Category: Sustainable Businesses

Community Supported Solar Project Moves into Next Phase

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Yarden of Eatin'

CCCD now soliciting farmer interest for this net metering opportunity: Eighteen shares available to farms for purchase

The Cheshire County Conservation District is excited to announce that the Community Supported Solar array at Sun Moon Farm in Rindge has been installed and farmers are now being sought to sign up for shares in this net metering opportunity! This is a partnership with Sun Moon Farm, ReVision Energy, and the Monadnock Sustainability Hub, with funding from the Thomas W. Haas Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation.

This Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar Project is an effort to help local farmers stabilize and lower their costs of electricity. A number of agricultural producers in the Monadnock region have expressed interest in solar, but many do not have the capital to invest in the infrastructure and/or a good location for the PV system. The Community Supported Solar model allows…

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2020 Call for Social Enterprise Project Proposals

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Community-Based Crowdfunding Program Seeks Proposals From Social Enterprises

Top Proposal Will Receive Free Crowdfunding Campaign Video

The Local Crowd (TLC) Monadnock, a community-based crowdfunding program serving the entire Monadnock Region and state of New Hampshire, invites emerging and established social enterprises to submit project proposals.

For this proposal cycle, TLC Monadnock seeks projects focusing on affordable housing, farms & food or living wage jobs & equity.  While all for-profits, non-profits and community initiatives are welcome to apply, projects addressing these community needs will receive extra campaign support and resources — beyond what is currently provided to all TLC Monadnock campaigns.

All crowdfunding campaign teams receive hands-on technical assistance to help them launch a successful crowdfunding campaign. Campaign teams also receive a free crowdfunding assessment to ensure that they receive the coaching and training that best fits each team’s needs.

In addition, TLC Monadnock will award one proposal a free video, produced by 710 Main Films, to support their crowdfunding campaign.  Studies show that crowdfunding campaigns with videos raise four times more funds than campaigns without videos.

TLC Monadnock will select up to six social enterprises to participate in this crowdfunding cohort, based on the potential of each project to positively impact their local economy and community.  Accepted proposals will launch their campaigns in winter or early spring.

This request for proposals is available online at tlcmonadnock.com/rfp.  All proposals are due before 5:00 p.m. on January 17, 2020.

Crowdfunding is the process in which an entrepreneur, business, or organization asks a large number of people (usually through the Internet) to contribute a certain amount of money for a specific project. By leveraging the power of crowdfunding, TLC Monadnock’s fundraising platform offers an innovative way for community members to support the projects they care about.

For more information, visit tlcmonadnock.com or contact Jen Risley at 603-283-5401.

TLC Monadnock is one of five communities participating in a research project with the National Science Foundation and The Local Crowd designed to uncover the best ways to support social enterprises — mission-driven organizations that use business principles to make the world a better place.

Locally, this program is hosted by Monadnock Food Co-op and managed by a team of volunteer community economic development leaders and business advisors.  Program partners include New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and Monadnock Economic Development Corporation.

The Local Crowd Monadnock is a community-based crowdfunding program helping start-up ventures, early-growth stage companies and community-focused projects find access to capital.  Since TLC Monadnock launched in March 2017, eighteen crowdfunding campaigns have collectively raised over $120,000 from 900 supporters.

Join the (Energy) Conversation

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From the City of Keene

Participate in a group discussion to learn about the City’s 100% renewable energy goals and share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas related to Keene’s energy future.

The Keene City Council recently made a commitment that all electricity consumed in the City will come from renewable energy sources by the year 2030 and that 100% of all energy used for transportation, heating, and cooling will come from renewable energy sources by the year 2050 (Resolution R-2018-36).  This fall and winter, volunteers from the community will facilitate a series of small group discussions called “Community Energy Conversations” to provide individuals with an opportunity to learn more about the renewable energy goals, express concerns and hopes, and share ideas.

Each community energy conversation will be limited to ~10 people in order to ensure everyone in the group will have an opportunity to fully participate in the discussion. The discussions will be facilitated by volunteers, who will take notes and share feedback with City staff. Feedback from Keene citizens and others will be used to inform the vision, goals, and strategies of a community energy plan.

We want to hear from you! Please consider getting involved by registering for one of the meetings listed below. All meetings will be held at the Keene Public Library.

