Author: RiverAdmin

  • What is Resilience and How Do We Achieve It?

    RiverAdmin

    ,

    Community resilience has been defined as the ability of communities to prepare for, withstand, adapt to, and quickly recover from disaster or hardship. Hardships hit communities somewhat indiscriminately, and a seemingly successful community can still experience decline. A look back at the history of many of our towns here in the Oil Region can attest… Read more

  • River Roots Farm – Spring Update

    RiverAdmin

    , ,

    Winter might seem like it would be a pretty slow time for projects like River Roots Community Farm, but behind the scenes, Community Farm Coordinator, Jeremy, has been hard at work. Throughout the winter, he has been researching, planning, and gathering materials to make 2023 a successful growing season. By using a succession planting method,… Read more

  • Looking Back at Blueprint and Forward to River Roots

    RiverAdmin

    Since 2014, the Blueprint Initiative has been the catalyst for projects throughout the Allegheny-Clarion River Valley Region (ACRVR). The Blueprint Core Team and subcommittees focused on 4 main goals in the areas of recreation, business, family, and culture. Over the last nine years, this initiative has evolved and grown, constantly seeking better ways to support… Read more

  • Introducing New River Roots Redevelopment Writer, Rachel

    RiverAdmin

    My name is Rachel Brosnahan. (No, not that one!) I graduated from Pittsburgh Technical College with a degree in graphic design. I am currently a freelance designer working with businesses and nonprofits both locally and nationally. My husband and I, along with our two children, enjoy all the outdoor opportunities this area has to offer.… Read more

  • An update from Selina

    RiverAdmin

    Here we are, a month into 2023 already, and time shows no signs of slowing down! You may have noticed that our column has taken a break over the last few months (though work certainly hasn’t!) and now we are back, with a new look, a new broader focus, and some new people behind the… Read more

  • River Roots Community Farm Update – Nov. ’22

    RiverAdmin

    , ,

    The gardens are put to bed for the most part (green onions, chives, and parsley are still available to cut!). But, things are still moving along with the community farm, and today our new gazebo and garden shed arrived. Both were built by a local craftsman and delivered this morning to the farm site at… Read more

  • Pitfalls and Best Practices

    RiverAdmin

    , ,

    Published first on the Progress News, September 12, 2022 One of the best things about visiting other areas undergoing redevelopment is the opportunity to learn from the successes and challenges of projects in those areas – being able to analyze our own community’s similarities and differences and figure out our most practical next steps. We never… Read more

  • Notes from the National Brownfield Conference

    RiverAdmin

    , ,

    Published first on the Progress News, September 5, 2022 A couple of weeks ago, from the 15th to the 19th of August, I was lucky enough to tour a number of former brownfield sites in Oklahoma City. It wasn’t just a random trip; it was the much-delayed, long-awaited National Brownfield Conference – the first in over… Read more

  • Potential of a Community Garden

    RiverAdmin

    , ,

    Published first on the Progress News, August 29, 2022 So, what does it take to ensure a school garden or farm project is successful? Based on the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services’ analysis of the long-running Farm to School initiative, success can take many forms, but there are some similarities across many… Read more

  • Challenges of a Community Garden

    RiverAdmin

    , ,

    Published first on the Progress News, August 15, 2022 As we get started on the work made possible by the USDA’s Farm to School grant, I’ve received a few questions from folks curious about the big picture. So, I’d like to talk a bit more about what a school garden or farm can be, and what… Read more

  • River Roots Wins USDA Farm to School Grant

    RiverAdmin

    , ,

    Published first on the Progress News, August 8, 2022 While this year has been flying by ridiculously fast, it has still been a pretty good year, all things considered. And we just got another reason to smile – the USDA approved of our vision for the River Roots Community Farm and awarded us a Farm to… Read more

  • Aligning Values

    RiverAdmin

    Published first on the Progress News, July 25, 2022 When it comes to partnerships between public-benefit, non-profit organizations and private, for-profit companies, there is no shortage of confusion and misunderstanding. For quite some time, the only way most corporations, large or small, got involved in public-benefit programs and projects was by donating money or, occasionally, sending… Read more