Hudson Valley Seed Library -- Freebies!

Sew Local! Hudson Valley Seeds
The Hudson Valley Seed Library is a homestead-based farm and business devoted to developing a seed production network in our region. Using hand tools and low-tech processes, we cultivate dozens of varieties of agronomic plants on our own farm. We also collaborate with certified organic, certified naturally grown, and other small growers throughout our region to grow dozens of additional varieties. Our goal is to offer high-quality heirloom seeds to the public through both our Seed Library program and retail sale. This year we are offering over 25 varieties of locally grown seed. By 2014, we aim to offer 100% locally grown seed. We invite you to join us in this effort by growing our seeds in your own home garden. (If you join, you get 10 free seedpacks). Consider nasturtiums for your wedding favors. Check the blog comments for other local seed savers, including Baker Creek in Missouri

No dirty gold -- Norway delists Barrick

Norway finds Canada's largest publicly-traded company,Barrick Gold unethical.

BREAKING: Norway's Ministry of Finance announced it would exclude mining giant Barrick Gold and U.S. weapons producer Textron Inc from the country's pension fund for ethical reasons. This is an especially significant judgment for Canada, as Barrick Gold is currently Canada's largest publicly traded company... Gold mining produces an average of 79 tons of waste for every ounce of gold extracted, 50 percent of it is carried out on native lands, and about 80 percent of it is used for jewelry, according to the "No Dirty Gold" campaign, a project of Oxfam and Earthworks.