This Week In The Garden: If I'm Really Lucky...

If I'm really lucky, after my daily after work yard tour, I get to enjoy a light snack and cup of hot tea (with a spring of mint from the garden) at my not so secret sitting spot in the front side yard. It sits directly behind this arbor that I planted with clematis vine and honeysuckle. "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener." John 15:1-17. Everyone should have a sitting nook or area (for you men) outdoors, hopefully not too far from some jungle inspired lush vines.

The chairs were picked up from someones front yard on trash day and painted. The tablecloth is actually a repurposed sarong from World Market (thanks Grandma and Mom for teaching me about rethinking items). The oversize teacup is vintage. It is one of the items, I decided that I'm taking if I have to leave the house in an emergency! Frivolous, yes.

This Week In The Garden: What's A Rural Looking Man Like You Doing With Collards?

Collard greens that I need to plant. Interesting story here. Checked out the new Burke Lakefront Airport farmer's market this week and stopped at the booth of an older white farmer looking gentlemen. He had on display a small variety of starter plants and harvested vegetables. I was looking for some collard greens, but was highly doubtful that he would have them, much less know what they were. I stared at him for a minute and he asked if he could help me. Spotting what looked to be collard plants, I asked "Do you have any collards?" -surely those weren't collards - "or kale or mustard ?"(Cuz you know, he may not be familiar with collards) Turns out that they were collards and he had about 20 other collard plants in the back! Duh, Gloria! There is a lesson here. Post-racial America? We have a long way to go - on all sides.

Anyway, pictured with the collards are 'mater' plants that I hope will top my delicious cooked greens (assuming I don't fry 'em up in cornmeal first!) Greens and tomatoes are excellent cancer fighters. Okay, so the next time you head for the farmers market - keep an open mind.

This Week In The Garden: Can't Stop, Won't Stop

These beauties love my garden as they spread like crazy and pop up everywhere. I'm always digging up clumps or pulling seedlings. They are good for sharing with friends, family and neighbors and for gardening on a budget. You could plant them in great drifts for drama. Pictured clockwise from the top left: Sedum, eryngium (sea holly), good ole daisy and purple coneflower (aka echinacea - native to this region). Butterflies love all of these plants. So they would also be great for a child's butterfly garden.

This Week In The Garden: Low Maintence Beauties

Top two photos: Annabelle Hydrangea (Isn't it just ridiculously gorgeous?). Oakleaf Hydrangea (lush leaves resemble oak leaves). Both require minimal care after the first year and are drought tolerant plants for partial shade areas. Bodacious bouquets.

Bottom two photos: More lilies. As you can see they come in all shapes and sizes. They spread nicely and are easy to divide and spread around your plot. (Hmm. All this garden talk is making me want to go the nursery.)

Plants in my garden must pass the low maintenance test. Sure, I will add compost, deadhead and water (only in the severest drought), but that's about it. I also use no chemical pesticides or herbicides. It helps if you purchase plants that are native to your region. Ask for these at the garden center.

This Week In The Garden: Lily Palooza!

Most days, after a long stressful day at work, I decompress in the garden before heading in the house to fuss at my son about dirty dishes in the sink. My garden is a place to transition from the world imposed on me through from 9-5, to the world that I created through God's guidance, grace and powers. It is a place to seek His presence, if only by it's affiliation with creation and connection to biblical topics. So I would like to share with you the earthly delights that I stepped into this week over the next few posts.

You see in this post that I have a quite a collection of lilies. "Consider the lilies of the field, they toil not, they spin not, and yet I say unto you; that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Luke 12:27-28. Hello! My experience with lilies confirms this statement. Low maintenance and stunning. Also edible, though I'm too chicken to try, based things done in the garden during my pre-organic period.

10 Networking Resources for Women Pursuing Green Careers You Should Know About - Updated

Celebrating Women’s History Month: 10 Networking Resources for Women Pursuing Green Careers You Should Know About - Updated . We eco-friendly ladies have to stick together to make it happen!

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Grants Available To Provide Green Job Training for Women

Found this information while looking for some graduate school dollars. The Business and Professional Women's Foundation, with support from Wal-Mart, is looking to award $60,000 in grant money to four organizations to expand capacity to provide green job training. Click here for details. The foundation is also looking for green employers.

Greenpeace Goes To War With Trader Joe's

Traitor Joe's. Wow. Trader Joe's is being accused of greenwashing by Greenpeace in this spoof of the company's website.

