Biz Bulletins

Minneapolis-based Voyageur Press, a publisher of quality books on subjects of rural living and self-sufficiency is planning for 2014 publication a book tentatively titled Extraordinary Goats. This book will be chock full of historical illustrations and modern photos of goats doing what goats do — riding motorcycles, surfing, climbing trees, headbutting, and strutting their stuff in barnyards and on city promenades. The text is a lighthearted history of goats, their behavior and personality, and their symbolism in pop culture.

In short, this will be the ultimate, illustrated celebration of everyone’s favorite barnyard friend. To make this the best goat book ever, we’re crowd-sourcing anecdotes and photographs from folks who have spent a good deal of time around our caprine friends. The stories can range from humorous to heart-warming and detail everything from remarkable run-ins to life-changing epiphanies. The photographs will ideally depict goats engaged in “human” activities.

We can’t pay you for your submissions, but if they’re used we’ll certainly credit you alongside them in the book and provide a complimentary copy upon publication. Photographs must be at least 1MB, but preferably larger. Please email submissions to Michael Dregni.

Excerpted/edited versions of submitted stories may also be posted at The Blaaag.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. MOTHER EARTH NEWS does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.

It’s that time of year again; time to start thinking about your leaf covered lawn and how you’re going to manage it. You could do what you normally do — fumble with your hands and rake to fill your paper yard waste bag, then compress the leaves down with your leg (without losing your balance!) to try to make more space in the bag. Or you could do the sensible thing: use the BagPacker! The BagPacker is the only 3 season, 3 in 1 yard- debris-clearing system on the market. The BagPacker clips to the inside of your bag to create stability, serves as a scooping tool to pick up yard debris and deposit it quickly and accurately into the bag, and compresses leaves down to double the amount of yard debris that can fit into one standard yard waste bag.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. MOTHER EARTH NEWS does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

Ross Rademacher, Co-Owner and General Manager of the locally owned and operated Montana Radio Company, awarded over $120,000 of sustainable products to two Missoula, Montana home owners and one Missoula non-profit organization. “Media is a change agent. The challenge in 21^st century media is how do we use that power? I believe it’s imperative that we find ways to positively impact our local communities.”  

The “Cool Green Home Project” is in its fourth year with over $440,00 of sustainable products awarded. Rademacher started this project with a simple idea; take an existing Missoula home and create a showcase for energy-efficient and sustainable products offered by local businesses. The idea has grown to be the reality for 12 homes. 2012 a local non-profit organization was added.   Two more winners will be chosen this May. 

Prizes awarded range from landscaping, energy star appliances and water systems to environmental flooring, roofs and solar systems. Not only do the recipients receive the prizes, a professional contractor schedules and oversees the construction.

For each year of the program, 150 to 250 people have applied. The extensive questionnaire asks the applicants to explain why their home should be the “Cool Green Home”.  Because Missoula and the surrounding communities are low population areas, “The chances are good you will know many of the applicants.” Rademacher laughs. A numbering system is in place so when the judging panel of four reads the application they only see a number. The list is paired down to around eight finalists. The judging panel and contractor do site visits to determine the potential of each home and ask a few more questions.

The winners are encouraged to spread the message of building and living in a more sustainable manner.  The winners are what makes this project such a success.  A winner in 2012 came to the door not sure what to expect. What she found was a camera crew, Rademacher and the news that she was the number one home choice for the “2012 Cool Green Home”. “I can’t believe it! I don’t know what to say.” she said with a few tears. “My husband’s parents bought this home from their parents and we bought it from them. It took everything we had to buy it. This is incredible that this is happening. I am so thankful.” Joslyn wanted to know why they were chosen. Rademacher said, “We asked you what would be the first thing you would do if you won.  You said, ‘Call my Mom’.  That made a difference.”

Rademacher is a marketer for certain. He will express his views on running a successful business as well as triple bottom line business models. He makes no apologies for being in the advertising business and he also makes no apologies for being a believer in building sustainably. With 20 years in the marketing field and a Masters in Environmental Studies, he’s confident he can speak to both. The “Cool Green Home Project” exhibits his belief that these life passions are not mutually exclusive.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. MOTHER EARTH NEWS does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.

Nokero International has been awarded the ‘Patents for Humanity’ honor by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The award is designed to recognize patent owners who use creativity, design, and ingenuity to solve humanitarian problems domestically and abroad.

“It is a true honor to receive this award,” said Nokero CEO Steve Katsaros, a patent agent and engineer who founded the company in 2010. “The recognition provides encouragement and support for innovators to pursue the goal of making a better life for the world’s least fortunate.”

