best nutrients, high density proteins, minerals and that mysterious thing called “life force” come in very inexpensive seeds we can grow yearround anywhere and certainly right here in the Northern regions. They are lentils, sunflower seeds, nuts, grains, pumpkin, broccoli, amaranth and many other seeds.

When explorers unearthed two thousand year-old Chinese cities and found dry grain cellars, those grains did indeed sprout again.

The life force of plants is locked up in their seeds and we can unlock it by providing water and light. Fresh sprouts, grown in sprouting jars or on your windowsill, are among the healthiest foods on Earth.

DEHYDRATING - The opposite process of sprouting would be dehydrating. It renders plant foods dry and locks up their nutrients if temperatures are kept within the range of what I call “the temperature of Life.” When drying below 120oF, we can indeed preserve vitamins, enzymes, and essential fatty acids not only in seeds but in fruits and vegetables.

Drying concentrates the nutrients and often sweetens the flavors. “Sundried” raisins, prunes and tomatoes have been part of our diets for long. In recent years, we have learned more about the preservation of vital nutrients and how to avail ourselves of their benefits from dehydrated foods. The recipes for their use are endless.

FERMENTING - Many sailors lost their teeth and some died miserable deaths from multiple infections on ocean crossings even when they had plenty of bread and fish for food. Then Captain Cook discovered sauerkraut and his crews were saved. Today, science has taught us that Pro-Biotics created by fermenting fresh plants provide live enzymes, vitamin C and other vital nutrients that we need to break down cooked foods such as baked goods or animal flesh. In fermented foods, beneficial bacteria, fungi, and microbial agents create a 'controlled' digestive life force that is added to the vegetable itself. Making your own sauerkraut or kimchee is like canning that double life force.

FREEZING - Life is retained in frozen lakes and under snow and ice. We even preserve embryos and revive them to become fully grown bodies housing human beings.

Frozen plants are not of equal quality to fresh ones, however, you can be assured that the freezing process preserves multiply more nutrients and flavors than heating, baking, frying, or boiling. I find that green leafy vegetables and many fruits are best frozen in prepared mixes that include fatty ingredients. I freeze my raw vegan pesto's, my fruit chocolate mousses or puddings, my nut pates, and my raspberry cheese cakes…

To find out more you may want to sign up for the upcoming RAW FOOD workshops with Johanna Sophia - enquire at the Co-op and check out www.greenconsciouskids.com.

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Olya Prevo bin-ging in the bulk foods department 16 ecolocalmagazine.com

The Co-op Advantage SHOPPING AS IF YOUR COMMUNITY DEPENDED ON IT STORY BY DAVID DELOZIER I PHOTOGRAPHY BY STOCKSTUDIOSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Shoppers, Grab your Carts!

Here in the Capital Region, there's been a lot of buzz of late over the new grocery shopping options that have recently arrived, or are coming soon. Local stalwart chains Price Chopper and Hannaford now have the return of Shoprite to compete with. On the more trendy side, Trader Joes' arrival onto Wolf Road in Colonie was seen as a breakthrough by some. “We are finally relevant” was the cry, as if a grocery chain is the benchmark of what makes a town cool.

Coming soon to Colonie Center is Whole Foods, another “it” grocery store to make us relevant. Other places have “it,” now we will too. And then there's the Burlington Vermont grocer, the Healthy Living Market, planning a foray into the area at the Wilton Mall in early 2013.

More shopping options are generally seen as good for the consumer - after all, competition brings about lower prices, right?

But is it really good for our communities? All these new entries are from somewhere else. That means that when you shop there, a good portion of your money also goes somewhere else, too.

National chains are great - for variety, for buying power, for making us feel connected to the rest of the country. But in the end, they are masters of the import/export game. They import products into our area that we think we need, and they export the money we spend out of our communities. We've got stuff - but they've taken the capital of our communities!

But what if there were a better option - that instead of extracting money, the store actually was owned by the community, so that profits derived from sales were turned back into the store, and back into the community - building capital? And what if, instead of offering for sale all the toxic corporate factory food that is making us ill and obese, this store would sell healthy, wholesome food and foodstuffs that actually could heal the human body. And what if the same store would offer education about the connection

between good quality food and good health, and had workshops and trainings to help empower people to make better choices?

Wow, that would be like the proverbial oasis in the desert, wouldn't it?

Well, that alternative does exist in our region, and has quietly been offering a grocery shopping experience altogether different, and arguably better, than all the rest. A single location, community driven, member-owned grocery store. It's a co-operative approach to feeding the community.

A Buying Club Grows into a Community The Honest Weight Food Co-op started in 1976 as a buying club for a group of people who were interested in buying items in bulk to save money. The members took the name Honest Weight from the old scales that are used to measure weights, the very scales used by the co-op to measure out the bulk items into smaller packages.

It was really focused on dry goods, such as minimally processed cereals, some wellness products.

Within a year, they were so successful, they incorporated and opened a storefront on Quail Street in Albany. That location worked for awhile, but there was a need for fresh products, like produce and dairy, so the Co-op made the big leap into a full service store, and moved a few block west into a warehouse that became available.

The current location at 484 Central Avenue in Albany has been in use since 1995. With the move to a significantly larger space, the Co-op was able to expand the fresh departments, including a deli, meat department and local fresh and organic produce. The larger space and full service offerings allowed the Co-op to serve an even larger customer base, and the membership grew along with it.

Today there are over 8,000 members, which are now known as shareholders in the Co-op. ecolocalmagazine.com 17

Serving the Community, and The Region While staying true to its mission of serving the residents of the City of Albany, the Co-op draws people from all around the Capital Region, some from as far away as Glens Falls. A good portion of the customer base is the State work force that commutes in from outside of Albany.

The convenient location close to downtown and the State Offices allows them to pick up their groceries on the way home. “We even have customers from way out - like Cooperstown and even Vermont,” says Jennifer Grainer, Director of Marketing. “They'll come in once a month or so to get items that cannot be found at their local stores.”

The bulk department, for instance, is very popular, and has hard to find items that can be found nowhere else.

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Bulk Up for Variety The bulk foods department at Honest Weight is definitely the standout feature of the store, and it's a big reason why folks will travel from afar to get here. It also is the one element that ties the current operation to its humble roots. There are the usual bins of flour and beans, but there is a whole lot more in store. A whole section is devoted to exotic snacks; things like raw cacao energy bites and dark chocolate dipped coffee beans; plus dried fruits like goji berries and mission figs . There are large buckets filled with nut butters; a liquids section with expeller pressed oils and artisan quality vinegars. You can bring your own containers to refill - the service department in front will weigh the tare on your container and that weight is subtracted at the checkout. If you don't have

your own container, there are all kinds and sizes available for purchase. And you can buy as little or as much as you want. Lily Bartell, Director of Communications commented, “If you have a recipe that calls for a half a cup of something, it's really economical to just buy that amount.” There's literally hundreds of ingredients to choose from, many of them organic, local or hard to find. “For the first time shopper, they might come in for a few things in the bulk department, but are amazed at all the other items that that we carry throughout the store,” added Jennifer.

Another core difference between the Honest Weight Food Co-op and your typical chain grocery store is the commitment to organic foods, and more importantly, local foods and products. You won't find the Kellogg's and or Kraft brands here. The national brands they do carry are dedicated to organic, like Organic Valley and Knudsen. More often than not, the food on the shelves is sourced from small, independent makers, with a strong emphasis on local whenever possible. Again, the emphasis is building local capital.

You Are What You Eat “We have a food and products manual that defines our choices when we buy from the suppliers,” Jennifer points out. “and that is vetted by our membership, so our members really do have a say in what products we offer to the rest of the community.” Things that have high fructose corn syrup are not allowed; no artificial preservatives, no artificial colors; preference is given towards things with minimal packaging. For the health conscious consumer, it's is heartening to know that there is a store that has “pre-approved” everything to be good for you, and good for the planet. “We encourage our customers to educate themselves about their food, so that they can make a more informed choice,” added Lily. An educated customer is the Co-op's best ally. Those who seek healthier alternatives have a home here. There is a built in assurance of quality with everything the Co-op does, so the customer can shop with confidence.

Making healthy food choices is gaining attention now more than ever. National TV show health gurus like Dr. Oz have been a big factor in helping people embrace dietary change. “Dr. Oz has actually brought a lot of new faces into the Co-op,” says Jennifer.

“He's talked about a lot of products, and brought conversations into the main stream that no-one else has. And that's enabled people to find us.” Then they're able to make additional choices from all that is available at the Co-op.

