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Austin Green Business Leaders Program, Texas Women in Agriculture, New Net-Zero Hero, and more!
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Going the extra mile
Why green business is good business

Whether you’re an established green business, or just getting started, the Austin Green Business Leaders program can help you protect what is great about our city. Since the program launched in 2012, it has grown to over 200 participating businesses, representing almost 40,000 employees and over 15 million square feet of office space. Joining the program means official recognition, being a part of the Austin Green Business Leaders network, attracting new customers, and more.

The program includes companies of all sizes; from businesses with just one person on the payroll, to Fortune 500 companies, and everywhere in between. Visit our website to see the breakdown of the types of businesses included in the program, and see which other businesses have joined.

The program accepts applications only once per year, so if you're thinking about joining, now is the time! Download and complete the scorecard, and return it to us by February 28.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING AN AUSTIN GREEN BUSINESS LEADER
Woman holding a small bird.

Celebrating Texas women in agriculture

Oftentimes women are unsung heroes in the world of farming. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, nearly one million women are working America’s lands. Together, these women are generating $12.9 billion in annual agricultural sales. In Texas, we have over 120,000 female farmers working 43 million acres, making up 33% of Texas farmers, with an $818 million economic impact.

Women have deep roots in our state’s agricultural community, and in order to help foster their continued involvement, it is vital to highlight and celebrate the crucial role they play. For this reason, we are partnering with Texas Farmers Markets to promote their Women in Agriculture project. Join us as we celebrate 11 female farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers that tell a story of Texas women in agriculture.

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Net-Zero Hero: Rosa Ríos Valdez, Rosa is pictured with a colorful mural behind her.

Meet Net-Zero Hero: Rosa Ríos Valdez

Meet Rosa Ríos Valdez, President and CEO of Business and Community Lenders of Texas (BCL). BCL helps community members and businesses reach their financial goals by offering coaching, classes, and help with financing. Formerly, Rosa worked at the Lower Colorado River Authority, where she learned a lot about energy efficiency and conservation. She has used this knowledge to inspire her team at BCL to incorporate sustainability both into the workplace and their daily lives. Rosa is passionate about taking care of the environment, and enjoys encouraging the businesses they work with at BCL to be good environmental stewards.

We spoke with Rosa about her commitment to Net-Zero, what her toughest challenges have been, and what advice she has for others looking to live Net-Zero.

READ MORE
Do you know a sustainable superstar who should be recognized as a Net-Zero Hero? Send your nominations to sustainability@austintexas.gov.
People at an event being served food.

Healthy food within reach: Austin's Fresh for Less program

In many areas of Austin, fresh, healthy produce can be difficult for residents to buy both in terms of proximity and affordability. To help address this issue, the City of Austin introduced the Fresh for Less program in collaboration with local non-profit groups. The goal of Fresh for Less is to make healthy food affordable and close to home, targeting areas of town that face barriers to accessing healthy food. Here's a closer look at the program's offerings:

Mobile Markets are "markets on wheels" run by Farmshare Austin, a local non-profit. They sell produce from local farms and staple goods like pasta, olive oil and beans at reduced prices. All markets accept SNAP benefits and offer the SFC Double Dollars program.

Farm Stands are community-run markets that are easily walkable to residents of the neighborhoods they serve. Community leaders run the stands in collaboration with the Sustainable Food Center selling produce from local farms at a reduced price. The SFC Double Dollars Program is offered at all farm stands to increase affordability.

Healthy Corner Stores, run by GAVA (Go! Austin / Vamos Austin!), are convenience stores and gas stations that offer more than the typical amount and variety of healthy food items, including fresh produce. The aim is to make healthier food more affordable and convenient.

Sign up for the Fresh for Less newsletter to get the latest updates on these programs.
 
VIEW THE MAP OF ALL FRESH FOR LESS LOCATIONS
Photo of woman in a field on a farm. Text reads: Jackie.

HELPING LOCAL FARMERS

The Farmer Emergency Fund helps support farmers like the ones featured in our Texas Women in Agriculture blog post. The fund supports farmers and ranchers during times of medical, environmental or other emergencies.
LEARN MORE
Westin Hotel at the Domain

NEW AUSTIN GREEN BUSINESS LEADER

The Westin Hotel at the Domain is our newest Green Business Leader! Since Mid-November, the Westin has donated over 3,500 lbs. of food to local Non-Profit Keep Austin Fed, which helps feed people in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. Welcome to the Austin Green Business Leader Family!
LEARN MORE
Austin Cave Festival Graphic

AUSTIN CAVE FESTIVAL

On February 10, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will host the Austin Cave Festival. This free, family-friendly event features hands-on activities, cave explorations, science and adventure presentations, live music, and more!
LEARN MORE
Stickwork art piece

NEW ART COMING TO PEASE PARK

Internationally-renowned artist Patrick Dougherty and a team of volunteers have been busy creating a whimsical art installation in Pease Park. The piece, titled Yippee Ki Yay, will be made using invasive saplings found in the area.

The work is part of the artist's Stickwork series of similar pieces he has created around the world. The grand opening is Feb. 10.
LEARN MORE

USEFUL LINKS

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City of Austin Office of Sustainability · PO Box 1088 · Austin, TX 78767 · USA

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