Nokero received the award for its work using its patented solar lighting technology to replace harmful kerosene lamps, which are still widely used for lighting by the 1.3 billion people worldwide who live without electricity. The fumes from kerosene lamps emit 190 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year, and create respiratory and other health issues for those who burn them. More than 1 million people a year are killed in kerosene fires each year, and millions more are maimed or disfigured.

Nokero’s lights are designed to replace kerosene lamps. They are not only cleaner and safer, but they provide impoverished families with an alternative to the daily expense of kerosene fuel, which can consume up to 30 percent of a kerosene user’s income.

Nokero has created partnerships with businesses, governments, and NGOs throughout the world to bring the product to market according to the principles of social entrepreneurship. Patent protection has been critical to the company’s success in forming sustainable economies in the small-scale solar trade.

“Patents provide motivation for investment, not only of dollars but also of time and hard work,” Katsaros said.

The USPTO award is among several accolades and initiatives that have helped affirm Nokero as a leader in reducing energy poverty and increasing renewable energy use worldwide. The company has helped improved millions of lives and delivered products to more than 100 countries worldwide. Along with solar lights, the company also makes solar phone chargers and other products designed to reach those in impoverished regions.

About Nokero 

Nokero (short for "no kerosene") is a social enterprise that makes solar light bulbs and other products that are primarily for use in the developing world, where 1.3 billion people without electricity use dangerous, polluting, and expensive kerosene lamps for light. Nokero lights have helped millions of families impacted by illness and injury created by kerosene fumes and fires. Kerosene is also expensive, accounting for of up to 20% of an impoverished family’s income; Nokero is a leader in the global movement to relieve this financial burden and make small-scale solar affordable.

Nokero’s technologies are often sold by local entrepreneurs: at hawker’s markets in South Africa, through bread bakeries in Fiji, by boys on bikes in Nigera, by door-to-door saleswomen in Uganda, and through small hardware stores serving the 18,000 unelectrified Navajo households in the US. Since its founding in 2010, Nokero has already impacted millions of lives in more than 100 countries, and is working toward the goal of completely replacing kerosene lamps with solar-powered light.

About the USPTO’s Patents for Humanity project 

Patents for Humanity is an awards competition for patent owners and licensees. It is the USPTO's voluntary pilot program to recognize patent owners who apply their patented technology to address humanitarian needs. The program advances the president’s global development agenda by rewarding companies who bring life-saving technologies to underserved people of the world, while showing how patents are an integral part of tackling the world's challenges.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. MOTHER EARTH NEWS does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

Tractor Supply Company, the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, has announced it will be the exclusive retailer of the Jonsered brand of professional grade chainsaws. This marks the first time this international brand of power equipment has been made readily available to US consumers.

As one of the world’s most respected brands of power equipment, Jonsered offers a range of premium chainsaw products for both professionals and occasional users with standard specialty features that include the Clean Power™ engine design that offers reduced exhaust emissions by up to 75 percent and an increase in fuel efficiency by up to 20 percent.

“Listening to our customers and hearing their needs has always been the way we do business at Tractor Supply, and it’s how we develop and maintain the relationships with our customers who live Tractor Supply’s Out Here lifestyle,” said Steve Barbarick, Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing at Tractor Supply. “Adding Jonsered’s line of professional grade chainsaws to our roster of outdoor power products exemplifies our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers.”

While Jonsered chainsaws are known for their legendary quality, the same high standard is applied in producing all Jonsered products. In addition to a minimum of six models of professional and consumer chainsaws at all store locations, the entire line of Jonsered power equipment will be available through special order at each store and online. Also, a professional-grade Jonsered backpack blower will be available at select retail locations.

In 1954, Jonsered produced the prototype for today’s modern chainsaw when it presented the world’s first lightweight, one-man chainsaw. World-class engineering, performance, dependability and ergonomic design for comfortable, efficient operation are the hallmarks of Jonsered power equipment, as they have been for more than five decades.

About Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply Company, listed on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange as TSCO, operates more than 1,175 stores in 45 states. Tractor Supply Company stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers. The company also serves the maintenance needs of those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Tractor Supply Company stores are located in the outlying towns in major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The company offers a comprehensive selection of merchandise for the health, care, growth and containment of horses, livestock and pets including select Purina and Nutrena brand feeds; a broad selection of agricultural products; and tools and hardware selected for our customers’ needs. In addition, the company sells light truck equipment, work clothing for the entire family, and an extensive line of seasonal products including lawn and garden power equipment products. For more information on Tractor Supply, access the website at www.TractorSupply.com.

