Impact, it is not just about how you throw things away, It is how you create things.

More and more I am hearing people talk about global warming and the arguement over what it is and isnt and if it is valid and scientifically proven and how the politicians are getting in over their heads and blah blah blah... anything to avoid the main thing at hand and it is taking responsibility for YOUR choices and understanding them and being aware of exactly how you impact your environment. This concept is missed wholey on so many levels that I am truley believing that we are sleepwalking in a delusion through our lives. That these facts are covered up more and more to encourage disengagement of our life styles and what it costs to maintain them.

It goes further than recycling... it goes to how you impact the people around you. Do you encourage them be productive, or are we all at war with our neighbor constantly competing for resources instead of working together to acheive success on small levels. Something as simple as EATING together with another family once a week can improve the quality of our family and social life as well as save us money and reduce waste and energy. Collective gathering, having a common area, more city parks, neighborhood parks will encourage people to mingle, create friendships and lessen the negativity that runs rampant in so many neighborhoods. Recreation brings people together in a friendly way. Even today, while out with my family, we brought just enough food for us for a quick picnic by the river. Another family was next to us, prepared for the whole day equipped with a grill and cooler full of goodies. They were friendly and inviting and shared their food with us willingly and happily, like it was their duty to make sure we all had some since they had enough to go around. Perfect strangers sharing food at a beautiful park. WHY are we not encouraging this in neighborhoods more often?

I have had the joy of being a key player in the development and organization of a farmers' market in Downtown Lebanon, OR. My town, where I live and work. The amount of effort the people of our community who helped put in to this event was about that of a part time job and the rewards are priceless. Creating a venue for the people who make the food to share with the people who want the food and opportunities to try new things, meet new people, learn new skills and enjoy community is so worth ever second it takes to do it and to be honest, IT WASN'T THAT HARD!! The hardest part was finding the right people to help out and getting them to dedicate some time to it. But once people see how much the entire community benefits from such a gathering, it falls into place. This little town of 14,000 people, where most residents communte to work, shop outside of the town they live and havent been to a downtown store in years is breathing in this market like a drowning child! The merchants on Main St are thrilled, the farmers are excited, the residents are anxious, the resturants are hopeful to be buying food and products grown in their region, supporting our own local businesses, eating healthier and enjoying the COMMUNITY.

Farmers' Markets help by:

Less gas to get your food to you and for you to go get it

Less $$ to buy food since it is straight from the producer

Less chemicals on most locally grown food because it is not mass production and isnt being shipped for a week. Preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers, ect for small farms are very different than a large production farm. Healthier for you and for the earth it is grown on!

Less packaging, less waste, opportunities to recyle what you are using (egg crats, plastic containers, fabric and brown bags)

Less time in front of your TV!! More excerise, More interaction, More sunshine and fresh air!!

Creating positive change impacts many aspects, environment is one, but your community is part of the environment. Volunteer to help your community, help gather people together with food. Enhance relationships with your local businesses, networks, and neighbors! It is a key lifestyle change that needs to happen that will help to facilitate the changes we all want to see.