Articles

How many lightbulbs does it take to lower your electricity bill?

Of all the easy green changes we can make, switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) is among the easiest and most economical.

The average lifespan of a CFL is eight to 12 times longer than that of an incandescent bulb, resulting in fewer bulbs to replace over time. A CFL uses up to 75 percent less energy for the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb, reducing greenhouse gas emission by 2000 times its own weight and lowering household electricity consumption by approximately 12 percent per year. Even with their somewhat higher price tag, consumers save money on both replacement bulbs and electric bills.

Energy savings is so impressive that the European Union plans to phase out incandescent bulbs by 2012, and the U.S., Canada and Australia have imposed efficiency standards that exceed incandescent bulb capabilities which have changed little in over 100 years. Yet as CFLs increasingly fill store shelves and home fixtures, a few concerns remain.

Mercury
Each CFL contains from one to five milligrams of mercury, a naturally occurring element so toxic that one teaspoon could permanently poison a 20-acre lake. While the amount of mercury in a CFL is less even than that in a typical watch battery, recycling the bulbs to keep the mercury out of our environment is imperative. The Colorado Department of Health and the Environment has launched a mercury-free campaign and won the cooperation of statewide Ace Hardware stores to accept CFLs for recycling. To find an Ace Hardware location, visit http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/release/2008/042108.html. Some municipalities, such as Denver, also offer residential pick-up for recycling burned out CFLs.

Light Quality
The light produced by the least expensive, highest efficiency CFLs is frequently a cooler color than the warm tones of standard soft white incandescents, evocative of the dreaded overhead fluorescent lights in sterile office environments and department store dressing rooms. Manufacturers can add a mix of phosphors inside the CFL tube to achieve warmer tones, and many manufacturers code the colors for comparison. Energy Star standardized labeling throughout the industry to help consumers accurately compare products, thus a numeric rating below 3000K (the K stands for Kelvin), will be the warmest color CFL on the shelf. A rating of 3000-3500K is white or bright white, and above 3500K the light will have more cool or blue tones. The phosphor blend that warms the light also increases the purchase price and lowers efficiency and lifespan of the CFL, but it is still a better long-term value than an incandescent bulb.

Special Usage
Initially, CFL bulbs didn’t operate properly on a dimming switch. Even now, CFLs that weren’t designed to be dimmed will flicker or go dark at low levels. Dimming a CFL that wasn’t designed for dimming also shortens the bulb’s lifespan. Look for CFLs labeled for dimming if you want to use this feature. Similarly, standard CFLs aren’t recommended for cold conditions or outdoor use. In cold conditions, standard CFLs don’t light up or produce less light, and cold temperatures also shorten the CFL lifespan. Specially designed Cold Cathode CFLs work well under such conditions as do CFLs with cold-weather ballasts, the plastic hub at the base of the glass tube. Look for these types for outdoor use.

On a final note, in case you’re not convinced CFLs are energy saving – check out this wattage comparison to produce the same amount of light:

Standard Bulb vs. CFL Bulb
40w = 10w
60w = 13w-15w
75w = 20w
100w = 26w-29w
150w = 38w-42w
250w-300w= 55w

Where do batteries go when they die?

Sadly, about 2.5 billion of them annually end up in the waste stream, where they’re destined for landfills or, worse, incinerators.

In landfills the mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel and other heavy metals and toxins in the batteries can slowly leach into soil and groundwater. When burned, some of the metals and toxins can vaporize and contaminate the air and surface water.

There are two basic types of battery: wet cell and dry cell. Wet-cell batteries power cars, boats and motorcycles, and most vendors of them also collect them for recycling. Dry cell batteries are far more abundant. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans buy about three billion dry-cell batteries every year. Dry-cell batteries include the whole family of batteries that power watches, portable power tools, laptop computers, cell phones, flashlights and toys, with the non-rechargeable alkaline variety representing the greatest portion of the market.

