Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Made In Alberta Food Sustainability Model
ARSAN (or Alberta Rural Sustainability Alternatives Network) is a non-profit grassroots organization with the purpose of demonstrating possibilities of a new sustainable way of life and a focus on the development of a sustainable local food system. ARSAN’s specific commitments, when combined together, make ARSAN unique in its exploration of sustainability.
ARSAN is committed to exploring and building examples of new, sustainable alternatives that have the potential to contribute to the future wellbeing of our society. Being committed to alternatives means doing things differently from what is done now. The intent is to provide new perspectives and options for how things can be done in these changing and challenging times.
Education by demonstration
ARSAN’s has a fundamental commitment to education by creating examples of possible alternatives. This approach applies to everything we do: the food we promote, our projects, the organization’s structure and how we refer to our partners and supporters. This presents a challenge because providing practical examples requires a great and complex effort. At ARSAN we believe that such an effort, even on a small and imperfect scale, may have a highly educational value for many.
Principles of sustainability
ARSAN believes in the true, broad and deep meaning of sustainability. Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For that, we must find ways of living within the limits of Earth’s ecosystems today and for generations to come. Food is central to sustainability. How it is produced and what we eat has very strong links with the natural environment, use of energy and other natural resources, climate change, water availability, rural economic sustainability and most importantly, our health.
Authentic foods
Within the food system, sustainable food processing alternatives are equally important to farming alternatives but very seldom addressed. To understand what makes food processing sustainable we look for guidance in methods used in the pre-industrial times. For food to be sustainable, it must be locally produced. Since Canada is a young country with no preindustrial food history, ARSAN explores food traditions from countries with similar climatic and cultural zones and that is Europe and particularly its central, eastern and northern parts.
Wholistic approach
To understand the challenge of sustainability we need to learn and promote a different, wholistic (systemic) way of thinking and perceiving the world. Holistic farming and permaculture are examples known to many, particularly those interested in exploring sustainability and alternative agriculture. At ARSAN, we take this wholistic approach beyond farming and extend it to all other parts of our collective lives such as organizations, the food system, human health or any project that we are undertaking. All these represent different but interconnected systems when at the same time are also parts of the common wholistic concept of a new, sustainable way of life.
Building urban - rural connections
Development of a new, sustainable local food system must involve both urban and rural representations. Given that most food production occurs in the rural areas and that the majority of the population lives in cities, one cannot succeed without the other. In addition, urban communities offer capabilities and resources that may not be readily available in rural communities. However, there is a cultural gap between these two parts of our society; they may not understand or connect well one with another. To help bridge this gap ARSAN actively seeks involvement of both rural and particularly urban people in all aspects of our organizational activities. All projects, while primarily located in rural areas, are clearly focused on potential gains for urban people. ARSAN’s projects can only succeed by attracting their involvement, but this, in turn, will also be beneficial to rural participants and will support rural development.
-excerpt from the ARSAN website -http://arsan.ca/about-us/beginnings.html
ARSAN Key Commitments
Exploring alternativesARSAN is committed to exploring and building examples of new, sustainable alternatives that have the potential to contribute to the future wellbeing of our society. Being committed to alternatives means doing things differently from what is done now. The intent is to provide new perspectives and options for how things can be done in these changing and challenging times.
Education by demonstration
ARSAN’s has a fundamental commitment to education by creating examples of possible alternatives. This approach applies to everything we do: the food we promote, our projects, the organization’s structure and how we refer to our partners and supporters. This presents a challenge because providing practical examples requires a great and complex effort. At ARSAN we believe that such an effort, even on a small and imperfect scale, may have a highly educational value for many.
Principles of sustainability
ARSAN believes in the true, broad and deep meaning of sustainability. Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For that, we must find ways of living within the limits of Earth’s ecosystems today and for generations to come. Food is central to sustainability. How it is produced and what we eat has very strong links with the natural environment, use of energy and other natural resources, climate change, water availability, rural economic sustainability and most importantly, our health.
Authentic foods
Within the food system, sustainable food processing alternatives are equally important to farming alternatives but very seldom addressed. To understand what makes food processing sustainable we look for guidance in methods used in the pre-industrial times. For food to be sustainable, it must be locally produced. Since Canada is a young country with no preindustrial food history, ARSAN explores food traditions from countries with similar climatic and cultural zones and that is Europe and particularly its central, eastern and northern parts.
