Belmont Farmers launch Kickstarter to build Route 3 Farm Stand
The Bahner Farm is seeking donations to fund the construction of a new farm stand to provide local residents with fresh organic vegetables and an opportunity for customers to connect with the food they eat by visiting the farm on Route 3 in Belmont.
In 2009 Mike and Christa Bahner joined forces to create Bahner Farm on 4 acres of land with a bucolic view on the busy road which connects Belfast and Augusta. The fields had been untouched for 20 years and the job of preparing the soil for crops was arduous, but the hearty, enthusiastic couple were up to the task. After 3 years of hard work and determination, as well as a farm wedding, and the birth of baby Lizzy, Mike and Christa have created a bustling, productive farm which grows over 100 MOFGA certified organic crops a year. Their goods are sold at Farmer?s Markets around the Mid-Coast, as well as to the Farm?s growing Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA).
In 2012 Bahner Farm is planning to launch construction on a farm stand at the farm itself that will serve their immediately local community and a significant Route 3 commuter population. Up to this point about 90% of the farm?s sales are made away from the farm, at farmers markets, two of which are an hour and a half away. The Bahners plan to cut back on their carbon footprint by selling more of their produce directly at the farm and hope customers will be able to have a more meaningful connection to their food by seeing where and how their food is grown.
To be successful, the stand will need a spacious and safe parking area, and an attractive, permanent building. The Bahners have designed a 16?x16? structure using a business planning grant from Farms for the Future. It will be able to close up to be a heated space during our Winter Community Supported Agriculture pick ups, or open up completely for use as a breezy, beautiful summer farm stand.
To achieve the goal of building the farm stand in 2012, the couple has launched a Kickstarter campaign. Kickstarter is a popular web based fundraising platform made especially for creative projects, such as this building. The guidelines of Kickstarter provide that the project has only a limited time to accept donations, and if the goal is not met in that time, the project does not get funded (money pledged goes back to the donor). The Bahner?s farmstand Kickstarter campaign goal is $12,524 and concludes on April 14th. Thank you gifts for donating to the project include Bahner Farm bumper stickers, tote bags, dinner at the farm, CSA shares, tractor driving lessons, a hand built cold frame, or even the opportunity to name a chicken or greenhouse.
Bahner farm is located at 153 Augusta Road (Route 3), Belmont.
For more information, including a budget breakdown of the project and the diagram of the stand, and the link to the farm Kickstarter campaign visit www.bahnerfarm.com or call the farm at 342-2592.
I like the ?poetical? approach of the maps, without having to use visual lies. The ?before? map shows a complicated situation of inequality, and the ?after? map shows how equal would be the situation, and also reinforces the concept of a equal country, without state borders. It?s a great way to transmit a message, and they didn?t had to cheat on data (at least not visually).
What I?m not sure if it?s good is that the first map shows some states that already have this situation, and we can make an interpretation like, these states are ?examples? to be followed. I should know more of the USA politics to have an opinion.
I don?t like the illogical color scale on the first map, though I like the stripes to show another kind of information. The ?red is bad? association of color works great for a Democrat, lucky him.
There are many reasons why a buyer or seller should hire a REALTOR? instead of another licensed agent.
First of all, you should know that a REALTOR? is not the same as a Real Estate Agent. A REALTOR? is a member of the National Association of REALTORS?, an organization whose members adhere to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. There is a considerable cost to being a member, but the rewards far outweigh the expense. Not to mention the level of trust we are able to gain from our clients as a result.
When it comes to explaining why you should use a REALTOR? as opposed to another licensed agent, no one says it better than the Association. But if you want the simplified list of reasons, here you go:
1) Almost 9 of every 10 home buyers uses the Internet to search for the home they buy. The most commonly-used website in the home search process is Realtor.com. Only NAR members can post listings here. This website showcases over 4 million properties for sale. The few For Sale By Owner (FSBO) websites available list in the mere tens of thousands nationwide.
2) REALTORS? have access to an incredibly extensive offering of educational opportunities on any number of topics. NAR members in my area are also members of the Colorado Association of REALTORS? and the Loveland-Berthoud Association of REALTORS?. Being a member of three REALTOR? organizations gives me a lot of opportunities to improve my knowledge of real estate buying and selling, as well as other topics like water appropriation, land use, community market data, the art of negotiation, local building code updates, and many MANY more!
