• Learn more about the founding of Further and about their assortment of products by visiting the Further website.  

• Learn how to convert your diesel engine to accept biofuel and about national trading rules of fats and oils by visiting National Biodiesel Board.

• Marshall’s home-brewed bio-diesel is a great non-polluting, alternative fuel. However, not all bio-diesels are created equal. For a quick review of how bio-diesel stacks up to other alternative fuels, visit the Union of Concerned Scientists Clean Vehicles website.

• To locate other eco-friendly merchandise and companies that are not "greenwashing" visit Pristine Planet and Green America’s National Green Pages.
  

• Check out the toxicity levels of ingredients found in your favorite hand soap or lotion by visiting the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database. If the search reveals scary ingredients, the consider switching to a brand that is more eco-friendly for your family as well as the environment.
  

• Americans comprise only 5% of the world's population, but use 25% of the world's resources including oil. Here are a few ways to reduce your oil footprint.

• Click here to learn more about The Green Microgym’s “green advantage” or about franchise opportunities. If you have a question for Adam about his gym, post it by going here.

• To buy your own gym equipment that produces energy, visit Resource Fitness online.

• Why is clean energy so important? Coal plants emit mercury that ends up in fish that people eat, and once in the human body, interferes with the brain and nervous system. Soot from coal plants can cause asthma attacks and heart disease, shortening the lives of nearly 24,000 Americans a year. And whether or not you live in Oregon, 50 percent of the electricity generated in the United States is from coal. 

• When you workout, bring your own reusable water bottle that's made out of stainless steel, especially on the inside. By doing this, you will avoid exposing yourself to the harmful chemicals that can leach out of plastic bottles.

• Whether you workout at one of Portland's Green Microgyms or some other gym, always be sure to choose active wear that's made out of organic and/or sustainable fabrics that will reduce your body's exposure to toxins. Every day, more and more clothes are being made from alternative, green materials. Brands such as Patagonia, LuLuLemon and Gaiam offer organic cotton and alternative fiber blends, including seaweed! 

• Go to PEA's official website http://www.peabuilders.com/ to learn more about this company's mission of sustainability.

• Visit the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council website http://www.usgbc.org/ to learn everything you will need to know about sustainable building practices.

• Also check out the Council's Green Home Guide for all your green-building questions, including a Q&A with green building professionals and reviews on green building materials.

• Clean Tech Recruits is a website dedicated to job seekers, employers and recruiters for the green building industry.

• Interested in learning more about eco-friendly building materials? Start with a review of the winners of the 2009 Green Products Award Green Products Award from Building Products Magazine.

• The next time you’re in the San Luis Obispo area, take a tour of Wolff Vineyards to watch sustainability farming practices in action. Perhaps you can apply a few of these practices to your own garden at home to reduce maintenance needs and costs, including savings on your water bill. Mealy bug infestation, anyone?

• Sustainable agricultural practices integrate three main goals: Environmental health, economic profitability, and social & economic equity. Learn more by visiting this UC Davis website.

• Wolff Vineyards was one of the first vineyards in the Central Coast to become "Certified Sustainably Grown." Support Wolff and other SIP-certified vineyards for healthier wines and a healthier environment.

• Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. Examples of IPM are seen in Wolff Vineyards' use of falcons and pheromone traps to deter pests without harming the local environment. Visit this EPA website to learn more about the fundamentals of IPM, which can be applied to a farm or garden of any size, from a balcony garden to a multi-acre farm!

• Two out of three bottles of wines consumed in the U.S. are from California. Given California’s water scarcity, native vineyards have a lot to gain from practicing water-conservation strategies. Compared to vineyards in Napa Valley that “water lightly," dry farming practices on a vineyard can save 16,000 gallons per acre.

(Video editor: Barbara Babchick)

• To learn more about the Santa Fe Community College’s Certificate program in solar energy and other sustainability training programs, please visit their website. 

• To calculate how much you could save by installing a solar energy system at your home or business, visit this site.

• To learn about your State’s residential and commercial alternative energy rebate programs by clicking here!

• Solar energy systems are a great source of clean, renewable energy. But if your home’s utility company is using coal-fired power plants, then reduce your bills by reducing your energy demands. Learn more about all types of energy-conservation tips and strategies.