Wholistic approach
To understand the challenge of sustainability we need to learn and promote a different, wholistic (systemic) way of thinking and perceiving the world. Holistic farming and permaculture are examples known to many, particularly those interested in exploring sustainability and alternative agriculture. At ARSAN, we take this wholistic approach beyond farming and extend it to all other parts of our collective lives such as organizations, the food system, human health or any project that we are undertaking. All these represent different but interconnected systems when at the same time are also parts of the common wholistic concept of a new, sustainable way of life.
Building urban - rural connections
Development of a new, sustainable local food system must involve both urban and rural representations. Given that most food production occurs in the rural areas and that the majority of the population lives in cities, one cannot succeed without the other. In addition, urban communities offer capabilities and resources that may not be readily available in rural communities. However, there is a cultural gap between these two parts of our society; they may not understand or connect well one with another. To help bridge this gap ARSAN actively seeks involvement of both rural and particularly urban people in all aspects of our organizational activities. All projects, while primarily located in rural areas, are clearly focused on potential gains for urban people. ARSAN’s projects can only succeed by attracting their involvement, but this, in turn, will also be beneficial to rural participants and will support rural development.
-excerpt from the ARSAN website -http://arsan.ca/about-us/beginnings.html
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Springbrook Community Centre Feasibility Study Open House
Date: Thursday January 26th, 2012
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Springbrook Community Centre (3216A – 22nd Street, Springbrook)
Mintlaw Bridge Public Access and Preservation Strategy
The Mintlaw Bridge, also known as the old ACR bridge, located south of the City of Red Deer, is a significant historical landmark located in Red Deer County. If you were unable to attend the January 25th Open House outlining possible strategies for the bridge, you can still share your opinion by completing the form available on this link.
If you want to learn more about the bridge, please follow this link:
http://www.forthjunction.com/dawe-mintlaw-bridge.htm
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
You Lead, I Lead | Eartheasy Blog
You Lead, I Lead Eartheasy Blog
I have heard so many comments about the Occupy movement, most of which are negative. While I won't go so far as to say Occupy has inspired vast changes in Society, I take my hat off to every single one of those people that put themselves out there and actually TRIED to inspire change. I think this article pretty much says it all. . . . what the movement is really all about . . . each and every single one of us taking responsibility for ourselves. Here! Here! I Say!!
I have heard so many comments about the Occupy movement, most of which are negative. While I won't go so far as to say Occupy has inspired vast changes in Society, I take my hat off to every single one of those people that put themselves out there and actually TRIED to inspire change. I think this article pretty much says it all. . . . what the movement is really all about . . . each and every single one of us taking responsibility for ourselves. Here! Here! I Say!!
Monday, 23 January 2012
Alberta Landowner's Council - Submission to Critical Transmission Review Comnmittee
http://www.landownersagainstbills.com/Alberta%20Landowners%20Council_ALC_Submissions%20to%20the%20CRTC%20IR%20Requests_January%206-2012.pdf
The Honourable Premier Redford and Minister Morton are to be commended for appointing the Critical Transmission Review Committee. ‘Getting it right’ when it comes to electrical transmission decisions is essential to affordable living standards, respect for landowners, and a competitive and diversified Alberta economy.
Under-building the transmission system can cause an unreliable supply of electricity disrupting daily routines and business. However, over-building transmission lines can have harmful effects by burdening residential and commercial users, schools, hospitals and industries with unnecessarily expensive monthly utility bills. Most importantly, over-building and the resulting high costs of delivered electricity can make Alberta’s economy uncompetitive. An uncompetitive Alberta economy drives away value-added businesses and the jobs and wealth they create for Alberta.
Except by:
Keith Wilson, BA. LL.B
Policy Chair
January 6, 2011
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
1959 Film from ULI and National Association of Homebuilders Warns of Urban Sprawl
. . . some things never change . . .?
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Karaoke Transforming Public Space
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Everything You ever wanted to know about Alberta Landowners Council
Alberta Landowners Council is a grassroots organization that started as a group of concerned Albertans. The original organization, Landowners Against Bills Society of Alberta was formed to help Albertans gather the information that they needed in order to understand the recent landowner legislation. After one year, and 53 Information meetings across the province, we have formed "Alberta Landowners Council", to help keep Albertans informed, and to better promote change for the better in Alberta and respect for landowner rights.
