Attendance Needed at NY DEC Online Meeting August 27th on Legislation that Protects Pollinators! Dear New York Pollinator Pathway, You may remember the landmark law passed by New York in 2023, the Birds & Bees Protection Act (BBPA), which restricts the use of...
WESPAC Foundation supports Environmental and Food Justice with a separate listserv used for promoting upcoming events and discussion. WESPAC opposes fracking and two of our members have produced a documentary that highlights Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives on fracking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdwCKzqVRdQ. We have cultivated an extensive cooperative network of food justice activists around the county who seek to expand access to fresh, local food. We also partner with the Wassaic Community Farm CSA (Community Supported Agriculture): http://wassaiccommunityfarm.com. To get involved or for more information, please contact the office at 914.449.6514 or by email at [email protected].
Gardening Workshops
I have some exciting news. The farmers at Hilltop Hanover have offered to do an educational series on a variety of topics, and they are flexible regarding the date, time, and location. A few potential ideas are:...
STREAM wants $1.44 billion for Monster Data Center
Dear Allies, We are in a critical phase of the campaign to STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center. And the outrages keep piling up. Yesterday, we learned that STREAM US Data Centers and their financial backer Apollo Global Management have submitted a new request for...
Bring Packaging Reduction Act to a VOTE
Dear friends, Please help us get 10k New Yorkers to sign a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to bring the Packaging Reduction Act to a vote. There are two ways to sign: 1. Sign via Action Network: bit.ly/heastie-prria-letter 2. If you aren't able to drive...
From the Native Plant Center
Register Today for March 16 Conference Find Out What's Trending in Native Garden Design Native plants are gaining in popularity. Discover how to add ecological value to your landscape at The Native Plant Center's 2026 Spring Landscape Conference, Native Garden Design:...
Plastic, Plastic Everywhere
Gift Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/climate/plastic-plastic-everywhere.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OlA.MSnv.ZPbOBeF-fNDa&smid=nytcore-android-share
Clean Energy Workforce Training Program
Sustainable Westchester, in partnership with Healthy Home Academy, is offering a FREE 5-week Clean Energy Workforce Training program. No experience is required. Participants receive hands-on training, stipends, and job placement support for careers in heat pumps and...
Rally Outside NYPA Headquarters in White Plains to protest STAMP
https://www.lohud.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2025/12/09/rally-outside-nypa-headquarters-in-white-plains-to-protest-stamp/87685160007/
Energy Savings Session
Film about the history of the Hudson River
Thank you for the info, Sister Carol! From John Lipscomb: This film took us 4 years to make but it's finally done! It was received well at the Woodstock Film Festival here in the Hudson Valley a few weeks ago and the next screenings are coming up soon in New York City...
WESPAC on Facebook
Friday, October 9th at 6pm at the Barn at Vassar College! RSVPs required at [email protected]. Contributions for the farm collective can be made ahead of time. We can also arrange car pools.The WEBATUCK VALLEY FARM COLLABORATIVE (WVFC), established in 2023, is a regional food sovereignty and farm cooperative development initiative rooted in a larger movement for cultural reclamation, economic & racial justice, and community healing. Rock Steady Farm, Sweet Freedom Farm, and WILDSEED Community Farm & Healing Village leveraged a ten-year partnership to transform local farming, economic opportunity, and food access. They aim to remove barriers to entry for Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ beginning farmers in ways that support the prosperity of our communities and the future of our planet.The current food system is built on exploited labor and land, leaving many hungry and malnourished despite excess and waste. WVFC works with communities within, against, and beyond this broken system to build resilient local economies. Their organizations collaboratively support New York State farmers through land access, training and apprenticeships, shared infrastructure, equipment and product aggregation, advocacy, community events, and employment. They advance land-based liberation by training young land stewards, supporting beginning farmers with land access, growing nutrient-dense and culturally relevant food and medicine, and distributing their harvests to families impacted by food scarcity or state violence.This year, that vision takes physical form. They are renovating two barns—one at Rock Steady which will winterize the barns, expand the cold storage three fold for aggregation, build much larger wash-pack space with new equipment, a retail store and new CSA pick-up, Rock Steady staff space and workplace kitchen, short term housing for all the trainees and facilitators and so much more. The barn at Wildseed will be home to a gorgeous event space, and an added value commercial kitchen. Sweet Freedom Farm will be stewarding grain processes equipment and grain processing space that has been a significant need of small to mid-sized grain producers in the area.This shared processing infrastructure will expand the capacity of over a dozen BIPOC- and LGBTQ+-led farms to wash, store, and process food year-round. It's an investment in a more resilient future where farmers across the region can enter a food system designed for their success.The Elias Foundation is kindly subsidizing the cost of the dinner so that more of the proceeds can support the farmers' fund! @followers
Friday, October 9th at 6pm at the Barn at Vassar College! RSVPs required at [email protected]. Contributions for the farm collective can be made ahead of time. We can also arrange car pools.The WEBATUCK VALLEY FARM COLLABORATIVE (WVFC), established in 2023, is a regional food sovereignty and farm cooperative development initiative rooted in a larger movement for cultural reclamation, economic & racial justice, and community healing. Rock Steady Farm, Sweet Freedom Farm, and WILDSEED Community Farm & Healing Village leveraged a ten-year partnership to transform local farming, economic opportunity, and food access. They aim to remove barriers to entry for Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ beginning farmers in ways that support the prosperity of our communities and the future of our planet.The current food system is built on exploited labor and land, leaving many hungry and malnourished despite excess and waste. WVFC works with communities within, against, and beyond this broken system to build resilient local economies. Their organizations collaboratively support New York State farmers through land access, training and apprenticeships, shared infrastructure, equipment and product aggregation, advocacy, community events, and employment. They advance land-based liberation by training young land stewards, supporting beginning farmers with land access, growing nutrient-dense and culturally relevant food and medicine, and distributing their harvests to families impacted by food scarcity or state violence.
All are welcome and please share widely. We have several new people to WESPAC this summer. This gathering on September 16th would be a lovely introduction to the broader social justice community: @followers