Update:
So sorry I am late in getting this out. It was a bit of a whirlwind of a summer and I have been writing so much that I neglected the newsletter.
This summer we have been moving forward with our efforts to create a system where the prison is at 100% organic waste diversion. We have already solved the problem with food waste and now we've turned our attention to other organic wastes such as cardboard and wood. It is amazing how much waste a place like this produces. We have now established multiple systems at the outside facility with Bokashi, Vermicomposting, Black Soldier flies and chickens. I can't wait to do this on a grand scale.
We also finished our second class of Foundations in Composting (17 students) and it went really well. We are working on training some of the graduates for being instructors next time.
KEY POINTS
Point of Perserverance:
We have been stretching ourselves between the two programs for awhile now and at times it is taxing but it is great to have so much to do and to be moving forward. I just hit the 18 month mark so the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.
Point of Practice:
We have been making our own Bokashi inoculant. It is something we've wanted to explore for some time. The commercial product we've been buying for years has become quite expensive so we recently explored the world of microbes and now we make it ourselves. Thanks to SPP for getting me that microscope 15 years ago and starting me on this journey.
Point of Peace:
We were so excited to get another visit from Chuck and Sally. They have played such a crucial role in our journey and it is always encouraging to spend time with them.
THE PLANET
We've discussed recent legislation in past newsletters and it is exciting to see lawmakers recognizing the importance of sustainable practices. This year a bill was passed that should really help EARN down the road.
ESSHB 2301 was passed stating, "Washington is now experiencing the effects of a climate crisis." It goes on to discuss methane as a potent greenhouse gas and identifies organic materials in landfills as a major source of methane.
The legislation also created numerous grant programs administered by the Department of Ecology for various priorities, which include education, technical assistance, indoor and outdoor infrastructure, and processing infrastructure.
Finally, the bill amends prior legislation to mandate that by 2026 all entities that generate 96 gallons of organic material waste per week must arrange for an approved method. (The previous mandate had been 4 cubic yards per week.) This means that by 2026 virtually all businesses dealing with organic waste will need service or onsite methods.
This creates the need for a massive workforce and vocational training to address these issues.
BIG IDEA
I have been working on a new piece of legislation for people serving long sentences. It is called GRE3 and it expands the graduated reentry process for people who have served 15+ years. It gives them 18 months of work release and 6 months of home monitoring. I have been networking with a great group of people and it is gaining some momentum. The cool thing for me is that eventually, if it gets passed, we could create GRE3 sites for EARN where folks could get the services of EARN during the last 2 years of their sentence! It is also amazing to be working with so many people focused on reentry.
FINAL THOUGHTS...
Tomas and I have been spending a lot of our time grant writing and building out a system to be sustainable. One of the things that excites me the most about the future of EARN is that we are targeting tangible needs like housing, transportation, and career development. We are excited to have a website with the ability accept donations and have already been blessed with some donations. As the end of the year approaches, if you would like to join us in this journey and make an investment in the future of EARN we would greatly appreciate it. All donations are tax deductible and all funds are being set aside for land acquisition and projects, just click the "Donate" tab at the top of the page. As always--thank you all for your support!