For those who have expanded their food knowledge and are

embracing new lifestyle changes, the Co-op is ready to embrace you. The new world of healthy living has a lot of new names. There are things like Kombucha - a fermented tea. The Co-op sells several brands, but even has a bulk version that you can dispense from a tap into a container. Vegan food aficionados flock to the Co-op because of the huge variety of vegetarian options. There's Tempeh and Tofu, Miso and Mung Beans. The produce department is an oasis of organic and local veggies. Items are marked as to their origin, and of what method of raising, whether it be conventional or organic. Local purveyors are accentuated throughout. The deli has fresh made vegetarian fare, along with a hot food bar where you can grab some delicious ready-made goodness to go.

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Say Cheese, Please For artisanal food lovers, the Honest Weight Food Co-op is symphonic. The cheese department is a thing of legends. Master cheese monger “Gus” and his staff orchestrate a collection of the world's best fromage, as well as a burgeoning class of local cheeses.

It's always cheese tasting time at the Co-op; simply passing by the cheese case is not an option. You will be coaxed and encouraged to try a sample of whatever is on the cutting board. Want to try something different? No problem - your palate is to be pleased.

Adjacent to the cheese department, there is an olive bar, where you can delve into multiple blends and recipes that will turn any dish into a Mediterranean delight. Around the corner is the meat department, where you'll find an amazing selection of local, pastured or grass fed meats and poultry. Again, the source is listed on the product shelf, so you know where your food is coming from.

No pink slime here.

With all this going on, growth is inevitable. The membership is growing, the food options are growing, which all is leading to a growing problem…where to park the cars, and where to put the product. They've maxed out the parking lot, and there's no more shelf space available.

Coming Soon - The “New” Honest Weight Several years ago, the membership embarked on a bold initiative that of relocating to a bigger, more efficient location. It was a big idea for the little co-op that bulk food built. Big, because anything the co-op does is member driven, and in a democratic way. There's no corporate board here, but a lot of voices, and they all want to be

heard. But amazingly, they agreed to move forward with a capital expansion plan; a new site was found - just to the north on Watervliet Avenue, off of exit 5 on I-90. It had convenient access, and parking. It was important to the Co-op to stay in Albany's west end, because that is where a large part of the Co-op community resides. The first thought was to retrofit the existing building, but after a thorough engineering analysis, it was decide to demolish it and build new on the site. Ground breaking just began in August, and in classic Co-op style, everything that can be recycled from the old building is being recycled, reused or reclaimed. The new store will be double the size of the current space. The shopping experience will be optimized, with better lighting, improved traffic flow, and an expanded community room and teaching kitchens. Education is at the core of the Co-op's mission, so the new store will allow the Co-op to really fulfill its goals for education outreach. “Helping to teach people how to choose better food and how to prepare the ingredients is our goal,” said Lily. “Location is really critical, and this new location will allow so many more people to discover and use the Co-op to its fullest.”

With the expansion in both size and scope of The Honest Weight Food Co-op, it will rank as one of the largest Co-ops in the entire nation. So for those in the know, we already have “it.” Way more than just a grocery store, “it” is a vibrant, community-focused, passionate-people driven, gathering and healing center that is changing lives, one person at a time.

Find The Honest Weight Food Co-op at 484 Central Avenue in Albany, NY and online at honestweight.coop

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Beatrice Berle alongside her solar array at the Berle Farm

Growing Power LOCAL FARMS LOOK TO THE SUN FOR THEIR ENERGY NEEDS STORY BY TRACY FRISCH I PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DELOZIER

THE FREE RADIANT ENERGY OF THE SUN POWERS OUR PLANET AND MAKES LIFE POSSIBLE ON EARTH. That's a simple fact of nature. Enough photovoltaic (solar) energy reaches the earth's surface every minute to meet the world's energy demands for a year, according to the US Department of Energy.

(Source: Audubon, Sept.-Oct. 2011) Without solar energy, agriculture as we know it would not exist. Green plants depend on the sun for photosynthesis. In that miraculous process, chloroplasts microscopic structures housed in plant cells - rely on energy from visible light to turn carbon dioxide and water into simple carbohydrates.

Thanks to the abundant, un-metered power of the sun, farms grow fruits and vegetables, grains and pasture, trees and weeds. But most contemporary farms also have costly energy needs. Tractors consume a tremendous amount of fuel and a lot of farmers pay very high electric bills.

Now with a little help from the government, farmers are finding that the sun has another important function on their farms. Both the state and federal governments have farmertargeted programs that subsidize solar power, energy conservation and other forms of renewable energy like geothermal. In New York farmers can recoup up to threequarters of the cost of installing solar panels with grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This assistance is for grid-tied systems in which surplus power goes to the electric utility, which in turn credits it against the cost of any power usage.

Giving farmers financial assistance for installing solar power is a great way to strengthen their future. And unlike drilling for oil or hydrofracking for (un)natural gas, solar represents an authentic path toward energy independence. Across the nation

these subsidy program have helped to jumpstart the solar sector and led to the emergence of many companies that install the technology.

The cost of solar has dropped drastically in the last five years or so and continues to decline. This is allowing everyone putting in solar - and government agencies subsidizing it - to stretch their funds a lot further.

Eastern New York has been a "hotbed" of interest, according to Scott Collins, a regional manager for the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). He said statewide 149 projects received funding in 2010 and 2011. There have been many solar projects. Numerous maple producers have also received grants, for more efficient evaporators and reverse osmosis. Applications are scored on a point system. Unfortunately, despite demand, Congress cut the allocation for REAP, from a high of $99 million in 2010 to only $25 million this year, about the same level as when it began in 2003.

In the rural landscapes of Washington and Rensselaer Counties, there are at least ten farms benefiting from the USDA and NYSERDA programs for solar energy systems. ecolocalmagazine.com 23

At Perry's Orchard in White Creek, Jim Perry, a small orchardist and cattleman, sells apples, peaches, turkeys, beef and straw.

"It's foolish not to be using the sun," said Jim, who was using 48,000 kilowatt hours a year, at a monthly cost of $300 on the budget plan.

"We wanted to reduce our energy bill and had been looking into windmills for a long time, but I just couldn't pencil it out." Solar made more sense and the subsidies made it possible.

After talking with a solar company rep at a fruit growers meeting and checking out the solar panels at Berle Farm, Jim and his wife decided to proceed. This March they had a 15-kilowatt hour (kWh) photovoltaic system installed. It's mounted on the shell of small structure he designed to hold the units and when he completes it, do double-duty as a shed.

Cooling apples uses more power than anything else on the farm.

Normally apple harvest on the five-acre orchard goes from the third week in August through November. With Jim picking every morning and his son picking fruit after work, they manage to harvest 20 bushels a day (in a good year). Jim said he truly needs a fruit storage facility that's twice as big and much more efficient, but that project is on hold for now.

Jim also has non-economic reasons for going solar. A founding member of the Agricultural Stewardship Association, the local farmland conservancy, he wanted to "help the environment" and move away from "dirty coal." He also likes being more independent.

Solar panels fit well with Tilldale Farm's goal of being more sustainable. Dan and Joanne Tilley sell their certified organic grassfed beef and pastured pork by the cut at weekly farmers markets in Londonderry, Vermont and Delmar, New York. Pasture-based livestock systems like his use less fossil fuel than conventional

Joanne and Dan Tilly of Tilldale Farm

farms since the animals harvest much of their own feed and distribute their own manure. But selling meat directly requires a lot of freezer space. While the Tilleys run nine or ten freezers on the farm, they'd like to replace them with a walk-in.

Dan, who used to be a dairy farmer, started seriously grazing his milk cows in 1995, and went organic four years later. In 2008 after four years of raising meat animals, he was able to exit from dairy.

Since then Tilldale Farm's beef herd has grown to 180 animals, out of which they sell 40 a year as beef. The farm also keeps five sows and produces about 25 or 30 freezer pork. Soon, as partners in a new specialty food store, the Tilleys will have their own retail outlet at 340 Delaware Avenue (next to All Good Bakers) in Albany.

When Dan still operated a dairy farm five years ago, electricity always hit $700 or 800 a month. But even as a meat producer, the bill used to sometimes reach $550.

Since the end of January, when a 14 kWh solar system went up, Tilldale Farm has been able to cut its usage of electricity from the grid by two-thirds or more. To get the most of his solar energy, Dan adjusts the angle of his six pole-mounted solar arrays six or nine times a year as the sun's path changes seasonally. "Two of us can do it in 20 minutes," he said. This little task can increase the panels' efficiency by 15 percent.