The green mantra, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” lends itself well to batteries. It’s easy to reduce the number of batteries that require disposal by reusing and eventually recycling rechargeable batteries. One rechargeable battery can take the place of hundreds of non-rechargeables, and nearly every battery display in stores now features compact chargers and rechargeable batteries for a larger initial investment that pays its dividends over time. Currently, rechargeables comprise only one percent of U.S. battery sales. However, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) estimates that the demand for rechargeables is growing at twice the rate of the demand for disposable batteries.

Rechargeable batteries come in a range of sizes and uses, varying by classifications including voltage, efficiency, and chemical composition. There are nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer), and rechargeable alkaline manganese (RAM). They differ in terms of cost, clean manufacture, power output, energy density, how long they hold a charge, and how many repeat recharges you get out of a battery. Rechargeable batteries can be recharged anywhere from 50 to 1000 times, depending on the type.

For ordinary household use, rechargeable alkaline batteries such as EnviroCell (http://www.envirocell.com/) and Pure Energy (http://pureenergybattery.com/products.php) are a viable alternative to disposable alkaline batteries. They are relatively cheap, versatile, highly efficient, manufactured with minimal environmental impact, contain a high charge-capacity, hold their charge very well, and can be recharged 50-100 times. They are most efficient if they aren’t completely discharged before each recharging.

Stand-alone battery chargers are often sold with a set of batteries, and generally accept only one specific battery type, e.g., NiMH or alkaline, and some are built to accommodate different sizes. Different brands of batteries can be charged in one charger as long as they have the same chemical composition. Like chargers, rechargeable electronic devices usually require specific types of batteries and most, like cordless phones and power tools, come with the necessary hardware for recharging.

When rechargeable batteries no longer hold a charge, it is time to recycle them. Some dry-cell batteries are more desirable to recyclers than others. For example, button-type batteries, such as those in watches and hearing aids, contain mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium, or other heavy metals as their main component. The value of recoverable materials, their small size, and their simple handling requirements make recycling easier relative to other battery types.

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Program, a non-profit public service organization, recycles four kinds of rechargeable batteries: nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, and small-sealed lead. They’ll also accept small electronics, like cell phones, for recycling. Find a collection point in your area at http://www.call2recycle.org/

Ordinary non-rechargeable alkaline batteries have recycling potential, though not to the same degree as the other dry cell batteries. NEMA has questioned the necessity and cost effectiveness of recycling these batteries, citing “the low toxicity of the battery materials (e.g. steel, zinc, and manganese); the total energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the collection, transport, and recycling of the batteries; the amount and value of the metals recovered; and the overall cost.”

Nonetheless, biodegradable plastics manufacturer Perf Go Green, has unveiled a non-rechargeable alkaline battery that comes with a free recycling arrangement (see http://perfgogreen.com/perfpower.html). PerfPower batteries will be recycled through Battery Solutions, a Michigan-based company that also recycles all types of batteries for a fee through their iRecycle program (see http://www.batteryrecycling.com/residential).

Battery Solutions spokesperson, Justin Jungman, acknowledged that it’s costly to recycle batteries, which is why the company charges for the service. Jungman pointed out that several states have banned batteries from the waste stream, increasing the necessity for battery recycling services. He also said that recycled alkaline batteries have been made into low-grade steel products such as construction rebar. Individuals can pay $34.50 for a postage-paid box large enough to send in 12 pounds, an average year’s worth of household battery waste, and small electronics to Battery Solutions, where they will be sorted by chemical type and sent to the appropriate facilities for recycling.

One last option for reducing battery consumption is to seek out battery-free electronic devices. You’ll never have to worry that you won’t have emergency light and information with flash lights and radios you crank or shake to build an electric charge. For real efficiency, you can find combination battery-free radio/flashlight/nightlight and flashlight/cellphone chargers. “Automatic” or “kinetic” watches harness their wearer’s motion for power. There’s an innovative new battery-free cordless computer mouse on the market that uses radio frequency for power. And well-made solar-powered outdoor lights and calculators are reliable alternatives to those powered by batteries or a distant, coal-fired power plant.

