All Entries in the "Regional" Category

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island Announces Winter Conference

RHODE ISLAND, RI – The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI) is pleased to announce their 2016 Winter Conference: Healthy Soils, Healthy Plants, Healthy People to be held on Sunday, February 28 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at Hope & Main, 691 Hope Street in Warren, RI.

NOFA/RI’s 2016 Winter Conference will feature a full day of workshops with nationally and regionally recognized speakers in organic and sustainable agriculture. “With workshops on Soil Health and Carbon Farming, Seed Saving, GMO Labeling Efforts, Compost, Cover Crops, Macrobiotics and Community Gardens, this Winter Conference has something for everyone, be they a gardener, farmer or fan of organic foods,” said Sanne Kure-Jensen, NOFA/RI Administrator.

Speakers will include:

• Will Bonsall, farmer and author of Khadighar Farm in Industry, ME
• Jack Kittredge, farmer at Many Hands Organic Farm in Barre, MA, editor of “The Natural Farmer” and former NOFA/Mass Policy Coordinator
• Julie Rawson, farmer at Many Hands Organic Farm in Barre, MA and Executive Director at NOFA/Mass
• Dan Kittredge, Executive Director of the Bionutrient Food Association
• Dr. Rebecca Brown, Assistant Professor and researcher at the University of Rhode Island
• John Kozinski, natural health and self-healing Integrative Diagnosis teacher, counselor and researcher at www.macrobiotic.com
• Sam Fox, farmer and composter at Earth Care Farm in Charlestown, RI
• Dan Christina, Horticultural Director and Patricia Bailey, Vegetable Gardener of Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, RI
• Liz Guardia of Citizens For GMO Labeling

This Winter Conference is NOFA/RI’s largest educational and fundraising event. Proceeds will support educational programs for farmers, landscapers, designers, gardeners and consumers all year long. Jan Martin, NOFA/RI Vice President said, “Attendees will feed their minds and bodies with educational; workshops, networking and a delicious potluck meal.” Volunteer opportunities are still available.

Morning and mid-day coffee and tea will be provided. Conference participants are invited to bring a food or beverage item to share for our potluck lunch. The program will include the NOFA/RI Annual Meeting. Attendees will hear about many successful programs and efforts in 2015 as well as plans for 2016.

NOFA/RI is dedicated to supporting organic and sustainable food, farming, and gardening in Rhode Island through education, technical assistance and policy advocacy. NOFA/RI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Formed in 1990, NOFA/RI is an organization of farmers, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working to promote organic farming and organic land care practices.

NOFA/RI fosters a healthy relationship to the natural world through educational workshops, advocacy and participation in local and regional events. NOFA/RI works to increase the acreage of land sustainably and organically managed and to provide access to local organic food for all Rhode Islanders. NOFA/RI is a growing regional association with chapters in seven states representing over 5,600 farmers, farm workers, apprentices, gardeners, chefs and consumer members. We are affiliated with other NOFA chapters through the NOFA Interstate Council.

For more information on NOFA/RI, see http://nofari.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=a47c5782c1d82213f306481f0&id=6d9e410b8d&e=e712b0d761or email nofari@live.

Narragansett Council & Annawon Council, Boy Scouts of America Approve Merger

Narragansett, R.I. – New Combined Entity Will Provide More Programs to Local Scouts
and Greater Reach in Communities.

 The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America announced today following its Special Council Meeting the approval of its merger with the Annawon Council, Boy Scouts of America.  This follows on the heels of the Annawon Council approving the consolidation earlier this week.  The decision to combine the two Boy Scout groups will expand the Narragansett Council’s territory from the southernmost portions of Rhode Island up into Massachusetts, including many suburbs south of Boston. This added region includes the communities of Attleboro, North Attleboro, Mansfield, Norton, Lakeville, Carver, Middleboro, Raynham, Dighton, Berkley and Taunton, among many others.

Leaders from the two councils began meeting nearly six months ago to plan the merger.

“This is a historic step for our Council,” said John Mosby Scout Executive/CEO of the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America.  “Exciting times are ahead for us as we build an even greater program for our youth in this expanded territory.”

Dennis Dion, current volunteer Board President of the Annawon Council, has provided significant leadership to this effort of consolidation during the entire past year.

“We selected the Narragansett Council for our merger because both of our operations represent the highest ranked Scouting Councils out of the 12 in the New England area,” said Dion.  “Together we are certain our combined program will provide parents in our area with a first-rate option for their child.  No other program can provide the same leadership training and character development as Scouting.”

The newly merged operation, which will take the name of the Narragansett Council, includes all of Rhode Island, 34 communities in Massachusetts and 1 in Connecticut, and boasts nearly 14,000 Scouts.  The Narragansett Council’s main headquarters will remain at its current location in East Providence.

“Our organization is growing, allowing us to provide the best programs for our Scouts,” said George Shuster, Board President of the Narragansett Council.  “We look forward to working with members of the Annawon Council and providing the youth of our combined area top-level programs that can only be found in Scouting.”

The merger will provide resources for all Scouts in the area never before offered by the previous individual Councils.  In addition, the consolidation will allow for even stronger volunteer and professional guidance, providing the Scouts and volunteer unit leaders with unparalleled facilities, training, and camping programs.

It is expected that the State of Massachusetts will formally approve the merger later this month, but efforts are already underway to combine the day-to-day operations just in time for the Fall Join-Scouting Campaign for new youth interested in joining the Boy Scouts.

“The future is looking very bright for the Boy Scouts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts,” said Mosby.  “We couldn’t have asked for a better group to collaborate with and now is a great time for parents to sign their child up for Scouting in our area.”

