'our farm' documentary to air in February on 'our ohio'

A new, special Our Ohio television episode will air the week of Feb. 19 on Ohio public television stations. The 30-minute documentary Our Farm will profile a southeast Ohio farm through the eyes of Ohio author Michael J. Rosen.

The Our Ohio television series is available to all Ohio Public Television stations. Times are subject to change: Check your local station’s listing for days and times in your area, or check the PBS station finder.

LOZO: Cut the shower flow to save $265/year

Cut the shower flow to save $265/year

Low flow shower heads can cost as little as $10 but can save up to $265 per year. They can reduce flow to as little as 1.5 gallons per minute, which is much more water efficient than the old ones that use up to 5.5 gallons per minute, all without sacrificing water pressure! 

Since the shower represents 15-25% of all water usage in a typical house, and about 3/4 of it is hot water, this is a great place to try to save on heating and water costs. Plus, they're easy to install with an adjustable wrench (or even by hand in some cases). 

Click here to read more about how they work and where to find advice on choosing one.

Check out the Series:  Kill'n a Hog:   An Energy Hog

EcoWatch Journal - August / September 2010

 

 You can view online the latest EcoWatch Journal here or pick one up at the Old Worthington Library (Columbus, OH).     EcoWatch is local to Cleveland, OH but contains information relevant to Ohio in general.  In this issue you can read about:

Northeast Ohio Green Map -  Think Global, Map Local

Asset mapping sustainability in Northeast Ohio will help organizations and individuals of all kinds (including non-profit, for-profit, governmental, academic and public) to find one another, connect and collaborate around regional sustainability.

Save Lives, Save Animals by Saving Antibiotics

Pastured Poultry an Alternative to Meet from CAFO's

Investing in Green Could Put More Green in Your Pocket

The Story of Cosmetics

The Story of Bottled Water

LOZO: Tax Incentives to Pay for "Green" Upgrades

Check out LOZO to find out more about reducing your energy usage through home upgrades which will lower your bills AND help the environemnt . . . and let the government help pay for it! All in all, by fixing problems you can lower energy bills by 5% to 30% annually, worth up to $660 yearly savings for the average homeowner.

The Federal government offers tax credits to offset the cost of environmentally friendly home upgrades, and your State might contribute as well. So how do you decide whether it's worth doing? From a cost standpoint you take what you have to pay now (after tax savings), and divide by how much you will save on energy costs each year (a professional or DIY energy audit is a good first step to estimate that savings). That's how long until you make back your money. 

For example, an upgrade that costs $2,000 before credits, and saves you $350 per year in energy savings, will take 4 years to pay back (and warrants serious consideration).

Read more about qualified expenses, energy audits, and recommended upgrades at LOZO.com.

If you live in Columbus, OH or a surrounding community check out Sym-home, A Home Energy Performance Company, who can provide Energy Audits, Green Residential Design and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Consultation. 

You can read about a DIY Green Home Renovation on a Budget.  

Check out the Series:  Kill'n a Hog:   An Energy Hog

Sprout Soup - Sprout Swap February 19-21, 2010

Sprout Soup is a natural family store located in Clintonville (Columbus, OH).  They are committed to providing our customers with products that are sustainable, safe, high quality and out of the ordinary. Their selection of cloth diapers is unmatched in Central Ohio. They also have a large selection of baby carriers, more than half of which are made in the USA.

They are having an event next weekend called Sprout Swap!

According to their website:

Bring in your gently used diapers, covers, slings and nursing gear.  If your item sells, you will receive 100% of the selling price in store credit, or you may choose 80% in cash.  The previous two swaps that we have hosted have been so popular, with moms lining up outside on the first day to get the first look at what’s available!

Registration to sell items took place online and yesterday (February 13th) was the last day to drop off items to sell.  However the sale doesn't happen until next weekend (February 19th-21st) and I'm sure there will be plenty of  great sustainable, organic, earth-friendly items to BUY!  Not to mention that reuse is a big part of being earth-friendly, sustainable or however you'd like to categorize it!

You can read more about Sprout Soup and the Swap here and here!

You can sign up here to receive the Sprout Soup newsletter about upcoming events!