The Local Food Movement: Definitions, Benefits, and Resources

What does it mean to eat locally? Although perceptions of what makes up “local food” differ by region (due in large part to varying climates, soil types, and populations), most researchers accept that eating locally means minimizing the distance between production and consumption, especially in relation to the modern mainstream food system (Peters et al., 2008). According to the 2008 Farm Act, a product can be marketed as locally or regionally produced if its end-point purchase is within 400 miles from its origin, or within state boundaries (Martinez et al., 2010). Most retailers, however, consider local to be on a smaller scale than the state level and the term is often defined as products produced and sold within county lines

The Local Food Movement: Definitions, Benefits & Resources

What does it mean to eat locally? Although perceptions of what makes up “local food” differ by region (due in large part to varying climates, soil types, and populations), most researchers accept that eating locally means minimizing the distance between production and consumption, especially in relation to the modern mainstream food system (Peters et al., 2008). According to the 2008 Farm Act, a product can be marketed as locally or regionally produced if its end-point purchase is within 400 miles from its origin, or within state boundaries (Martinez et al., 2010). Most retailers, however, consider local to be on a smaller scale than the state level and the term is often defined as products produced and sold within county lines

Biking as an Alternative Mode of Transportation

With this fact sheet, you can overcome common barriers keeping you from becoming your own mode of transportation, and bettering your life because of it. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “creating new infrastructure and altering existing infrastructure to accommodate bicycling and walking has become a goal for several metropolitan planning organizations across the United States” (McKenzie & Rapino, 2011). Now is a great time to take advantage of this shifting focus away from vehicle commuting and delve into a healthier and cheaper mode of transportation: Cycling

Home Gardening: Quick Tips to Efficient Watering

In Utah’s dry climate, water is a gardener’s best friend. Water conservation is an important aspect of the home garden, and understanding efficient water management techniques can save you time and money. Knowing how to water properly will help you to maintain a more productive, sustainable garden and help the environment by reducing your consumption of this precious resource

Designing Your Home For Maximum Natural Lighting

There are many benefits to having more natural light in your home. The most obvious of these are the savings you can achieve with a reduced utility bill. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (2012), about 10% of household electricity usage comes from lighting. The more natural light you have in your house, the less lights you have to turn on, and the less electricity you use. Another benefit, also related to energy use, is natural light can help heat homes. One of the best reasons to design your home for natural light involves the health benefits gained through exposure to natural light

Fostering Community Supported Agriculture in Utah

This curriculum contains seven modules that describe the fundamentals of CSA, CSA marketing and outreach, CSA management, CSA pricing, CSA crop planning, legal concerns for CSA operations, and additional resources

Urban Edibles: Ornamentals

Who says the only place for city dwellers to pick up their daily dose of vegetables is the local farmers market or grocer? Much of the produce you need and enjoy is available to you in your own backyard and, better yet, is free of cost! Urban foraging is the art of finding, identifying and collecting wild edibles in everyday urban settings. From delicious fruits to weeds you would never in your wildest dreams think to eat, cities are full of handpicked eating opportunities

Freestores: What, Why, and How

Everyone seems to generate some sort of unwanted possession over the years, whether it be clothes they no longer wear, appliances they no longer use, or books they no longer read. While throwing unwanted items like this away in the trash is convenient and simple, it adds to the amount of solid waste found in landfills and the natural environment. Furthermore, it wastes potentially valuable resources that could be used by others. A viable alternative to disposing of unwanted possessions in the trash is to donate them to a freestore to be used by others, or if one does not already exist in your area, implementing one for the benefit of the community