New green business in North Liberty

North Liberty company opens dealership for used electronic cars

A brand new car dealership opened its doors in North Liberty today with a unique fleet of used electronic vehicles.

“Iowa tends to be very progressive and we really want to normalize EVs as soon as possible,” Leah Furnish, the Vice President for VERV Auto Sales said. “They are just improved machines compared to outdated combustion engines.”

VERV is an off shoot of an already established Eastern Iowa company. Moxie provides Solar services to communities around the Midwest. Its owner Jason Hall wanted to be even more impact and was looking for opportunities to grow sustainable business models in the area. He is starting out with 12 electric vehicles all geared towards getting people a chance to learn more about electronic cars and focusing on the used aspect of getting vehicles.

“We want to improve anything we can on the environmental sustainability front as fast as possible,” Furnish said. ” EVs are a natural transition to do more good. “We joke about being Teslar on a budget. We are going to offer Teslars but more importantly we want to make sure everybody understands EVs, that they are available to everyone whatever their budget is and whatever their driving situation is.”

VERV is going to offer their vehicles in a three teared system based on cost. A Chevy Spark or Nissan Leaf at the lower end for cost are going to be there as much as a potentially $70000 Teslar waiting to dazzle Eastern Iowa.

“I am so excited we can make a difference,” Furnish said. “Normalizing EVs and making them available to everyone, we want to pose ourselves as the EV experts so that we can help find the best solution for their needs.”

Check out VERV’s showroom in North Liberty.

https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/north-liberty-company-opens-dealership-for-used-electronic-cars

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20 Feb 2020 Bag Sewing

That’s a Thursday. Here’s Becky’s email:

Hello all Grannies – We have 2 dates coming up that we will need quite a few of our beautiful hand made bags.  March 7th (tentative date) the LENA group (that the Pruecil kids started) want to give away bags at the Dodge St Hy Vee on March 7th.  I’ll need people to sign up for this event too, so I’ll bring a sign up sheet to the February meeting.

On April 17th the U of I student Environmental Coalition wants us to help with their bag exchange in the ped mall again.

For the March 7th date I am going to help them get some bags from local businesses, hopefully.  If you have any ideas of a business (no grocery stores please) that might have some on hand or would be willing to get some, please let me know.  But, we can use whatever we have made up too!  We might need another sewing date to get a bunch made for April 17th.

I have reserved the fellowship hall at First Presbyterian Church for February 20th for a sewing day.  Come anytime between 10 am and 3 pm for as long as you can even if it’s just a short time.  We can use cutters, pressers, pinners and sewers!  Things to bring: thread in neutral colors, straight pins – long ones usually work the best –  good fabric scissors, yard sticks, and sewing machines.  I’ll bring the fabric.  If you happen to have any fabric to donate, bring that, too!

Bring your lunch if you plan to be there over the lunch hour.  We have a fridge.  We’ll have a good time and get a bunch of bags made!

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CAFO Article from AP – Nat’l Publicity

Factory farms provide abundant food, but environment suffers

John Flesher – ASSOCIATED PRESS  (Page 2A of PC on 10 Feb 2020)

AKRON, Iowa – In recent years, Fred Zenk built two barns housing about 2,400 hogs between them – long, white, concrete-and-metal structures that are ubiquitous in the Midwestern countryside.

The Iowa farmer didn’t follow state requirements to get construction approval and file a manure disposal plan. But Zenk’s operation initially flew under the radar of regulators, as have many others across the United States because of loopholes and spotty enforcement of laws intended to keep the nation’s air and water clean.

Beef, chicken and pork have become more affordable staples in the American diet thanks to industry consolidation and the rise of farms with tens of thousands of animals. Yet federal and state environmental agencies often lack basic information such as where they’re located, how many animals they’re raising and how they deal with manure.

The animals and their waste have fouled waters. The enclosures spew air pollutants that promote climate change and are implicated in illnesses such as asthma. The stench of manure – stored in pits beneath barns or open-air lagoons and eventually spread on croplands as fertilizer – can make life miserable for people nearby.

