Eco in Action: Drowning Creek Farm

Organic - Local - Eclectic

"Everything's all natural," said Becky Enzor about her purposefully chosen, grown and harvested crops.  "We don't use chemicals anywhere.  I use only natural products that are organic." Enzor said. 

Shitake Mushrooms growing on Oak Logs

 About two hours south of Raleigh, in Fair Bluff, NC, Drowning Creek Farm - formerly a tobacco plantation belonging to the Enzor family for more than seven generations - is becoming a Southeastern resource for exotic, locally-grown fruits, vegetables and nuts

According to the web site, Drowning Creek Farm offers "Asian pears, English pears, blackberries, Shiitake mushrooms, Watermelon figs, Black Mission figs, persimmons, Butter pecans, Sweet Georgia pecans [and] quince, as well as an assortment of spreads, preserves and chutneys."

North Carolina's agricultural history is important to Enzor. Her production methods reinterpret the tradition - and expand upon it, "moving it forward into something that is brand new to this region," she said.  ( VU sample drowining creek)

"We are in the process of being approved by North Carolina Good Agricultural Practices in the food safety program and the water analysis program," the web site said. "Working with the Natural Resource Conversation Services, we have a developed a conservation plan for the entire farm."

 Uncompromising Quality            

Fig Appetizer: Midtowne Grill, North RaleighWhen it comes to the quality of her produce,  Enzor refuses to settle.  "I want people to know - when I send them something, they get exactly what I say it is. I have a one-hundred percent guarantee.

 "If you're not happy, you just keep it. You don't owe me a dime.

"I haven't had any sent back," she said.

Drowning Creek offers  "Added Value" products - organic, elegant  chutneys and preserves. "Our fig preserves are not just fig preserves. They're fig preserves in vanilla rum sauce. They're fig preserves with lemon and sage. Just different flavors to blend, and [to] enhance the fruit. It's a unique product."

 Always at Hand

Persimmons (Gorgeous)In March, the farm's web site featured a "fabulous combination of our figs," an appetizer created by Chef Scott James of Midtowne Grill in North Raleigh. 

To receive the produce fresh from the farm, customers can preorder by calling (910)649-5510. Fresh ingredients - sent overnight, nationwide - make great gifts.  

Visit  Drowning Creek online to see pictures and download recipes - and to use their new Harvest Tracker, which allows customers to follow the progress of the crops.  

"You can see when they were planted," the web site said, and "when the fruit first appeared on the trees and bushes.

"Best of all, you can see when it’s harvest time."

www.drowningcreeknc.com

Cheers, Everyone!

The earth is a sphere. It is round, enclosed: a circle. It is finite: it does not go on forever. It is quite clear that  we only have so much land, air, and water available to us on this planet. Quantifiable, our resources are. We can measure the earth's mass, the atmosphere's reach, and the ocean's depth. Just as we only get one life and one body, so we only get one planet*.  In order to ensure that future human generations are able to prosper and grow, our planet must cared for. We need the planet's air, earth, and water in order to live and love. 

Redress Raleigh exists to support designers of apparel and accessories whom all share in this realization, and who incorporate environmentally friendly practices into their designs. This is all in order to stimulate awareness and economic activity surrounding an idea that is crucial to prosperity of humanity. I am proud to, for the fourth consecutive year, congratulate the Redress Raleigh team, designers, and especially the supporters, for working together so beautifully surrounding this mission. Enjoy the select few photos from our 2012 show, below. 

 *Astronomy enthusiasts, please challenge

 

 

Cat Banjo: Local Fashion with a Philanthropic Mission

Cat Banjo started in 1994 in Southern Pines, NC.  Owner/Designer, Debbi Cochran opened a small boutique on the main street to supplement her wholesale jewelry business.  Cat Banjo was known for its unique one-of-a-kind jewelry and quirky gifts.  Alot of local artisans were represented as well.  In 2000, Cat Banjo expanded to Raleigh and opened a boutique in Cameron Village.

Cat Banjo is still locally owned and operated.  Debbi makes and sells her jewelry, painted glassware, and art alongside area artists and designers as part of an eclectic mix of accessories, clothing, and giftwares.  The boutique has a huge selection of one of a kind designs and caters to people looking for unique gifts.

A second year supporter of Redress Raleigh, the Cameron Village boutique features both PamOr Designs - represented in this year's Redress show - as well as Revamp, the clothing line by Redress co-producer Jamie Powell.  Other local artists are represented as well, and the shop uses local printer shop Seventh Dagger for all it's screenprinting needs.    