Kevin Jablonski of Mack Brook Farm in Argyle was also a dairy farmer once upon a time. Eight years ago he became a grass-fed beef producer, and his wife Karen Christenfeld, a former accountant, became the marketer. Today with 70 head of Angus, they sell specialty cuts of beef as well as sides and quarters from the farm store in their cellar. Gardenworks in Salem, the Green Grocer in Clifton Park, and Four Seasons in Saratoga Springs sell their premium all grass-fed ground beef. Freezers account for the lion's share of electric usage on their farm and they unplug them whenever hey can consolidate their meat supply..

The Solar Shed at Mack Brook Farm

Four or five years ago a newspaper article about residential solar power caught the couple's attention. They got an estimate for a 8.5-kilowatt system, but the projected 17-year payback period deterred them. Their house doesn't offer a great site for solar.

Then in January 2011 at the Winter Greenup, a regional grazing conference, they talked to a salesman from Adirondack Solar, which had just put in a photovoltaic system for Sap Bush Hollow Farm in Schoharie County. They found that the terms had gotten much more favorable. They could put up a bigger system for the farm and get a lot more funding and rebates so with the solar company's help they applied for the farmer grants. Last December their solar was up and running.

The 12.5 kWh solar system cost about $75,000 with NYSERDA and USDA each covering about a third of the price. Other project expenses fell to Kevin and Karen. They ran the power underground across the road from the pole barn where their photovoltaic arrays are mounted. They also combined what had been two separate electric services into a single meter.

They hired Adirondack Solar, now know as Hudson Solar, as their solar contractor because it was a small, local company. The actual solar panels came from Germany, which Karen said has the best in the world.

Karen is impressed by Germany's widespread adoption of solar and other forms of renewable energy, far outstripping the United States.

It gives much stronger incentives for alternative energy. "They actually have an energy policy," she added.

Today the sun powers the walk-in coolers, root cellar cooler, refrigerators, freezers and irrigation pumps and heats the hot water at Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle. Paul and Sandy Arnold take welldeserved pride as farming innovators and leaders. Given their reputation of being ahead of the curve, it wasn't surprising to see the couple making big investments in solar technology.

These days you can find them year round at both the Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls farmers markets, where they have developed quite a strong following for their naturally grown vegetables, herbs, fruit and other products.

"I can't see any reason that a farmer wouldn't do some solar," said Sandy Arnold. "We thought the meter would go backward and forward, but it keeps on going backwards! [Our grid power usage] has never gone higher." Her infectious enthusiasm persuaded farmer friends in Cambridge to apply for the grants for solar power on their own farm.

The Arnolds, who sell their naturally grown vegetables and other produce year round at the Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls farmers markets, now have two large solar electric systems (10 kWh and 19.2 kWh), installed several years apart. They also put in an evacuated tube solar hot water system for the house that also serves the farm, which had only a three-year payback.

Grants covered between 70 and 75 percent of the costs of the Arnolds' two solar electric systems. They estimate their avoided utility bills over 9 to 10 years will equal what they actually paid for them. But Sandy thinks the payback period is really shorter as they can deduct the expense of their solar investment on their income tax.

Alteris designed and installed the Arnolds' first system. After that solar company was purchased by Real Goods, for their second project they switched to Enlighten Power Solutions, a local company that they are very satisfied with.

Some people are reluctant to cover valuable land with solar panels, but the Arnolds say their pole-mounted arrays are pretty compact. Their first system consists of a 175-foot line of six polemounted solar arrays. The second system, which generates almost twice as much power, takes up a 50 by 100 foot area, less than an eighth-acre. ecolocalmagazine.com 25

Paul Arnold of the Pleasant Valley Farm Solar electric panels produce direct current (DC) electricity but the electric grid delivers alternating current (AC) power. Solar power generators need to convert the power they're producing from DC to AC with a piece of equipment called an inverter, before sending it to the grid -- or using it to run standard AC lights or appliances.

The Arnolds' latest solar system uses micro-inverters, one for each of the 80 panels, rather than one big inverter for the entire system.

If one panel malfunctions or gets shaded as the sun moves across the sky, the rest of the array continues to produce power. Sandy says it's a great improvement over their first array, which is all tied together. If any panel stops working, the whole system goes down.

The micro-inverters also each send out a signal that allows them to be monitored individually. Online you can see how much power they are generating and watch them work.

Pleasant Valley Farm sends a lot of extra electricity to National Grid, but because the farm's solar generation capacity exceeds some arbitrary cutoff (currently 25 kWh), the utility doesn't pay them for any of it. Sandy said there's a proposal to increase this maximum to 35 kWh for farms.

The Arnolds were energy-conservation-minded long before they installed any solar energy. Starting with raw land, they built the farm from scratch. In their large home, a masonry woodstove provides all the heat. They were among the first direct market vegetable farms to put in a root cellar/cooler. For many years they used portable hoop houses to extend their growing season. Later they put up high tunnels in order to raise crops even in the dead of the winter. Their very efficient greenhouse keeps the plants warm on radiant-heated rolling benches in place of much less efficient space heating.

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"When we created the farm in the 1980s, we were super-cautious about avoiding using [expensive] electric wherever we could," Sandy related. Now with their "free" electric supply, they might even replace the propane heat with electric in their vegetable washing station.

Jeff Wysocki milks 65 cows on his 500-acre fourth-generation family farm in Hoosick. Conversations with his farm neighbors, Bea Berle and Dan Tilley, about their experiences getting solar panels sold him on the idea of Wysocki Farm becoming a solar generator.

Jeff applied for funding from USDA and NYSERDA last December and was awarded grants.

Dairy farms are energy-intensive, using lots of electricity as well as diesel. Jeff relies on electrical equipment for milking the cows, moving milk to the bulk tank, cooling and agitating it in the bulk tank and pumping manure out of cow facilities.

"Any energy you're buying today just keeps going up," Jeff stressed. The anticipated payback time for his solar project is 6 years or less.

Wysocki Farm uses about 40,000 kWh a year, and his system will be capable of producing 34,000 kWh. "They won't let you put in a system that is bigger than what you use. Ninety percent is as high as they will let you go," he explained.

Jeff hopes to have his system operating in September. The company started the site work in May and in mid August, he told me the last of the components had arrived earlier in the week. "All they have to do now is assemble everything," he said.

Besides solar electric, Jeff is also getting a solar thermal system from the Empire Solar Store for his new milking parlor, which is under construction. Excess hot water, above what is required for washing, will probably go for heat. He put radiant heat tubing in the floor.

Other farms that have installed solar power systems thanks to these subsidies include Slack Hollow Farm in Argyle, Gillis Acres in Cambridge and in Shushan 3-Corner Field Farm, which is on its third energy grant, this time for geothermal.

Slack Hollow Farm

The Berle Farm I Leading the Way for Solar Powered Farms In Hoosick, Rensselaer County, Beatrice Berle runs one of the most diversified organic farms around. Three years ago the Berle Farm added solar power generation to its dizzying list of enterprises. They range from farmstead cheeses and yogurt and herds of milk and beef cows and goats to popcorn, wheat and open pollinated corn and other field crops, to fall vegetables for local people who preserve and store their own food.

Berle Farm has the smallest photovoltaic system (7.4 kWh) of any of the farms I spoke with. "I still think conservation is the best answer," said Bea. She also had a solar hot water system that was installed last year by The Radiant Store, that now provides hot water for the cheese making operations.

She is positively effusive about the difference solar has made to their farm and outlook. Getting an electric system for the farm "opened up a lot of possibilities for us.

It's really wonderful!" she said.

Initially though she wasn't sure what to expect as the first farm with a solar project in the local area. Her system first went online three years ago, in November, a month of low light and short days.

"It felt like a big risk. It took us a full year to figure out it would be great," she recalled. Farms can be large users of electricity, and their open view to the sky make them ideal solar energy producers. Mark Bomba, a solar technician with Alteris Renewables at the time, saw an opportunity in the agricultural sector, and he approached the Berle Farm with the idea. The USDA incentives had just been established, so Mark was able to get a package that could work at the Berle Farm.

It was a watershed moment. Solar power and farms were a perfect fit. Mark has gone on to procure solar systems for many of the other farms in the area.

The pre-solar horrendous utility bills were, for Bea, a distasteful symptom of a much deeper problem. Bea and the others at Berle Farm were running in place.

Maintenance requirements were overwhelming and they just couldn't keep up.

The Berle Farm’s electric used to run from between $700 to $900 a month. Solar

plus energy conservation measures have brought this monthly expense under control to $125 to $250. She didn't want her farm to falter or go out of business like so many others had because they didn't have the time or capacity to do the necessary maintenance. "We had a choice, either keep expanding what we were doing or cut back and make investments that would give us flexibility," she explained. They decided to make the farm more viable, efficient and pleasant to operate.