To learn more about the Narragansett Council, visit: www.narragansettbsa.org

About the Narragansett Council: The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America’s mission is to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The Narragansett Council offers a program for boys and young men ages 6 to 21 and young women ages 14 to 21, serving nearly 14,000 in Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. For more information, please log on to www.narragansettbsa.org

Rhode Island Housing Names Nelson Esteves as Realtor of the Quarter

From left to right: Nelson Esteves of RE/MAX Professionals of East Greenwich is presented his award by Rhode Island Housing’s executive director, Barbara Fields, and RI Senator Mark Gee (Photo Credit: Reinhard Sokol)

WARWICK, RI – Rhode Island Housing has recognized real estate agent Nelson Esteves of RE/MAX Professionals of East Greenwich with the agency’s Realtor of the Quarter award for the fourth quarter of 2014. This is the fourth time Esteves has been honored for connecting homebuyers with the Rhode Island Housing Loan Center.

Esteves received a crystal award and recognition at Rhode Island Housing’s recent Realtor Breakfast. He also received citations on behalf of the General Assembly from state Representative Antonio Giarrusso (R-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) and state Senator Mark Gee (R-Dist. 35, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Narragansett).

“It gives me great pleasure to recognize Nelson for his achievements in the real estate market,” said Representative Giarrusso. “The housing market is showing signs of real recovery, which gives me hope that our economy is on a solid path to improvement. I commend the hard work and dedication that both Nelson and his colleagues at RE/MAX use to help people in Rhode Island find places that truly feel like home.”

Senator Gee, who also represents Nelson’s RE/MAX district, added: “I congratulate Nelson on his hard work and outstanding performance. His award reflects his professionalism, and potential homebuyers can count on him to listen to their needs. There is a reason he has been recognized four times as Rhode Island Housing’s Realtor of the Quarter. We wish him continued success and awards.”

Esteves has been bringing his many talents to RE/MAX Professionals of East Greenwich since 2003, including his ability to assist buyers in seven different languages.

“Listening to my clients is key,” said Esteves. “All I can do is guide them and make sure that all of their best options are laid out in front of them. I’m truly honored to receive this recognition for a fourth time. Rhode Island Housing’s Loan Center has been working hard to respond to the needs of their customers, and that is obvious in the way it conducts business and the satisfaction of my clients.”

Barbara Fields, executive director of Rhode Island Housing, commended Esteves on his efforts to go the extra mile to serve his customers.

“Congratulations to Nelson Esteves,” said Fields. “His hard work and deep understanding of our mission – which is to provide safe and affordable housing for Rhode Island families – has helped many families purchase a home. Nelson has been an outstanding advocate for his customers and helped Rhode Island Housing get the word out about the assistance we offer, including the FirstHomes Tax Credit and LeadSafe Homes programs.”

Since July of last year, Rhode Island Housing’s FirstHomes Tax Credit program – which allows each eligible first-time homebuyer to receive up to $2,000 per year for the entire life of his or her loan – has offered savings for more than 500 homebuyers. The agency’s Board of Commissioners recently approved another round of funding for the tax credit program for 2015. Director of Homeownership and Customer Service Peter Walsh added that without knowledgeable, dedicated realtors like Esteves, Rhode Island Housing would not be able to connect customers to the many programs that assist such a wide spectrum of potential homebuyers.

“Our partnership with him has created an array of opportunities for our customers,” Walsh said. “His deep understanding of the market and the benefits of our homeownership programs has contributed to his all-star status as Realtor of the Quarter for a fourth time.”

For more information on Rhode Island Housing’s suite of home loan options, including the FirstHomes Tax Credit, visit loans.rhodeislandhousing.org.

About Rhode Island Housing
Together with its partners, Rhode Island Housing works to ensure that all people who live and work in Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs. Rhode Island Housing uses all of its resources to provide low-interest loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, Rhode Island Housing is a privately funded public purpose corporation.

Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) offers June 17 program “Chaos to Opportunity: Forging a Unified Business Direction for Families and Leaders” at Bryant University

SMITHFIELD, RI – The Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) offers a June 17 Rhode Island/Southeastern Massachusetts Breakfast Meeting, “Chaos to Opportunity: Forging a Unified Business Direction for Families and Leaders,” Wednesday, June 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Bryant University Bello Center, 1150 Douglas Turnpike, Smithfield.

There are many challenges that business leaders face regarding the direction of their company: succession strategies, market penetration options, pricing policies, customer rationalization tactics, and more.  The path to running a successful business has many hurdles, but one of the most debilitating barriers for growth occurs when partners, co-owners, or general stakeholders of a business can’t agree on the company’s direction.

Individuals are invited to hear a panel of business owners who effectively tackled such challenges. They will discuss these issues, and how they successfully negotiated resolutions.

Panelists include: Kyle Madden, KLH Capital ; Scott Wakeman, Family Navigation Strategies;
Andrew Crain, Mirus Capital Advisors; and Steven Armbrust, Armbrust Corporation.

The price is $45 for members, and non-members. The event is organized by XPX Global.

To learn more or to register, please visit http://exitplanningexchange.com/events/xpx-rhode-island-se-mass-breakfast-meeting#sthash.4Sa7Szgl.dpuf. Event sponsor is BNY Mellon Wealth Management.

About Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) Boston
The Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) Boston offers unparalleled opportunities for members to expand their professional networks and develop their skills in the field of exit planning. XPX members have access to a broad network of spets in diverse fields, including accounting, merger and acquisition, business consulting, legal and human systems consulting. XPX is committed to improving the process of planning for, positioning, and executing business transactions. Founded in 2008, The Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) has chapters in Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, DC Metro, Tampa Bay and Baltimore. To learn more about the Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) Boston or to join, please contact Donna Powell, Administrator, at 978-392-7929, or donna@exitplanningexchange.com.