Poverty Worsened By Climate Change - Oxfam Report

Poverty Worsened By Climate Change - Oxfam Report

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Panel Urges Federal Funding Increase for Outdoor Resources

Panel Urges Federal Funding Increase for Outdoor Resources

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Hip Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants

In your travels this summer, try out a few green or vegetarian based restaurants. Click here for a list of hip restaurants from the west coast to the east coast that feature phenomenal plant based delights. Chicago - Green Zebra, Atlanta - Dynamic Dish, LA - M Cafe de Chaya, Boulder - Organic Orbit and New York - Dirt Candy, are just a few named in the article. I had the pleasure of dining last week at The Greenhouse Tavern, a newly opened green certified restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio that specializes in preparing meals from locally grown and produced food. I will be sure the try out another restaurant featured on the Bon Appetit list, Dragonfly Neo-V Cuisine in Columbus, Ohio later this month when I visit that city for their jazz festival. A vegan restaurant that I will have to try soon is VegiTerranean, in Akron, Ohio, not a far drive from the Football Hall of Fame and only 45 minutes from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

What's your favorite green or vegetarian restaurant? Can't find one in your area? Check out HappyCow.net for a directory of compassionate eating spots around the world.

Vegan O'Rama!

While searching for an article on Bon Appetit.com, I found one amazing vegan website, The Post Punk Kitchen. The creator posted a comment critical of the Bon Appetit vegetarian restaurant list. The site features recipes for ice cream, bbq sauce, brunch, sushi and baked goods (including cupcakes). Stuff you don't normally think of when you think vegan. The writing is fun, snazzy and sometimes naughty (hello - it is titled the post punk kitchen). There is even a cooking show that you can find on Google Video. A good site to add to your favorites if you are trying to eat less meat or entertaining vegans.

(Pictured is my favorite vegan snack, Black Eye Pea Fritters. Recipe from Bryant Terry's new cookbook, Vegan Soul Kitchen)

Russians Dig Michelle Obama's Earthy Digs

Michelle Obama in Russia What's not to love about our First Lady? Well, according to the Washington Post, the Russians aren't so intrigued with her wardrobe. They were however, eager to get the dirt on her organic garden, as home gardens have special place in the hearts of Russians that lived through the Soviet era. I can dig that!

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20 Companies That Are Leading The Way To A Sustainable Economy

Sustainable Business Com announces it's third annual Top 20 Sustainable Stocks list. Included are some of our favorites, Timberland, Google, Chipotle, Herman Miller Furniture and IBM and some fairly unknowns, Plant Health Care, United Natural Foods and Ormat Technologies. If you are no longer licking your wounds from the damage done to your portfolio or 401k plan last year, these might be some stocks for you to invest in to get back in the game.

Profit over Organics: Natural Doesn't Always Equal Organic

Profit over Organics: Nation’s Largest Dairy Marketer Sets Up Competing Market Category Interesting news about Silk and Horizon dairy products. Many products formerly made of organic beans, now using conventionally grown beans and conventional farming practices. This article points out how the "natural" label doesn't always meet the standards of certified organic labels. For those of you seeking to avoid pesticides, herbicides and sludge fertilized products or that care about animal living conditions, this is important information.

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Organic Soy Food Brands Importing Beans from China - Report

Organic Soy Food Brands Importing Beans from China - Report

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Food Inc. - Being Served At A Grocery Store Near You

Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change? - About the Film Since I started this blog about 18 months ago, I have become increasingly suspicious about my food. This concern stems from several food recalls, a greater awareness of how food is grown and processed and the fact that much of it is sourced from large corporate agri-businesses. Though not always the case, I have found that many large corporations will do whatever it takes to drive profits, even if human lives are at risk. In fact, my businesses courses taught us that our primary goal as managers was to maximize shareholder wealth. We see where that got us (refer to your 401k statement). The good news is that more companies are coming around to the idea that shareholder wealth can be put at risk if the impact of a companies actions to their stakeholders aren't properly considered. Stakeholders include employees, communities and government. Hence the concept of the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) is gaining ground as an appropriate measuring stick for a companies performance. This movie should further open our eyes to the practices of the companies that grow the food that is supposed to sustain us. I would encourage you and your family/friends to watch this, so that we can educate ourselves on what we are consuming and push for these companies to gage their success using measures of quality not quantity.

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From Inhabitat: 5 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Fourth

For you last minute green people, check out these last minute July 4th ideas to keep your party real-green. I especially like the BYOC concept-bring your own cup. You could have a lot of fun with that one. Inhabitat is a cool weekly newsletter that shares dozens of news features and product ideas centered around green design.

Quiskaeya: Yummy Mangonade Pipops (Popsicles)

Quiskaeya: Yummy Mangonade Pipops (Popsicles) Mango! Oh yeah. Just in time to cool off on July 4th. The photos are so cute!

TalkBlack Atlanta: Black Professionals Go Green

Last month, I had the great pleasure of meeting an exciting group of engaged and green black professionals at a TalkBlack Atlanta panel discussion on the virtues of living a greener lifestyle. Joining me were two green civic activists from Greater Atlanta (that's me in the center talking with my hands as usual), including Tony Anderson, a recent Morehouse graduate. Mr. Anderson, a protege of Van Jones, wowed the audience with his passion and knowledge of the enviromental justice and green living movements. He is definitely one of the future black and green leaders to watch.

What specifically impressed me was that many in the audience were already taking steps to live green and were themselves well informed about many of the environmental issues impacting the lives of people around the globe. There was a brother that was starting up several green businesses, another one is building a green chapel and the co-founder of TalkBlack, award winning journalist, Chandra Thomas, has written many articles on sustainability and green living for national publications.