• Despite the Great Recession of 2009, the U.S. solar industry had its best year ever. For more facts and figures on the U.S. solar industry, visit the Solar Industry Year in Review 2009.

• Do you have any questions about Joel or Courier Coffee Roasters? Visit www.couriercoffeeroasters.com. 

• Stay tuned to the adventures Joel's coffee bar via the couriercoffeeroasters blog. 

• Coffee consumers should always opt for triple-certified coffee: Shade-grown, organic & fair trade. Shade-grown coffee is better for the soil, and produces better tasting beans. Organic coffee provides a toxic-free environment for field workers, the surrounding community, and the environment. Fair-trade guarantees stable, fair prices, so that farmers avoid the fluctuating world-market prices. 

• Courier Coffee Roasters is just one example of a business with bicycle couriers. In December 2009, Melanie Meyers, from Utility Cycling, reported an "upswing in parcel delivery by bike" in various types of businesses. This 2009 article from Wend magazine also features examples of this exploding system. 

• Portland's adventures in eco-preneurship don't stop here. The website bikeportland.org is the brainchild of Jonathan Maus, who turned his love of bikes into a career as well. BikePortland.org is the go-to site for all news related to bikes, everything from a mode of alternative transportation to racing and everything in between.
  
  
• Is it true that the iconic brown-truck of the United Postal Service is being switched out for bicycles in some communities? Indeed! Read about UPS and other company's use of eco-friendly bicycle-services!  

• Whether it’s for your business or for personal errands, you will save a significant amount of money every time you (or your company employees) opt to bike. Click here to learn more about the savings associated with bike delivery. And be sure to join the Better World Club, America's only eco-friendly Auto Club with 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance for your car, motorcycle, RV, and bicycle!

• Visit the Uncommon Ground website to learn all about Helen and Michael’s journey into the sustainability movement, including contact information for all of the folks and organizations whose collective actions made this journey possible.

• The average food on an American dinner table has traveled approximately 1,500 miles. This produces a large carbon footprint of that food, no matter what it is. Support your local farmers and eat seasonally to reduce the need for artificial fertilizers and pesticides by finding a local farmer’s market near you. And if you’re too busy to shop, sign up for a produce delivery program straight from your local farmers. 

• Whether you’re building a green restaurant like Uncommon Grounds or even a green museum, learn about implementing green building designs by researching the requirements of LEED, an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

• In the United States alone, buildings account for: 72% of electricity consumption, 39% of energy use, and 38% of all carbon dioxide emissions. To learn more about green building facts and stats, visit the USGBC’s website. 

• All homeowners and renters have the potential of cutting their utility bills by conducting simple and inexpensive energy and water efficiency updates. Check for tax credit and rebate information, including rebates for energy-star products.

• A 2009 study predicted that the green building industry will support or create 7.9 million jobs between 2009-2013, and will contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product. Visit the USGBC’s Career Center to view jobs, post a resume, or create job alerts.

• Visit the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guideline for valuable tips & guidelines on green remodels, renovations and new construction, including a Q&A forum with building professionals.

• As Juan said, composting is probably one of the easiest steps you can take in creating a more sustainable home. Whether you live in an apartment or in a single-home resident, composting is a simple & effective way to reduce your solid waste production while diverting valuable resources away from a shrinking landfill. And best of all, you'll end up with fertilizer that is totally free of petroleum-based ingredients. Get started by visiting this U.S. EPA compost tutorial page, by checking out this helpful guide from organic gardening or, by perusing this about.com website.

• When purchasing new appliances and electronics, choose only the Energy-Star approved items: These will provide the most energy-efficient options available on the market. Use this link to calculate savings you can earn with Energy-Star products and other energy-efficiency options. 

• Consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016. 

• The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides low-income families aid in building new or retrofit structures that are energy efficiency updates that will permanently reduce their energy bills. (This is different than the low-cost "weatherization updates" of existing structures, e.g., insulation and air sealing, to reduce air leakage.) Learn more at this USDOE website. 

• Despite the Great Recession of 2009, the U.S. solar industry had its best year ever. For job training and placement in the solar industry, visit BootsOnTheRoof.Com.

