At the October 13th event All Thing’s Community: Celebrating Amherst in Transition, 26 community groups and individuals were recognized for their work building a more sustainable, vibrant and resilient community.
One of the aspects of Amherst and the surrounding towns that make this area so special is seeing how many are doing what we call “Transition” work. These groups and individuals that were recognized October 13th were just a few of the many who have been working hard and putting their heart and soul into making our community better.
We appreciate the contributions that all of the people and groups are making. It is the work, the dedication and the vision of those who came before us, and of all of these groups and individuals that has brought us this far, and on whose foundation we will continue to build a more resilient, vibrant and sustainable community.
Amherst Recycling Committee – subsidizing rain barrels and composters
Amherst Survival Center – providing services and goods for those in need
Ron Bohonowicz – Town and School Facilities Manager, installing energy efficient windows at the Middle School
Brookfield Farm CSA
Stephanie Ciccarello – Town Sustainability Coordinator, helping Amherst attain Green Community status which will fund new LED street lights; and helping organize the new Growing Food in Community initiative.
Collective Copies – a cooperative business which donates services locally
Food for Thought Books – cooperative business which provides public meeting space
John Gerber – who spearheaded a chicken regulations update; who teaches sustainable agriculture at UMass and is involved in many other resilience initiatives.
Green Amherst Project, Amherst College – improving energy efficiency and new farm initiative at Amherst College
Greening Grace, Grace Church – Fix-it Cafe, a recent mend and repair event
Green Sanctuary, Unitarian Universalist Society – Local Food Project
Hampshire College Farm CSA
Hitchcock Center for the Environment – for 50 years of nature and sustainability education
Many Hands Farm Corps CSA
John Musante –
North Amherst Community Farm– community effort to buy farmland
Not Bread Alone – serving three free meals a week
Old Friends Farm CSA
Pioneer Valley Heritage Grains CSA
Pioneer Valley Relocalization Project – educating through its column in the Amherst Bulletin, and advocating with town government for public transportation and an end to sprawl
Simple Gifts Farm CSA
Small Ones Farm CSA
South Congregational Church – prioritizing improvements in energy efficiency and installing solar PV panels
Transition Hampshire College
UMass Permaculture Project
