Two local nonprofits are teaming up to show what’s possible in the world of sustainability at the “Be Original, Boulder County: A Celebration of Innovation” fundraiser on July 15.
Held at Jack’s Solar Garden in Longmont, the event is a collaboration between the Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center and the zero-waste recycling organization Eco-Cycle, which has a compost demonstration site at the garden. All proceeds from tickets and any donations will be split equally to benefit both nonprofits.
“It helps us continue the education and get more people on board for something positive in the future,” said Alexandra Hankins, fundraising and events coordinator with Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center.
Agrivoltaic farming allows solar panels to share agricultural land by raising them off the ground, which provides shade and other benefits for the plants underneath. The learning center provides education about agrivoltaics and frequently brings local high school groups to Jack’s Solar Garden for tours and activities.
This is the inaugural “Be Original, Boulder County,” which Hankins said is part of an effort this year to bring more people to the garden through larger events. The name, she explained, is meant to acknowledge what sets the Boulder County area apart in its commitment to regenerative agriculture and renewable energy.
“There’s a lot of money in Boulder, and…(the city) has the opportunity to focus on sustainability, whereas there are a lot of places that don’t,” Hankins said. “So I think it’s important to focus on the good things that are coming out of that, where we’re able to move forward because of that innovation.”
During next Saturday’s event, guests will be offered two rounds of tours of the solar garden and Eco-Cycle’s compost demonstration site. In addition to live music, guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy food and drinks from sustainable, Boulder-based companies like Meati and Rowdy Mermaid.
Younger participants are invited to join a sensory scavenger hunt that will let kids “see and touch every part of the farm,” Hankins said. Other planned children’s activities include raspberry picking and planting sunflowers in compost.
Hankins said the research into agrivoltaics being done at Jack’s Solar Garden by institutions like Colorado State University aims to inspire other communities to take advantage of the practice.
“It’s teaching people that there is another way, a better way,” she said. “We can actively bring you here and show you the difference that it’s making.”
The event goes from 2 to 6 p.m. at Jack’s Solar Garden, 8102 N. 95th St. Tickets are $25 for adults and are available at bit.ly/be-original-celebration.