• These days, the opportunity to raise some of your own food is available no matter how small your house or apartment! In general, the average 300 sq. ft. garden will provide approximately $600 worth of produce in a single year! Click here for creative gardening tips in all areas, small and big.• Solar installers make a median salary of $42,600. Industry analysts estimate that wages for entry-level solar PV installers are about $12-$15/hr and vary by location, with crew leaders making between $20 and $25 an hour. With a growing movement to seek alternative sources of energy, eco-homes & farms all over our nation will be seeking expert knowledge and hands-on skills in this field of renewable energy.

• Looking for a career in the green building arena? Kickstart your search by visiting the U.S. Green Building Council’s website.

• Finding new wood furniture that has not harmed wildlife or local livelihoods during harvest can be daunting if you don't know what to look for. Support stores that can verify FSC certified woods, the only verifiable certification that guarantees responsibly harvested woods.
  
  
• A recent story to share about Tim Goodrich, a veteran who returned from the Middle East and switched to buying an all-electric Nissan Leaf.
  

• Find out more about Jonathan and how he successfully turned his passion into a career with bikeportland.org. 

• Oregon's nonprofit Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) is working to promote bicycling as a clean & healthy transportation alternative, and improve bicycling conditions in Oregon and SW Washington.

• Encourage businesses in your community to join the Bicycle Benefits program, a project from visionary Ian Klepetar. In addition, support businesses that use bicycles (or other alternative forms of transportation) for local deliveries.

• Visit the “bike website” for practically any information related to bicycles, including repair, maintenance and tips on bikes & dogs.

• The average passenger car emits about one pound of carbon dioxide (CO2) for every mile traveled. Reduce your carbon footprint by opting for your bike. Even if it’s just for a few local errands a week, those trips add up. But please, don’t forget your helmet, lights and bike safety protocols.

• Organize a bike day in your neighborhood. Plan a day to encourage people to ride a bike, either to work or recreationally. If people see others on bicycles it might encourage them to join the movement.

• To be the ultimate green bike enthusiast, buy a bike made from eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo. Calfee Design is one source for eco-friendly and durable bikes.

• Visit Meleah and Jordan’s N’credible Edibles website to learn about the permaculture philosophies you saw incorporated in this video. These and other principles are building blocks for self-reliant land use and community planning.

• Although these homeowners are lucky to have access to such a large yard, food gardens are possible in spaces both large & small, including community gardens and windowsills. One of our favorite gardening blogs, YouGrowGirl, has a handful of tools, resources and anecdotes about gardening for all-level gardeners!
  

• The average food item travels 1500 miles from farm-to-table. That's a lot of greenhouse gases spewed into the air-- especially when there are better alternatives!
  
• If you are a California resident and want to find a local food source, use the Buy Fresh, Buy Local online guide.
  
  
• If you live outside of California, find a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in your area to locate farmer's market, sign-up for weekly produce boxes delivered to your home or nearby community center, or to access a wonderful online store of goods!
  

• The University of California's San Luis Obispo County Cooperative Extension website provides a slew of resources to all-things agricultural related in the county, including information on Master Gardener programs and Integrated Pest Management techniques. Having a problem growing food at your home? Master Gardeners are there to help, via the telephone as well as FREE visits to your home!
  

• To learn more about sustainable agriculture and other permaculture philosophies, visit the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA).

• Did you know American lawns are consuming 270 billion gallons of water per week and about 2.2 billion gallons of fossil fuels each year? Visit “food not lawns” and learn more about the benefits of turning your lawn into an edible garden!
  

• Use this handy guide from the internationally acclaimed food enthusiast and author Michael Pollan to find easy ways on how to make fresh and unprocessed foods a staple in your day-to-day diet!

(Video editor: Barbara Babchick)

• The most effective way of showing your support for green restaurants is to give them your business. Locate a green restaurant in your area-- or encourage a local restaurant to go green-- by visiting the Green Restaurant Association website.

• For their size and sales, restaurants have the highest energy expenditure in comparison to other businesses. Find ways to save energy and the environment at Cooler Connection (tips brought to you by Coca-Cola.)

