How to celebrate Earth Day everyday

 Earth Day is a great day to celebrate what the Earth has given us and what we can do to make the Earth a better place. You have the normal things like recycling, pick up trash on highways, try to me more aware but I want to give you some things you can do every day or regularly that will help the Earth and our lives on it.

1. Educate yourself. 

You can do this by listening to podcasts, reading books, learning about farming practices. I have been really interested in the farming practice of regenerative farming and agriculture. It's a movement that is all about soil health as a way to combat climate change. There is a regenerative agriculture podcast, and I was introduced to this through a film on Netflix call Kiss the Ground. 

The producers are also releasing a new documentary in limited series on Earth Day, April 22nd, called Common Ground. This is a follow up to the Kiss the Ground documentary. Currently Springfield is not on the release schedule for the theater. 

Regardless of what your interest. Do your research in better food practices. Whether it be technology in farming or regenerative, or single origin, or learning about food deserts. There are so many things involved in your food and it's important to be educated. 

2. Plant a garden

    

I wish I could do this one and had the talent for it, but I live in an apartment so no garden space. I do a little bit of herb plants in my apartment which I love using. There are so many types of gardens you can do. Vegetable gardens, herb gardens, pollinator gardens, and orchards or fruit trees are great options. Planting a garden is a great way to grow your own produce. Bonus, you can research ways to do regenerative gardening or organic to make the produce healthier without pesticides. If you plant a garden and have too much of something don't forget to hit up your friends and share in the wealth! I also love the idea behind a community garden and Springfield actually has one at least that I know of. This is a great idea for your community or neighborhood to be able to get the benefits of having a garden.

3. Buy Sustainably Produced Products and shop smarter 

How products are made is also important and not something we think of often. If it is sustainably produced it means it is produced in a way that protects the environment, makes efficient use of the natural resources, ensures farmers can support themselves, and enhances the life of the community including the animals. Being sustainably sourced is something that is now being labeled on packaging like my favorite rice company Lundberg has sustainably produced wild rice and brown rice blend. Another one of my sustainable companies to buy from is my favorite spice company Burlap and Barrel. You can research companies that use sustainable practices.

"As consumers, we have so much power to change the world just by being careful in what we buy." Emma Watson 

4. Shop local

Shopping local is a great way to help the environment. Shopping local reduces resources needed to get food to you at the grocery store. It is fresher, often organic, and you are buying directly from the person who farmed it. The downside is you have to rely on seasonal foods. Is this realistic to only buy locally maybe not if you want strawberries in December. But you can't beat the taste and quality of shopping local. I am challenging myself this year to make a whole meal out of food bought locally. 

This also includes your meat. There are a lot of local farmers that will sell you meat directly either by purchasing a portion of the animal or by buying specific cuts. The meat is fresher, you know the farmers so how the animals are raised, and you know exactly what you are getting. For example, I bought some beefalo at the farmers market yesterday. I bought ground meat. The farmer mentioned one thing that is better than store bought ground beef is that when you buy from the store what you actually are buying is a mix of meat from hundreds of animals but when you are buying locally you know exactly what you are getting. 

5. Raise livestock

This is of course not for everyone. A couple things that have really become popular since COVID I would say is raising chickens and bees. I know numerous people who do both. If you ever wanted to start raising livestock it is a great time to do it. There is some research involved in to see if it's the right thing for you. I wish I could raise chickens but not in the plans for me. But if you decide to try it or already do, invite me over! I love chickens, they are so cute! Even if you can't, buy your eggs locally. It seems like everywhere there are posts about people having farm fresh eggs. Raising bigger animals will of course involve quite a bit more and much more cost. This is not for everyone but if you can do it and have the desire to you should. There is some debate on whether this would be good for the environment, but the population of bees is in danger so if you would like to take care of bees that would only help. Chickens may not be in danger, but you can get eggs from them and if you have them or get your eggs locally that will help. 

6. Dine at Farm to Table Restaurants

Another great way to support local farmers is to dine at restaurants that are farm to table. Meaning, they purchase as much meat, dairy, and produce from local farmers. There are a few local restaurants that are farm to table. In Springfield you have Engrained and Luminary. In Petersburg, you have Mom and Pops and Broadgauge. In Jacksonville you have Proud Richards. Make sure you are supporting these local eateries that go out of their way to support the local farmer. 

A couple things to remember. We all must do our part to make this world a better place. We have to educate ourselves to know what to do. Any way that you can help will make a difference. It may not seem like it your only one person but if one person makes changes then the next person does and so on and so on. There will be a snowball effect. Overall, you may not feel like you do much, but every little bit helps. 

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."

Jane Goodall