The icing on the cake was that the meeting was held at Wonderland Gardens, an African American run non-profit, established to provide awareness of nature, gardening and earthly stewardship.

Black and Into Green Talks Black and Green in Atlanta

Next time you are in the ATL, sleep at the Kimpton Palomar, attend a TalkBlack event and tour the Wonderland Gardens. You will have a blast!

I hope to have the video of the panel discussion to post soon.

Socially Responsible Finance Career Options

While this article was written for finance professionals, the resources provided could benefit many other professions and occupations. In July, I am going to highlight socially responsible investing (SRI), which is the art of putting your money where your values are. You could call it conscious investing. Hot in the world of SRI is community development and sustainability. Excited?! Can't wait that long (because it could be late in July)? Check out the website www.socialinvest.org. It was referred to me by an SVP at UBS, a firm that specializes in SRI (we bankers love our acronyms). It is a great resource for any business, individual or institution valuing the triple bottom line in their investments.

Funding Your Green Business: A Banker's Perspective

As a banker, I often get requests to find resources for financing a green business. My response to that question, based on my research to date, is that there are limited funding and financing programs available specifically for green business, fewer for small green businesses. Prior to the economic downturn, there was a growing interest in funding of alternative energy businesses by venture capitalists, while there is still interest, investors are favoring lower cost, quicker return energy projects. Interested in learning more about the world of private investment capital? The Energy Tech.Net website is an excellent resource.

There are a number of green banks across the country, New Resource Bank in California, Shorebank in the state of Washington and E3 Bank in Pennsylvania (still seeking funding itself). Wells Fargo is one of the traditional banks that has gone beyond constructing green buildings to financing green construction for their clients - committing $2 million in loans towards this endeavor. You will generally find that your bank will be more interested in how much green your business generates than how green your bank is. So you may have to turn to the government for additional investment. While each state has it's own unique programs, I would encourage to you investigate the following funding sources for your green business:

• Small Business Association (SBA) 7A and CAP (working capital) and 504 programs (capital projects)
• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI's) - non-traditional lenders targeting businesses that provide a benefit to the community, including environmental
• State Office of Development innovation fund programs (high potential, growth businesses)
• State Office of Energy Efficiency (tax credit and grant programs)
• EPA and National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research grants
• Department of Agriculture, Interior and Transportation Small Business Innovation grants
• City Economic Development Office micro-loan programs
• Ideal Cafe - Small grants awarded by other entrepreneurs
• Investment in Energy Efficient Technology/Building Improvements - energy savings reduce overhead expenses, reducing the need for working capital financing. Larger investments can be financing through leases or a performance contract. Click here.
• Factoring and invoice discounting - involves the sale of or use of your receivables as collateral. Check out the wiki. Definitely speak with your banker or attorney before going this route.
• Whole Foods Market (my favorite grocer), finances small local producers

Ready to get started? Click on this link to Business.Gov, complete the form and you will be directed to resources that meet your specific need in your state. It's an awesome tool.

My next post on this topic will be on guerilla fundraising for your green business, because all of these sources require you to post your own equity. So get ready to hustle!

Feel free to contact me at bn2g00@gmail.com for further information. Please feel free to share your financing sources using the comment form.

Climate Change Bill Details

Click here for an easy to read breakdown of the climate change bill that recently passed. A big win for Obama in the fight against global warming, though many undesirable compromises had to be made. It's a start. The next challenge is for the Senate to pass their version. As my cousin states on her voice message recording - "You know what to do."

Find a Stimulus Funded Project Near You

This website is a privately owned version of www.recovery.gov. First heard about it on NPR. It tracks American Recoveryand Reinvestment Act dollars across the country, click on your state, then your county to see how stimulus funds are being allocated in your area. You can also register to receive email updates of future funding heading your way and comment on existing projects and grants. Great tool for non-profits, contractors and suppliers.

Waxman-Markey Climate Change Votes

Click here to determine how your representative voted on this historic piece of climate change legislation. Keep in mind that some Democrats may have voted against the bill due to the fact that they live in states rich in coal and oil, you must convince them that alternative energy is the right way to go for our economy, our future and our national security. To arm yourselves with knowledge read, Green Prosperity: How Clean Energy Policy Can Fight Poverty and Raise Living Standards in the United States. Noting the funding sources of the report, there are probably some biases towards clean energy, but these will just offset the aggressive advertising you are likely to see sponsored by the oil and coal companies in the next few months, as they seek to protect their interests. Diverse and disadvantaged populations will probably be the target of these ads, as they try to frighten us with tales of high prices and loss of jobs. Heck, we are already paying high prices because of the nature of our housing stock have borne the brunt of the millions of Americans laid off in the last year. Where are these coal mining companies and oil companies in our communities the other 350 days of the year? I am proud to say that my energy company is at least taking steps to get off of the coal train and experimenting with solar, wind and biofuels, although it was the result of federal action.