The City of Fairfield just completed a greenhouse gas inventory, and while Fairfield’s emissions are below national averages, we have a lot of work ahead of us!

Mayor Malloy signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in October 2009, committing Fairfield to targeted reductions of Green House Gas emissions that contribute to climate change. After signing this agreement, Fairfield City Council voted to join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), funded by the Iowa Power Fund Grant.  The Green House Gas (GHG) inventory deeply examined the emission outputs of the residential, commercial and industrial sectors within Fairfield’s City limits; as well as a separate examination of Fairfield’s municipal operations.  Fairfield’s transportation data, provided by the DOT and French-Reneker-Associates, Inc, was examined to account for fossil fuel usage and emissions.

Multiple greenhouse gasses were tabulated (CO_2, CH_4, N₂O, HFCs, PFCs, SF₆), and then converted to a total greenhouse gas equivalent or CO₂e, for ease of comparison.  One metric tonne equals one thousand kilograms, or approximately 2,205 lbs.  Data gathered from these six gasses within specific sectors of the city allow for accurate reporting on resource consumption, and its direct impact on the environment.

The baseline greenhouse gas inventory for Fairfield shows that the total greenhouse gas emission equivalent for the community in 2008 was 144,971 metric tonnes of CO₂e. Based on census data for the City, the CO₂e emission tonnes per capita is 15.73. Although this less than the average per capita for the US (19.6 metric tonnes), world average carbon emissions are 4 metric tonnes per capita and sustainable limits are estimated to be near 2 metric tonnes per capita (International Energy Agency, Key World Energy Statistics, 2006). The largest contributors to GHG emissions in Fairfield are energy use in buildings and transportation, through electricity usage and fossil fuel consumption respectively.

Here’s another great submission from our wonderful friend Joy!

“Watermelon Smoothies and fruit cups beat the heat at this market. I did a good business with these two items. J40 Farm Crawl info was circulating around. Dates are July 31 and August 1, with a wide variety of farms and businesses open. Pittsburg General Store, Bloom and Bark Farm & Dog Bakery, Whispering Pines Winery, Milton Creamery, Lengacher’s Greenhouse and Small Engines business, Robertson Farm, Detweiler’s Fresh Produce, Kaiser Home Winery, The Amish School is having a benefit breakfast and bake sale, Indian Prairie Greenhouse and U-Pic Flower Gardens, and Yoder’s Indian Creek Furniture are all listed in the brochure, or find it online at http://villagesofvanburen.com/2010_Farm_Crawl.pdf The Villages Folk School encompasses all the villages of Van Buren, with opportunity to register for classes at www.villagesfolkschool.com

Jennifer stopped by to discuss raw food ideas, and this is the result:  a Raw Food Potluck on Sunday, 8 August, 12 noon, at Kay Ferguson’s house, 500 E. Burlington. Everyone is invited to share their specialty, and meet others interested in the raw food life style. Call me at 641-455-6040 or see me at the market for further developments.

Around noon, a man stopped by and said “I came just to get your Chocolate of the Gods.”  Luckily, I still had one, so he paid and took a spoon with him.  That is real marketing feedback!”

Here is a great Facebook group to join and an opportunity to reduce, reuse, recycle, and buycycle in Fairfield!  Thank you Dawn for your work – let’s encourage others to join!

“In this age of going green, reducing energy use, recycling and reducing waste, do you wonder if you are doing enough? I wanted to do something more so I created Fairfield Freecycle/buycycle – Reduce Reuse Recycle on FACEBOOK in September 2009.  My main goal was to keep as many items out of the landfills as possible. Today we have over 700 members listing items they are willing to give away for free (freecycle), items they are wanting to sell (buycycle) or items they are in need of and would like to find used instead of going out and paying for new (recycle).

Ever since the day I read Danny Seo’s book Heaven on Earth – 15 minute miracles to change the world, I’ve wanted to implement them all and more.  Our environment takes such good care of us and it is important that we show our appreciation and take even better care of our environment.

It is my hope that every item posted will soon find a new home. That everyone living in and around Fairfield that has a FACEBOOK account will want to be an active member and those that don’t have a FACEBOOK account will be asking their friends that do, to list or find items for them.  Members have found new homes for toner cartridges, TV’s, microwaves, swing sets and more. Got some exercise equipment collecting dust in the corner? Several members of Fairfield Freecycle/buycycle – Reduce Reuse Recycle are interested.

In addition to posting items, the Fairfield Freecycle/Buycycle also promotes fundraising and recycling efforts currently going on in the community and other resources for recycling like The Bargain Box, My Lucky Day, Agapeland’s Closet, Carly’s Closet and Chickadees. The Fairfield High school (FBLA) was asking for donations to recycle used consumer electronics, ink cartridges, and any unwanted, tangled or broken Metal Jewelry – and we’re hoping they do it again this year.  Members can also find a complete list of the items that can be recycled at Waste management as well as any fees that might be associated with those items

You know the old saying, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”, and that is definitely the case at the Fairfield Freecycle/buycycle – Reduce Reuse Recycle. Check it out and help keep as much out of the landfills as possible.”

Thanks
Dawn Bechtel

10 July 2010 Saturday Farmer’s Market

It is official! I have my own vendor booth at the Saturday market. It took me a month to work up to the “big time” from only doing Wednesday market. I offered fruit cups, watermelon smoothies, signature Chocolate of the Gods dessert, coconut shortbread cookies and kombucha. For this Saturday, I added a classic raw food made from soaked macadamia and pine nuts, water, and a dash of sea salt, then processed into a soft “cheese.” It is used as a sandwich spread, topping for pasta and pizza, or anywhere you would use dairy cheese. We must have a large undercover raw food contingent in this town, judging by the number of people who stopped to inquire, purchase, and offer ideas.  Stacia suggested offering a triple salad plate for customers who wanted lunch.

One lady stopped by to inquire if I was a member of the Buy Fresh Buy Local Organization. She was surveying to find out if members thought the organization was doing anything to benefit them or not. Then the Market Master stopped by to collect the vendor fee.

I was set up between Christine Goodale’s Crepes and Michael’s kettle korn. It is always interesting to note the loyal customers seeking out their favorite vendors. Kay and Bob Ferguson stopped by, and Kay sat down to rest at my booth while Bob did the shopping. Folks would come by just to visit with her awhile. She has contributed so much to this town.

It really was a great sunshiny market day, with a steady flow of patrons and great mix of vendors. Everett Berg was there with his annual crop of blueberries. What luscious blues! This is their peak, so don’t let them pass.

July 7

It’s raining! But it is a gentle stop and start rain. So here we are, 8 of us vendors, getting set up and ready for the 3 PM start. The first hour of market was rain free, so the early birds came to get the shopping done before the rain started again. Ernie Hinkle was there braving the damp. When it began to rain really hard, Claude Nicholson helped him load his stuff in the back of his truck, all the while trying not to step in the torrent of drain water at the street curb. Ernie dropped his cash box in the water and dollar bills started floating down the stream. They soon had it all rounded up and safely back in the cash box. Ernie retired to his truck to wait it out.

It was a very good day, market wise. The most impressive thing was the stalwart customers who were intent on getting their marketing done. We love dedicated buyers! Everyone loves my Coconut Shortbread cookies, so I sold out of those as well as the chocolate of the Gods. Scott Timm stopped by. It is really great to see the attention he gives to the smallest details.  A good market day!