• There are plenty of changes you can make to green your home kitchen. These include purchasing Energy Star and Water Sense equipment (and check for government rebates), "greening your sink," and composting to divert your waste from a shrinking landfill. 

• Choose sustainably farmed seafood. Become a wise consumer by viewing the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Guide list (check out their handy pocket-sized guide), and pass on the word to your friends and family.

• Buy seasonal/local foods. The average American food travels 1,500 miles from farm or factory to your dinner table. Visit the Community Supported Agriculture website to get fresh produce delivered to your door.

• As obvious as it may be, remembering to only order what you can finish eating is an easy way to minimize your ecological footprint.

• Learn more about the philosophies behind Sacred Heart by visiting their website.

• Interested in blending modern medicine with proven, traditional medicine? Visit the American Association of Naturopathic Medicine to find articles, resources and referrals for naturopathic doctors in the United States.   
• Visit Sustainable Hospitals to learn about safe and eco-friendly health care products, including useful information about the effects of latex, mercury, PVC and other materials commonly found in health care equipment.       

• Are you a nurse? If so, check out The Luminary Project: Nurses Lighting the Way to Environmental Health -- a web-based effort to capture the illuminating stories of nurses who have helped patients heal by improving their environment.

• If you're a health care practitioner, a parent or just an individual interested in joining efforts of an international coalition devoted to making health care more sustainable, visit Health Care Without Harm. 

• Whether you're on a new career path or looking to green your existing health care job, connect with the Green Hospital Community through the Wiser Earth network to learn more about organizations, people, careers and solutions associated with this sustainable industry.

• In order to advance your career goals in the sustainable healthcare industry, visit the Teleosis Institute online for program information and resources. 

• Scientists have identified a group of indoor plants that can greatly improve the indoor air quality of your home, office, workplace or even gym. Watch this online video from TED to learn about the best indoor plants for improving indoor air quality.

• In order to help strengthen your body’s immune system, buy or grow organic foods. Studies show that conventionally grown foods contain fewer nutrients than organically grown foods, and that certain foods are especially important to choose organic.  Learn about the "dirty dozen” and download the "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides," brought to you by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.

• In addition to choosing healthy foods, choose personal care and beauty products that are free of phthalates, parabens, lead, sodium laurate and other toxic chemicals.       

• Sanitize your hands without water or harsh chemicals, like triclosan. Opt for a plant-based, alcohol-free sanitizer that is effective in killing 99.99% of the most common germs without leaving any harsh chemical residues behind. 

• Keep it clean and chemical-free. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can be harmful to your body and to a woman's unborn fetus. Choose safe, non-mercury alternatives when possible, and ask your health care provider to do the same. To learn more about mercury and available alternatives to products that traditionally contain mercury, visit the Environmental Working Group's mercury information page. 

• To learn more about the nonprofit organization that founded the Jackass Acres K-9 Korral visit AnthemPets.com. Anthem Pets manages the park and collects all fees and applications from members to support the mission of the Korral.

• Another dog park in Arizona is looking to turn dog poop into energy by installing a methane digester. Read the Earth911.com article here.

• A solar calculator, available at Find Solar, will determine how much money you can save on electricity by setting up a system. And since the most common barrier to getting solar panels is the up-front installation costs, Find Solar will also provide information about rebates and incentives that can greatly reduce these initial costs.

• Maintaining grass often requires costly irrigation, fertilization and fossil-fueled equipments. The founders of the K-9 Korral opted for artificial turf, an eco-friendly alternative to grass that's also inexpensive to maintain. To learn about this and other varieties of turfs well-suited for dog parks, visit DogParkUSA (search for "turf").

• Thinking about creating a dog park in your community? Get started with helpful guidelines from DogParkUSA.com.
  

• Composting your pet’s waste will not only help keep our environment and waterways clean, but will also reduce the need for plastic bags that leach chemicals from our landfills into our groundwater. If you and Fido visit a dog park other than the Jackass Acres K-9 Korral, then look into setting up a composting system there too!