About Jonsered

Jonsered is manufactured by the Husqvarna Group. The Husqvarna Group is the world’s largest producer of outdoor power products including chainsaws, trimmers, lawn mowers and garden tractors. Husqvarna is the European leader in consumer irrigation equipment under the Gardena brand. The Group is also one of the world leaders in cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. For more information please visit www.husqvarnagroup.com.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. MOTHER EARTH NEWS does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

Continuing its commitment to produce high-quality sub-compact tractors in the industry, Ventrac recently unveiled the newest addition to the model 4500 tractor, the 4500Y. The new 4500Y features a 25hp Kubota liquid cooled three-cylinder diesel engine.

Wayne Ressler, Sales Manager for Ventrac, said dealers and customers are excited for the release of the 4500Y. Ressler added, “Customers have been waiting with anticipation for our diesel powered tractor, as this is one of preferred fuel choices for many outdoor maintenance professionals.”

Ryan Steiner, Director of Engineering for Ventrac says, “We put extensive research and design into optimizing this tractor to perform at a high level.” Steiner adds, “we are excited to have a diesel option that has high torque and maximum performance capabilities while still meeting rigorous US EPA Tier 4 emission regulations for diesel engines.”

The model 4500Y maintains the same professional quality craftsmanship as all other Ventrac tractors, with features that include hydrostatic all-wheel drive, a center-pivoting-articulating frame, integrated weight transfer traction control, 30+ available commercial grade front-mounted attachments and patented hand controls. With the optional dual wheel kit, the 4500Y can operate on slopes up to 30 degrees.

With many available attachments, the 4500Y is perfectly suited for landscape contractors, municipalities, schools and universities who need to maintain large acreages of property all year round. The model 4500Y provides an excellent combination of power and versatility and comes backed with a two year unlimited warranty.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. MOTHER EARTH NEWS does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.

Organic, all-natural, pure farm-fresh artisanal foods are now available to be shipped directly from independently run family farms, without warehousing. America’s Farmstand, an online retailer dedicated to providing a direct link between family farms and consumers, now offers unprecedented access to produce, dairy, meats and other fresh foods and beverages.

Featured products include the award-winning Coach Farm goat cheese, Pearson Peach Farm fresh Georgia peaches, Balakian Farm Pink Oxheart organic blended heirloom tomatoes, Stonington Seafood Harvesters Bomster scallops, New England Provisions Maine lobsters, Engelbert Farms organic New York  strip steak, Noank Aquaculture Cooperative Mystic oysters, Divine Brine’s Devilish spicy dill pickles, Victoria’s Kitchen Almond Water, Pearson’s southern praline pecans, Arndt’s homemade fudge, The Grain Exchange homemade gluten-free blueberry muffin mix and Zoe’s Premium Canine Gourmet, among scores of other farm-fresh foods.

“I was raised in the country and had the pleasure of jogging past and interacting with farmstands every morning growing up. After moving to the big city, I was increasingly struck by how much was lost when food goes from a farm into the big, industrial food system,” notes Todd Greenfield, Founder and President of America’s Farmstand.

“I found myself asking farmers, ’What if?’ What if there were a way to get your vegetables, fruits, cheeses, organic meats and other fresh foods directly to the people who want them, rather than having them lose freshness traveling to — and sitting in — warehouses for days before being transported to supermarkets?”

America’s Farmstand is committed to creating a new and transparent system for locally grown food production, responsible farming and growing practices as well as, ultimately, promoting healthy, nutritious foods as the bedrock of a balanced diet. America’s Farmstand creates a one-to-one connection between consumers and its network of small, family-run farms vetted by 30 criterion including growing methods, sustainability practices, biodiversity, fair treatment of workers and absence of chemical inputs. The company partners only with farmers who are committed to preserving the integrity of their land, water and soil resources.

“We see a world in which consumers reconnect with a land that is free of toxins and environmental degradation. We hope to do our part in elevating the understanding of where food comes from and how it is grown,” Greenfield adds.

America’s Farmstand currently offers fresh, organic and fair-trade vegetables, fruits, cheeses, organic meats, seafood, nuts, honey, grapeseed oil, pickles, chocolate & candy, sauces & condiments, tea, baked goods and gluten-free options as well as sustainable greenery, beauty & bath products and ultra-premium dog food.

The company sources its fresh foods from independent farmers including Maple Lane Farms, Stonington Seafood Harvesters, Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, Wood Homestead Maple Syrup, The Noank Aquaculture Cooperative, New England Provisions, Coach Farm, L&E Farms, J.R. Liggett’s, Pearson Farm, Big John Leyden’s Tree Farm, Engelbert Farms, Braga Organic Farms, Twin County, Mixon Fruit Farms and Balakian Farms. All of the family farms are committed to environmentally conscious, sustainable growing methods.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. MOTHER EARTH NEWS does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.