With the wide availability of rechargeable batteries, battery-free products and recyclers that accept batteries, it is possible to eliminate batteries from the waste stream, saving consumers money in the process. Bottom line, reducing battery use and recharging and recycling batteries makes good environmental and economic sense.

Year of the Energy Audit by Andrew Michler

Your government wants you to save energy and they are getting ready to help you do it. The buzz from Washington is a "Cash for Caulkers" program that puts your home front and center. Nobody knows what this really means yet, but you can bet the Energy Audit will be a central part of it.

Many local utilities and cities have already made energy audits available. A home energy audit provides an invaluable diagnostic of the two largest energy and comfort issues of a home: air infiltration through the air barrier and heat loss/ heat gain through insulation. The home's shell and its insulation are very important, but for years now have not been properly regarded. Things have changed and with building science and good diagnostic tools we can find where your home is not performing so we can then do something about it.

Energy Audits will be free (or close to it) for almost anybody in the states in the coming year. You call up your local utility or municipality and they will happily send out a RESNET or BPI certified energy auditor to your home. The auditor will schlep out a big fan which slips into an adjustable frame that fills the front door. After turning off pilot lights and sealing appliance exhaust vents on goes the blower. In short order they will adjust the fan to create a precise pressure difference (50 pascals as the control) between the outside and inside. Now the science begins. What they are looking for is the volume of air entering your home through all the hidden holes in the outside walls. They measure the air changes per hour and use this to tell how leaky your home really is. Congratulations you now have a number. This number doesn't mean much though until you find those leaks.

This is where building science meets building sleuth. A well trained auditor has a lot of tricks on how to find those holes, missing or inadequate insulation, and other building envelope problems. First thing they need to do is ask about your experience of comfort in the home. A cold or hot room, a noisy furnace, drafty stair wells are all signs of the hidden life of wasted energy. Your experience of discomfort is a great indicator of what the problems are. A good building scientist knows what to test for but a good energy sleuth knows how to extract the critical information. The auditor then will walk through the home looking for air infiltration building issues. The big problems are usually where you never are, the attic and basement or crawl space. If you set the blower to blow air into the home and stick your head into the attic you may see insulation dance around the holes in the ceiling or top of the walls. A smoke stick in the basement can quickly show the rim joist leaking air, even if they are insulated. Electrical outlets are a prime candidate for cold air to make a break for it.

This is good news. "Cash for Caulkers" implies that we are not just testing a home but doing something about it. Foam, caulk and air barriers are extraordinary but humble guards on the quest for energy efficiency and comfort. Now that the crime scene is laid out they go into attics, crawl spaces, electrical boxes and hidden corners across America to protect you from high energy prices and according to some politicians, "To stop the terrorists" (ok, whatever it takes.) A good energy auditor is now not just a scientist and sleuth but also the judge- laying out a sentence to ban the infiltration of air into the home.

We have a lot riding on the energy auditor and rely on their professionalism. Now that you get the service for free a new dynamic is in the works. A good audit takes at the very least an hour and a half and provides a thorough unbiased report of the findings. If the auditor is suddenly burdened with a lot of jobs and the folks getting the audit have no financial commitment.... well you can see where I am going. The value of the information is the basis for everything that comes next. A thorough audit is very useful, a poorly done audit can simply steer you in the wrong direction and waste serious money in the process.

How do you know that you're getting the real deal? The audit process does not just give you the somewhat esoteric air exchange number but they tell you what it means in regards to your homes general performance. They keep the blower on and snoop around the corners, attic, and even the crawl space. They seek out complicated framing and check its thermal properties. They look at the duct work, combustion air, water heater, building penetrations, insulation, etc. They ask questions and examine your energy bill. If you have a freezer in the garage and a hot tub in back, they give you the "what for". Safety and energy do not always run parallel so they provide a good energy saving plan without leaving you with bad air or a poorly running system. They do not give you expensive solutions right off the bat and they prioritize the work to be done.