• Believe it or not, there are more hidden treasures at Tom Benson’s Laundromat. Recently, the Laundromat won a grant to create school curriculum to teach kids about the environmental and financial benefits of a green business. Learn more about the Laundromat's other contributions at http://www.worldslargestlaundry.com
  

• The 36 solar panels that produce hot water are not only reducing global warming emissions but are also producing savings of approximately $2000 per month! To calculate how much you could save by installing a solar energy system at your home or business, visit http://www.find-solar.org/?page=rightforme
  

• The State of Illinois made Tom’s solar program possible by covering half of the start-up costs! To learn about your State's residential & commercial renewable energy rebate programs, visit http://www.energy-grants.net/
  

• Laundry detergents often contain toxic materials that are bad for your skin and your local waterways. Phosphates are especially harmful to the environment. You can purchase “green” laundry detergent (learn to read labels) or save a lot of money by making your own. Follow this visual guide for a quick and easy laundry detergent recipe (via The Simple Dollar). 

• Want to go further? Tackle a host of 10 laundry greening tips at once (via Planet Green.)

(Video editor: Barbara Babchick)

• Visit Nature’s Touch Nursery & Harvest website to purchase products from their online store, to reference a planting calendar, or for other sustainable gardening tips and resources.

• No matter where you live in the United States, you should be able to obtain access to fresh, seasonal produce by signing up with a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) website delivery or pick-up service. Nature's Touch Nursery & Harvest is a participating member, too!

• If you are planting a food garden, you will want to test the soil in order to identify any potential heavy metals or other pollutants. Visit the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website to find a soil testing lab in your state. The benefit of using an in-state analysis is that recommendations are specifically designed for the soil conditions in your geographical region.

• Container gardening is good for planting your favorite foods and flowers when space is limited. Use coffee cans, steel buckets, old mugs or other retired containers. Due to being enclosed and free from the elements, container gardens can be managed without the need for chemical herbicides or pesticides. If pests do appear, be sure to use integrated pest management techniques (IPM) techniques, which are eco-friendly and have stood the test of time.

• Follow these ten easy steps to "frugal gardening", which will help you save money whether you are harvesting your own "nursery" or food garden, or planting beautiful flowers (from About.com)

(Video editor: Barbara Babchick)

• Visit the California Agricultural Water Stewardship Resource Center for a comprehensive look at dry farming techniques.
  
  
• Are you a food farmer with questions about dry farming? Visit Veggie Gardener to find answers to virtually any gardening question you may have. Start with this posting on dry farming with tomatoes.
  

• Groundwater flows under our ground surfaces-- fed by rain and snow that filter through permeable surfaces, including on our own properties. To help replenish groundwater, we can all do our part by directing rainwater and runoff into groundwater by creating permeable surfaces in our yard, driveway and walkways. 

• Find out about available grant money for farmers and ranchers and about the latest findings on sustainable farming techniques at Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.

• Visit the AgricultureInformation.Com forum for conversations about different agricultural practice sthat help save farmers money, including dry farming,
  

• PureSense has created an IPhone App to help farmers keep track of the underground moisture in their fields.

• Interested in helping your local animal shelter turn “green?” Use this guide from the Sierra Club to get started.

• Looking to construct a new, or renovate an existing, building sustainably? Visit the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Certification Criteria for tips, resources, money-saving tips and more.        

• Have an affinity for animals plus some free time? Then get in touch with your local SPCA for a vast array of volunteer positions.
• Visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website to locate a holistic veterinarian near you.

• Avoid using products that contain toxic chemicals that can take a toll on your loved pet as well as the environment. Learn more about holistic veterinary care for your pets' needs (please consult your Vet before trying anything new).

• Use kittie litter that is free of crystalline silica & sodium bentonite. These ingredients can be very harmful to your pet and even to the members of your household. Instead, choose alternative products or recipes. Share this tip with your cat-loving friends & family. 

• Help keep harmful chemicals away from Fido by choosing BPA, PVC and phthalate-free dog toys.

• Whether you're painting your local shelter, your community center or your own home, you will want to opt for paint that has zero volatile organic compounds (VOC). This will reduce or minimize chemical gases that would otherwise be given off for years to come. Refer to this helpful guide from treehugger.com for some low-cost paint options. Keep it green and become the cat's pajamas!

• Visit Bloom Microgreens to learn more about their products as well as to learn more about Kara, the superwoman behind the thriving, sustainable business.

