Wal-Mart buys more food from small local farms

I am always encouraged when a "good idea" makes it's way to a box store like Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart is planning to double the sales of fresh produce from local farms in its U.S. stores by the end of 2015, this would lift local produce to 9 percent of total produce sales in the country.

Wal-Mart also said it will require that palm oil from sustainable sources be used in all of its private-label products by the end of 2015. The company sells hundreds of products that use palm oil. Concerns had been raised that some producers add to global warming by felling forests.

Environmentalists contend that using locally sourced agriculture and supporting small farms is one way to preserve local jobs and prevent dwindling farmland from being lost. It can also help reduce the use of resources such as fuel to transport food over long distances.

Wal-Mart joins a growing list of corporate and charitable organizations lending support to sustainable agriculture programs and small and local farmers.

I am not a big fan of Wal-Mart, but I think they got this one right. Since they are such a major force in the economy their efforts to support local farmers are to be applauded, now when they start offering health care to employees it will be even better.

Read the complete story here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39643023/ns/politics/

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Take Action > Brag and Pester

I can't say enough good things about the country, and that is part of the problem. For the first 2 years of the Obama presidency I sat home and was quietly hopeful and supportive. I didn't say or do anything, I thought voting for him was enough. Well it wasn't.

Now I am loudly proclaiming every victory and encourage you to do the same. Attitude matters. If we think the country is broken and it isn't coming back, we won't make much progress. When we believe in ourselves and work as a team we can do this. Help me get the word out.


Action Plan for Bragging

1. First build inner confidence. After you read a story, think about it several times a day. Driving in your car, waiting in line, riding in the elevator - review the story. Your mind will appreciate the break from stress and worry. You'll find yourself breaking out in a grin, and your happiness will infect others.
   
   
2. Share these optimistic stories at work, after church, or while talking to your neighbors. When  folks will start complaining how its all turned to #*$%, take a deep breath and share your favorite blog story. Then, before they know what hit them, add a hopeful comment like, "it takes time to get out of this mess, but we are making progress".
   
   Don't worry about seeming corny, or being laughed at, even those who sneer will think about what you said when you aren't looking. Several folks will secretly admire you and wish they had the courage to say something like that.
   
   You won't notice the change right away but eventually all these positive thoughts that have been rattling around in your head will build up. Before you know it your confidence is growing and folks are starting to see you as a leader and source of inspiration. Go figure.
   
   
3. Repeat yourself. A person needs to hear new information at least three times before it sticks. If they are skeptical, it will probably take even more repetition. Folks have been hearing "doom and gloom" for so long, your positive news will come as a shock.
    
4. Repeat yourself again, this time for personal reasons. The more times you tell the story, the easier it is for you to remember it. Then as you overhear someone grumble about how the country will never come back from the recession you can just whip out the encouraging story and wallow in it. As you repeat the story feel free to embellish, what's the harm in exaggerating, critics do.
   

Action Plan for the Pesty:
Who needs wealth and good looks when you can be pesty? I have found persistence to be an invaluable tool in reaching my goals. Listed below are actions you can take to convince your friends and neighbors that the country is headed in the right direction and there is cause for hope.

1. Use email, facebook, and twitter to follow the blog, share an optimistic article, or promote a video. Social Networking is a wonderful place for the pesty, everyone else is sharing their trivia, you will fit right in.
   
   
2. Be consistently pleasant and optimistic in the face of rudeness, bald faced lies, and discouragement. We have had 2 rough years. When you keep your composure and remain hopeful it has a ripple effect that eventually shows up. Folks are secretly grateful for your informed optimism, and will think about what you said long after you leave.
    
3. Call and email your local politicians, even if you are mad at them, didn't vote for them, and are the only one in the entire town who cares about the issue.
    
4. Write a letter to the editor. I know I know, this suggestion is bringing on term paper flash backs and cold sweats. I have a few sample letters you can use as a starting point. Even if the letter never gets published you will feel so good when you do this.
    
5. Sign a petition, I've been doing this for about 6 months, and it seems to actually work. This is "activism for the timid and lazy." You just add your name to the petition and then eventually the group sends you a note letting you know how it all turned out.
   
   Credo Action Network  :: The Color of Change  :: Sierra Club  :: People for the American Way
    
6. Practice, practice, practice, the more you post to facebook, repeat your optimistic stories, contact politicians, and write letters to the editor - the easier it gets. Before you know it, these actions are becoming "second nature".
    
7. Pesty is a state of mind, and for me it brings great happiness. This blog is the ultimate manifestation of my pestiness. Before the blog I often felt frustrated, I kept hoping the daily news would be "better" today. Finally I decided that if good news wouldn't come to me - then I would have to go out and hunt it down. Finding a new success story everyday works for me, I hope it will work for you too.

I promise I won't quit or give up, I know the President won't - so can we count on you to pester?

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