When it come to the work to be done keep an open mind. If the auditor's company also does the retrofits take a serious look at what the real priorities are. New windows and a new furnace do not happen before you seal and insulate. The ethicality of an audit can be seriously compromised if the company also wants to do the work. I can lie about your buildings performance as easily as I can tell the truth with a thermal imagining camera (but a good thermal camera operator can "see" into the wall). When it come to pay back and comfort you cannot beat the caulk gun, foam and quality insulation.

As the free Energy Audits rolls out I would like to see two things. A good customer feedback system and internal auditing system should be required to see that the auditors are doing a good job and not steering the owner to overly expensive installation work (this is already a part of the RESNET standard). Just as important is not having the municipalities and energy companies simply contract out the work but create a voucher system that allows more energy audit teams to get a chance to show you that they can do a great job helping you lower your energy bills and improve your quality of life. With good feed back in a competitive market these audits will only get better. Just giving them away to a few select auditing providers could keep the maket for efficency from realizing it true potential.

Maybe you've already heard the news about our president recently calling insulation "sexy". President Obama exclaimed "Here's what's sexy about it: saving money. Think about it this way: If you haven't upgraded your home yet, it's not just heat or cool air that's escaping- its energy and money that you are wasting. If you saw $20 bills just sort of floating through the window up into the atmosphere, you'd try to figure out how you were going to keep that. But that's exactly what's happening because of the lack of efficiency in our buildings."
Andrew Michler LEED AP, MIGP

Baosol llc Adaptive Building Consulting is a LEED AP staffed company and a member of the USGBC. With 15 years of near zero energy building design Baosol has developed a robust green building background and knowledge base. We also give workshops and write to help relay the most current thinking about green building. Working closely with partner companies our projects use less energy and materials, are sensitive to location, are healthy, and are ready for future technologies. Learn much more on our website and blog. Join us in the low entropy revolution! www.baosol.com

The Green Home - Phasing out Toxic Cleaning Products in the New Year

More and more people are becoming educated about the importance of using green cleaning products in their homes. Switching to green cleaning products is an excellent step toward a more healthy life for you, your loved ones and your planet. But did you know it’s also important to consider how you make the switch to green? Throwing away your old, traditional cleaners gets them out of your home, but it can create a toxic mess in or en route to a landfill.

There is a more environmentally friendly way to get rid of those old toxic cleaners. Here are some tips to help ensure you go green the right way!

Step 1: Phase out toxic commercial products in your home (chlorine bleaches, drain cleaners, hydrochloric acid bowl cleaners, abrasive cleanser w/bleach, etc.). All commercial cleaners have a safer alternative (ex: replace bleach with vinegar). As you use up a product, look for a safe, non-toxic replacement instead of buying more of the same.

Step 2: Contact your local hazardous materials recycling/disposal center and drop off your unused hazardous chemicals. Do not store them or improperly dispose of them.

Step 3: Continue to educate and inform yourself on what it means to be green. Start by knowing the terminology. Products that claim to be bio-based, plant-based and all natural aren’t necessarily safe or proven to be less harmful. Look for third party-certified products (those that carry Green Seal, Eco Logo or DFE certification).

If you are unsure of where to begin to green your housecleaning, Green Sol Supply offers a home starter kit that is perfect for anyone new to green cleaning. The eCO Home Cleaning Kit (http://www.ecodistributors.com/product.sc?productId=29) provides all the products you need to green your home at a fraction of the cost you will pay at the store (and the products are far more effective—and environmentally friendly). Cleaning products, bottles, and microfiber cloths are all color-coded so you always use the right products for the right job. The kit includes 12 bottles of green cleaning products plus 3 microfiber cloths for only $30.