3) Networking with the public is very important to an agent, but as a REALTOR? I am able to network with others in my profession. We are a closely knit group who, while technically are competitors, are still willing to work together, share ideas, and support each other. We all enjoy seeing each other succeed.
4) Most importantly, the REALTOR? Code of Ethics, which is the very basis of our organization, provides a high level of comfort to our clients, who can be assured that they will be treated fairly and ethically throughout all phases of the home buying or selling process.
NATO - AMX32 is now equipped with [Normal] stabilizer. - Leopard 2A4 is now equipped with [Exceptional] Stabilizer and Accuracy of Main gun set to "10". - Apache now cost 165 (down from 175). - Hellfire missile has now "AP POWER" set to "13" (up from 12). - Number of deployable VTS1 is now set to 12 (down from 20). - VTS-1 Main gun reloading time is increased by X seconds (simulation of the time required for the gun to be lowered into the axis of the autoloader).
PACT - Change MCLOS to SACLOS for Fleyta missiles. - Fixed the Ataka missiles payload of the Havoc (16 instead 8). - Havoc missiles change from 9M120M to 9M120 (slight loss of range). - Reload time decreased by 20s for the RM-70 to properly simulate the fast reload barrel system. - MLRS SMERCH & Buratino reloading time is increased by 30s. - Number of deployable BMP-685 is now set to 12 (down from 16). - Number of deployable BTR-70 Zhalo is now set to 8 (down from 12). - Number of deployable Strzelcy Konni is now set to 24 (down from 40). - Number of deployable Motorstrelci is now set to 24 (down from 40).
An anonymous reader writes with an excerpt from Science World Report: "Astronomers hunting for rocky planets with the right temperature to support life estimate there may be tens of billions of them in our galaxy alone. A European team said on Wednesday that about 40 percent of red dwarf stars ? the most common type in the Milky Way ? have a so-called 'super-Earth' planet orbiting in a habitable zone that would allow water to flow on the surface."
Dublin ? Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/705abb49/ethiopia_telecom) has announced the addition of the ?Ethiopia ? Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts? report to their offering.
?Ethiopia ? Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts?
Management Contract with France Telecom Pays off for ETC
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Ethiopia?s telecommunications market.
Subjects Covered Include:
One of the least developed but fastest growing mobile markets in the region;
The monopoly telecom provider in the country;
Key statistics;
Market and industry overviews;
Government policies affecting the telecoms industry;
Regulatory environment;
Plans for privatisation and market liberalisation;
Infrastructure development;
Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).
Internet and broadband development and growth;
Mobile data services;
Broadband, including 3G mobile;
Average Revenue per User (ARPU).Ethiopia is the last country in Africa allowing its national telco, ETC a monopoly on all telecom services including fixed, mobile, Internet and data communications. This monopolistic control has stifled innovation and retarded expansion. The government tries to encourage foreign investment in a broad range of industries by allowing foreigners up to 100% equity ownership. However, there is no official schedule for the privatisation of the national carrier and the introduction of competition, but once this happens, the potential to satisfy unmet demand in all service sectors is huge. A management contract with France Telecom has led to dramatically improved performance by ETC and is seen as a first step towards privatisation.
Market Highlights:
ETC transforms under management contract with France Telecom;
Detailed profile of the monopoly service provider in all market sectors;
Financial results 2010/11;
Strong revenue growth despite drastic price cuts;
Forecasts for mobile and Internet markets to 2013 and 2016;
Multi-billion US$ investments planned before 2012.
More than tree hugging: Green companies earn more 'green' new study showsPublic release date: 27-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Edward Conlon conlon.6@nd.edu 574-631-9295 University of Notre Dame
Using LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings increases revenue generated by bank branches even when they offer the same products and services, according to a new study coauthored by University of Notre Dame management professors Edward Conlon and Ante Glavas.
In their study of 562 PNC branches (93 LEED, 469 non-LEED), "The Relationship between Corporate Sustainability and Firm Financial Performance," Conlon and Glavas found that PNC employees who work in LEED-certified branches are more productive and engaged in their work.
Although they're not yet certain if it's because LEED buildings are more attractive to visit or because their employees are more satisfied, and consequently providing better service, Conlon and Glavas find that sustainability equals a big difference to the bottom line at LEED bank branches-- $461,300 per employee after controlling for other variables that influence performance (e.g., consumer net worth, employee demographics, market demographics, size and age of branch, marketing spend).