They would step back a bit from daily tasks to upgrade their power systems. Bea said that employees and family members all agreed to radical cut backs and the farm sold a lot of animals so they could take on this added effort.

In hot pursuit of energy leaks of all kinds, they went over the entire farm and its old, piecemeal electrical system with a fine-toothed comb. "It's amazing what you find when you look around," Bea said. They discovered stray electricity, losses through old underground wires and other problems. By disconnecting breakers and panel boxes and testing them, they were able to eliminate a couple breakers completely. They found their milk pump consumed twice the electricity of another one sitting unused on their shelf. Scale build-up in the hot water heater made it very inefficient energy-wise. Of course they changed light bulbs.The result was a streamlined system that squandered much less power.

They hired local electricians to do some of the work. "We definitely put some money into the community on this one," Bea said. Keeping their money close to home felt a lot better than sending it off to the huge electric corporation.

"I would really encourage farmers to stop and take a look at their operations.

You can go 365 days a year and never come up for air," she said.

Bea praises the USDA program making solar power more affordable to farms and small rural businesses as a "very creative" government initiative - a backdoor approach to meaningful rural assistance. In the face of intractable problems like "out of control" taxes and health insurance, helping farmers get a renewable energy source of their own is "uplifting," she said.

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Ask the Energy Expert

By Greta Yakel and Michelle Andreo

Commercial Solar - Kiss My Face More Natural Than Ever

Many past articles have highlighted the unique benefits commercial businesses receive by going solar. As a reader, have you ever wondered which businesses have made the commitment to a solar installation?

One real-life example might be closer than you think. In fact, the next time you visit your local grocery store, you can find them on the shelf in the all-natural and organic section. With over 200 personal care products in more than 19 different countries, Kiss My Face is now more natural than ever. They proudly went solar and drastically reduced their overhead costs as well as their carbon footprint.

Kiss My Face, headquartered in the Hudson Valley, became greener than ever with the installation of a solar system in December 2009.

As of July 2012, the system has produced over 178,921 watts. The installation was sized to cover 61% of the building's electrical usage, but ended up producing approximately 110% annually, saving the company more money than expected.

Recently, Hudson Solar sat down with CEO, Steve Byckiewicz, and Project Manager, Naomi Aubain, to see why Kiss My Face made the change to solar.

An instrumental part of Kiss My Face going solar was Aubain, who is a huge proponent of solar power. Aubain became aware of solar after a contractor mentioned the idea during a planned warehouse relocation. Soon after, she approached the owners of Kiss My Face with the idea to go solar and they were just as enthusiastic. It took the company one year from concept to commitment.

“Going solar just seemed like a great thing we could do for the environment, and also leading by example and setting new industry standards, there was really no downside to it. Once we had the financials in place it seemed like the right thing to do and we were happy to do it,” said Aubain.

Kiss My Face not only talks the talk with its 100% all- natural and organic ingredients, but walks the walk by turning to renewable energy to power their headquarters.

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“It was no surprise that Kiss My Face was an early adopter of solar”, said Byckiewicz. “Going solar was easy because of the values we have as a company. It's only natural to be reflected in our company and it's what our customers think we should be doing. Going solar fits very well into the deep set of values this company has and shares with its customers.”

Byckiewicz highly recommends solar to all businesses because of the financial attractiveness. “It just makes sense,” he stated.

The new trend for businesses to go solar is not only because of what they “give back” environmentally, but for what they “get back” financially. Solar electric projects can be one of the sturdiest financial investments any business can make for three reasons. First, solar has an attractive return on investment by maximizing the net present value of a business, improving the internal rate of return and frequently providing a rapid payback period. Second, a business receives benefits in the form of government incentives for going solar such as a 30% federal tax credit, state rebates and added tax savings though depreciation. Third, a business can eliminate their cost volatility by going solar since the cost of electricity has increased annually by more than 5% for the last 40 years.

Besides the financial rewards, what company today isn't trying to be more sustainable and portray that image to the public? Customers now care more about companies being ecofriendly than ever before.

Solar can differentiate businesses, both financially and environmentally. Going green gives businesses a competitive advantage in the marketplace and shows their consumers they are environmentally responsible, and care about the people and communities they serve. Solar also gives every company who installs a system a patriotic image by promoting America's energy independence and helping to reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil.

Hudson Solar is a New York-owned, family business that prides itself on offering the best quality and service, backed by years of experience. For more information, please call (866) 452-7652 or visit us at www.HudsonSolar.com.

Building Systems FOR SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURES STORY BY CAMILLE GIBEAU

A progressive green building technology is now being offered locally; BuildGreen SIPs presently manufactures Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), through Shelter Enterprises, in Cohoes NY. A separate plant will soon be built in Menands NY. Structural Insulated Panels replace wood/steel stud framing to construct exterior walls, roofs, ceilings and floors. Buildings constructed from SIPs offer superior life-time stable insulation qualities, exceptional strength, fast installation, and a host of benefits to the environment. SIP construction is recommended for areas that may experience hurricane, tornado or seismic activity. An example of this was a tornado that swept over an area of 35 homes in Georgia.

The only house that was left standing was built using Structural Insulated Panels.

BuildGreen SIPs, (a member of the Structural Insulated Panel Association) manufactures panels with expanded polystyrene, laminated between two outer skins of oriented strand board. This creates a super-strong, energy efficient, construction panel and eliminates thermal bridging inherent with wood/steel stud construction. A SIPs home qualifies for Energy Efficient Mortgage rates and energy tax credits. The Department of Energy, NYSERDA and NAHB promote this building technology for the multitude of energy efficient advantages. Indoor air quality is a plus with this building envelope. Nearly 20% of a conventionally built wall is made up of studs and other non-insulated materials, the Rvalue of fiberglass insulation in the lab is significantly higher than its performance in an actual wall, and degrades over time. SIPs, are comprised of solid insulation, and perform as well in an actual home as they do in a lab test.

Habitat for Humanity. During his six year tenure, he introduced SIPs construction. His first twenty six homes were built with SIPS panels. Now, this is Habitat's building technology of choice. Richard's innovations not only made it possible to construct lower cost houses over the course of a year, but also to produce homes that were of higher quality, extremely energy-efficient and volunteer friendly.

Lab tests show that the R-value actually increases at lower temperatures (source: SIPAwww.sips.org). A SIP home allows for better control over indoor air quality because the airtight building envelope limits incoming air and uses controlled ventilation. Air to air exchangers and heat recovery ventilators are used to filter out contaminants and allergens, and also allows incoming air to be dehumidified, eliminating the possibility for mold growth. Heating incoming fresh air further reduces fuel consumption. SIPs do not contain any VOCs or other harmful chemicals that can affect occupant health. A SIPs home meet some of the most stringent standards for indoor air quality according to the American Lung Association's Health House速 indoor air quality standards.

Camille Gibeau, Owner and Richard Stone, Director of Operations, formed BGS in October of 2011. Richard Stone, is a builder who began using Structural Insulated Panels in the late 80's for residential and commercial construction, including luxury as well as affordable homes, shopping centers and office facilities. Most recently, Richard served as Project Manager for the Capital District

Camille Gibeau was certified in 1993 as a NYSTAR builder. In 1994 she won an award through NYSERDA for designing and building one NYS 13 most energy efficient homes, built solely of SIPs panels. She built a second structure in 2005, again using SIPs panels with great success. The opportunity to market and showcase this exceptional building technology has been a goal since that time and resonates with her strong sense of environmental and economic responsibility.

During Richards's tenure at Habitat for Humanity, he applied for and received 501c-3 status, for a Not-For-Profit named Afford-AHome. Often volunteers remarked that they would like to have a home like Habitat for Humanity builds. They found that their income levels were just above HH, but not enough to qualify for a conventional mortgage. Habitat builds for those 40 to 60% of the median income levels and now Afford-A-Home builds for those 60 to 100% of the median income levels. All homes will be constructed using SIPs to further increase the lifetime affordability. HVAC systems are up to 40% smaller and energy bills are reduced 60-75%.

Applications for this program are available by calling Richard at 518-727-4772.

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WHAT DO AMERICANS THINK SOLAR ENERGY IS?