For most of the nation’s history, meat and dairy products came from independent farms that raised animals in barnyards, pastures and rangeland. But the system now is controlled by giant companies that contract with farmers to produce livestock with the efficiency of auto assembly lines inside warehouse-like barns and sprawling feedlots.

The spread of corporate animal farms is turning neighbor against neighbor in town halls and courtrooms. Iowa, the top U.S. producer of swine and egglaying chickens, has been a major battleground.

“It’s a fight for survival,” said Chris Petersen, who still raises pigs in outdoor pens.

Michele Merkel, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attorney who quit over the agency’s reluctance to punish polluting mega-farms and is co-director of the advocacy group Food & Water Justice, said the industry “has avoided any effective regulation and accountability for a long time.”

Industry groups say there are plenty of regulations and livestock agriculture is simply adapting to improved technology, equipment and methods.

“We’re responding to what the market is giving us,” said Brady Reicks, whose company runs numerous large hog structures in northeastern Iowa. “We’re doing it responsibly; we’re passionate about doing it. It increases growth in rural Iowa and it helps feed the world.”

The EPA began to count the nation’s factory farms during the Obama administration but retreated when industry groups sued. Instead, the agency uses state data to produce annual statistics about only the biggest operations.

As of 2018, the nationwide EPA tally was about 20,300 – a roughly five-fold increase over nearly four decades.

Yet it’s a tiny fraction of all confined animal operations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates there are more than 450,000, most too small for inclusion in the EPA count.

Iowa has 80 million farm animals and 3 million people. Yet in 2017, regulators didn’t know how many livestock farms were in the state. Under federal pressure, the Department of Natural Resources pored over aerial photos, discovering 4,200 previously unknown facilities.

Zenk’s Plymouth County farm was among them.

“We knew nothing about his operation,” said Sheila

Kenny, an environmental specialist with the state agency.

Zenk acknowledged breaking the rules but said no harm was done. He paid a $4,500 fine.

“You think you can get by with something once in a while and you can’t,” he said, strolling among his barns, tractor and feed bins.

To state regulators, such discoveries mean the system works. Critics say the Iowa experience shows how easily livestock operations can escape detection.

Putting thousands of animals in one enclosure produces huge amounts of manure. Unlike human sewage, which is treated and released to waterways, animal waste is stored, then spread on croplands as fertilizer.

Farmers insist they are careful.

“We take soil tests, we decide how much manure it needs and that’s how much we apply,” Reicks said.

Environmental groups say fields often can’t handle the volumes of manure produced, leading to runoff. Such pollution is exempt from regulation under the 1972 Clean Water Act, even though agriculture is the biggest contaminator of rivers and streams, according to the EPA.

In Emmett County, Iowa, small farmer Gordon Garrison sued a nearby operation with 4,400 hogs, contending manure from its croplands fouls a creek that runs through his property and feeds the Des Moines River.

Livestock farms generate about 70% of the nation’s ammonia emissions, plus gases that cause global warming, particularly methane.

Critics say yesteryear’s barnyard whiffs were nothing like the overpowering stench from today’s supersized operations.

“You don’t want to be anywhere near them,” said Brad Trom, a crop producer in Minnesota’s Dodge County, who lives within three miles of 11 structures housing 30,000 swine. He says he’s been staggered by powerful odors barreling across his fields.

Farmers say they’re trying to reduce the smells but contend they’re a normal part of country life.

“I’ve never lived on a farm that didn’t have nature’s fragrances on it,” said Gary Sovereign, a swine producer in Iowa’s Howard County.

Research has linked proximity to factory farms to various health risks. But scientists acknowledge it’s nearly impossible to pin someone’s illness on a certain polluter.

Jeff and Gail Schwartzkopf say after a hog megabarn was built a quarter-mile from their home in northern Iowa, they developed burning and itching eyes, throat soreness and body rashes. They fear the manure odors are making them sick and ruining their home.

“Nobody’s going to want to buy it. We’re stuck,” Jeff Shwartzkopf said.

