The American Sustainable Business Network's monthly newsletter highlighting news on policy, business, capital, and more.
MAKING AN IMPACT
ASBN is committed to working with and alongside our network to develop and elevate the policy solutions needed for inclusive and long-lasting systems change.
Thank you all for your part in advancing our mission.
On Monday, December 9, 2024, at 1pm ET/10am PT, ASBN’s Executive Director, Camilla Taylor, will join Michael Dupee, C.E.O of Sustainable Brands PBC, to speak on behalf of ASBC and co-host a panel of thought leaders to explore what the 2024 US presidential election results mean for responsible businesses. Check out the great lineup of speakers, including ASBC member Ecos’ president and CEO, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, and Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward, among others!
Join us in urging President Biden and the EPA to ban the toxic chemical paraquat! Learn more in our blog here and watch this video of farmer Charlene Tenbrink at a congressional briefing from our partners at the Environmental Working Group.
Don’t miss out on the latest news! Join us by following ASBN across social media. Like and share some of our recent posts to voice your concerns and show your support for a more just and sustainable economy! It’s never been more important to stand together. We hope to see you there!
NEWS, STORIES & OPPORTUNITIES
COP29 Update
COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, may be over, but the reflections continue. ASBN’s Senior Advisor on Climate & Energy, Michael Green, has returned with valuable insights on the critical moments of the negotiations. Our delegation of member businesses, including Okeanos®, Seneca Environmental, and Carbon Business Council, contributed greatly to ASBN’s impact on the ground.
And, ICYMI, Michael Green also wrote two blog posts on his experiences and takeaways from COP29; find them here:
Amy achieves connectedness by simplifying creative concepts to encourage unity across business and community channels. She approaches solutions using unique combinations of artistic, scientific, and geographic thought, motivated by innovative possibilities to drive integrity for the earth and its people. Currently Amy serves as a strategic consultant for commercial business teams using geospatial technologies. She draws on skills developed through more than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, leader, and data storytelling master in areas ranging from arts to retail, manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain.
ASBN's Manager of Regenerative Agriculture and Clean Water, Liza LaManna, joined the Cultivating the Future of Organic Agriculture in the Southeastern US: How Advancing Equity and Inclusion will Strengthen the Organic Movement conference hosted by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), Tuskegee University, Clif Bar and the Organic Center last month, November 16-17, 2024.
The Southeast is an organic “cold spot,” with low numbers of certified organic farms and acreage. This group of ~60 stakeholders discussed barriers and opportunities that can cultivate a better future for organic in the Southeastern US.
Liza joined other participants who engaged in facilitated discussions in four key areas: Consumer Education, Producer Engagement, Cultural Competence, and Funding Resources. Each group brainstormed actionable steps to advance equity and strengthen the organic movement. Contact Liza to join the Regenerative Agriculture working group and hear more!
This October, Sustainable Brands hosted another excellent gathering in San Diego! We appreciated the highlight in their recent post and all the warm feedback we have received from attendees of the discussions with Terrius Harris, ASBN Director of Indigenous Partnerships & Inclusive Economy and Estakio Beltran and Kelly Dennis from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Strategic Partnerships - Indian Affairs.
EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
ASBN is proud to be a member of the Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative and a co-organizer of the second Childhood Cancer Prevention Symposium! Mark your calendars and get ready to join us February 10-13, 2025, at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. Businesses have an integral role to play in preventing childhood cancer by choosing to use safer chemicals and manufacturing practices for their products, and advocating for clean water, air, food, and safer products and places. Check back next month for more event information!
WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE FEATURED HERE AND REACH THOUSANDS OF ALIGNED BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS? CONTACT OUR MEMBER TEAM TODAY.
GROWING GRASS UPDATES
In conjunction with Other Half Processing, the American Sustainable Business Institute is the grantee and administrative home of the Growing GRASS project. Growing GRASS is a five-year, $35 million project funded by the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant program, dedicated to improving the beef and buffalo byproduct supply chain. Contact Anna Straus.
(The Growing GRASS team hosted a byproducts trivia gameshow for their workshop at Regenerate — it was a huge hit!)
Producer engagement with Growing GRASS is officially underway: Farmers, ranchers, and livestock herders are now completing our screening survey, and we’re about to launch our first round of paid research.
Meanwhile, the team’s outreach journey continues to events around the country, including the National Grazing Lands Coalition conference in Tucson, AZ; the California Cattlemen Association annual convention in Reno, NV; and the Intertribal Ag Council conference in Las Vegas, NV.
WORKING GROUPS
ASBN’s Working Groups and Task Forces allow members to shape and engage in policy work organized around significant issue areas and specific campaigns. Contact the Member Team to learn about working groups and other membership benefits.
We engage in public policy initiatives for safer chemicals and sustainable materials.
We are so thankful to the over 160 participants of this group over the past two+ years for their collective efforts to protect our democracy. While the campaign may end, we move forward now to assess the political and business landscape, and determine how best to engage in the next critical advocacy efforts.
Emphasizes recycling, reuse, sharing, repair, and remanufacturing, and the reduction of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions throughout the economy; meets the third Wednesday of each month.
The Clean Water is Good For Business Delaware River Watershed Steering Committee works with businesses to advocate for cleaner water. Sign up here to receive the Clean Water Newsletter.
Identifies key problems, solutions, and strategies to address our planet's climate and energy crisis.
Working with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders, we advocate for sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and support for underserved and BIPOC farmers.
Dedicated to the shared mission of protecting and renewing life on planet Earth.
Contact the Member Team to learn about working groups and other membership benefits.
INVESTORS CIRCLE CORNER
Investors Circle News
Investors Circle (IC) has an over 30-year legacy connecting angels and other investors with early-stage and for-profit impact companies focused on providing social and/or environmental impact and financial returns, fostering a community where profit meets purpose.
You can be part of both ASBN and IC and expand your social and/or environmental impact in the world. Now is the perfect time to become an Investors Circle Member, Sponsor or Donor. We now have a promotion for a discounted annual IC membership through the end of 2024. Join the Investors Circle community and participate – providing time, treasure and talent in service to improving the world by funding businesses for good.
All upcoming Investors Circle events are posted online.
National Monthly Virtual Meeting: Held monthly on the first Thursday. In December’s meeting, we will celebrate the year with a roundup of updates from selected companies that IC members and friends have invested in. Thursday, Dec 19, 12-2pm ET.
Thank you to everyone who joined IC at regional events this year, including their NYC rooftop gathering and the Impact Investing Breakfast hosted by Fordham University, pictured here.
December 5 at 3pm ET | US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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