1.      Monday, November 18th, 12:00-1:30 PM

2.      Friday, December 6th, 3:00-4:30 PM

3.      Monday, December 16th, 12:00-1:30 PM

To learn more about the energy plan project or to get involved further, please contact Mari Brunner, staff liaison to the Energy and Climate Committee at (603) 352-5440 or mbrunner@ci.keene.nh.us.

Village Roots Permaculture’s Barn Raising Crowdfunding Campaign

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Yarden of Eatin'

The Local Crowd (TLC) Monadnock launched its sixth online crowdfunding campaign  called the Village Roots Barn Raising project. Village Roots is a family owned and operated, regenerative farm on the Orchard Hill Community in East Alstead, NH.

Learn more and support this campaign today!

Owners Marty Castriotta and Ellen Denny share, “The beauty of a barn raising is that it is a community endeavor. We’ll mill the wood and cut the timbers. You help by contributing to the campaign that will pay for our roof, siding, sight work, gravel, electric and much needed refrigeration. Then you show up on raising day, if you wish, and we raise the frame together. In return, we will offer you a variety of rewards to reimburse you for your contribution.”

Barnraising image

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Green Energy Options Seventh In State To Earn B Corp Certification

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Originally published in the Monadnock Shopper News

GEO1-b1ce9c89Co-owners Valerie Piedmont and Pablo Fleischmann have announced that their business, Green Energy Options, recently earned B Corp certification, making it the seventh Certified B Corporation in New Hampshire. Using business as a force for good, Certified B Corps create higher quality jobs, improve the quality of life in their communities, address challenging environmental problems, and inspire others to measure what matters most. Over 200,000 businesses globally use the B Impact Assessment to assess, compare, and improve their impact.

Green Energy Options is an outgrowth of a vision of building a life in harmony with nature that Piedmont and Fleischmann share. They opened their business a decade ago after more than two decades of living off the electrical power grid on their eight-acre homestead in Gilsum. The business initially focused on providing solar energy system design, installation and technical support and selling energy-efficient appliances. Green Energy Options has since developed expertise that led it to expand its business to include alternative home heating products – the best available brands of wood, pellet, and gas stoves; fireplaces, and inserts.

Piedmont, director of human resources, said, “Our five employees work as a team to give customers the knowledge they need to make fully informed energy decisions. We’re passionate about the impact that our business has on improving air quality in our region and increasing the amount of renewable energy produced and consumed. We’re a small business encouraged that, with the support of the wider B Corp community, we can be part of the big change in how energy needs are met more responsibly.”

1555416_10151873746682546_1941514848_nFleischmann added, “It’s not so much about the certification itself; it’s about continually measuring ourselves against its high standards, and those of other Certified B Corporations, so that we continue to develop a better business.”

Green Energy Options draws its customers from Keene and Peterborough, Brattleboro, VT, and the surrounding towns and counties. It recently moved from its 79 Emerald Street location to 37 Roxbury Street, where it occupies a larger space in a renovated building in a revitalized area of Keene. For more details, visit www.GreenEnergyOptions.com or call 603-358-3444.

Badger Honored as 2017 ‘Best For the World’ and ‘Best for the Environment’

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Originally posted at Badger Balm

Badger was recognized as Best for the World, Overall and Best for Environment by the nonprofit B Lab. In order to be recognized, honorees must score in the top 10% of all businesses on the B Impact Assessment, the gold standard of corporate responsibility metrics. Badger scored in the top 10% of more than 2,100 Certified B Corporations across all categories for creating the most positive overall community impact, as well as positive environmental impact.

Monadnock Food Co-op Declares “We Are Still In”

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The Monadnock Food Co-op has declared, “We are still in.” The co-op joins over 1,000 U.S. governors, mayors, businesses, investors, and colleges and universities, declaring their intent to continue to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing carbon emissions. The Co-op joins many businesses nationwide who have signed the agreement, as well as several others who have joined in the Monadnock Region.

Together, these leaders are sending a strong signal to the international community and the 194 other parties to the Paris Agreement about the continued commitment of the United States to ambitious action on climate change. In the aggregate, the signatories are delivering concrete emissions reductions that will help meet America’s emissions pledge under the Paris Agreement.