If you are really a do-it-yourselfer, vinegar makes an excellent natural cleaner. Equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle work quite well as an all-purpose cleaner.

Going green is one of many choices you can make to build a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment for your family and your world.

For more information, or for cleaning products that are certified by green certification bodies, visit Green Sol Supply at www.greenchemicalsupply.com or contact us at 888-404-2030.

Homemade Mulling Spices

Combine equal portions of cloves, whole allspice berries, and dried orange peels (our local Vitamin Cottage is a great place to find bulk ingredients).

Place 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the middle of a small square of cheesecloth along with 1/2 a tablespoon of ground nutmeg.
Tie the top of the bundle with kitchen string, along with two sticks of cinnamon — a perfect package for mulling 6 cups of cider or wine!

Store bundles in a reusable container, write these instructions: “1 unopened package in 6 cups of cider or wine, heat gently” on a card and … voila a perfect hostess gift or stocking stuffer!

Have a Green Thanksgiving

You don’t have to switch over to a Tofurkey to have a greener Thanksgiving. This year, consider some of these simple ways to make your celebration more eco-friendly.

o Take this special occasion to switch to cloth napkins, permanently. The money you spend on a set of cloth napkins will be covered in the price you’ll pay for paper over a few months, and you’ll keep them out of the landfill!

o Buy local. Make an effort to buy locally grown, organic ingredients for your feast this year. Among other veggies, Colorado produces an abundance of winter squash, potatoes, carrots and onions.

o Go with an organic, farm-raised turkey that isn’t full of pesticides and plumping chemicals.

o Try some organic or locally produced wine or beer. We’re lucky to live in a state that has a huge selection of in-state brews.

o Skip the plastic. Break out the good china your Grandmother gave you but you’ve never used, or use your everyday dishes for appetizers and drinks.

o Finally, decorate your table with natural items such as pinecones, gourds or dried flowers.

Carrots - End of Harvest Treasure

Despite a snowy October, there is still an abundance of our local fall harvest to enjoy. In the waning days of autumn, root vegetables fill bushel baskets across the state and some, like potatoes, will be harvested all year.

According to the Colorado Crop Calendar, carrots are one of the roots that will continue to be harvested through November. Packed with beta carotene and a host of other nutrients, carrots fight inflammation, improve night vision, lower high blood pressure, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and their high fiber content contributes to weight loss.

Besides being ground into “baby carrots,” carrots can be braised, candied, creamed, pickled, pureed, frozen, dried, used as the main ingredient in soup, added to stews and soups, featured in cakes and breads, canned, preserved in marmalade, and munched raw. They are also the classic choice for snowmen noses.

With their vibrant color and inherent sweetness, a simple braised dish of carrots adds beauty to any fall meal and is surprisingly easy to make.

Braised Carrots
Serves 6

1 ½ pounds of carrots, peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
½ teaspoon salt
1 pinch pepper

Combine all ingredients in an oven-proof pan. Cover the pan with a lid or foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, or until carrots are tender.

Go Green for Halloween!

Halloween is a fantastic, fun time for kids, but it’s not so fun for the Earth. The billions spent each year on costumes, decorations, party goods and candy create frightening amounts of waste.

Do your part to make October 31st a bit more eco-friendly by putting some of these tips to use:

o Make your own costume with things at home or from a thrift store. Avoid buying a costume that will be used for one night, but if you must, donate or consign it next year. There are hundreds of web sites with great costume ideas. Check out www.familyfun.com, www.parents.com and www.costumeideazone.com for some inspiration.

o Avoid toxic face paints. It’s easy to make your own with just a few ingredients you may already have at home. Try the recipe at suite101.com and save a little money, avoid the usual excessive packaging of Halloween cosmetics, and control what goes on your little goblin’s skin: http://kidscrafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/make_your_own_face_paints

o Use a reusable goodie-gathering bag. Nothing beats a pillowcase.

