PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Marilyn Miller
Phone: 203-257-4394
Local Environmentalists To Be Recognized With Hummingbird Award
Princie Falkenhagen, Michel Nischan, Joy Shaw and Sal Gilbertie
To Receive Recognition
For Immediate Release:
Fairfield, September 3, 2010 – The Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm will be handing out the First Annual Hummingbird Awards this coming Wednesday September 15th, at The Pequot Library in Southport, following a 6:30pm screening of the film, “DIRT! The Movie” and an auction of homemade summer pies. The public is invited to attend this tribute and unique gathering of Fairfield County’s leading private-citizen environmentalists.
The Hummingbird Award recognizes individuals from the Fairfield County community who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to preserving the environment for the benefit of present and future generations. The name of the award is taken from a mythical story about the tiny hummingbird as told by Kenyan environmentalist and 2004 Nobel Laureate Dr. Wangari Maathai. It was the hummingbird that heroically saved a large forest by carrying small drops of water in its beak, again and again, until the fire was doused. The Hummingbird Award celebrates the belief that the actions of individuals can lead to great change.
Recipients who will be recognized at The Pequot Library on September 15th include:
Michel Nischan, the sustainable food advocate, award-winning author and Founder & CEO of Wholesome Wave, an organization committed to bringing fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables to residents of inner cities, including Bridgeport CT, through its innovative Double Value Coupon program;
Princie Falkenhagen, the President of The Aspetuck Land Trust and board member of the CT Fund For The Environment. Mrs. Falkenhagen worked to save the 1,009 acre ‘Trout Brook Valley’ preserve from development in 1999. Her work has resulted in the preservation of thousands of acres of additional watershed land in Fairfield and New Haven Counties;
Joy Shaw, the founder of The Mill River Wetland Committee in 1967, a curriculum-based program, which today guides more than 3,500 Fairfield elementary school children annually through environmental study trips of the Mill River and its estuaries;
Sal Gilbertie, the largest herb plant grower in the US. Sal is a third-generation gardener and herb grower. He operates Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens in Westport, CT, established by his grandfather in 1922. Sal is a prolific author. His fifth book entitled ‘Small Plot, High Yield Gardening’ was published in February of this year. Sal is know to generations of Fairfield County residents including former Westport resident, Martha Stewart, who had this to say about Sal: “…I can think of no better guide to creating a sustainable herb and vegetable garden than Sal Gilberti. For more than 30 years, I have turned to Sal for healthy, productive plants and … he can help you, too, cultivate your garden.”
Seating is limited and tickets must be pre-purchased online for eight dollars at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/123481.This event will run from 6pm to 9pm and is being organized and sponsored by The Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm and hosted by The Pequot Library.
Pamela Jones, President of the Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm has stated, “We are honored to have the privilege of gathering together such a truly remarkable group of individuals each of whom has contributed so much to quality of life and quality of our environment here in Fairfield County. We are honored that it is our event, and our first Hummingbird Awards, that is bringing them together.”
There will be many opportunities to help with the Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm. Anyone interested in learning more about plans for the farm is encouraged to attend. Please visit the farm’s website at www.fairfieldorganicteachingfarm.org.
FOTF Logo Design: Jennifer Cole
There are numerous advantages to planting gardens in raised beds. Sal Gibertie, owner of Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens in Westport and one of the most knowledgeable gardeners anywhere, will enumerate them and provide expert how-to advice on Tuesday, February 9th from 7pm-9pm at Ambler Farm in Wilton. Sal will also bring copies of his new book, Small Space High Yield Gardening, to sell and sign.