PASSIVE SOLAR A PRIMER STORY BY BRUCE R. BROWNEL

Photovoltaics (PV): Rectangular panels producing electricity from the sun Water Heating: Rectangular panels producing hot water from the sun Wind: Pole mounted fans on hill tops producing electricity from the wind Passive Solar: The most effective solution - Sun shining through south facing windows

Passive solar is a term which defines an ancient and intuitive method of heating where the thermal energy flows in the system are by natural means using radiation, conduction and convection. The building design embraces this simple method. It does not require separate collectors but operates in cooperation with the immediate environment.

The passive solar building is related to proper integration of the climate, site, available materials and the sun. The successful result comes from a never ending supply of natural energy. This knowledge has been utilized since ancient civilizations and in pioneer times most rural northeastern farm houses were universally orientated south.

Sadly as a society enabled by seemingly endless fossil fuels, we have forgotten about the basics while embracing “latest” technologies. Passive solar success relies on an obvious path based on simple physics.

FIRST - ORIENT THE BUILDING WITH THE LONG WALL SOUTH. Next - create a Performance R 36 insulated and tight shell on all six sides of the building.

Note that we insulate up the roof proper so the inside “attic” spaces are livable. This also means totally underneath with the envelope protected by a quality membrane and totally bedded in drained crushed stone.

One then places most windows in the south wall (not all glass by any means). East and West windows as justified and a minimum of North glass. South glass is always a gainer and north always a loser. Problems can come from west glass with the late day low sun providing excess heat and glare.

There is now a problem as the lower sun during winter sees the south windows for 6-7 hours. A great free energy boost comes from the 80% reflection of snow ground cover southerly of the building, usually from late Dec. through March. The buildings free solar energy input during sunny days can cause high temperature over heating as the lower sun at noon shines 12'-13' into the room through south windows.

A logical solution to the excess heat came from simple engineering Adirondack Alternate Energy pioneered during the late 1960's. Heat rises, so we created a vertical air channel in the house near the highest peak.

This is a 3' square vertical shaft. In this down flowing “return air” shaft, sometimes 20-30' high, we place at the ground level a “people” door, which accesses from top down, a high quality MERV air filter, a fan and usually a coil. The coil can be compared to your cars motor radiator. One can introduce hot or cold ecolocalmagazine.com 31

liquid to the coil to provide backup heat or cooling to the air in the shaft. The design goal is to flow all house air down through this shaft 3 times each hour providing ample air cleaning and house conditioning with the effective MERV filters.

A solution was necessary to temper and store free excess solar energy which provides 6070% of need. Under the lowest floor of the building, but inside the insulation envelope, we create a heavy mass system, “Heat Energy Battery™”, that consists of concrete or sand or a combination. The mass system is connected to that central airshaft by a network of air pipes. The air is ducted from the central location throughout the mass exiting where ever possible up under windows. This serves to eliminate the cold air (drafts) falling down the glass. It results in an unparalleled level of human comfort as we control the air ocean one lives in. Its temperature is tempered 3 times per hour by tons of mass yielding an interior atmosphere everywhere within 3oF of the homeowners desired settings. In any one 24 hour period the temp will not vary by +/- 2oF. Extensive monitoring has shown that with the even controlled humidity level (40-55% RH) one is comfortable from 70o-80oF. Our moisture proof envelope enables the 20-25 T of the homes wood content to modulate humidity level- a fact seldom understood. An added benefit is the typical undesirable heat stack effect, which is 10o-12oF in most 2 story homes is reduced as our highest place has a temperature near to the whole house.

Temperature control is easily accomplished by adding a minor amount of heating or cooling energy first to the air shaft with the coil, or an air tight wood stove. It is then tempered by the mass, then the occupants experience a healthy atmosphere.

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The best backup source is a heat pump which properly integrated can have a COP (coefficient of performance) of 4 or more. Simply one dollar of its energy source, electricity, supplies $4.00 of house energy.

The heat pump provides in our homes all heat, hot water and cooling needed without ever using a boost from electric units. This is possible because our Heat Energy Battery mass system can store energy. We use controls that keep the mass 2oF warmer or cooler than the occupant asks for, therefore, if we don't add heat or cool with the heat pump, the individual won't notice discomfort for 10-12 hours. We store energies to power the homes needs 4-5 hours per degree F with each 1oF of mass change. This yields the fact that we can have hot water as a priority; therefore, we always have plenty. We normally deploy the heat pump at 2 hour plus running times- usually only 2 or 3 per day. Now we are ready to use the smart grid i.e. electricity available for 5-6 hours at 1/3 the cost as determined by the electric utility through its wire signals that now is the time for “off-peak”.

This allows for yearly HVAC and hot water costs of $700-800 for a 3000 sq. ft. home in a 8500 DD climate! This follows the mantra “insulation before isolation”. Now one can consider the integration of photovoltaics, wind or hydro alternates.

On 5,000 ACRES IN THE ADIRONDACKS

Passive solar homes are one of the best investments an individual can make - first for themselves. But also for the economy and America.

This choice offers a future of minimal energy cost increases. It is an insurance policy guaranteed by the sun. Perhaps passive solar's lack of success to date could be from its extra install cost- about 20%- and lack of knowledge. Think oil, coal and gas ads touting their amazing worth and with millions spent in promotion. The point is, payback is assured by the sun and the absolute certainty that fossil fuel costs will rise. What could be more convincing to the average family to build a passive solar home.

I have spent my adult years designing and sheparding 350 + passive solar homes that provided their thousand occupants an unparalleled level of human comfort. The sun never sent one of them a bill yet.

Finally, let's consider some facts that are beneficial to you and the American future.

Surveys indicate the average NE home burns 1000 gallons of oil per year: • Oil Cost 2011-12 @ 3.80/gal = $3800 • 10% stays here - profit - oil dealer, etc. = $400 • $3400 goes to someone who doesn't like us OR • The passive house doesn't use the 1000 gallons, their owner spends the $3800 in this area • This goes through local economy and becomes $20,000 • The passive house doesn't dump 11.2 tons of CO2 that the oil burners did.

If we consider 10 of AAE low energy requirement homes “contribution to the environment” for this decades 10 years: @ 1,000 gallons oil/year = 10,000 gallons not used @ $20,000 contribution/year = $200,000 to America's economy @ Assuming sales tax @ 8% x 4% = $6400 to local economy @ 11.2 Tons CO2 not dumped = 112 Tons not emitted Imagine the savings from AAE's 9330 house years.

WHY AREN'T WE DOING MORE OF THIS?

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Great roadside stops on the way to Washington County!

The Scarecrow at Saratoga Apple

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Returning to find the Soul of Saratoga OPEN HOUSE AT THE ALBERTS' PLACE(S) STORY BY MILLER ROBERTS PUTNAM DEN, LIVING ROOM PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY AQUINO FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DELOZIER

Jonathan and Tiffany Albert are what one might call serial entrepreneurs. Their journey to that designation serves as a case study in both following one's passion as well as carving out a niche as being two important keys to success.

It’s About the Music Mrs. A has long held a passion for music -- as in original, unique music of the so-called indie variety. She owned and operated the funky Red Square night club in downtown Albany for just that reason. Under her tenure, the venue became the 'local hang' for the Capital City's hipster crowd, who relied on it for their buzz-music fix as an antidote to the nearby venues and their menu of cover bands of the corporate / classic rock variety. Rising and under-the-radar acts of both the local and regional touring variety also had a home there and the spot became a destination venue for the in-the-know and scenester types. Red Square remains in operation to this day; but its leader picked up her stakes and headed north.

Tiffany was called back to her hometown of

Saratoga Springs, where she immediately saw a similar void on the landscape there.

The music in the downtown air, while loud and lively, sounded like a boring Clear Channel radio station. This, she declared, was not good -- especially in a town that brags about its supposed "vibrant arts scene." So she set about convincing new partner (and future husband) Jonathan that her magic formula was needed again. Knowing that he has a hard time with the word “no" and that resistance was likely futile, the trained playwright and ACC teacher found himself joining in a dream pursuit of establishing and nurturing a forum for great live music in the Spa City. The former Backstreet Billiards, directly across from the public library and behind Broadway's Uncommon Ground coffee shop, was found sitting vacant and was soon deemed as the spot for executing said vision. The Putnam Den was thereby born.

“When I moved back, I wanted to work for myself in something that I loved doing," recalls Tiffany. "I could not believe that

Saratoga Springs didn’t have a legitimate live music venue. Sure, there were lots of bars where you could hear cover acts. But no place was dedicated to bringing-in up and coming musicians, month after month, all year long.”

