"It's not easy being green." Kermit T. Frog
Well, it's getting easier!!
Consider these green gifts:
1. Prepared by sisters Dr. Astrid Newenhouse (Associate Scientist in the Environmental Resources Center and the Department of Biological Systems Engineering and Dr. Sonya Newenhouse (President, Madison Environmental Group, Inc and Community Car, LLC)
  • Hand balm or lotion such as Badger Balm
  • “Pesticide free zone” sign made of metal with large ladybug image, or safe lawn sign
  • Amaryllis bulb in a pot or tulip, hyacinth, and narcissus bulbs for indoors
  • Double hose connector so one faucet can handle two hoses
  • Good quality tape measure for home or field
  • Seeds: Seed Savers Exchange, www.seedsavers.org, (563) 382-5990Johnny’s Selected Seeds, www.johnnyseeds.com, (877) 564-6697, Jungs www.jungseed.com, (800)247-5864
  • New types of garden gloves, nitrile, or flexible, or based on biking gloves, or cushioned
  • Fair trade mittens, scarves, hats: ($9-12) Fair Indigo www.fairindigo.com (800) 520-1806
  • LuSa organics soaps: www.lusaorganics.com (608) 356-7627
  • Organic maple syrup, sugar, maple cream or candy: www.maplevalley.coop (800) 760-1449
  • Reusable bowl covers: Vermont Country Store www.vermontcountrystore.com (802) 362-8460
  • Eco pots made from grain husks:  $9 Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Gifts Ideas: $10-$25
  • Raised bed corner brackets (metal): Lee Valley or Gardeners Supply,www.leevalley.com (800) 267-8735, www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Soil knife for transplanting: GardenersEdge www.gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676
  • Metal garden plant tags: Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363, GardenersEdge www.Gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676
  • Recycled glass rooting vases: (3) $12 Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Canning supplies: www.lehmans.com (888) 438-5346
  • Hummingbird feeders: Gardener’s Edge www.gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676
  • Wire suet or fruit spirals: (3) $10, Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Downspout diverter for rain barrel: $20 Gardener’s Edge www.gardenersedge.com
(888) 556-5676
  • Stainless steel water bottles, over 30 color/design choices: www.gaiam.com (800) 869-3446
  • To-Go stainless steel tins for carrying food: $20 Green Feet www.greenfeet.com (888) 562-8873
  • Glass food containers for leftovers Vermont Country Store: www.vermontcountrystore.com, (802) 362-8460
  • Hanging pocket shoe organizer for tools, gloves, seeds
  • Stretch knee pads with gel: $20, Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Stainless steel compost pail for kitchen counter: Lee Valley, www.leevalley.com (800) 267-8735
  • String of LED lights to decorate your house using 90% less heat and energy
  • Good quality min/max thermometer, simple large copper or electronic thermometer or wireless: Gemplers www.gemplers.com (800)382-8473, Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363, GardenersEdge www.gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676
  • Noodlehead flexible sprinkler: Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363, GardenersEdge www.gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676
  • Boot brush: $20 Northern Tool www.northerntool.com (800) 221-0516
  • Wide brimmed hat for sun
  • LED headlamp for gardening at night
  • Set of “Growing Fresh Market Vegetables in WI” series of Extension publications
  • Kickapoo Coffee (won micro roaster of 2010): www.kickapoocoffee.com (608) 637-2022
  • Gift Ideas: $25-50
  • Manual water timer for garden hose shut-off: set dial for 5 min-2 hours and walk away
  • CobraHead weeder (made in WI): $25, www.cobrahead.com (866) 962-6272
  • Kneeler, folding, with pad: GardenersEdge www.gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676
  • Power bulb planter: $30, GardenersEdge www.gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676,
Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Drip irrigation kit: $37, Johnny’s Selected Seeds www.johnnyseeds.com (877) 564-6697
  • Garden rocker seat: $49, Gardeners Edge, Gardener’s Supply
  • Fiskars Power Gear loppers and pruners (Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation)
  • Bird song identifier: $35 Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Natural organic clothes, robes, baby clothes, household linens, or pillows: www.satara.com
  • Hand crank radio to listen to “Garden Talk” without any batteries
  • Corn Broom made by Amish: Lehmans www.lehmans.com (888) 438-5346
  • Laundry line kit and wood wall mount laundry line: www.lehmans.com (888) 438-5346
