Community Connections and Like-Minded Organizations
Monta Vista Market
"Fresh & Local Organic Produce"
www.montavistamarket.com
408-777-0330
COMMON GROUND RECYCLING PROGRAM is Award Winning!
The Common Ground team won California's prestigious WRAP Waste Reduction Award Program for redirecting about 4.6 tons of potential waste to recyclers or for reuse. Pallets and shipping materials were returned to suppliers, unsold calendars were made into colorful envelopes, corrugated cardboard was cut into take-home plant trays or taken to a recycling center, and organic waste was donated to local gardens for compost. We reuse nearly every piece and section of blank paper. Staff and volunteers reduce fuel emissions by walking, bicycling or using public transit to get to Common Ground and for errands. Students and customers help by donating their unneeded grocery bags for reuse here. Thanks to the entire Common Ground community for their support towards achieving this distinguished honor.
Gabriel Robinson has been coming in and assisting with various moving and cleaning projects Wednesday mornings for many months. Gabriel brightens our day with his unhindered enthusiasm for life.
He is in "Achieve Kids" Student. This program that teaches self-reliance through mental health and education. It is Vocational Training a Road to Self-reliance. We are happy with Gabriel's performance and presence at Common Ground.
NASA Ames Earth Day Event on April 22, 2004
Common Ground Representatives Evelyn Kmetovic and Arnie Cornez did
a fabulous job of introducing new folks to the Common Ground Store,
our Saturday Gardening classes and the concept of sustainable
landscaping.
Green Business Certification and
City Proclamation: In October 2003 Common Ground was
certified as a Green Business by the Green Business Program
of Santa Clara County. We were recognized by the program and by the
City of Palo Alto Council and Mayor "for the initiative taken to
operate in an environmentally responsible manner to conserve
resources, minimize waste and reduce pollution."
Palo Alto Mayor Dena Mossar used to work at Common Ground and
stated that we have been walking our talk for over three decades.
It is with great pride and joy that we accept the acknowledgement
of our years of being as sustainable as possible. Your continued
support makes all this possible. Thanks to all!
Bug Buster and Super Soil Workshop and Fair Trade Coffe Tasting Sept 20, 2003 Sponsored by City of Palo Alto Water Quality, Recycling and Community Garden Programs; Valley of Heart's Delight, and Common Ground
Village
Harvest Tasting and Master Gardener Clinic - July 19, 2003 Jams
and Jellies! Mmmm! Plus great advice from the Santa Clara County
Master Gardeners.
Network of Friends and Organizations
Once you start growing food in your backyard organically, you begin to wonder what all is being done to the food you buy. Here's information on current issues with our food supply, as well as pointers to a better way.
Common Ground is a project of Ecology Action and is a champion of sustainable practices locally and worldwide.
Biointensive for Russia is a project of Ecology Action, bringing sustainable practices to Russia through tranlation of Ecology Action publications and seminars.
Community Alliance with Family Farmers(CAFF) gives info on Sustainable Agriculture.
The Organic Farming Research Foundation aims to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming practices.They give grants for research on organic farming methods and aim to help family farmers through outreach and education.
Ecological Farming Association On the leading edge of sustainable agriculture for 25 years. Annual January inspiring conference in Monterrey, California.
Wegmen's Nursery, our friends, have forty years of experience gardening in the Bay area.
Wheeler Farms is the Compost Caviar of Organic Matter.
Canopy is a Palo Alto-based non-profit advocate for the urban forest and works to educate, inspire, and engage the community as stewards of young and mature trees.
Food First, founded by Frances Moore Lappe ("Diet for a Small Planet") is a think tank that tackles the job of reforming the global food system, from the bottom up. Lots of meticulously researched books, reports and other media to be found here.
Safe Alternatives to Pesticides, It's a resource guide to pesticide harm and safe alternatives that is pretty accessible.
Village Harvest works with local community groups to harvest local backyard produce to help feed the hungry.They sell preserves made from locally grown fruits!
The California Certified Organic Farmers site gives an overview of the new law, as well as explaining the certification process in California.
The USDA has a site devoted to The National Organic Program.
Another place to find information about many Organic Topics is ATTRA's (National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service) site. There are over 200 printable publications on various pertinent topics, and a wealth other useful resources.