2023 Northfield Earth Day Speakers
at Bridge Square, Northfield, April 22nd
1:10 pm- Peter Wyckoff, Assistant Commissioner for Federal and State Energy Initiatives, MN Department of Commerce
“Climate and Environmentally-Focused Legislation”
Join Peter Wyckoff, from the MN Department of Commerce, to discuss climate and environmentally-focused legislation impacting our state and our community.
Local Music
1:35 pm- Kathy Zeman
“Local Foodshed Key to Surviving The Next Chaotic Whatever”
COVID reinforced what economists always knew: long supply chains are fragile, short supply chains are resilient. The local foodshed in Minnesota is booming, far outpacing the systems needed to ensure that equity for all is baked into the growth, and implementing a data collection system that provides intel for sustainable public investment. Zeman will provide data on where and how the local foodshed is growing, and outline actionable steps to keep us on the path to food sovereignty for our community theat will ripple out to surrounding communities – and beyond.
Kathy Zeman, farmer at Simple Harvest Farm Organics and executive director at Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association Nerstrand MN
Local Music
1:55 pm- Erica Zweifel
“Local Zero Waste Initiatives and their Carbon Impacts”
Erica Zweifel, Carleton’s Assistant Director for Community Impact (CCCE), will share local model systems involving zero waste initiatives and their carbon impact. Hear about work happening at the Community Action Center, Carleton College, Rice County and the City of Northfield.
Local Music
2:45 pm- Sam Quackenbush, Chief of Staff at Novel Energy Solutions
“Local Community Solar and Onsite Solar Projects”
Sam Quackenbush, Chief of Staff at Novel Energy Solutions, will discuss local community solar and on-site solar projects for those interested in learning about this renewable energy resource.
Local Music
3:10 pm- Martha Larson, Northfield Environmental Quality Commission member
“A City Update on our Climate Action Plan Initiatives”
The Northfield Strategic Plan includes six pillars, one of which is to ensure we have a community that is resilient and sustainable. The Climate Action Plan laid out a framework for supporting that goal, and the City has taken very seriously its role in facilitating those efforts. Join Environmental Quality Commission members Martha Larson and Bruce Anderson for an update on the status of the Northfield Climate Action Plan and how you can get involved in local sustainability initiatives.
Local Music
3:30 pm-Big Woods Movement Collective
Local Music until 4:00 pm