  • Upright dandelion weeding tools such as Speedy Weedy, Weed Hound
  • Solar glass Moon Drop glowing ball: $35 Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Gift certificate to Community Car for access to hybrid cars, vans, a truck, and a Mini Cooper: www.communitycar.com (608) 204-0000
  • 
Gift Ideas: $50-100
  • Flame weeder: , local hardware store or GardenersEdge www.gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676,Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • Solar pump kit fountain for pond: $53, Gardeners Edge www.gardenersedge.com) 556-5676, (888
  • Garden scoot on wheels with tractor seat: $74, Gardener’s Supply or Gardener’s Edge
  • Cast iron cookware: Lehmans www.lehmans.com (888) 438-5346
  • Rain barrel (Sustain Dane): $90 www.rainfordane.org (608) 316-6844
  • Down throw blanket (made in La Crosse, WI): The Company Store, www.thecompanystore.com (800) 285-3696
  • Luminous garden spire: $75 Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363
  • 
Gift Ideas: $100+
  • Organic flannel sheets: The Company Store, www.thecompanystore.com (800) 285-3696
  • Wood stove (eco-fan heat of stove turns fan for 30% more efficient heat): Real Goods www.realgoods.com (800) 919-2400
  • Beekeeping starter kit: $150, www.Mannlake.com (800) 880-7694
  • Seeders for large scale garden farm: $80-$500 with demonstration video Johnny’s Selected Seeds www.johnnyseeds.com (877) 564-6697
  • Electric (Ni-Cad battery) hedge trimmer, string trimmer, pole saw: Gardeners Edge www.Gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676
  • Mehu-Liisa Steamer Juicer: $200, www.juicer-steamer.com
  • Tubular skylight: $238 Home Green Home in Viroqua www.homegreenhome.biz (608) 637-3633
  • Weather station (electronic data on temp, rainfall, wind speed, humidity): Gardeners Supply www.gardeners.com (800) 427-3363, GardenersEdge www.Gardenersedge.com, (888) 556-5676
  • Push reel mower: $150 GardenersEdge www.Gardenersedge.com (888) 556-5676
  • Large solar pump: $120, Backyard Chirper, www.backyardchirper.com (800) 248-1987
  • Food dehydrator: Nesco American Harvest $63 www.buy.com, or $80 Gardeners Supply Company
  • CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share for weekly veggies in season: www.macsac.org
  • Host a party at Merry Farm of Gotham: www.merryfarmofgotham.com (608) 583-3542
  • Books and Magazines
  • EnAct: Steps to Greener Living, Sonya Newenhouse $14.95 www.enactwi.org (608) 204-2888
  • Square Foot Gardening, Mel Batholomew $25 www.squarefootgardening.com
  • The Human Powered Home, Tamara Dean, www.newsociety.com $29. Author has grain mill, blender, coffee grinder powered by her bicycle
  • Animal, Vegetable, Miracle A Year of Food Life, Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver and Steven L. Hopp $14.95
  • HortIdeas Newsletter $25, 750 Black Lick Rd., Gravel Switch, KY 40328, 
(606) 332-7606, email gwill@mis.net
  • Growing for Market $33 www.growingformarket.com (800) 307 8949
  • Natural Home magazine $15/yr www.naturalhomemagazine.com
  • Ode Magazine for intelligent optimists, $30/yr www.odemagazine.com
  • 
Home-Made Gifts
  • Floral stakes or garden stakes made from wire of campaign signs
  • Cloth napkins or grocery bags
  • Leopold bench
  • Rain barrels
  • Garden record book
  • Bookmarks
  • Potpourri, wreaths, or garlands
  • Soothing neck wrap
  • Soap, oil and vinegar infusions, tinctures, or bath salts
  • Window boxes
  • Note cards
  • Pinecone peanut butter bird feeder
  • 
The Gift of Time
  • Certificates for services such as tool sharpening, raking, visits to botanic gardens (even in winter), hauling mulch or compost, preparing a garden bed, or a massage for the gardener
  • Sources
  • UW Extension Publications: from your WI County Extension Office or (877) 947-7827
  • Gardeners Supply, Burlington, VT (800) 427-3363, www.gardeners.com
  • Gardeners Edge, Piqua OH (888) 556-5676, www.gardenersedge.com
  • Gemplers www.gemplers.com (800) 382-8473
  • Lee Valley, Ogdensburg, NY (800) 871-8159 www.leevalley.com
  • Lehmans www.lehmans.com (888) 438-5346
  • Johnny’s Selected Seeds www.johnnyseeds.com (877) 564-6697
  • Gardens Alive!, Lawrenceburg, IN (812) 537-8650 www.gardensalive.com
  • Canada’s Office of Urban Ag www.cityfarmer.org
  • Satara www.satara-inc.com and Hempen Goods www.hempengoods.com in Madison, WI
  • Maple Valley Coop, Cashton, WI, www.maplevalley.coop (800) 760-1449
  • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm Shares www.macsac.org
  • Community Car, Madison, WI (608) 204-0400, www.communitycar.com
  • Madison Environmental Group, Inc. (608) 280-0800, www.madisonenvironmental.com
  • EnAct: Steps to Greener Living, www.enactwi.org (608) 204-2888 or (866) 953-6228