• Whether you're an apartment dweller or a homeowner, you can save money by growing your own microgreens (any lettuce, salad green or herb). Get started with this quick and dirty how-to guide from About.com. 

• Avoiding foods sprayed with toxic pesticides can be pricey and inconvenient. So use this "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides" (brought to you by the nonprofit consumer watchdog Environmental Working Group) to learn which fruits and vegies you should always choose organic and which ones you can consider "clean." Strawberries and celery anyone? Only if it's organic, please!

• Also, be sure to visit the You Grow Girl blog for gardening tips for gardeners of all backgrounds and for gardening projects of all sizes, including windowsills! 

• Buy fresh, local, inexpensive foods directly from farmers in your area by signing up with your local Community Supported Agriculture.

• Learn how to keep your food and drinking water free of toxins and other pollutants by visiting Food and Water Watch.
  

• Are you an agriculturalist interested in learning more about the organic certification process? Visit CCOF to access the myriad of resources.

• To learn more about the Long Island Green Homes Program, the first program of its kind in our nation, please visit the official website of the Long Island Green Homes Program. 

• Whether we are renters or homeowners, we all want to save some money and live in a comfortable environment. Energy audits will help do just that! Visit the Energy Star and the Department of Energy websites to get started with all of your energy audit needs, including information on available rebates and incentive programs.

• What is one free, quick and easy way for you to begin saving money in your home today? In an average American home, 75% of the electricity used to power electronics and appliances is consumed while the products are turned off. Follow the tips on this energy-saving guide to begin reducing your home’s standby power and begin saving today!

• Summer is around the corner and there are savings to be had! Here are some more no-cost and low-cost energy-saving tips from the U.S. Department of Energy for you to reign in the sunshine! 

• To learn more about life at the Oshara village, visit www.osharavillage.com. 

• This New Village Institute video further examines the concept of a “community,” and provides examples of such communities across the United States. So luckily, more people are expanding "home sweet home" to encompass their community.

• City of Santa Fe residents are also quite lucky because in 2008, their City Council adopted the Sustainable Santa Fe plan. To learn about the plan and how you can get involved, visit this official City website. 

• Unlike Oshara Village, many communities have zoning laws and covenant restrictions that result to “urban sprawl.” Aside from the decreased quality of life when living outside of an eco-friendly “community” setting, sprawl is also a major contributor to global warming emissions. See why the fight against urban sprawl is now a global battle.

• The main component in designing an eco-friendly “community” is that the distances between where you live, work, shop, learn and gather are all “walkable.” To introduce yourself to this idea, visit The Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, Inc. website. 

• Is your home a sweet home? Calculate the walkability index of your home or, of an area you’re considering moving to, by using this quick and easy calculator at Walkscore.com
  

(Video editor: Barbara Babchick)

• Learn all about the California Academy’s green practices by visiting this website. 

• A 2009 study predicted that the green building industry will support or create 7.9 million jobs between 2009-2013, and will contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product. Visit the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) green jobs website to download this study. 

• Search the USGBC’s Career Center to view jobs, post a resume, or create job alerts. 

• Visit greenroofs.org, the self-proclaimed resource portal for all of your green roof questions and needs. 

• The California Academy of Sciences is obtaining 5-10% of its energy needs directly from the solar panels on their roof. For a quick and easy estimate on how much you could save by going solar, visit solarpower.org. 

• To learn more, visit the Happy Hollow Children's Center website.

• Looking for an eco-daycare in your area? Check out Low Impact Living's eco-childcare finder service!

• The Children's Creative Learning Center provides employer-sponsored early childhood education through on-site and near-site child care centers throughout most States. 

• Check out the Chemical-Free Kids community on Facebook to link up with other eco-minded parents in your area.

• Use this Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids resource from the Union of Concerned Scientists to encourage schools in your community to become clean, safe, learning environments.

• Choose wooden, toxin and phthalate-free toys. Learn more about how to raise children in a chemical-free environment by visiting the Environmental Working Group's Health/Toxics: Children's Health.

• Visit Organic.org to find fun, creative eco-friendly activities and recipes for kids.

• Visit the Hartnell Studio website to learn more about Hannah’s eco-friendly dresses and studio.

