Yearly Archives: 2017

By Amy Sohner, Executive Director, Bluegrass Greensource

On October 14^th, the Nicholasville Farmers’ Market hosted its first annual Farm to Fork Dinner at the Jessamine County Fair Grounds in Nicholasville.  More than 100 people attended to help support the Farmers’ Market as well as the Jessamine County Food Bank and Bluegrass Greensource. 

The dinner was prepared and designed by Scott Anderson, Madison County Public School’s Food Service Director.  The menu included produce and beef from local producers, and was absolutely delicious! 

The live auction included items such as an artistic rain barrel, a basket of mixes donated by Wisenburger Mill, a print donated by Taylor Made Farm, and numerous items donated by the Farmers’ Market vendors. 

Bluegrass Greensource would like to thank the Nicholasville Farmers’ Market, the Jessamine County Extension service and Chef Scott Anderson for making the night such a success.  We can’t wait until next year!

By Kyle Hager, AmeriCorps VISTA Member

As an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at Bluegrass Greensource, my primary duties often have me behind the scenes and in the office. But from time to time, I get to tag along with BGGS’ enthusiastic and capable environmental educators. These outings provide invaluable insights into the impact hands-on science education can have on young minds. My recent involvement in field trips to the Dupree Nature Preserve has reminded me of the importance of access to green spaces, to knowledgeable mentors, and to well-facilitated instruction. 

I got the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt activity in which I led groups of third and fourth grade students from Camp Dick and Nicholasville Elementary, along a trail through tall grass and forested area near the Kentucky River. Students were keen to observe and interact with real-life samples of plants, rocks, birds, mantises, and even spiders. Additionally, students were able to provide some of their own expertise, identifying tracks where animals such as deer had moved through the area, drawing on their own experiences with hiking and hunting.

Students also participated in miniature raft-building exercises, interacted with animal pelts and skulls, and learned about watersheds by creating their own in a pan. The teachers that accompanied the students on the field trips told me that this is one of their favorite outings of the year because it is often the only opportunity that many of the students get to access and learn about green spaces in a meaningful way. And the beautiful idea that struck me was that these students were not just going on yet another nature tour, but rather critically observing and interacting with their environment in a way that transcends a traditional classroom. Mushrooms growing on trees, the lay of the land, the flow of water, the buoyancy of a twig, all become powerful educational opportunities.

I’m grateful to have been a part of the Dupree Days activities, and to witness the curiosity and enthusiasm of young Kentucky students. It is my hope that BGGS and The Nature Conservancy can continue to provide educational programs like these in order to ensure that our young learners have purposeful learning opportunities outside the four walls of a classroom. And maybe I’ll get to escape the office and learn a thing or two myself!

By Deb Larkin, Environmental Educator, Bluegrass Greensource 

Emily Manier grew up near Crab Orchard, KY.  She attended Crab Orchard Elementary from Kindergarten through 8^th grade.  Her goal, from the time she realized that she wanted to teach, was to come back and teach at her alma mater, her “home” school.  Her teachers there had inspired her, and after graduating from Berea College, she came back.  She has always loved the friendly, welcoming atmosphere and the compassion shown the children at the school.  “The school is just small enough that you get to know the students well even before they get to your grade level”, she says.  All three of her own children have now graduated from 5^th Grade at Crab Orchard Elementary.

She feels that the “Leader in Me” and “Crayons to College” programs, as well as partnerships with outside organizations like 4-H and Bluegrass GreenSource, help their students branch out and find the leadership qualities that make them successful.  She says that “these wonderful resources allow our students to learn, broaden their perspectives, and be active in their community.” 

Ms. Manier has worked with Bluegrass GreenSource for the last 8 years of her 18 years teaching at Crab Orchard Elementary.  I have worked with her Science classes for 7 of those years, with monthly classes focused on Recycling (she sponsors the Recycling Team), Litter Abatement (her students do an annual litter clean up of the school grounds) and Water Quality.  This year her classes will also be participating in BGGS’s DEDI and Toyota Energy programs.  Working with Ms. Manier and her students is a highlight of each month for me.   They exemplify the “friendly, welcoming atmosphere” and an excitement about learning that keep me looking forward to returning.  Ms. Manier is carrying on the tradition as an inspiration for her students.

Kyle Hager – AmeriCorps VISTA 

Kyle is an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer member serving Bluegrass Greensource. He was raised in Owingsville, Kentucky, and has spent the last several years abroad in Spain and in San Francisco. He holds a BA in History and Philosophy (Morehead State University), and a MA in Linguistics (San Francisco State University), which he uses to inform his approach environmental ethics and communication. He enjoys playing mandolin, making candles, biking, nature photography, and trying to identify birds and plants. 

John Paul Beard – Community Education Intern

John Paul was hired as the Community Education Intern at Bluegrass Greensource. He was raised in a small town about 30 minutes outside of Lexington called Wilmore. He attended Bluegrass Community Technical College as an Environmental Science Technology student and gained an Associate Degree in Science. He is now attending the University of Kentucky as a Natural Resource and Environmental Science student. He works with members of Seedleaf to take care of the New Start Garden. John Paul also recently finished up working with the BCTC Balloon Team, a NASA sponsored research team focused on live streaming the total solar eclipse. He enjoys music festivals, taking care of his dog Bella, and hiking, gardening, or anything that brings him outdoors. 

Jennifer Lancaster – Public Relations Intern

Jennifer has many interests and several roles in Lexington, KY. She is pursuing a MA in French at the University of Kentucky, she helps to manage the London Ferrill Community Garden with Seedleaf, she works as a private piano instructor on the side, and now she has the pleasure of joining Bluegrass Greensource as their Public Relation Intern. She received her BA from Transylvania University in English Literature and French Language and Literature in 2013. When she has free time, she enjoys wandering in the Red River Gorge or in the Pinnacles in Berea. 

By Noel Osborn, Outreach Specialist, Bluegrass Greensource  

Commerce Lexington recently held its annual Salute to Small Business Awards. One of the 8 awards presented, the Green Initiative Award, honors small businesses that have prioritized the implementation of sustainable practices. According to the official criteria, demonstrated practices must include; “written policies, goals and metrics for green practices, provision or use of alternative energy and/or energy efficient products or services, or produce or manufacture a green product or service.”

This year’s Green Initiative Award was presented to Green Check Pilot Business, Bullhorn Creative.  Some of the initiatives that were highlighted at the ceremony include Bullhorn’s offering of a free bike to new employees, the composting of food waste, use of recycled office materials, and the conveniently located bike parking that is also made of recycled bike wheel frames.

You can learn more about Commerce Lexington’s Salute to Small Business Awards and Bullhorn Creative here.