 A Resolution, authored by Ward 11 City Council Member Jeremy Schroeder, recognizing Regenerative Agriculture and Biochar use as impactful climate action and resilience tools and directing City staff to support and implement those practices in future projects was passed by the Minneapolis City Council in June 2019.
Regenerative agriculture is an approach to food and farming systems to regenerate topsoil, increase biodiversity, and increase ecosystem services. The approach improves soil carbon content, fertility, availability of nutrients, soil life, and storm water quality and filtration, while producing food for human consumption.
When added to soils, biochar (carbonized waste biomass) sustainably holds carbon and enhances the soils’ agricultural and environmental value.
The use of both of these approaches are effective climate action strategies with the potential to significantly capture, reduce and store carbon greenhouse gases, both globally and locally.
 Wednesday, July 24, 2019
5:00-7:30 pm Food Council meeting
East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis
The City of Minneapolis is developing a roadmap toward a more equitable, climate resilient, just and sustainable local food system and local food economy. The goal of the Minneapolis Food Action Plan (MFAP) is to develop a 2030 roadmap for Minneapolis food systems action, building on previous efforts and plans, aligning with Milan Urban Food Policy Pact and incorporating data and community input. MFAP will serve as an appendix to the City’s Climate Action Plan and a stand-alone framework with food systems data and recommended goals, strategies, tactics and measurable indicators for City of Minneapolis policy and investment and Food Council action. The next meeting about the Food Action Plan will be a discussion of topic 2: Diets and Community Demand.
Attend one of two final presentations of survey highlights from Homegrown Minneapolis’ recent Urban Agriculture Survey. The survey was completed to quantify the total number of community gardens, market gardens and urban farms and to better understand emerging trends of urban agriculture in Minneapolis. These presentations are one way Homegrown Minneapolis is providing the community with relevant and useful information regarding urban agriculture in Minneapolis; a final report will also be posted online. Learn more and watch for the final report at www.minneapolismn.gov/UrbanAgSurvey.
Urban Agriculture Survey Presentation - North Minneapolis
Thursday, July 25, 2019, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) Room #107, 2001 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis
RSVP (interpreter available upon request)
Urban Agriculture Survey Presentation - South Minneapolis
Friday, July 26, 2019, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Phillips Community Center Dining Room, #209 (located upstairs)
2323 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis
RSVP (interpreter available upon request)
 Have you signed up for a Home Energy Squad visit yet?
With a Home Energy Squad visit, a team of trusted energy consultants will come to your home, evaluate your energy savings opportunities, and install the energy-efficient materials of your choice. For more information, visit the Home Energy Squad “How It Works” webpage.
The Center for Energy and Environment has increased their staff capacity to better serve residents.
Home Energy Squad visits are currently free for Minneapolis residents with a combined household income under $94,300. Additionally, all residents in Minneapolis Green Zones neighborhoods are eligible for a free visit regardless of income. Green Zone neighborhoods include: Bottineau, Cedar-Riverside, East Phillips, Hawthorne, Marshall Terrace, McKinley, Midtown Phillips, Near North, Phillips West, Sheridan and Ventura Village.
Call to learn more and Sign up to request a visit.
0% Energy Efficiency Loan
The City of Minneapolis is offering a 0% loan to help all Minneapolis homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their homes. To qualify, the borrower must have received a Home Energy Squad visit within the last 3 years or have one scheduled.
The energy experts over at Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) have pulled together a treasure trove of residential energy efficiency information in their new Home Energy Hub website. It is filled with helpful posts about a variety of home energy topics, from radon safety to attic insulation, specific to our Minnesota climate. The posts are split into four categories: “improve”, “health”, “learn” and “innovate”. Check it out, and start increasing your home’s efficiency today.
Minneapolis Food Action Plan Topic 2 discussion
Wednesday, July 24th | 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St NE, Minneapolis
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Minneapolis Food Action Plan discussion hosted by the Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council. The focus of Topic 2 will be Diets and Community Demand. Visit the web page for more details.
Minneapolis Community Environmental Advisory Commission (CEAC)
Thursday, August 1st | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Webber Park Library, 4440 Humboldt Ave N, Minneapolis
Northern Green Zone Task Force
Wednesday, August 7th | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, 2522 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis
Southside Green Zone Council
Thursday, August 15th | 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Location tbd | Check the webpage for updates.
 The City of Saint Paul, the City of Minneapolis, Xcel Energy and HOURCAR are partnering to create an all-electric one-way car-sharing and charging network across the Twin Cities.
This network would cover 35 square miles and contain 70 hubs, with a goal that at any location in the project area, a person would be within .3 miles of a hub with electric vehicles and EV charging. The fleet for these new hubs will include 150 electric vehicles. The plan is for each of these hubs to have at least four electric vehicle chargers, and at least two of the shared electric vehicles. At least 20 of the hubs will also have a DC Fast Charger, which can charge an electric vehicle in close to 30 minutes. These hubs will connect to over 90% of transit routes, including all of the express routes.
 Image courtesy of Solar United Neighbors
Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op
Solar United Neighbors is creating a Minneapolis Solar and Electric Vehicle Charger Co-op for homeowners and small businesses interested in installing solar and/or electric vehicle chargers. This group provides discounted pricing and unbiased support throughout the solar and/or charger purchasing process. Homeowners join the group at no obligation, and have the option of installing solar panels, a level 2 electric vehicle charger, or both. For more information on the co-op, visit their webpage.
Solar Twin Cities 2.0 & 2019 Solar Power Hours
For the second year, Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is hosting a solar group-buy program across the Twin Cities metro. The program, “Solar Twin Cities 2.0”, combines community participation, solar education, and a bulk purchase approach to significantly save on solar investments. For the second year, TruNorth Solar was selected as the prequalified contractor for the program based on expertise, craftsmanship, and commitment to quality. This limited time offering ends September 30, 2019.
Across the Twin Cities metro, the MREA will host 15 – 20 one-hour educational events to inform and educate attendees about solar energy, it’s value, and how the Solar Twin Cities 2.0 group-buy program works. TruNorth Solar staff will be in attendance to assist you
For more information about Solar Twin Cities 2.0 and the 2019 Solar Power Hours, visit the program information page.
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