o Leave the car at home. Walk the neighborhood like the old days, but carry new technology. Batteryless, hand-powered flash lights like the Garrity Power Lite 3 LED Crank Light or Rayovac’s Faraday Shake Light cost a little more than some battery-powered flash lights, but they’ll always light up when you need them and you’ll quickly make up the cost not buying batteries.

o Give candy with a conscience. Hand out fair-trade chocolates or, better yet, go for an inedible option like stickers, pencils, or bubbles.

o Get creative with decorations and reuse your recyclables. Old cereal boxes make great tombstones when painted!

o Don’t forget the locally grown pumpkins, of course. See your favorite farmer, farm market or check out http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/COpumpkins.php#listings Next month make pumpkin pies, roast the seeds and compost the remains.

Green is the New Black

Let’s face it – times are tough and most of us have a closet full of under-loved items begging for a new home? Why not recycle your clothing and consign?

I’ve managed to clothe my entire family of four for a year without buying new, and we’re not wearing gunny sacks either. I just picked up a brand new, never-worn REI snowsuit for my daughter for $10 at a consignment sale, and found a gorgeous, barely worn, pair of Anne Klein sandals for $4 at ARC.

It just makes sense to go green when it comes to clothing. There are so many consignment shops popping up all over Colorado, from the city to small mountain towns, people are finding serious bargains on clothing.

Start with your kid’s clothes. They grow so quickly, it’s easy to sort their outgrown clothes into spring and fall piles. Sign up as a consignor at one of the many sales going on in Colorado (visit http://www.kidsconsignmentsales.com/co.htm). Buying an entire back-to-school wardrobe and making over $100 from selling your kid’s outgrown clothes and toys is a thrill.

Consignment isn’t just for kids, either. There are many high-end consignment stores offering couture like Channel, Prada and Gucci. Check out Crave Consignment Shop in Evergreen (http://www.craveconsignmentshop.com) for everything from classic to trendy. If you have a closet full of evening gowns, and can’t imagine the next black-tie event you’ll attend (companies seem to be cutting back on these, too), then consign your style! You could find something new to wear today, lighten your load, and make some cash.

Take recycled a step further and invite all your friends over for a clothing swap. I’ve attended a few swaps this year, and have managed to find great “new-to-you” seasonal outfits for both my husband and me. Another group got together to swap just accessories, while another swapped just kids clothes, toys, and books.

The rule of thumb – if you haven’t worn it for over a year, pack it up. Someone else might find your family’s outgrown clothes a treasure. And, if no one takes or buys your unlovables, donate them to ARC, Goodwill or another local charity and get a tax write-off. Someone is sure to appreciate it.

Think globally, eat locally

Being green doesn’t mean deprivation; in many ways making the effort to be greener yields rewards greater than the status quo can ever provide.

Take peaches as a perfect example. An east coast peach needs to ripen in transit, so it’s picked hard and unripe, boxed and shipped 1,500 miles to your grocery store. You must then select from an inferior pile of fruit, navigating between the still unripe and the bruised or spoiled, with minimal hope of finding even one that really tastes of peach.

Western Slope peaches, on the other hand, are picked ripe in Palisade or Fruita and driven 100 miles to a Front Range farmer’s market within a few days. The tree and the sun have had time to fatten them with succulent nectar, and you can’t walk by a box of them without their sweet perfume luring you back, nor can you bite into one without juice dripping down your hand.

It takes more effort to get to the farmers market or to take a weekend excursion to the Western Slope, both of which have a lower carbon footprint than cross-country train or truck transportation, but the effort is rewarded with unparalleled fruit.

As it is with fruit, so it is with restaurants: seek the green options and you will be rewarded. Here’s a list of restaurants featuring locally sourced, seasonal menus. If you know of one that isn’t on the list, please share!

