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Alternatives
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OPPORTUNITIES & IDEAS
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Why Grow Local?
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We can start now by buying locally grown food whenever possible. By doing so you'll be helping preserve the environment, and you'll be strengthening your community by investing your food dollar close to home. Only 18 cents of every dollar, when buying at a large supermarket, go to the grower. 82 cents go to various unnecessary middlemen. Cut them out of the picture and buy your food directly from your local farmer. MORE >>
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Global demand lifts grain prices, gobbles supplies:
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The world is facing the most destabilizing bout of food inflation since the "Great Grain Robbery" of the early 1970s. North Dakota, the top U.S. wheat-producing state, may import from Canada due to tight supplies. Soaring demand, rising oil prices and government-mandated biofuel use have sent many commodity prices to their highest levels in history. MORE >>
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Seeding the way to better biofuels
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By Ángel Gonzlez Seattle Times business reporter
Fuels derived from crops are making inroads into the global energy mix, but many wonder whether the world has enough land to feed 6 billion mouths — let alone 600 million cars. Tom Todaro, founder of Targeted Growth in Seattle, says it has bred a stronger, taller variety of camelina, an oilseed plant that doubles as a biodiesel source. MORE >>
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Farmers Markets: Growing local, Selling local, Eating Local
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Farmers Markets is not a new concept. They've been around for years but with reports of tainted foods almost daily they are beginning to make sense and along with 100 Mile Diet it may be a real boon to rural areas. Check out the directory of Montana Farmers Markets. If there isn't one in your town -- start one!
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Montana Organic Program: Montana ranks 1st for certified organic wheat
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Historically, organic farms have been relatively small family-run farms — which is why organic food was once only available in small stores or farmers' markets. Now, organic foods are becoming much more widely available — organic food sales within the United States have grown by 17 to 20 percent a year for the past few years while sales of conventional food have grown at only about 2 to 3 percent a year. Read "Organic Farming Proves to be a Valuable Conservation System" Mikel Lund farm, Scobey, Montana
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Wheat Montana: A Montana Success Story
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The Folkvord family has been involved in agriculture for three generations. Through hard work, determination and good fortune, Wheat Montana Farms has become the model agriculture operation of the Northern Great Plains. Operations encompass 12,000 acres of the most productive soil in Montana. Today Wheat Montana is still Family owned and operated and consists of over 100 employees. MORE >>
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Energy
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What is Peak Oil?: Is it real and how will it effect us
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Peak oil is the point or timeframe at which the maximum global petroleum production rate is reached. After this timeframe, the rate of production will enter terminal decline. This does not mean oil will suddenly "run out", but the supply of cheap conventional oil will drop and prices will rise, dramatically. Peak Oil will affect every aspect of global industrial society that uses energy directly or indirectly. The price of gasoline is just one small part of the picture. MORE >>
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Geothermal Energy: Right in your own backyard
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Imagine a system that can both heat and cool your home, using a clean, renewable source of energy with no combustion to add pollutants to the atmosphere despite the fact that it can deliver heat, air conditioning and hot water with approximately 20%-50% more efficiency than most traditional cooling systems. Then imagine further that it's right in your own backyard. MORE >>
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Health & Fitness
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Obesity more dangerous than terrorism?
