Sustainability Calendar

The St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District is pleased to bring the community to the farmer again for their Third Annual Meet Your Farmer gathering! This year, event guests will gather at The Blueberry Ranch in Mishawaka! A Legacy of Stewardship Established in 1953, The Blueberry Ranch is one of the oldest u-pick blueberry operations in the Midwest. Current owner, John Nelson, purchased the farm in 1981. In 1991, Nelson introduced organic blueberries to the farm, and by 2009, the entire ranch was 100% certified organic. This commitment isn’t just about labels; it’s about the soil beneath the bushes. During the visit, participants will explore: - The Power of Perennials: How long-term crops like blueberry bushes stabilize soil structure and promote a thriving underground ecosystem. - Organic Impact: The specific ways organic certification and chemical-free practices enhance nutrient density and microbial life in the soil - Community Food Security: The vital role this “agri-treasure” plays in providing fresh, local food to the Mishawaka area. Meet Your Farmer 2026 will be held on Thursday, June 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Dinner is provided, and space is limited, so registration is required.  Register for the event This event is hosted by the Saint Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District. 

Progress in sustainability requires us, as a community, to stand together with courage to credibly advance science and solutions. Yet key challenges to this collaborative effort persist, including growing distrust in science, climate change denial, greenwashing and brownwashing, restrictions on data accessibility and academic freedom, the amplification of misinformation through social media and bots, and increasingly complex social and political landscapes. This moment calls for a different kind of response. Join hundreds of cross-sectoral sustainability professionals as they share their work that champions evidence-based research, innovative and accessible solutions, and the persistence and preparation essential to building a hopeful and resilient future. Inspiring plenaries, symposia, roundtables, posters, workshops, professional development courses, fun leisure activities, and networking opportunities await. The conference will be hosted by Colorado State University's School for Global Environmental Sustainability and the CSU Climate Hub at Spur. This conference is hosted by the National Sustainability Society. Learn more and register for this event by visiting the NSS website. 

Progress in sustainability requires us, as a community, to stand together with courage to credibly advance science and solutions. Yet key challenges to this collaborative effort persist, including growing distrust in science, climate change denial, greenwashing and brownwashing, restrictions on data accessibility and academic freedom, the amplification of misinformation through social media and bots, and increasingly complex social and political landscapes. This moment calls for a different kind of response. Join hundreds of cross-sectoral sustainability professionals as they share their work that champions evidence-based research, innovative and accessible solutions, and the persistence and preparation essential to building a hopeful and resilient future. Inspiring plenaries, symposia, roundtables, posters, workshops, professional development courses, fun leisure activities, and networking opportunities await. The conference will be hosted by Colorado State University's School for Global Environmental Sustainability and the CSU Climate Hub at Spur. This conference is hosted by the National Sustainability Society. Learn more and register for this event by visiting the NSS website. 

Progress in sustainability requires us, as a community, to stand together with courage to credibly advance science and solutions. Yet key challenges to this collaborative effort persist, including growing distrust in science, climate change denial, greenwashing and brownwashing, restrictions on data accessibility and academic freedom, the amplification of misinformation through social media and bots, and increasingly complex social and political landscapes. This moment calls for a different kind of response. Join hundreds of cross-sectoral sustainability professionals as they share their work that champions evidence-based research, innovative and accessible solutions, and the persistence and preparation essential to building a hopeful and resilient future. Inspiring plenaries, symposia, roundtables, posters, workshops, professional development courses, fun leisure activities, and networking opportunities await. The conference will be hosted by Colorado State University's School for Global Environmental Sustainability and the CSU Climate Hub at Spur. This conference is hosted by the National Sustainability Society. Learn more and register for this event by visiting the NSS website. 

The Season of Creation will begin on September 1 and end on October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. If you're planning an event that coincides with this celebration of our Earth, let us know! We can share and help promote your event. Submit your event here What is the Season of Creation?  The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join together in both prayer and action for our common home. Christians worldwide have embraced the season as part of their annual calendar. Pope Francis established the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in the Roman Catholic Church in 2015, and in 2019 started celebrating the Season of Creation as well. In recent years, statements from religious leaders around the world have also encouraged the faithful to take time to care for creation during the month-long celebration.