Local fashion is just part of Cat Banjo's mission.  About 4 years ago the store befriended several dog rescue groups.  One had a puppy named Macy (a young pitbull) that had been looking for a home.  Owner Debbi fostered Macy and brought her to work everyday.  This was a pre-Facebook era, so literally depended on word of mouth to find this girl a home.  After a week or so, a customer came in and instantly connected to Macy...the rest is a happy rescue history!  Soon after, Debbi inadvertently came upon 4 dogs that were supposed to be rescued but their foster situation fell through.  Again, the store stepped in...though this situation proved more challenging.  One of these pups had Parvo and had to be hospitalized.  She was nearly lost to this illness, but luckily she was in the care of Dr Wages at Care First Animal Hospial and pulled through.  Cat Banjo suddenly had an enormous vet bill and the need for 4 forever homes.  Slowly, over a period of 2 weeks... they collected donations, paid off the bill and found homes for all 4 pups!  This was their "aha" moment...

Sammy...found in a shelter, burned, abused and shot in the foot...yet, he never met a stranger and opened his heart to all...Cat Banjo had 5 happy dogs under their belt and a community of people willing to support their efforts. The store went full steam ahead... Debbi started with her focus on a shelter in Reidsville.  This was an 'open air' shelter and their adoption rate was practically zero.  If a dog ended up behind those bars...its days were numbered.   Cat Banjo rescued 13 dogs from Reidsville in 4 months. 

Almost 100 dogs later, Cat Banjo has accidentally found a successful formula...today, they are purposefull in their efforts and are dedicated to saving as many dogs as they can.  The store also hosts other rescue groups with meet and greets on the weekends! 

So, that is how the store slogan is "We make jewelry and rescue dogs".  Cat Banjo has certain merchandise that takes a portion straight to their rescue fund, such as the "Rescue Dogs Rock" t-shirts and hoodies, and fundraiser bracelets made in the store.  However, any money spent at this local boutique keeps their doors open to other local rescue groups and helps them spread their message of the vast benefits of adopting the next 4 legged member of your family.  photo by Tara Lynn

www.catbanjo.com

www.facebook.com/catbanjo

2043 Cameron St. Raleigh, NC 27605

(919) 833 6711

Eco in Action: TS Designs

This is the final article of three about TS Designs.

Over the last 35 years, a Burlington, NC  company, TS Designs, has created - with boldness, invention, and a bit of dramatic flair - a viable product line, an innovative printing process, and an enterprising approach to altruism that might - as word gets around - redefine the standard of corporate citizenship.

 Home-Grown Organic

In March, a North Carolina manufacturer spun the first yarn from the first - ever - certified organic cotton crop grown in North Carolina. Part of an age-old growing tradition, it's gone on to be knit, cut and sewn into TS Designs' latest manifestation of historic change.  

"We're now in the manufacturing process," Eric Michel, Vice President of Operations, said.

"We expect we'll be able to start delivering printed shirts to customers sometime in June," he said.

The Impossible: Been There, Done That

"The journey of growing organic cotton in North Carolina began about five years ago, when we were told it couldn't be done," said Henry in a recent press release.

"We want[ed] to work with domestic organic cotton producers," he said. "It [wasn't] available. So we're going to places like Pakistan and India to get our organic cotton." (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, 2010) "Most organic cotton is grown overseas, and 50 per cent of North Carolina's cotton gets shipped abroad."

"The global marketplace determines where cotton goes," Henry said. "You don't know if it goes to South America or North Carolina.

We started by making T-shirts from cotton grown in the state with a line called Cotton of the Carolinas,  knowing that eventually we could do the same thing with certified organic cotton grown here."

According to a 2011 CNN Report, TS Designs/Cotton of the Carolinas made 8,500 shirts in 2009, and made 26,000 in 2011.

The Impossible: Doing it Again

"In December, in Nash county, they harvested 40 acres and turned in 25,000 pounds of good quality cotton," Henry said. Two North Carolina farms - Hickory Manor Organics and Parrish Enterprises - harvested the state's first substantial crop of USDA Certified Organic cotton. 

TSD and fellow dirt-to-shirt participant, Mortex, supported the farms in an effort to provide the missing link in their fully-local, transparent supply chain. One aspect of that support was finding a buyer for every single pound. In order to keep it local, TSD hit the street , offering the crop to a few local groups and organizations.

Their goal was to sell enough cotton to make yarn for 3,000 T-shirts. According to the TSD web site, that number would ensure "demand to run a fabric lot...custom made."

"We committed to enough cotton to make about 5,000 shirts, and have pre-sold almost all of them," said Michel.

"It's exciting to see the finished product," Henry said. "To see it, we need to start locally."

The shirts will be "printed with our own, incredibly soft, environmentally-firiendly inks, and dyed with  low impact dyes," the web site said, promoting them as the most sustainable commercially-available shirts on the planet - a piece of history representing "over 700 jobs in NC," the web site said.

"How can people support TSD?  Buy our t-shirts!  We are a custom printed wholesale t-shirt provider that offers the most sustainable t-shirts and the most sustainable t-shirt options.  People can submit a quote from our Web site."  - Eric Henry, president, TS Designs

To purchase individual T-shirts, visit http://store.tsdesigns.com .