Boulder:

The Kitchen
1039 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302
http://www.thekitchencafe.com/
303-544-5973
In their own words: “The Kitchen believes in protecting our environment. Wind power provides 100% of the restaurant's electricity and we recycle or reuse nearly 100 percent of our discards. All of our paper products and straws are biodegradable. We give the remaining uncooked food and open bottles of wine to our staff at the end of each shift and all of our food discards are composted and often find their way back to the farms they came from.” Find an interactive map where you can explore a comprehensive list of suppliers and why The Kitchen chose them at http://thekitchencafe.com/artman2/publish/newsuppliers.shtml .

Laudisio
1710 29th Street Suite 1076#, Boulder, CO 80301
www.laudisio.com
303-442-1300
In their own words: “As a leading restaurant in Boulder, we are aware of our responsibility to research environmentally conscious methods of procuring all of the fine food we serve here at Laudisio. This includes using local ingredients whenever possible, and supporting ecologically sustainable businesses.”

Denver Area:

Duo
2413 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
http://www.duodenver.com/
303-477-4141
In their own words: “Duo Restaurant offers a seasonal changing menu with the freshest ingredients available. Choose from a selection of appetizers or entrees that will satisfy the biggest meat eaters or the most discerning vegetarians. But as many food critics and guests note make sure you save room for dessert as Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, Duo’s wonderful pastry chef creates magical sweets to finish your meal.” Duo offers locally sourced ingredients as much as possible.

The Fort
19192 Highway 8, Morrison, CO 80465
http://www.thefort.com
303-697-4771
The Fort features game such as buffalo, elk, Colorado lamb, trout and quail. Featured in Bon Appetite magazine, the New York Times, and frequently touted as "the best place to take out of town guests" the Fort is world renowned for being an authentic Colorado experience. The Fort is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mercury Cafe
2199 California Street, Denver, CO 80205
http://www.mercurycafe.com/home.html
303-294-9281
A long-time Denver institution, the Mercury Café has it all. The Cafe features local, seasonal and organic ingredients as much as possible, local artists exhibit in the space and it runs on wind and sun power. Check the calendar for live music and dancing, theater, poetry readings, and classes.

Potager Restaurant and Wine Bar
1109 Ogden, Denver, CO 80218
http://www.potagerrestaurant.com/
303-832-5788
Local is important enough to Chef Terri Rippeto that she built her restaurant with a kitchen garden growing on the patio. In fact, potager (POE-ta-jay) means kitchen garden. She changes Potager’s seasonal menu every month and seeks out local suppliers whenever possible. Eight months of the year 100% of the produce is from local, organic farms in the area.

SAME Cafe
2023 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80206
http://www.soallmayeat.org
720-530-6853
If SAME Café’s ingredients aren’t assuredly local, the café’s impact certainly is. “SAME Cafe is unique in the lack of a set menu as well as set prices. Daily selections are made using fresh, organic ingredients, and funded by the donations of patrons. Instead of a cash register, a donation box is available for one to pay what they felt their meal was worth, or to leave a little more and help out someone less fortunate. If a diner does not have sufficient money to leave, they are encouraged to exchange an hour of service.”

Snooze
2262 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
http://www.snoozedenver.com
303-297-0700
In their own words: “Ever striding towards a fresher, more personal meal, our new menu is simply the best one eva'. We're gathering local products from Denver Urban Gardens to create the Bounty Benedict; our in house made English Muffin provides a fresher Sandwich I Am; Steak & Eggs only like a Finer Diner could do.”