There lies the reality of a tourist town like Saratotga: feed 'em Skynyrd, Jimmy Buffet and the party funk and everyone goes home (or to the bank) happy. The music is not necessarily the message; it's more of background noise to one big party. The Alberts knew this as being the operating model of their new 'burgh. They just chose not to jump into that crowded pool with all the others. Instead, they figured that the niche opportunity of presenting original live entertainment was there in front of them -and no one else was in that very space. If there were, they wouldn't have dove. But there wasn't -- and so they did.

The Putnam Den The Soul of the Saratoga Music Scene The Den's operating mission is simple: create a vibe to the Saratoga downtown scene by hosting a base camp type of meeting ground ecolocalmagazine.com 39

setting. The execution is equally simple: schedule a mix of both outof-town touring acts as well as local bands dreaming of reaching that same status. So far, so good, as its stage has hosted nationally known big shots such as Rusted Root, Donna the Buffalo, Melvin Seals and Rustic Overtones. Prior to the Den, seeing such talent required a drive south for the city's music freaks. Now, the Northway traffic pattern is reversed, as the venue has nicely filled the gap left by the closing of the legendary Revolution Hall in Troy and (just recently) Jillian's in Albany.

A Birthplace for the Breakouts Even more impressive is how the Putnam Den and its team have played a (if not THE) major role in creating what has suddenly emerged as a true music pool in the immediate area. The electro-pop act Phantogram used the Den as a bridge between local "bars" and the bigger performance rooms. It must have helped, as the duo became one of the industry's breakout groups of 2011, complete with late night TV appearances, festival gigs and a European tour. Similar success is being predicted in many quarters for other local bands such as Eastbound Jesus, Wild Adriatic, Mary Leigh and the Fauves, Railbird, Formula Five, Skeletons in the Piano, the City That Never Sleeps and Headband Jack. In addition to all of them being very talented, they also share the fact that the Putnam Den has played a key role in "getting them to where they are now" -- and hopefully in the future.

Loyalty reigns on both sides of this equation.

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The Den's success seems to go against the typical business model that thrives in Saratoga, which is to build a business for the tourist industry and make the proverbial killing in two months. Instead, the venue thrives in the so-called “off season" of September-June, and wanes slightly in racing season.

“Even in the midst of the summer tourism, we’ve stayed true to our business model," relates Tiffany. “All the other bars are playing the same cover bands while we stand as the place for live, original artists.

The local talent has a home now, and they can use Putnam Den to expand their following and perfect their craft while networking with the occasional semi-famous bands that float in. It's kind of like an incubator.”

From The Den to The Living Room Last year, life tossed the couple a slow curve ball -- that very thing that altered many a business plan. It's called a baby, in this case a baby boy. But night clubs and newborns are not a good mix, so the Alberts began looking for a more “family-friendly” option for their business energy's focus. Using the same "let's find a niche and let's create a vibe" attitude used for the Den, the idea of a "chill" and "hip" restaurant rose to the top of the options list. Then, in one of those "here we go again" moments, another vacant spot appeared and grabbed their attention. This one was right on Caroline Street, and (even better) it was right next door to the popular Sperry's! Deja Vu appeared all over again, and The Living Room quickly opened its doors in early summer 2012.

The mission here: showcase local and regional food producers in artistic entrées, accompanied with a creative drink menu that reflects the art of mixology. All of this is staged in a comfortable “hangout” environment. Sound familiar? A speakeasy theme emerged, helped by the legacy bar made of deep, dark wood setting a mood of subdued elegance. The small dining room in back is windowless, and subtle light accents create a hideout kind of feel. Another corner became the living room, complete with 20s era sofa and chairs set around a period coffee table. It’s the perfect place to meet with friends and catch up on what’s happening.

“We are trying to be on the cutting edge of the food trends,” says Tiffany. “Jonathan’s family is in New York City, and we bring back the concepts that are trending down there up to here.” The Albert’s saw a lot of similarity in the restaurant fare in Saratoga Springs, so wanted to offer something uniquely different, yet familiar. There’s pizza, but with gourmet twists. There are small plates to share, some with exotic ingredients like gator bites and ostrich. Recommended by a recent visitor is the seared Ahi Tuna, with a wasabi lime sorbet rather than

just the typical pickled ginger with a side of wasabi horseradish. Five cent chicken wings are not part of the fare here.

“We try to highlight local purveyors whenever possible,” Tiffany remarked, knowing the preferences of the ecoLocal Magazine readership. As an example, cheeses and meats are regularly picked from the Saratoga Farmers Market, just two blocks to the north. Just like local music being the focus at the nearby Putnam Den, The Living Room wants to accentuate the local flavors of the region while presenting them in entrees that make them shine.

The World According to the Alberts might seem like a complicated model of business, but it really isn't. “I think in Saratoga, being a resort town 6 -8 weeks out a year there’s another 10 months of the year where the locals are the flavor of Saratoga Springs," Jonathan added. "They are Saratoga: the artists, the musicians and the food purveyors -- they all create the attraction that is the summer scene, but for the rest of the year, it’s for the locals. We try to cater to them and to utilize their expertise and specialties whenever we can.”

"When I came back to Saratoga with Jonathan to raise a family, I wanted something that filled a need in the community," his joined-atthe-hip partner concluded. "We wanted to create a space that we could feel comfortable in all year round. The whole concept we are trying here is that it’s our house – we have the Den, the Living Room, and we’ll eventually open up a small room called the Attic upstairs.

We want to share our love for food, fun, family, and friends.”

It all makes sense -- and it all works.

The Putnam Den is located across the street from the Saratoga Springs Library at 63A Putnam Street, and putnamden.com. The Living Room is located at 30 Caroline Street and thelivingroomsaratoga.com.

Give your dull knives, scissors & reel mowers a new edge!

Sharpening at Niskayuna Co-op Tuesdays 2-7pm, Honest Weight Food Co-op Wednesday 3-7pm and the Saratoga Artisan's and Crafters Market at High Rock Park on Thursdays 10am-4pm

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Celebrate th at Our Local Farm

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he Harvest ms and Markets

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Next Gen Learnin’ PREPARING WORKERS FOR A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE STORY BY PENNY HILL PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED BY HVCC

Most of us now understand that our future needs for energy cannot be based entirely on petroleum and coal. Depending exclusively on carbon-based sources for energy is simply unsustainable. Resources are finite and the impact on our planet is becoming more apparent. Sources for creating energy in a way that does not damage our environment exist and will grow as technology improves and prices are lowered.

Some of the most common forms of alternative energy creation include hydropower, solar, wind geothermal and biomass. As these new technologies emerge as a larger percent of our energy creation, we will need an educated workforce to capably work in these fields.

We will need builders, designers, sales people, and installers to name a few, and many of the jobs in fields will only require a two-year degree.

What better place to do training for emerging careers than at Hudson Valley Community College, an educational institution that has a 60-year proven record of working rapidly to meet the needs of businesses and organizations requiring a quality workforce?

CLEAN ENERGY JOBS IN OUR REGION In 2012 the Brookings Institute presented a report* about the size of the clean energy market by region. The data for the Albany, New York metropolitan area was quite vital.

According to the data, Albany ranked 14th out of 100 large metropolitan areas for clean energy jobs, approximately 28,087 in 2010. This made up 6.3% of all the jobs in the region with an 8.8 % annual growth.

The annual estimated median wage for these jobs was $48,087 compared to just over $41,000 for all jobs in Albany.

The fastest growing industries were wind, air and water purification, regulation and compliance and conservation. (*www.brookings.edu/metro/clean_econo my.aspx by Mark Muro and Jonathan Rothwell).

The United States was one of the world's largest and fastest growing wind markets in 2011, with wind power representing 32% of all new electric capacity addition in the country last year and accounting for $14 billion in new investment. The job growth in the wind industry in the U.S. alone is expected to grow, with 9,100 jobs to be created from the announcement of 31 new wind generation projects across the country.

Hudson Valley Community College has a program to meet the demand for and train Wind Turbine Technicians. The program partners with General Electric which has hired Hudson Valley graduates with a base pay of over $50,000/year.

The photovoltaic industry outlook is also good, which means jobs for graduates and a boost for the economy. Two new bills in New York State were recently passed to encourage the industry's growth. According to a recent report by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), last year was a banner year for solar energy, with large increases in both the number and average size of photovoltaic (PV) installations. The capacity of PV installations in 2011 more than doubled the 2010 installations. More utility-scale systems and an increase in the average system size accounted for this dramatic growth. The total capacity of utility and nonresidential systems installed in 2011 increased by 145% and 132% respectively compared with 2010.

