BELLA ORGANIC FARM
During my first day on the
Northwest Study Tour I was able to visit a beautiful organic farm to witness
firsthand the hard work that goes into growing food in a more natural and healthy
way. According to the EPA, organic farming is a method where food is grown and
processed without using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. My classmates and
I visited Bella Organic Farm. It is a Certified Organic farm located in
Portland, Oregon. They currently grow
around 50 different varieties of fruits and vegetables. We got to see some
blueberries, strawberries, artichokes, and asparagus growing without the need
for harmful synthetic chemicals. The farmers discussed how there is more labor
involved in this method and that is why organic food is generally more
expensive. All of the hard work pays off in the end though. Growing food
without using tons of chemicals means that the customer gets a healthier
product and the farmland avoids having tons of chemicals to deal with. This
method of growing is more sustainable for the customers and the farmland. So
please, buy organic and support Bella Organic Farms and organic farms
everywhere.
PORTLAND STATE BUSINESS COLLEGE
We also visited Portland State
Business College to discuss their Master’s in Real Estate Development. A key
focus of this graduate degree plan is sustainability based development. Since
the trend for future development is to be sustainable, this degree plan is
propelling their students forward to be on the cutting edge of this trend.
Sustainability is more than protecting the environment; it is about community, economy,
and the environment. To cover all of these facets, the degree plan has a
multidisciplinary approach. The School of Business Administration and the
College of Urban Studies and Planning joined together to design this degree
plan. It covers urban theory, finance, policy, and project development.
CITY OF PORTLAND BUREAU OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY
During our class trip we visited
the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability for the city of Portland. The focus
of our discussion quickly highlighted two major projects. The first one was the
Climate Action Plan. This plan is a three year plan to put Portland and
Multnomah County on a path to achieve a 40 percent reduction in carbon
emissions by 2030 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050. This plan is about
creating goals that can be met early to achieve the long term goals. The plan
commits the city and county to 93 actions over the three year period so they
will be on track for their 2030 and 2050 goals.
The second major project was called the Portland Plan. This project
directs a path to a prosperous, educated, healthy and equitable city for the
next 25 years. The plan proposes ways for the city to work together on
difficult decisions. With these two projects in action the city of Portland is
being proactive in their goal of being a more sustainable place to live.
THE HEATHMAN HOTEL
Built in 1927, The Heathman Hotel
has a rich history. The hotel itself is a work of art, beautifully displaying
art from the moment a person enters the building. The impression a person might
have when experiencing the beauty of this hotel is that they are solely
committed to culture, but if a person was curious they would be happy to know
their commitment to the environment is just as comprehensive. The hotel
underwent a 99 percent landfill free remodel in April 2009. Their remodel
achieved 50 percent less water consumption in the guest rooms, 20 percent less
gas usage from showerheads, and diverted 15 tons of debris from landfills. The
hotel is committed to both culture and the environment. The Heathman Restaurant
uses fresh local produce and food whenever possible and their master chef is
considered to be a major contributor to the local food movement in Portland.
GREATER PORTLAND INC.
Greater Portland Inc. is a
regional economic development partnership driving quality economic growth and
job creation. This collaboration involves both the public and private sector of
the Portland-Vancouver Region. This unique partnership can be a strong force in
encouraging companies to use “Clean Tech”.
For the availability of green technologies to increase, there needs to
be growth in that market. Driving the region’s economic growth around this
principle is helpful for creating a more sustainable economy that encourages
the growth of sustainable technologies.
EARTH ADVANTAGE INSTITUTE
Earth Advantage Institute is
committed to making the built environment more sustainable. They use their
expertise to educate, promote, consult, and train individuals on sustainability
in a multitude of different certifications. The institute works with both
residential and commercial certifications. They are the nation’s leading
organization for green building and climate solutions for stakeholders in the
building industry. With institutes like this, information about certifications
and licenses can be found at one place and a less biased opinion on which one
is needed for a particular purpose will be found.
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