Farmers say they’re trying to reduce smells from hog manure. “I’ve never lived on a farm that didn’t have nature’s fragrances on it,” said Gary Sovereign, a swine producer in Iowa’s Howard County.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/AP

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Legislative Report – January 2020

1) Three grannies: Miriam K, Diane L and Pat B attended a lobbying & rally day in Des Moines on Thursday, January 23

Clean water fighters of all generations rallied at the Capitol Thursday, Jan 23, 2020. The Raging Grannies from Des Moines led us in songs celebrating our land, our people, and our fight back against corporate rule. 100Grannies and others were present. High school climate activist Tatianna Schaapherder reminded us that it’s no longer enough to reduce, reuse, and recycle. We need big and bold solutions to our factory farm crisis and address our climate emergency.

After the rally, CCI Action members and Food and Water Action lobbied their legislators and other key elected officials about the need for a moratorium in Iowa. Among the legislators we talked to were House Minority leader Todd Prichard (D-Charles City), and Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour) who blocked the moratorium bill from being discussed by a subcommittee last year. In total, members talked to more than 35 legislators and left information with many, many more!

Support the work we did by sending a letter to Rep. Dean Fisher and your representative. Nearly 100 people already have — help us get to 200 this weekend! Ask him to assign the factory farm moratorium bill, HF 203, to a subcommittee. Rep. Dean Fisher  dean.fisher@legis.iowa.gov capital phone 515-281-3221 and Ross Paustia ross.paustian@legis.iowa.gov to find your representative go to legis.iowa.gov

One take away I have is it is very important to contact your representatives.   Many are saying independents and republicans are not letting their legislators know.  63% of Iowans favor a moratorium yet they are not hearing from us.  (This includes 51% Republicans, get your friends and family to call or write)

2) February Legislative Forum on the Environment sponsored by League of Women Voters of Johnson County (LWVJC): 

Saturday, February 22, 2020    9:30-11:30 am   Coralville City Council Chambers 1512 7th Street Coralville, Iowa

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1 Feb 2020 Climate Crisis Parade more

from Miriam:

Dear Parade Friends from Blue Bus #1 & White Bus #2,
Thank you to each and every one of you who showed up and stood up and paraded and demanded truth and action.
History tells us that “We the People” are powerful when we do exactly that.  You were terrific and made my job pretty hassle free.
I’m still waiting for a video of the rally speakers to send out to you.  Meantime, here’s a random  “walk through” video that gives us a good flavor of the parade.  As is always true with parades, if you’re in it, you don’t get to see much of it.  Hope this helps. https://youtu.be/o4dXAJVro3Also sending (unedited) pictures from my friend, Jeff Kisling, who took LOTS of photos yesterday.  Maybe you can find yourself or someone you know in them. And look at all those awesome signs and floats!  I’m also sending this out to a few folks who for one reason or another couldn’t make it at the last minute. You missed a roaring good time!
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Avb9bFhezZpPioEF4ReL5qFHEsEZdg?e=f9tWTB

I’m sure many more pictures and videos will emerge.  I’ll forward the pre-parade rally with the speakers when it is posted and any others that seem especially good.

Cameras for Conservancy    pictures of the parade

article in Des Moines Register:

Blair Frank led a group chant, “One global family,” as climate change activists filled up Locust Street between 5th and 4th avenues Saturday around noon. (Photo: Danielle Gehr / The Register)

Hundreds of climate activists filled portions of downtown Des Moines on Saturday to address what they believe is a lack of media coverage of climate issues.
The “Climate Crisis Parade” began on Locust Street between Fifth and Fourth avenues, just outside the building that houses the Des Moines Register.
Before marching through the street, some of the participants stood in the road and addressed the crowd with a sense of urgency, saying the media has failed to cover global warming and its effects. Seventy groups sponsored the event Saturday and about 400 people marched through downtown to the Iowa Events Center.

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Feb 1 2020 Climate Parade Pictures

Video_1

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Vegan Presentation at our monthly meeting January 2020

The Role of Veganism in Reversing Climate Change

100 Grannies Meeting
January 28, 2020 By Carol Throckmorton, RD/LD (retired)
(Power Point)

Handouts:

Plant-Based-Model – Balanced Nutri Sol.
Ingredient-Substitution-Chart
Egg Replacements
Plant-based-Protein-Infographic
Cheese-Trap-Infographic-6oopx
Where do vegans get their protein
Protein Handout (VO)
Healthy Swaps

Recipe: Eggless Salad Sandwich Filling

 

 

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2020 Johnson County Food Policy Council Forum Land Access and Beyond

Hi Community Food and Agriculture supporters!

