“More than anything, automation has made work more manageable, and also it’s made the management of items and data more simple,” says Randy Talley, co-owner of the certified green and sustainability-focused Green Sage Cafe.
Great endings & fresh starts: Final days to help Give!Local nonprofits
As the two-month campaign nears its close, donations are surging toward the philanthropic project’s second-year goal of $60,000. Anyone thinking about making a donation is urged to do so quickly. The effort to raise funds for 47 outstanding WNC nonprofits ends at the stroke of midnight, Dec. 31.
When the breaker flips: A vegan love story
From the Get It! Guide: John, a self-described “poster child for carnivores,” may seem like an odd match for Ann, a devoted vegan. But Ann’s beliefs inspired a change in John’s lifestyle — one that John says saved his life.
Pioneering exchange economy with Julie Osburne
From the Get It! Guide: Julie Osburne traveled the country as a busker — exchanging goods and skills with those she met. That gave her the idea to found the sharing economy website, Exchange Tree.
Talking youth education with Dawn Chávez and Asheville GreenWorks
From the Get It! Guide: Asheville GreenWorks’ new executive director may be new to Asheville. But her roots in environmental education go all the way back to childhood exploration in NYC.
Bruno Hinojosa and the work of COLA
Form the Get It! Guide: The Coalition of Latin American Organizations seeks to raise the voice of Western North Carolina’s immigrant communities.
Welcome home: Veterans Healing Farm connects returning veterans to their community
From the Get It! Guide: John Mahshie says he realized the value of the exercise, healthy eating and time spent in the sun that comes with farming — and what that could mean for veterans experiencing isolation or even suicidal thoughts as they struggle to reintegrate into civilian life. “It’s a natural fit for this sort of healing,” he says.
Long-term growth: Lisa Thomson and The American Chestnut Foundation
From the Get It! Guide: Lisa Thomson, the new CEO of The American Chestnut Foundation, says its an exciting time to be a part of TACF. For the first time in the organization’s more than 30 year history, the American chestnut has a real hope of reviving.
The call of the bees: Phyllis Stiles on founding Bee City USA
From the Get It! Guide: Ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world? Well, according to Bee City USA founder Phyllis Stiles, the evidence of our power to change our environment for the better is literally (buzzing) all around us.
The Collider brings a collision of ideas to help businesses navigate climate change
From the Get It! Guide: For a business to succeed long term, it has to factor in supply and demand, market trends, technology and, according to one of Asheville’s newest ventures, climate change. The Collider calculates climate change data to present trend predictions as an asset for businesses new and old.
‘The food part and the soul part:’ Allison Casparian brings a holistic approach to food security
From the Get It! Guide: Allison Casparian has spent her entire adult life working in food. But it wasn’t until she experienced her own personal health crisis that she realized the power of nutrition and wellness.
Building Bridges confronts racism in Asheville
From the Get It! Guide: “I kept hearing about how diverse this community is, but I didn’t see it,” recalls Building Bridges co-chair Audrey Yatras of her 2006 move to Asheville. “We want to pat ourselves on the back, but we’re actually not diverse at all. “
B-Corps: Business as a force for good
From The Get It! Guide: The traditional view of business is severely limiting, if not destructive. To address today’s greatest challenges, we need to harness the power of business as a force for good.
Waste not, help more: The Haywood County Gleaners use excess to fight want
From the Get It! Guide: The Haywood County Gleaners currently work with 17 farms and farmers markets to gather leftover crops and donate them at 27 different sites, including senior centers and food pantries.
Communities grow together: A conversation with Sir Charles Gardner
From the Get It! Guide: Sir Charles Gardner, a founding member of Gardens United, talks about food and building community through agriculture.
A little bit at a time: Joshua Young rebuilds his life with the help of Green Opportunities
From the Get It! Guide: Joshua Young faced a difficult transition upon his release from a seven-year prison stint. “I said, ‘Joshua, what are you really going to do with your life?,’” Young recalls. At Green Opportunities, Young found the fair chance he needed to rebuild his life.
Carol Coulter and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture forge connections for small farms
From the Get It! Guide: Tried of the barriers facing new female farmers, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture joined together to form connections and overcome the learning curve.
Clean Energy For Us em’powers’ homeowners
From the Get It! Guide: Katie Bray from Clean Energy for Us discusses the campaign to make solar energy accessible and affordable to home owners.