Also, the average size of all PV installations grew. All told, New York State ranks seventh in the U.S. for PV energy generation, and growing interest in leasing PV systems by consumers means that the industry will continue to grow requiring increased number of photovoltaic and solar thermal installers. ecolocalmagazine.com 45

HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND TEC-SMART Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Sciences; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and workforce and academic preparation programs offered through the Educational Opportunity Center.

One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, it has an enrollment of more than 13,500 students, and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and worker retraining. Hudson Valley has more than 70,000 alumni. The college marked a milestone in the its history with the official grand opening ceremony of the $13.5 million TEC-SMART facility in Malta, New York in April 2010. TEC-SMART stands for Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies.

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TEC-SMART IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Hudson Valley is proud of the design of the 43,000-square foot TEC-SMART, which represents the college's strong commitment to clean energy education and investment in the future of sustainable technology. TECSMART features more than a dozen classrooms and high-tech laboratories used to train the workforce for careers in semiconductor manufacturing and clean energy technologies, including home energy efficiency, alternative fuels, solar, geothermal and wind energy.

With a low carbon footprint and sustainable design features, TEC-SMART received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification in 2011.

Platinum is the highest certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, and recognizes that the facility meets the standards for the lowest operating costs, greatest reduction in waste sent to landfills

and in harmful greenhouse gas emissions, exceptional conservation of energy and water, and the highest indoor air quality.

A joint project of Hudson Valley and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), TEC-SMART was designed by the New York City-based architecture firm of Perkins+Will and constructed by LeChase Construction. “We recognize that it is only fitting that a facility that focuses on sustainable energies should boast the highest LEED certification. That has been our goal with TEC-SMART from the beginning and we are indeed proud to have attained it,� said Andrew Matonak, president of Hudson Valley Community College.

Much of the material used in TEC-SMART's construction is locally-sourced and/or recycled from other building projects. Also, much of the energy used in the building is created by renewable sources. Natural light provides a majority of the building's lighting.

Using passive solar design to maximize the

sun's energy, the building requires about 20% less energy than another building of its size and nature. In addition, two five-kilowatt wind turbines are adjacent to the building. Each generates nearly 2500 kilowatt hours of clean electricity, and they are used as teaching tools for the college's wind technician courses. Also, installed on site as part of the building's overall energy system are two photovoltaic solar panel arrays totaling more than 64 kilowatt capacity. Finally, an active geothermal system for heating and cooling the building reduces dependence on electric and gas.

What's more, Hudson Valley uses features and aspects of the building to assist in training the clean energy workforce for the future.

TEC-SMART IS ABOUT TRAINING FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS Several degree and certificate programs are offered at TEC-SMART where students can learn skills needed for jobs in alternative and renewable energy fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, photovoltaic installation, wind energy, geothermal heating and cooling, alternative fuels, and building energy efficiency. In addition, courses are offered at the facility in business and the liberal arts and sciences. Many of the jobs that students are training for at TEC-SMART are newly emerging, but are also in high demand.

The college offers credit and non-credit photovoltaic instruction and training leading to college completion certificates. Students completing their PV program certificates may go on to design, sell and install photovoltaic panels on roofs. In addition, Hudson Valley developed a Wind Technician Certificate program that complements existing Electrical and Construction Maintenance courses to train people interested in careers in the wind field. State-of-the-art laboratories at the TEC-SMART allow students to experience an actual 1.5 megawatt turbine, thanks to a generous donation by GE. Hudson Valley Community College is a regional training provider in New York and New England as part of a National Department of Energy program known as the Sun Shot initiative. The key thrust of this program is to create a geographic blanket of training opportunities in solar installation across the United States. Hudson Valley has already trained 66 solar instructors in over twenty partner institutions which will ultimately increase the number of qualified installers.

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TEC-SMART opens its doors as a showcase for energy efficient building principles and serves as a community resource for learning about energy efficient design and building techniques. Public awareness and education on energy efficiency and energy conservation is probably as important as creating new energy to maintain a balance of overall energy consumption in this country.

TEC-SMART serves as a central location where the community can learn about energy issues and green technologies, helping to increase awareness of the need for and availability of clean energy sources.

School groups, community organizations and businesses visit the site, take advantage of courses offered, and utilize the facility to host meetings and seminars. A new energy monitoring project is being developed at TEC-SMART to demonstrate to students and to the community how much energy the building is saving, and how much energy it is creating. Tours of the building are available on request and community groups.

TEC-SMART is more than just technology. With general use classrooms and a 200-seat auditorium, TEC-SMART provides a full range of college-level general education courses for students in the region. General education courses in liberal arts and the humanities are offered in the fall, spring and summer semesters. Students can take all required classes for a business degree at a single location. A new entrepreneurship course will begin this winter for students interested in starting their own businesses.

More community interest classes are running every semester. Penny Hill, associate dean of the facility, wants the community to know that the name can be misleading. We are a Hudson Valley campus facility with a range of general education classes both days and evenings. “I am excited to have a range of business classes here so students can take all their requirements here without going back and forth to the Troy campus,” states Hill.

EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH BALLSTON SPA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Another way that Hudson Valley Community College is preparing students for careers in the clean energy economy is through a partnership with Ballston Spa Central School District and the Clean Technologies and Sustainable Industries program. This early college high school allows junior and senior high school students to come to TEC-SMART five mornings a week, dually-enrolled in both high school and college classes. Joseph Dragone, Ph.D., superintendent of the Ballston Spa Central School District states, “This kind of a program is transformational. It is scalable and replicable, and we have some of the strongest partners that can be found in business and higher education alongside of us.” The vision of the program is to provide students with a collaborative learning environment focusing on 21st century skills, STEM learning and promoting college and career readiness through public and private partnerships. Many businesses and non-profit groups participate in this collaborative learning model which demonstrates to the students how environmental sustainability and clean energy are critical economic and workforce issues for our region and beyond. The program opens doors for students to deeply experience occupations associated with clean technology.

Students become familiar with solar, wind, geothermal energy and sustainable design, and they can earn up to 24 college credits by the end of their senior year. This fall the

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program will triple in size. “These students are really our future hope.

They bring an energy and interest about the issues facing our planet that is often inspiring. I am continually amazed to see how the students have gained confidence and maturity in this program. Some of their group projects are truly amazing,� states Penny Hill.

Penny Hill joined Hudson Valley in 2011 as Associate Dean of the TEC-SMART Facility. She brings with her a strong commitment to conserving the environment and is a graduate of Hudson Valley, holds a biology degree from SUNY Albany and a Master's in Business from Sage Colleges. Contact Penny at 518.629.7294 or visit www.hvcc.edu/tecsmart/index.html for more information.

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LOCAL SOUND WILD ADRIATIC PLAYING FOR THE FUN OF IT! STORY BY DAVID DELOZIER PHOTOS PROVIDED

Wild Adriatic is a four piece rock band with heavy soul and blues influences. Based in Saratoga Springs, NY, the band spent 2011 playing shows in support of their debut EP “The Lion.” After sharing stages across the Northeast with bands like MuteMath, Company of Thieves, Third Eye Blind, Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Saving Abel, and many more, the band was chosen as the Best Band in the Capital Region by regional independent radio heavyweight 102.7 WEQX and the Magic Hat Brewing Company.

Early 2012 saw the band head back to the studio with producer John Naclerio (Steel Train, Brand New, the Ataris) to work on a batch of 6 new songs. The band went in to the studio determined to add more of a soulful, vintage vibe to their repertoire, and the resulting EP “Lock & Key” is just that – soulful, vintage feeling rock and roll with bluesy riffs and catchy vocals abound. “Lock & Key” released on April 27th and the band plans 50 ecolocalmagazine.com

to continue their relentless performance schedule and video releases through the end of the year.

Eco-LOCAL caught up with drummer Mateo Vosganian to find out what Wild Adriatic is all about.

Eco-LOCAL Living: It sounds like this is becoming a full time gig for you guys now, is that right?

Mateo: Yes, were very rapidly reaching that splitting point between jobs and no jobs.

ELL: All bands dream for that moment when they can rely on their music career as a full time affair that shift from playing as a side job to playing music as your main job.

Mateo: Exactly, it's definitely a place to be, but we've been very careful to not change much, because we feel like having fun. It has to remain the priority. And the money will hopefully come to support us because we are having fun doing it.

ELL: Of course that was the reason why you got together in the first place, right, to have fun?

Mateo: Absolutely. And we do that in spades!

That's probably the reason for the viral characteristic of the music of Wild Adriatic. It hasn't been because of radio play necessarily. We done some YouTube videos and we have grown a pretty loyal fan base from the live shows. We make a big effort to know that everybody knows are name so we put it out there as much as we can.

ELL: Speaking of the name, what is a Wild Adriatic?