The Monadnock Food Co-op believes the Paris Agreement is a blueprint for stability, global health and prosperity, and that accelerating the United States’ clean energy transition is an opportunity to create jobs, spur innovation, and promote trade. By declaring that “We are still in,” the signatories are putting the best interests of their constituents, customers, students and communities first while assuring the rest of the world that American leadership on climate change extends well beyond the federal government.

Climate change is already impacting farmers and producers in the Monadnock Region as well as farmers globally, including producers that supply the co-op with consumer favorites like coffee, chocolate and bananas, among others.

“As a retail grocery store, the Monadnock Food Co-op cares deeply about continuing to supply our community with high-quality food, grown as sustainably as possible,” said Michael Faber, the Co-op’s General Manager. “Our Ends Statements, including promoting a healthy, sustainable food system, the support of farmers and producers and a strong, sustainable and improving local economy mandate we must continue to take action to reduce emissions locally and globally.”

To view the full statement, quotes and list of signatories, visit: http://www.wearestillin.com/.

Cultivating a Local Economy that Works for All

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Monadnock Buy Local will host “The Complete Economy Project: Cultivating a Local Economy That Works for All” Event with local economy researcher and author Stacy Mitchell on Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Antioch University New England in Keene, NH.  Stacy will discuss effective strategies that communities around the country are using to grow local businesses and how public policy needs to change to create an economy that works for all.

Stacy Mitchell is co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a national nonprofit organization that produces research and analysis, and partners with communities and policymakers to design and implement policies that curb economic consolidation and strengthen local economies.  Her book Big-Box Swindle appeared on several top-ten lists and was described by Bill McKibben as “the ultimate account of the single most important economic trend in our country.” She has also written for a wide range of publications, including Business Week, The Nation and Wall Street Journal, and has authored several influential reports.  More about her work is available at ilsr.org/stacy-mitchell.

The Complete Economy Project supports the adoption of local policies that level the playing field for locally owned businesses in our region and spark innovative business models that contribute to our local living economy.  It cultivates a regional economy that works for more people and balances the needs of diverse types of business.

“Cultivating locally owned businesses is one of the best strategies for creating jobs, reducing inequality and building a more resilient community.  I’m excited to share our research and talk about ways that the Monadnock Region can apply this approach to economic development,” said Mitchell.

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The Local Crowd Monadnock Night at Monadnock Food Co-op

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Yarden of Eatin'

The Monadnock Food Co-op will host The Local Crowd (TLC) Monadnock Night on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  You’re invited to learn more about TLC Monadnock’s first two crowdfunding campaigns focused on sustainable agriculture:

Both farms will offer free samples and answer questions about their campaigns.

TLC Monadnock launched on March 15, 2017 and raised over to $3,700 from 74 supporters during its first week.  Both campaigns end on April 15, 2017.  You can contribute online to either campaign at monadnocklocal.org/tlclaunch.

“The Co-op is delighted to support the work of The Local Crowd and Monadnock Buy Local.  The work they are doing to support and grow our community and economy is remarkable,” said Megan Megan Straughen, Events, Education & Sustainability Coordinator at Monadnock Food Co-op.  “It’s wonderful to see different types…

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Local Sustainable Economies Conference

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lsec-logo_-300x288The Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts is excited to present the Local Sustainable Economies Conference at Northeastern University in Boston, MA from June 7 until June 9, 2017.

The conference is intended for small and local business leaders as well as advocates who are committed to building a local, green and fair economy. The conference will focus on action as it guides participants through engaging material that results in real, attainable ideas and solutions to issues facing our environment and our local economy.

Through networking, participants will build strong connections with other leaders who are as committed as they are to building sustainable businesses and organizations that ensure the long term success of both small business and our planet. Together we can amplify our impacts in building a vibrant local economy.

The conference will examine the seven pillars of a sustainable economy:

  • Local – Catalyze the Local First movement
  • Green – Discover & deliver solutions that stop climate change
  • Fair – Create an equitable economic system that benefits all communities
  • Food – Transform our local food systems
  • Community Capital – Move capital to local entrepreneurs & unleash the power of small & mid-size business
  • Entrepreneurship – Ignite your ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ & invigorate the new economy
  • Public Policy – Organize business & community leaders to strengthen our democracy & advocate for positive local & sustainable policies

Learn more