Source: Enact Wisconsin

Just Fare Color 8 -new copy
Green and Sustainable Gifts
Just Fare Market at 1225 4th Street, Fond du Lac (located inside First Presbyterian Church) is a source of Green and Sustainable Gifts.  Shop hours are 9:30-1:30 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 9:00-noon on the second Sunday of the month.

Visit the Just Fare website at www.justfare.org

Just_Fare_library_ind_flyer-1

Have you heard about Fair Trade and wondered how truly fair it is or who it actually benefits or how it works? You are invited to a presentation called Resonating Change:Connecting Communities through Fair Trade at the Fond du Lac Public Library on May 7, from 6:30-8:00. Evangelina Pizarro and Ayde Riveros will leave Peru-and their families-for the first time this spring to travel across the U.S. on a tour sponsored by Green America and Partners for Just Trade.

In several Fond du Lac venues, the women will share how dignified work has changed their lives. In addition to the presentation at the library, another opportunity to learn firsthand about Fair Trade is at a luncheon on May 7, from 11:30 am-1 :30 pm. The luncheon will be held at the Just Fare Market in First Presbyterian Church, 1225 4th Street, Fond du Lac. Reservations are required as there is limited seating. Call 920-322-3334 to indicate you would like to attend.

Just Fare Market will host guests from Peru, as well as Carrie Hawthorn, director of Partners for Just Trade (PJT), and Yochi Zakai, Fair Trade Program Coordinator for Green America, who will accompany the women on this three week tour. PJT works with Evangelina, Ayde and over 15 other artisan groups in Peru through a Peruvian non-profit organization named Bridge of Hope. Bridge of Hope has trained the groups in bookkeeping, computer literacy, design, quality control and much more. Yochi, Fair Trade advocate from Green America, will help make the connection between Fair Trade and sustainability and caring for the environment.

The stories of Evangelina and Ayde represent those of so many women around the world. Both were forced to relocate - in search of a better life earning more money or escaping violence - and, despite their move, still found life difficult.

Evangelina Pizarro began work at age 17 in a jewelry factory in Lima and worked nearly 80 hours a week (earning only $115 a month). Conditions meant being locked in the factory each day until the managers decided it was okay for the workers to go home and not knowing when she would get paid - which was often not for 6 months at a time. Evangelina convinced several other workers to break off and form their own business. Their first attempt failed, and most of them ended up back in factory jobs. But shortly thereafter, Evangelina heard about a Fair Trade project and went to see if she could be involved. Evangelina and her colleagues formed an association they call Munay Rumi. After a year spent working on improving design concepts, they produced their first jewelry items for export.

Ayde Riveros grew up in a rural village in the Andes that was destroyed by the many years of terrorism that plagued Peru. The violence became so bad that Ayde and her family fled to the closest city, Huancavelica. There life proved to be more peaceful, but making ends meet was a constant struggle for Ayde and her husband, a construction day laborer. Ayde knitted, a skill passed down through the generations, to help provide for their three children. But she was never paid more than $5 for a sweater that took weeks of time to make.

Ayde joined together with several other women in Huancavelica facing similar challenges and formed the group, El Mercurio. They learned of Fair Trade through a local organization and soon began selling their hand knit finger puppets for over 5 times what they were previously making.

Fair Trade is a people-powered solution to global economic injustice. It is a system of trade based on direct relationships and partnerships between buyers in the global north and producing communities in developing countries.

Fair Trade helps ensure that farmers and artisans throughout the developing world receive a fair price for their products, have direct involvement in the marketplace, and uphold environmental and labor rights standards. The system builds real and lasting relationships between producers in developing countries and businesses and consumers around the world. Fair Trade consumers are using spending power to influence the market and help reshape the global economy to one that works for all people and the people and the planet.


Field guide bags embroidered with bird and flower designs by Women of the Cloud Forest in Costa Rica http://www.womenofthecloudforest.com/Home.html. 
Seed jewelry made by this group is also available.

Available for those who understand the importance of avoiding plastic and bringing your own bags are sturdy shopping bags made by artisans in India and imported by Global Crafts http://www.giftswithhumanity.org/

Just Fare offers a wide array of unique products made from recycled materials such as earrings made from wire and phone cards, animals sculptured from flip-flops that wash on to the ocean shores in Kenya, bags made from recycled rice bags and recycled juice and water containers and beautiful bead jewelry made from recycled magazines.  Perhaps the most interesting of the handmade papers available in the shop is Mr Ellie Pooh Paper.  Learn the details at  http://store.mrelliepooh.com/

Most of the coffee and chocolate is organic.  Equal Exchange works with small farmer producers to improve their forest habitat.  http://www.equalexchange.coop/is-your-coffee-shade-grown.  Equal Exchange's organic cocoa is cultivated on small plots, and usually under a shade canopy that preserves critical elements of the native Dominican and Peruvian forests. Biologists have determined that this gentle, chemical free method of farming helps to maintain bio-diversity and protect the winter habitat of millions of migratory song birds. For related information, see
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