• The Green America Green Business Network is the oldest, largest and most diverse network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the US. If you own a green business and have not yet been certified, click here to learn about the benefits of doing so and how to get started. You may also want to encourage other businesses in your community to do the same. You can also nominate an existing green business in your community to become part of the Green America’s Green Business Network.

• What did Hanna mean about her fabric's dyes not ending up in our waterways? Find out here.
  
  
• In the groundbreaking product design book Cradle-To-Cradle, the authors make the case that an industrial consumer system that "takes, makes and wastes" can become a creator of goods and services that generate ecological, social and economic values. So whether you are a dressmaker or a shoe designer, become familiar with a design concept that is sweeping the field of sustainability by perusing the design company MBDC’s website. If you feel that your company and its product(s) already embrace the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept, then consider being MBDC’s Cradle-to-Cradle certified. 

• If you are considering an academic program in eco-fashion, start your research at allartschools.com.

• Are you a DIY’er and have some handmade, eco-friendly clothing or artwork that you want to sell online? Then grab your creation and log into etsy.com, where a world of eco-conscious shoppers await you.

• Feeling fashionably creative? Learn how to make your own natural fabric dye from Crafting a Green World.
  

• Want to learn more about the California Conservation Corps? Visit their website for information on training opportunities.

• If you are interested in gaining job skills in a variety of fields and in an international setting, look into the U.S. government program called the Peace Corps.

• To search for other environmental jobs, visit the Eco-Jobs and Outdoor Industry Jobs websites.

• Interested in restoring the natural outdoor habitat at your home, school or office? Visit the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife program for an easy-to-follow guide on how to create wildlife habitat in your surroundings…and how to get your yard certified as a “wildlife habitat.”

• The American Wind Energy Association is the go-to guide for news, events, educational materials, and legislative actions related to the residential and commercial wind turbine industries. And check out their basic wind web tutorial.

• If you, or someone you know, is looking for a career in the wind energy industry, rest assured that there are various resources available to locate openings in this expanding industry. Start your search with these three job sites: Careers in Wind, Wind Industry Jobs, and Wind Jobs.

• Visit WindStats Newsletter for up-to-date news related to wind energy in the U.S. and abroad. 

• Help support the development of our nation's alternative energy grid, including the development of wind farms, by signing up for “green” power with your utility company.

(Video editor: Barbara Babchick)

• Since we taped this story, Bob Banner has returned his focus to his wildly popular publication HopeDance, an online newsletter covering the sustainable and simple-living scene in San Luis Obispo, covering topics from food safety to community events and discussions.

• Learn more about the slow food movement. Take advantage of your local farmer’s markets to get locally grown and organic foods at competitive prices.

• Grow your own food. If growing your own garden seems overwhelming, start with one tomato plant or a potted herb. Enlist the help of your kids and make it into an educational experience. Or find a neighbor who you can start a small garden with and share the work. One of our favorite blogs for gardening is YouGrowGirl. Gayla provides gardeners old and new a myriad of tips while she herself continues to experiment!

• When possible, buy in bulk. Most grocery stores have a nice variety of bulk items, and buying bulk can offer huge savings, especially on certain items like spices and herbs.

• Know your organics, but also know what you can skip out on! If you are on a tight budget, there are certain foods that are more likely to contain pesticide residues, such as celergy and strawberries...but there are also those that you can go conventional with and save a little cash. Check out the Environmental Working Group's free downloadable shopper's guide to the Dirty Dozen.

• Eat lower on the food chain to save money and the environment. If you eat more whole grains, vegetables and beans, you’ll naturally spend much less and you will reduce your eco-footprint. Many families find that they can afford to eat mostly organic when they buy less animal protein.

• Green with Envy has taken many steps to become a bona-fide green salon and strives to educate its customers about the harmful effects of synthetic chemicals found in traditional beauty products. Learn more at their website's “What Makes us Green?” and “Why go Green?” 

• Our FDA does not review or regulate the ingredients used in personal care products no matter how toxic they may be. So find out about the safety of your personal care products, from your toothpaste to your shampoo, by searching the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database. 

• Search HealthyStuff.org’s database of more than 5,000 products and find out what chemicals are in all of your stuff, from your car to your pet's chew toy. Healthy Stuff is a project of the Ecology Center of Berkeley, California.