The findings support a growing body of research that shows social responsibility and sustainability don't have to be sacrificed for the sake of profitability. In fact, companies increasingly are finding just the opposite: They can achieve revenue or job growth while maintaining a high environmental and social impact.
"It's a significant finding, and it surprised me," says Conlon, associate dean and Sorin Society Professor of Management. "We compared the amount of money deposited at LEED and non-LEED branches, and we found more money has been deposited in the LEED branches. We divided the amount by the branches' total number of employees to come up with a per-employee dollar amount."
Most other studies on the business impact of sustainability have been conducted by companies whose products have ties to environmental concerns or that have become more sustainable as a reaction to stakeholder pressure and regulation, the researchers point out. Banks have no such ties, so whether considering a checking account, savings account or loan, the bank's sustainable strategy - or lack thereof - doesn't directly affect the product. Furthermore, PNC's sustainability strategy was not reactionary, but rather a voluntary and visionary move to enhance its reputation, physical banking and working environment, as well as build pride among employees.
Also, says Conlon, the study uses firm accounting data to determine financial effects, while most others examine changes in market valuation. He says PNC was the ideal subject for their research for several reasons.
"PNC has built more than 100 LEED-certified buildings, which is more than any other US company," Conlon says. "So, PNC is perfect for a LEED study because they have a lot of them and the branches all do the same thingsame products, same systemsthe only thing that's different is the LEED strategy."
The researchers say the strategy is working, whether it's because the buildings look better or the people inside are more fulfilled.
"We think it's a mix of the two," Glavas says. "People are certainly proud to be working in LEED buildings."
"Suffice it to say, I think PNC is getting a payback on its LEED investment," Conlon says.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
More than tree hugging: Green companies earn more 'green' new study showsPublic release date: 27-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Edward Conlon conlon.6@nd.edu 574-631-9295 University of Notre Dame
Using LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings increases revenue generated by bank branches even when they offer the same products and services, according to a new study coauthored by University of Notre Dame management professors Edward Conlon and Ante Glavas.
In their study of 562 PNC branches (93 LEED, 469 non-LEED), "The Relationship between Corporate Sustainability and Firm Financial Performance," Conlon and Glavas found that PNC employees who work in LEED-certified branches are more productive and engaged in their work.
Although they're not yet certain if it's because LEED buildings are more attractive to visit or because their employees are more satisfied, and consequently providing better service, Conlon and Glavas find that sustainability equals a big difference to the bottom line at LEED bank branches-- $461,300 per employee after controlling for other variables that influence performance (e.g., consumer net worth, employee demographics, market demographics, size and age of branch, marketing spend).
The findings support a growing body of research that shows social responsibility and sustainability don't have to be sacrificed for the sake of profitability. In fact, companies increasingly are finding just the opposite: They can achieve revenue or job growth while maintaining a high environmental and social impact.
"It's a significant finding, and it surprised me," says Conlon, associate dean and Sorin Society Professor of Management. "We compared the amount of money deposited at LEED and non-LEED branches, and we found more money has been deposited in the LEED branches. We divided the amount by the branches' total number of employees to come up with a per-employee dollar amount."
Most other studies on the business impact of sustainability have been conducted by companies whose products have ties to environmental concerns or that have become more sustainable as a reaction to stakeholder pressure and regulation, the researchers point out. Banks have no such ties, so whether considering a checking account, savings account or loan, the bank's sustainable strategy - or lack thereof - doesn't directly affect the product. Furthermore, PNC's sustainability strategy was not reactionary, but rather a voluntary and visionary move to enhance its reputation, physical banking and working environment, as well as build pride among employees.
Also, says Conlon, the study uses firm accounting data to determine financial effects, while most others examine changes in market valuation. He says PNC was the ideal subject for their research for several reasons.
"PNC has built more than 100 LEED-certified buildings, which is more than any other US company," Conlon says. "So, PNC is perfect for a LEED study because they have a lot of them and the branches all do the same thingsame products, same systemsthe only thing that's different is the LEED strategy."
The researchers say the strategy is working, whether it's because the buildings look better or the people inside are more fulfilled.
"We think it's a mix of the two," Glavas says. "People are certainly proud to be working in LEED buildings."
"Suffice it to say, I think PNC is getting a payback on its LEED investment," Conlon says.
###
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.