Meet the Musicians of Redress Raleigh's 2012 Benefit Show

The Redress Raleigh 2012 Benefit show is a couple days away and we can barely contain our excitement! This year’s show was artfully curated with feel-good hip hop music that is sure to get you onto the dance floor and showing off a few signature dance moves. The show’s featured artists are internationally recognized musicians with a passion to inspire others through their work. The benefit show helps raise the funds needed to put together our annual eco-friendly fashion show, taking place Friday, April 20th at CAM.  Here's a little more information about the awesome musicians who will be performing this Saturday, March 24th at Kings Barcade in downtown Raleigh, tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

CHARLIE SMARTS

Performing since 2001, Alexander Thompson is the man behind Charlie Smarts who presents positive strength of mind through his music. Charlie Smarts, inspired by all of his senses, believes music is therapy for both listeners and creators. You may know Charlie Smarts from his projects with Kooley High and Inflowential and as an opening act for Little Brother, Ghostface Killah, J. Cole, Wyclef Jean, Flo Rida, Dead Prez, Doug E Fresh, and Colin Munroe, to name a few. Charlie Smarts is known for his witty wordsmith skills and refreshing lyrical message which has attracted the attention of many hip hop industry professionals. Recently Charlie Smarts linked up with producers Black Jeruz and Marshall Law to take a new wave of music genius at the right time to stamp his unique thumbprint on the hip-hop genre.

MR. INVISIBLE

"Mr. Invisible is a team of two MC/producers based in Charlotte, NC. Known for their energetic live shows infused with demonstrations of high technical proficiency, Mr. Invisible has been rocking crowds with their brand of progressive hip-hop music since 2005. Up-tempo beats, fast raps, and B-boy inspired breaks are the backbone of the group’s sound. Mr. Invisible has toured with artists DJ Vadim and One Self. They have performed with Atmosphere, Astronautalis, Dead Prez, EPMD, J-Live, Little Brother, Mac Miller, and Wu-Tang Clan among many others. They’ve also rocked massive crowds at key electronic and hip-hop music events such as Low End Theory in Los Angeles and the A3C Hip-Hop Festival in Atlanta." (via https://www.facebook.com/mrinvisiblehiphop/info) 

SKYBLEW

Mario Farrow (SkyBlew) moved to Chapel Hill, NC in 2008, leaving behind the pollution of drugs, gangs, and violence in Auburn, AL. Although he transitioned into various foster homes and was surrounded by negativity, SkyBlew chose to use music as his escape, means to soothe his soul, and the medium to paint colorful dreams. SkyBlew has been performing as a solo artist for three years and a year ago he met his “partner in rhyme” Azon Blaze and together they formed the two man group, Blaze the Sky. SkyBlew’s solo work has been his outlet to express himself and make light of his dark past. He’s been influenced by Common, Blu, Lupe Fiasco, Amy Winehouse, Blue Scholars & Scapegoat Wax, his late grandmother and everything that goes on in his world. His music is meant to “inspire the listeners to go for their dreams”, whatever they may be. SkyBlew has a unique, uplifting, powerful and positive message in hip-hop. As for his style, SkeyBlew states “it’s not always about what you wear, it’s how you wear it!”.

THE BALANCE

Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, The Balance blends styles such as Fusion, R&B, Jazz, Rock, Soul, Latin, Classical, and World and that’s not all. The band is known for their “stellar musicianship, live improvisation, crowd participation, witty, and socially conscious rhymes, and dynamic live shows; the real experience lies within one of our shows”. To them music is “The New Ish Schnizzle Bop” which you should interpret to be their sound. Rockin’ since 2004, what started out as a four person group morphed into an 8 piece band that is currently on its 8 years and counting run. Along the way The Balance has had opportunities to open for several national acts and has performed in over 40 venues across the Triangle. The Balance draws inspiration from “everybody, everything, everywhere” - music, art, dance, and architecture are at the top of the list. The Balance delivers music from the politically motivated to the conscious to some party tracks.While they promote a positive spin on reality they also understand that everyone has a bad day or two. In their words: “we give a smorgasboard of topics and vibes.” The same can be said about their style - with a band of 8 no one person has the same look, but when they come together it’s all very... balanced. The band is currently in the studio working on their 1st LP and they also have their music on iTunes and Reverbnation so be sure to check them out!

DJ K STONES

Many of you know of Kristen Stoneman or DJ K Stones and even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ve likely still danced to her tunes at many of clubs across North Carolina. DJ K Stones started her music career at age 17, initially running a radio show and then expanding into other areas,  and has always been “interested in the culture as well as the artistry” of DJing. Her music is influenced and inspired by “seeing the crowd dance, smile, and laugh.” She tries to make every event special, spreading a positive message and showing her fans how diverse music is and “when it hits, you feel no pain”. As for her style, DJ K Stones lets the location and type of music she’s playing determine her outfit which often ecompasses sexy/classy/business attire with a touch of hip hop dress as well.