The Nature of Phenology 1/11/20: January Thaw

Producers: Hazel Stark & Joe Horn
Host: Hazel Stark

A January thaw occurs when the outside temperature increases somewhat suddenly compared to the usual temperatures in the surrounding weeks. Depending on how far north you live, this increase in temperature may not actually go above freezing and cause a thaw, but the occurrence holds onto the name “January thaw” nonetheless.

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Common Ground Radio 1/9/20: Real Organic Project

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: John Greenman

-Creation of the Real Organic Project
-History of organic farming certification programs
-Current issues within the USDA National Organic Program

Guests:
Dave Chapman, Executive Director, Real Organic Project, Long Wind Farm, East Thetford, VT
Eliot Coleman, Advisory Board, Real Organic Project, Four Season Farm, Harborside, ME
Chris Grigsby, Director, MOFGA Certification Services, Unity, ME

About the host:
C.J. Walke, host of Common Ground Radio, has been involved in Maine agriculture for over 20 years and has worked in numerous capacities for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) starting in 2006. Since 2012, C.J. has worked as farm manager for College of the Atlantic’s Peggy Rockefeller Farms in Bar Harbor, Maine, where he works with students to grow organic fruits, vegetables and livestock products. He holds degrees in park management/environment education and library science. Common Ground Radio debuted in June of 2010 and C.J. has been the show’s host since 2014.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

RadioActive 1/9/20: LUPC Approves CMP Corridor and Maine Legislature Revisits Waste Policy

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

On Tuesday, the Maine Land Us Planning Commission (LUPC) followed staff recommendation and voted 5 to 2 to approve the site law certification for Central Maine Power’s highly controversial New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) corridor project. The NECEC will now proceed to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Before the vote, some LUPC commissioners expressed concern with the project and the pressure their commission received from Central Maine Power to accelerate their process. Today we hear some of the commissioners statements and an interview with LUPC Regional Supervisor, Bill Hinkel.
Today we also look at efforts to reform Maine’s waste law at the legislative and agency levels. On Friday January 17th, the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee will hold a work session on waste bills held over from last session, including LD 401 An Act to Preserve State Landfill Capacity and Promote Recycling. On January 13th, representatives of communities impacted by landfills will deliver a petition to the Maine DEP to amend its rules to provide an accurate definition of Maine-generated waste and to require consideration of impacts on environmental justice when determining the public benefit of licensing landfills.

Guests:
Betsy Fitzgerald, Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) commissioner, Machiasport
Jay May, LUPC commissioner, Mapleton
Bill Gilmore, LUPC commissioner, Freeman Twp
Bill Hinkel, LUPC Regional Supervisor
www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/agenda_items/010820/slc9_Memo_Draft_Decision_Document.pdf

e) Hillary Lister, Don’t Waste ME

Today’s program was co-produced by WERU FM/RadioActive and Sunlight Media Collective.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download