- Excerpt From the Alberta Landowners Council Homepage -
- Excerpt From the Alberta Landowners Council Homepage -
Monday, 9 January 2012
Property Rights Task Force
During her campaign, Premier Redford made a promise to Albertans to revisit the controversial Alberta Land Stewardship Act, particularly as it refers to the rights of landowners and an appeal mechanism -- or lack of. A series of public meetings are proposed to be held across the Province. There is also an opportunity to participate in an on-line survey.
Late last year, I undertook an informal survey of planners and development officers across the Province. It was rather dismaying to discover that many were not aware of ALSA; others gave it no regard whatsoever in making their planning recommendations. While some considered it a valuable asset and high-level decision-making tool, still others felt it accomplished absolutely nothing. Which one is it?
Friday, 6 January 2012
Walmart Planning Hundreds Of Mini Stores
It appears that Walmart is now expanding -- or should we say, contracting?
Approximately 350 mini-Walmarts are opening across the US and, if prototype stores go well, Walmart sees the potential to build around 350 per year. Walmart Express is intended for small towns that aren't large enough to support the traditional Walmart, as well as in larger urban centres where building a supercentre is not practical. Larger than a 7-11 but smaller than a typical grocery store, the Express will focus on rural and small town communities. To test out the holiday market, the retailer also opened two temporary 'pop-up' stores in Southern California aimed at steering shoppers to Walmart.com.
Will smaller retailers and traditional 'mom and pop' stores suffer from the move as consumers opt for convenience and lower prices? In the current era of "occupy" and economic hardship, while our instinct is often to base our shopping choices on pure affordability, we may want to consider the other route and support our local small retail stores.
Approximately 350 mini-Walmarts are opening across the US and, if prototype stores go well, Walmart sees the potential to build around 350 per year. Walmart Express is intended for small towns that aren't large enough to support the traditional Walmart, as well as in larger urban centres where building a supercentre is not practical. Larger than a 7-11 but smaller than a typical grocery store, the Express will focus on rural and small town communities. To test out the holiday market, the retailer also opened two temporary 'pop-up' stores in Southern California aimed at steering shoppers to Walmart.com.
Will smaller retailers and traditional 'mom and pop' stores suffer from the move as consumers opt for convenience and lower prices? In the current era of "occupy" and economic hardship, while our instinct is often to base our shopping choices on pure affordability, we may want to consider the other route and support our local small retail stores.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Pine Lake Area Structure Plan
January 24, 2012 is the date of the Public Hearing for the adoption of the Pine Lake Area Structure Plan. The link provided to the County website will provide you with a map of the Plan Area as well as the most recent version of the draft area structure plan -- November 22, 2011.
Red Deer County Municipal Development Plan Update
A few months ago, I posted a link to the Red Deer County website designed to keep us abreast of the progress of the development of a new Municipal Development Plan. The MDP is the key document guiding County Council’s decisions about future growth and development on all lands (except Crown land) in the County. You can help the County develop the plan by providing your ideas.
To date, the process has included an on-line survey and public information meetings and workshops. If you participated in one of the meetings, completed the on-line survey or, perhaps, are just curious to see the direction of the public input, this link will take you to the results. My read of comments to date continue to reflect a desire to protect and preserve the County's agricultural land base for future generations.
You will note, in the lower right-hand corner, there is also a Project Discussion Board. Once again, the issue of agriculture, and how we choose to use this precious non-renewable resource, continues to be the issue.
Please take a moment, read through the responses and decide how you want your voice to be heard in the process.
To date, the process has included an on-line survey and public information meetings and workshops. If you participated in one of the meetings, completed the on-line survey or, perhaps, are just curious to see the direction of the public input, this link will take you to the results. My read of comments to date continue to reflect a desire to protect and preserve the County's agricultural land base for future generations.
You will note, in the lower right-hand corner, there is also a Project Discussion Board. Once again, the issue of agriculture, and how we choose to use this precious non-renewable resource, continues to be the issue.
Please take a moment, read through the responses and decide how you want your voice to be heard in the process.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)