Published 08-22-07
Submitted by Frontier Natural Products Co-op
NORWAY, Norway, IA - August 21, 2007 - On a fifty-acre "classroom" in Ontario, kids are getting a hands-on education in sustainable technologies that could help meet the environmental challenges of the future. Frontier Natural Products Co-op, a leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of natural and organic products, has donated $10,000 to help expand the Everdale Environmental Learning Center's Farmer for a day program. The program provides an interactive experience that turns kids' curiosity about plants, animals and where their food comes from into a basic understanding of sustainable farming and animal care. Frontier's popular Simply Organic(R) seasoning line provided the donation from a fund of one percent of its sales set aside for the support of organic farming.
Frontier, an avid promoter of sustainable products and sustainable agriculture, has found a kindred spirit in the non-profit Everdale learning center. Everdale teaches sustainable living practices on a working organic farm with mixed livestock, a model ecological home, classroom space, forests and meadows. The center maintains demonstration models of operating, sustainable technologies and has teachers who are specialists in areas such as straw-bale construction, solar and wind systems, farming, and eco-landscaping.
"We are happy for an opportunity to support a program so in tune with our values of organics and sustainability," says Kathy Larson, Frontier's vice president of sustainability. "Everdale's new Farmer for a day program gives kids valuable hands-on experiences that encourage them to think about food, farming, and health. Perhaps this program will develop some of the future environmentalists and concerned citizens we need to solve our ecological problems."
Everdale Education Coordinator Karen Campbell says her organization believes donor's dollars are an investment in the future. "Frontier's donation to Farmer for a day will help us provide meaningful environmental lessons that will have a long-term impact," she says. "Giving kids this kind of science and agricultural curriculum is essential to finding innovative solutions for a sustainable future."
The Farmer for a day program focuses on providing a general understanding of the origins of our food supply and food systems, as well as experience in organic growing on the farm. Students spend much of their time outdoors on the farm and are asked to bring items such as old clothes, boots or shoes that can get muddy, work gloves and sunscreen. Participants usually leave with dirt under their fingernails and new understanding of the methods -- and possibilities -- of sustainable agriculture, energy and construction.
While Frontier contributes regularly to projects and organizations promoting sustainability all over the world, Larson says it's especially exciting to be getting the message out to young people. "With Everdale, we are helping educate a new generation to understand and respect our soil, air, water and biodiversity," she says. "We're going to need a lot of kids like that."
Frontier Natural Products Co-op(TM)
Founded in 1976 and based in Norway, Iowa, Frontier Natural Products Co-op(TM) offers a full line of natural and organic products under the Frontier, Simply Organic(R), Aura Cacia(R) and Aura Cacia Organics(R) brands. Products include culinary herbs, spices and baking flavors; bulk herbs and spices; and natural and organic aromatherapy products. Frontier's goal is to provide consumers with the highest-quality organic and natural products while supporting and promoting social and environmental responsibility. For more information, visit Frontier's website at www.frontiercoop.com.
Simply Organic(R)
Simply Organic(R), an all-organic brand from Frontier Natural Products Co-op(TM), offers an extensive and growing selection of certified organic spices, seasonings and baking flavors while supporting organic agriculture around the globe. Simply Organic offers the industry's only comprehensive line of organic seasoning mixes. All bear the USDA logo showing they meet the USDA requirements for organic products. By providing the best available organic seasonings and donating one percent of sales to a fund that supports organic farming, Simply Organic genuinely offers a quality lifestyle choice. Find out more about Simply Organic at www.simplyorganicfoods.com.
Everdale Environmental Learning Center
Everdale is a non-profit environmental learning center situated on a 150-acre organic farm in Ontario, Canada. Its purpose is to teach sustainable living practices and operate an exemplary organic farm. Everdale provides over 25,000 hours of sustainability training each year for people of all ages and backgrounds, including hands-on farm apprenticeships, weekend courses and workshops, family-oriented events like tree plantings and picnics, school programs, and educational tours for the public. For more information, go to Everdale's website at www.everdale.org.
Founded in 1976 and based in Norway, Iowa, Frontier Natural Products Co-op™ offers a full line of natural and organic products under the Frontier, Simply Organic®, Aura Cacia® and Aura Cacia Organics® brands. Products include culinary herbs, spices and baking flavors; bulk herbs and spices; and natural and organic aromatherapy products. Frontier's goal is to provide consumers with the highest-quality organic and natural products while supporting and promoting social and environmental responsibility. For more information, visit Frontier's website at www.frontiercoop.com.
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