Monroe Farms

Jacquie and Jerry Monroe regard themselves as caretakers of their Monroe Organic Farms, the Weld County farmland that Monroes have farmed for 73 years. Through their stewardship of the land and their commitment to organic growing practices, Monroe Organic Farm grows some of the best tasting organic produce in Colorado, and there’s a membership waiting list to prove it.
The Monroe farming philosophy emphasizes taste over size and appearance. Jerry pours over seed catalogs in the winter months, looking for heirlooms, and new and unique varieties to plant, constantly trying to find the best tasting vegetables the farm can produce.
In 1993, they organized as a community-supported agriculture (CSA) project, which brings the farmer back into the community. The farmer and consumers unite to grow produce, sharing the bounty and also sharing the risk to mitigate its impact. The farmer learns the consumers' needs and desires. Consumers learn the realities of food production, such as the actual time of year produce is harvested in Colorado and how weather and insects can affect a harvest. They wanted to work closely with people who appreciate their farming philosophy, to build relationships with their members, and to share the pleasure of perfectly vine-ripened food.
People in the community "join the farm" as non-working or working members, and then purchase full, half or single shares which translate to a percentage of the weekly harvest. Some members provide space at their homes for distribution centers, so members in the neighborhood have a convenient pick-up location. Distribution centers are located throughout the Denver metro area and Front Range communities in Colorado.
In the spring, the Monroes host a Strawberry Festival where members can pick their own berries. In the fall they have hayrides and a pumpkin patch.
Contact the farm to be put on the waiting list for 2010 summer season and some of the best-tasting organic product this side of the Rockies! http://www.monroefarm.com/contact.htm

Did you know…?
· The average age of retirement for an American farmer is 65 to 70. Fifty percent of the nation’s farmers are 55 to 75.
· 55.88% of Colorado farmland is in pasture, 37% is in cropland, and 7.2% is in other uses.
· Larimer and Weld Counties in Colorado produce half of the state's vegetables.
o Weld County leads the state in lost agricultural land by losing 15,808 acres every year.
o Larimer County has lost one third of its agricultural land in the last 35 years, yet Larimer County has gained 135 'farms' between 1997 and 2002 due to people moving onto subdivided small acreages.
o Average expenses per farm in Weld County is $140,717, and the average net income per farm in Weld County is $11,715.
· Prices for farm commodities are at their lowest in 10 years, yet the price of land, equipment, seed, etc. have risen.
· The average size of a U.S. farm and ranch is 991 acres.
· Three fourths of all farmers live on the land they farm.
· 42% of all farmers have to leave the farm 100 to 200 days a year to supplement their incomes.
· The average expenses per farm in the U.S. is $347,472, and the average net income per farm in the U.S. is $21,775.
What does all of this mean for farming?
The current trends in farming include loss of agricultural land, water shortage, and the retirement of farmers. In addition, small farms are being bought by corporations that control large and ever increasing amounts of agricultural land.
What does all of this mean for farming in Colorado?
Loss of Agricultural Land
2,400,600 new residents will move into the Front Range communities by 2030, and it is anticipated that 133,000 to 226,000 acres of farmland will be lost by 2030.
Water Shortage
80% of all household water is attained through snow melt-off, the same source used by farms. Thus, 80% of the water for the 2,400,000 new residents competes with water for farms.
The Denver Metro water plan for the next 20-30 years includes:
· Household conservation
· Reuse all water leaving households and streets with no return to the South Platt River.
· Purchase agriculture water on the Eastern plains and dry up farmland.
· Build new water storage along the South Platt River (water-filled gravel pits).
· Sever water restriction, meaning no lawns in the Denver Metro area.
(Source: Colorado Department of Agriculture)
What will farming be like in fifty years?
"Get Big or Get Out!"
Currently only 9% of our farms and 28% of all sales are corporate-run farms. Farming economists predict that there will be less than 400 farmers within the next 20 to 30 years. These farmers will work on mega farms of 30,000 acres or more. Already there is a corporation that produces potatoes in 26 states on 43,000 acres.
Foreign Farming
Economists predict that most of our food will be imported from other countries within 20 to 30 years. As of 2006, 60% of your vegetables, year round, are imported from outside the U.S. Chemicals that are banned in this country are allowed to be used abroad; they are not regulated.
This scares me. Especially when these fruits and vegetables make their way to America's dinner table!
Is there a way to support small farms in America?
Yes!
It is called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). When consumers directly support a small farm, there is a better chance the farm will survive. Small farmers will be able to make a decent wage for their work.