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Oxford Health Alliance Summit in Sydney: World governments focus too much on fighting terrorism while obesity and other "lifestyle diseases" are killing millions more people. Overcoming deadly factors such as poor diet, smoking and a lack of exercise should take top priority in the fight against a growing epidemic of preventable chronic disease, legal and health experts said. MORE >> http://www.foodfacts.info/blog
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Keeping Your Brain Fit
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Why is exercise so good for the brain? Maybe for the same reason it's so good for the heart: its beneficial effect on blood vessels. Exercise may help prevent them. It also stimulates the production of proteins called growth factors, which promote the formation and growth of brain cells and synapses. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables have been linked to improved cognitive function; berries, for instance, seem especially beneficial in keeping brains spry. MORE >>
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Alternative Transportation
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Encouraging Two Wheel Communting
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Cities are accelerating their efforts to encourage commuting on two wheels, putting bike racks where cars once parked, adding bike lanes and considering European-style bike-share programs to get residents out of their cars. Cities are recognizing that it is a realistic and inexpensive solution to a lot of different problems — to the traffic issues, to pollution issues, to personal health issues because instead of sitting in cars for an hour you have people out burning calories." READ >>
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The biggest investment in cycling in London's history
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Nearly A Billion Dollars The Mayor of London announced the most ambitious program to transform walking and cycling in London’s history. The package of measures will create a new network of quick, simple, and safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians that will change the profile and priority of walking and cycling on London's streets. MORE >>
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© 2008 - Alternatives-Magazine and Mountain Publishing Website developed by M.E. Questions contact dennisk@nemont.net
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Current
Over $2.5 Million Economic Development Projects in Eastern Montana MDC awards economic development grants to five projects in Big Timber, Columbus, Glendive, Wolf Point, and Havre during a three day tour of eastern Montana.
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Wind for Schools Program Seeks Financial Support The Department of Energy has selected Montana as one of five states to participate in the inaugural year of the Wind for Schools Program.
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Communities to Receive Commerce Funds for Tourism Related Events Seven Montana communities will receive a total of $61,500 in grant funding from the Special Events Grant Program (SEGP), through the Montana Department of Commerce. March 19, 2003
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Big Sky Innovation Launches new website www.bigskyinnovation.org a new resource to help meet the needs of the state’s rapidly growing technology business sector. The website is designed specifically to deliver innovative technology. March 3, 2008
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Montana Department of Commerce has awarded $15,000 in funding from the Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development (CDBG-ED) Program to Butte-Silver Bow County. Posted March 3, 2008
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MFU Offers $2,500 in Scholarships for 2008 The Montana Farmers Union (MFU) is offering a total of five educational scholarships of $500 each to be awarded to deserving Montana Farmers Union members. Posted January 28, 2008
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Funding for Economic Development Projects in Deer Lodge Governor Brian Schweitzer will announce two economic development grants for the Deer Lodge community on Tuesday, February 5th. Posted January 28, 2008.
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Hats Off to Froid! Community Center Contract Awarded The community of Froid, MT, is fast approaching the reality of the brand new 7,200 square foot Froid Community Center and Firehall. Posted January 18, 2008
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Seed Cost Reimbursement for First-Tme Camelina Growers Farmers who plant camelina for the first time can get their seed costs reimbursed if they farm in the 32 counties of northern and eastern Montana. Posted January 18, 2008
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Awards over $1.1 Million in Workforce Training Funds The Department of Commerce has awarded more than $1.1 million dollars in Workforce Training Grants (WTG) to four Montana businesses in Billings, Great Falls and Hobson.
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Can Aging N.D. Resist Change Amid Immigration Debate? More than 1,400 miles from the nation's southwestern border the conflicts many communities face in dealing with an aging workforce are exposed in North Dakota.
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Targeted Growth and Green Earth Fuels Announce Landmark Deal Launching the single largest U.S. contract for the unique biodiesel-specific feedstock. Nearly all of the initial Camelina production is expected to be grown in Montana.
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Montana Department of Commerce Awards $286,277 Chinook, Hobson, Malta, Roundup and Cooke City were awarded a total of $200,000 and $86,277 to the Chippewa-Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.
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MONTANA HEADLINE BRIEFS
Trials and triumphs of living "green"
on a small ranch in New Mexico
When Doug Fine isn't chasing wily coyotes away from the
chicken coop, keeping his goats out of the vegetable garden
or just breathing a sigh of relief that he survived the latest
hailstorm or flash flood, he's kicking back and feeling good
about life. MORE >>
USATODAY 03-25-08
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America's grasslands vanishing amid
agricultural boom
The USA's open plains and prairies are threatened by
soaring grain prices that have increased their value as
cropland. Grain prices have been driven up by a seemingly
insatiable worldwide appetite for food and by federal energy
policies promoting corn-based ethanol that are working at
cross purposes with government programs designed to
conserve open spaces. MORE >>
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New GeoTourism Mapguide
Spotlights 'Crown of the Continent'
Travelers who seek unspoiled places and culturally
authentic experiences have a valuable new resource in a
“Geotourism MapGuide” for the Rocky Mountain region
surrounding Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park,
including areas in Alberta, British Columbia and Montana.
