Amidst climate change, deforestation and the disastrous effects of warfare, it’s not only humans and other animals that are at risk. Plants that sustain our lives, biomes and well being are also living entities in need of safeguarding. One woman I met has made this her life’s work.

Happy New Year! We’re back! As you sort through your New Year’s resolutions, deciding what to keep and what to release, consider your shopping habits and whether you’re buying quality products in the measures and amounts that you need. Central Virginia’s Refill & Renew store and other low waste and no waste stores can help you zero in on another more sustainable consumption habit.  

Step into Latoya Brown-Zimmermann’s Birmingham garden and you’ll find a carefully curated microfarm: raised beds of kale, tomatoes, corn, bell peppers, squash, and beans beside an aviary of quails crafted by her husband. The structure provides the birds with shelter and, through their composted waste, feeds the soil she studies and tends.

There was a time when I would have perceived being told, “Stay in your place” as insulting.

But the descendants of ancestral land carry the burden of trying to understand its true value. For African Americans, this can lead to a deeper appreciation for who they are and why.

Welcome back to The Rundown where we provide you with snapshots of sustainability efforts happening in your backyard, around the world and in digital spaces.

When Nivek Anderson-Brown and her husband decided to commit to the homesteading lifestyle all the way, she said there were field mice the size of cats that rose up out of the land to avoid the rumble of their bush hog lawn mower.

There are fewer than 300 master sommeliers in the world, according to the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas. The certification this institution grants, providing recognition to people in the beverage industry, is the most esteemed and competitive of those available.

Meet Oenoverse: a collaborative effort highlighting inclusivity and accessibility throughout the wine industry. Whether a newbie to wine or a wine connoisseur, Oenoverse opens up the world of wine to everyone through intentional collaboration and educational experiences.

Within the small percentage of U.S. sommeliers lies Louise Olivares, who is raising the bar by raising her glass to increase representation in the wine industry. As a Filipina American, discover her journey and multifaceted approach to increasing customer connectivity.

Enjoy the first entry of our new column: The Rundown. Learn more about how an entrepreneur based in Texas sews her path of sustainability, an app that aids in advertising local discounted foods for the benefit of society and your pockets, and how Germany is investing in longevity for technology.

Meet Dominique Williamson, a winemaker and author who’s here to empower the legacy of Black winemakers as she uses her DIY homemade wines to “disrupt the wine industry”.

From crispiness of the fried plantains to fall-off-the bone braised oxtail, immerse yourself in the experience of 434th Street as Darrell Lamont Walker recounts his encounters Chef Johnathan’s Island-Inspired delicacies.

With a mere $720.05 and a dream, explore the story of how Carter Farms defies generational barriers through investing in sustainability and uplifting the future of Black agriculture on and off the soil.

What started as a passion project has now blossomed into a model of what active mobilization can do to address issues that matter. Follow Cultivate Charlottesville as they address food inequity at it’s roots.

Join Seidah’s, a third-generation winemaker, journey as she embodies the legacy of her ancestors through her winery. Through family, faith, and fun, Sweet Vines Vineyard is creating accessibility throughout the wine industry.