• The U.S. government provides very little regulation on what ingredients are put into personal care products. In contrast, the European Union uses the precautionary principle to ban ingredients that have been suspected to have harmful effects. Learn more about the difference between these policies (including California’s more strict policies) by visiting this interactive tool from NPR: Chemicals in the Home. 

(Video editor: Barbara Babchick)

• Learn more about Arizona Homegrown Solutions and their role in helping secure a food source for the community of Nuestro Barrio.

• Ready to start your first vegetable garden but need a few pointers on how to begin? Explore GardenGuides.Com
  

• America's Grow a Row helps farms and community gardens get food to food banks and pantries. If you are a farmer and can donate some land to the America’s Grow a Row program, please click here. Dinner Garden provides seeds, gardening supplies, and gardening advice free of charge to all people in the USA. They assist those in need in establishing food security for their families. Their goal is for people to plant home, neighborhood, and container gardens so they can use the vegetables they grow for food and income. 

• Intentional Community is an inclusive term for ecovillages, co-housing communities, residential land trusts, communes, student co-ops, urban housing cooperatives, intentional living, alternative communities, cooperative living, and other projects where people strive together with a common vision. Visit IC.org
  

• Start, move to or simply learn from an Eco-Village near you. Visit gen.ecovillage.org to learn about this growing international movement.

• Garden Web is an online community for gardeners, guiding them on how to help other gardeners by sharing questions and concerns. 

• The National Gardening Association offers an array of gardening content for backyard gardeners, including "how to" information and free e-newsletters. 

• The food gardens in Nuestro Barrio will provide this community with a source for fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables. Residents who participate in the program will not only gain in savings, but will also have access to fresh foods that will make their diets healthier. Watch Oprah Winfrey’s interview with food expert Michael Pollan and see why Americans everywhere will greatly benefit from eating more fresh foods.

• The methane-capture program being implemented at the Pleasant Valley Farm is part of the Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) program. Click here to learn more about CVPS and its contributions to Vermont's renewable energy programs.

• Check out this link from the Union of Concerned Scientists to see why this and other types of biomass are considered to be cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.
  

• Today, approximately half of the energy used in the United States comes from dirty, polluting coal. Sign up for green power with your local utility to support the development of more renewable energy projects from clean sources such as biomass, wind or solar. You can check your utility’s website to see what renewable resource project(s) they are supporting with your contributions. 

• If you own a small farm and want to learn more about anaerobic digesters or about solar applications from these digesters, visit this U.S. Department of Energy website. 

• Whether you’re renting or own your home, you can greatly reduce your utility bill by implementing these easy energy-efficiency steps: 

• In a typical U.S. home, lighting accounts for about twenty percent of the energy bill. Switch out your incandescent bulbs to Energy-Star approved CFL or LED bulbs. Visit this Energy-Star website for a guide on the variety of energy-saving lighting products available and for an estimated time frame of how long it will take for you to make back the price of the new bulbs.

• Homeowners can also attain substantial reductions in their utility bills by replacing an old water heater with a tankless water heater. If it is not time to switch to a new water heater or if you rent, then lower the thermostat on your traditional water heater to 120 degrees and wrap the water heater with an insulation blanket from your local hardware store (newer water heaters already come equipped with an interior blanket). In addition, gain additional savings by washing all your clothes in cold water and by line-drying these clothes!

• Weatherize your home! Click here for a quick how-to from United Way's Project Warm Heart. Some more specific weatherization tips:

• Weatherstrip and insulate your attic hatch or door to prevent warm air from escaping out the top of your house.

• Use this how-to video to seal air leaks around the house, such as open wall tops and duct, plumbing, or electrical runs.

• For more information on home sealing, consult EPA's Home Sealing Do-it-yourself guide.

NOTES:

  • Working for Green does not support the use of digesters on large farms, or concentrated animal feeding operations, due to the high level of environmental and social damage associated with these farms.)

  • In 2008, the EPA fined the St. Pierres for converting 41 acres of wetlands to corn and hay production areas on their dairy farm. They were also asked to restore damaged wetlands and perform additional environmental projects under the terms of a settlement with the EPA and the U.S. Dept. of Justice.