MORE >>
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Get ready for higher food bills:
Farmers to plant less corn
Farmers are expected to plant 86 million acres of corn this
year, the government predicted Monday, down 8% from
2007, when the amount of corn planted was the highest
since World War II. The decreased supply could drive corn
prices even higher — a cost for food producers that could
be passed on to consumers. MORE >>
USATODAY 3-31-08
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Savvy farmers open the gate to
agritourism
How rich is the smell of fermenting manure on Joel
Salatin's Shenandoah Valley spread? A thousand bucks for
a few whiffs.
That's what Salatin, 51, the second-generation owner of
Polyface Farm, commands for a two-hour, personally
escorted tour of what may be the most famous
family-owned pastures in America. MORE >> USA Today
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U.S. consumers rank last in
world survey of green habits
Americans rank last in a new National Geographic-sponsored
survey that compares environmental consumption habits in 14
countries.
Americans were least likely to choose the greener option in three
out of four categories — housing, transportation and consumer
goods_ according to the assessment. In the fourth category, food,
Americans ranked ahead of Japanese consumers, who eat more
meat and seafood.
The rankings, called "Greendex," are the first to compare the
lifestyles and behaviors of consumers in multiple countries,
according to the National Geographic Society. MORE>>
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The world’s first home ethanol system was unveiled by
the E-Fuel Corporation (www.efuel100.com), allowing
consumers to create their own ethanol and pump it
directly into their cars.
The revolutionary EFuel100 MicroFueler™ is the first
product that allows anyone to reduce their dependency
on oil, greatly diminish their carbon footprint, and
produce fuel for under $1.00 per gallon. MORE >>
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E-Fuel Unveils World's First Home Ethanol System
Trash, rubbish, whatever you call it, the 1.6 billion tons of
stuff the world throws away each year -- 250 kilograms
per person -- is being touted as a big potential source of
clean energy
As concerns about climate change escalate and prices
on fossil fuels like oil and natural gas soar to record
levels, more companies are investing in ways to use
methane gas to power homes and vehicles.
MORE >>
Garbage is dirty, but is it a clean fuel?
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Legendary Texas oilman, T. Boone Pickens
wants to drive the USA's political and
economic agenda, and has taken the wraps
off what he's calling the Pickens Plan for
cutting the USA's demand for foreign oil by
more than a third in less than a decade. To
promote it, he is bankrolling what his aides
say will be the biggest public policy ad
campaign ever. The website,
pickensplan.com, is now live!
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens wants to supplant oil with wind
When USA TODAY asked readers to report how they are
coping with higher grocery bills while still eating
healthfully, dozens of people responded with lists of ways
they're cutting costs. Their ideas range from curtailing
restaurant meals to planting gardens, using coupons,
shopping smarter and cooking more economical meals.
MORE >>
As food costs soar, it's back
to basics for meal planners
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School administrators are spinning their wheels trying to
cope with the soaring costs of fuel for school buses.
Fuel costs are up 35%-40% since last year. Schools are
making more students walk to school and axing buses for
extracurricular activities, and more operate on four-day
weeks. MORE >>
Schools cutting bus service
because of fuel prices
Whitefish, Kalispell Fastest
Growing Cities in the State
Scobey and Plentywood at the Bottom with a 17% Drop
New census statistics show that Whitefish is the fastest
growing Montana city since the start of the decade, while
Billings remains the largest. Of places with at least
1,000 residents at the start of the decade, Scobey and
Plentywood were at the bottom with a 17 percent drop.
MORE >>
Whitefish population increased by 60.6% from the
2000 census to 8,083 residents by 2007.
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Census Management Positions Available
The U.S. Census Bureau, Denver Regional Census Center (RCC), has begun the process of filling
management positions for the Billings Local Census Office set to open in October and for one Regional
Technician for the state of Montana. MORE >>