The Johnson County Food Policy Council invites you to our 6th annual public forum to learn about the Land Access Program at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm and to give feedback for future programs and resources. For inspiration, we will hear stories about farmer resources and challenges from a panel of farm mentors in the region. Then, attendees will bring their ideas to topic-based breakout discussion groups to dream and dialogue about what the Historic Poor Farm can do to support current and aspiring farmers. The 2020 public forum provides opportunities to connect with farmers and farm resources in the region, learn about challenges facing our community food system, and provide input or ideas for policy and program based solutions.

2020 Johnson County Food Policy Council Forum

Land Access and Beyond

Thursday, February 20, 2020, 5:30-8:30 PM
South Slope Community Center
980 N. Front Street, North Liberty, IA 52317
5:30 PM Event Check-in (and *free* Local Food Meal catered by Pullman Diner)
6:00 PM- 7:00 PM Introduction to the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm & Regional Farmer Panel
7:15 PM- 8:15 PM Breakout group discussions on resources for beginning and current farmers
Everyone is welcome to participate in the discussion groups. We ask for your help to reach out to aspiring farmers in your network and send the invite–we need their input to support a diverse and sustainable local food farming community into the future. Share out this invite and/or the Facebook Event on the Johnson County Facebook page.

Ilsa DeWald | Local Foods Coordinator
Johnson County Board of Supervisors Office
913 S Dubuque Street Iowa City, IA 52240
idewald@co.johnson.ia.us (319) 688-5840

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Contact your Ia Representative and Jan 23 Lobby Day Des Moines

Nearly 100 friends, members, and allies braved the fog and slick roads to elevate our call for a moratorium on factory farms. We were joined by our bill sponsors Senator Claire Celsi (D-Des Moines) and Rep. Sharon Steckman (D-Mason City).

Clean water fighters of all generations rallied at the Capitol Thursday, Jan 23, 2020. The Raging Grannies led us in songs celebrating our land, our people, and our fight back against corporate rule. 100Grannies and others were present. High school climate activist Tatianna Schaapherder reminded us that it’s no longer enough to reduce, reuse, and recycle. We need big and bold solutions to our factory farm crisis and address our climate emergency.

After the rally, CCI Action members lobbied their legislators and other key elected officials about the need for a moratorium in Iowa. Among the legislators we talked to were House Minority leader Todd Prichard (D-Charles City), and Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour) who blocked the moratorium bill from being discussed by a subcommittee last year. In total, members talked to more than 35 legislators and left information with many many more!

Support the work we did by sending a letter to Rep. Ross Paustian and your representative. Nearly 100 people already have — help us get to 200 this weekend! Ask him to assign the factory farm moratorium bill, HF 203, to a subcommittee. Rep. Ross Paustian,  ross.paustian@legis.iowa.gov, phone House switchboard: (515) 281-3221 to find your representative go to legis.iowa.gov

 

KCCI Des Moines media coverage on the event

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2 Feb 2020 Live from Prairie Lights: Ronnie Cummins

RONNIE CUMMINS
February 2 @ Prairie Lights, 1 p.m.
Ronnie Cummins will read from and talk about Grassroots Rising: A Call to Action on Climate, Farming, Food, and a Green New Deal. This book offers a blueprint for building and supercharging a grassroots Regeneration Movement based on consumer activism, farmer innovation, political change, and regenerative finance. Using regenerative agriculture practices that restore our agricultural and grazing lands, we can sequester massive amounts of carbon in the soil. Coupled with an aggressive transition toward renewables, he argues that we have the power to not only mitigate and slow down climate change, but actually reverse global warming. Ronnie Cummins is founder and director of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), and also serves on the steering committee of Regeneration International and OCA’s Mexican affiliate, Vía Orgánica. “Regenerative agriculture is going to be a key phrase in the decades ahead–and this book will get you in on the ground floor, so to speak. Not much could be more important!”–Bill McKibben.
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