Mateo: That name came from our singer, Travis, when he and his wife were on their honeymoon in Italy, where they were on the beach of the Adriatic Sea. That name kind of stuck with him, and a couple of weeks later the "wild" part came to him and it stuck. SO it doesn't really mean too much , but it does capture the vibe of our energy - not really wild per se, but just a lot of fun!

ELL: I think that is the element that people look for in a show, especially when it comes to local music. It's not much fun to be back up in the bleachers at a mega concert, but it is a lot of fun to be up close and personal with the band at a small club, where you can talk to the guys on set breaks and maybe even buy them a beer. I am sure is all part of what you guys do, right?

Mateo: Yes, in fact it's the best part! In fact, we were talking about this the other day - that our job is to go out to clubs as many nights a week as we can, which on the surface sounds like a bad idea but it's where we meet a lot of people and are able to say yes to a lot of situations, and just doing everything to see where it lands us.

It's been a like a super social job, which we are happy about because we are all very social people.

ELL: Who is it then, that makes up Wild Adriatic?

Mateo: Richie Derbyshire - Bass, Shane Gilman Guitar, Travis Gray - Vocals/Guitar, Mateo Vosganian - Drums ELL: How long have you been together as a band?

Mateo: We started around February of last year (2011) I joined the band a couple of months later.

ELL: You guys have seen some pretty good success in that short period of time. Are you getting recognition outside the Capital Region as well, right?

Mateo: We're all pretty much lifelong musicians - me and Travis have been playing since we were 15 years old in Queensbury, so a lot of people know our names, and they'll at least check us out. Every project gets a little easier, and when everybody is on the same page, like what we have now, it's really awesome.

ELL: It's part of maturity of the journey as well.

People of like mind are attracted to each other, so that a synergy is almost natural. Is that the essence of Wild Adriatic?

Mateo: Definitely! And it's great that we're all in the same age range; we've grown up together, we're not young but we definitely not old! We're able to communicate together better than any others bands we've been in before. It really helps with the business side of the band.

ELL: What is your age group?

Mateo: We're between 25 and 27 ELL: You guys are in the prime of your life! To be able to play music to adoring fans, isn't that the dream of any 20 something guy?

Mateo: Yes, and we are very lucky we get to do it so often.

ELL: And to have a financial reward that goes with it... it's one thing to play music as weekend warrior, but to be able to make a career of it, that's a big step forward, isn't it?

Mateo: Yes, it's kind of funny because most of us are finding things to do outside the band to bring

in money, but it doesn't require working 40 hours a week or staying in one place for very long. So that's nice, but working in a band actually costs a lot. We just put out an EP in April, but right now we are working on the next record, and we know that's going to cost us at least $10,000. So now it’s back to saving and rubbing pennies together.

We're back to being poor! We've had some fun and foolish times, but now it's time to be frugal and smart.

ELL: I suppose that you don't have a big beer budget, because the fans probably help out with that!

Mateo: We try to arrange a few drinks at the shows, and usually it's met with smiles!

ELL: You guys have been getting a lot of radio play on WEQX and WEXT. That's got to be pretty sweet to have these stations embracing your sound and sharing it with there large listening audience, right?

Mateo: Those two stations have really stepped up in support of local music in general, and for the band, we've been very welcomed by both stations and that's very encouraging. People are actually requesting our songs, and that's nice.

ELL: What inspires you in the writing end of the music?

Mateo: We all work together on that. Travis often comes up with a new riff, and we kind of build around that. We spend a couple of hours tearing it apart and rebuilding it to create something that we all like.

ELL: What about lyrics - is there any theme or stories that you try to bring forward in the songs?

Mateo: That first EP was somewhat about heartbreak, and the second was about moving on. Picking yourself back up and not letting anything hold you down. Travis is married but he has a lot of material to work with watching me and Rich and Shane and our love lives, which have an ironic way of showing up in these songs!

ELL: You guys are doing a show at the PearlPalooza in downtown Albany on September 22.

Will that be kind of a home crowd for you?

Mateo: Since we've been doing this, our home town has sort of shifted to Albany, in that Albany has rally rallied around the band. We love playing in Albany so it’s definitely like a home coming for us!

ELL: So folks still have a chance to see Wild Adriatic in a small town environment, but we could find that next year you guys are headlining in the big shows.

Mateo: We'd like to build in smart way, where we can sustain ourselves and the music, and we'll see where that goes. We look forward to sharing the music with as many people as we can!

For gigs, music and more information, visit wildariatic.com ecolocalmagazine.com 51

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The location, the meals, the Innkeepers and nature, simply perfect!”

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Eco-LOCAL People

Barbara Moore and Bjorn Loftfield Owners of The Green Grocer in Halfmoon, Saratoga County Barbara and Bjorn have got perhaps the perfect job. They get to share health and vitality with their customers everyday. That’s because their store, the Green Grocer, has become the go –to placed for all things natural, organic and delicious. In a world of cookie cutter chain stores, the Green Grocer stands out as an oasis of cool and unique. Barbara and Bjorn have chosen the best local, regional and national products with one common goal in mind – to help their customers achieve optimum wellness. And it’s not just food – they have inspirational books, gifts, and cleaning products that are kind to the environment.

And knowledge…the staff take a direct interest in your health, and can help you navigate through the myriad of products they offer to find your path to wellness!

Eco-LOCAL Living: How long have you been in business and what inspired you to get started?

BL: The Green Grocer began in 1995, when we dissolved their respective prior businesses to create a new organic grocery store concept in Clifton Park. The business partnership became a life partnership, and we married in 2002. The inspiration was to start fresh after prior rocky relationships, and to make a living and be able to put food on the table.

Being in the grocery business, we ate what was out of date, much to the chagrin of our kids!

ELL: What's the best part about your job?

BL: The best part is the customers! Most people realize that an outlet for clean, fresh organic and natural foods is a blessing, and are incredibly kind and grateful. It’s especially fun to see families with small children come in; the young ones enjoy the child size shopping cart and their joy is contagious.

ELL: Why do you choose to operate your business in Halfmoon as opposed to somewhere else?

BL: We chose Clifton Park because of the first three rules in business are 1) location, 2) location, and 3) location. After we both operated stores in urban locales, we wanted a shop with easy access and ample parking.

We wanted our store to be convenient, and Route 9 in Halfmoon is just that!

ELL: Why do you think it’s important to keep it local?

BL: Through the years, local farmers and vendors have found us here, and we have developed a symbiotic relationship with them. We provide an outlet for their products, and we can feel sure that by dealing with the producers, we offer high quality, reasonably priced local products.

We have local milk, meats and cheeses year round, and many local vegetable in season. By keeping it local, the dollars coming into our store are returned to the local economy, and the personal relationships help to build a feeling of integrity and usefulness.

ELL: What locally owned business (other than your own) could you not live without?

BL: We are fortunate to have many local businesses on this stretch of Route 9 in Halfmoon, including Hewitt’s Nurseries, DeVoe’s Orchards, Elevate Bike Shop, and of course J & S Watkins Home Baked Desserts.

We are pleased and proud to savor their products, and enjoy having them and other independents in the “hood”.

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ELL: What are some of the things you do to help make the world a little bit better?

BL: We are big believers in creating a better world through personal growth. Never underestimate the value of one more person being content and enjoying their existence. We always make time for a pleasant word, and try to avoid being short or stressed out.

ELL: What do you like to do in your free time?

BL: Free time is in short supply, but we enjoy our dog, a half husky named O.B. In the winter, The dog pulls Barbara on skis (known as skijoring), and in summer he is an avid tennis ball chaser and hiker.

Barbara enjoys Nia exercise classes and we both enjoy babysitting our two grandsons.

ELL: What's the best advice you've ever received?

BL: I use to work in a hospital as a nuclear medical technician. I was into health foods, and a fellow employee, upon noticing my obsession, suggested that I consider changing careers to help others get healthy. It was good advice, and well heeded. It felt good to get over to the “wellness” side of health care.

ELL: Our Facebook fans want to know: What is it that sets you apart and promotes loyal, repeat business?

BL: One incentive we offer to our repeat customers is the “Green Grocer Bag.” Any customer who buys the bag and brings it back when they shop receives 5% discount on their whole purchase! And 10% off vitamin supplements. We make every effort to ensure that we appreciate our customers.

ELL: Our Twitter followers want to know: What drives you to keep doing what you do?

BL: The Green Grocer is our lifestyle. We have employees that depend on us for their income. We have a community that depends on us for their health. We are part of a web of relationships that give us a feeling of satisfaction that would not easily be replaced!

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