As landfills continue to swell, environmentalists and researchers increasingly promote composting in an effort to reduce the growing problem of food waste. And with 25% of every landfill comprising compostable materials, professionals are asking the masses to play the role of “scientist” in their own backyards. Sarasota County reached out to Randall Penn, a waste reduction agent with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, which offers Florida residents education from agricultural science professionals, and he now hosts various environmental and educational workshops for residents throughout the county.

The course “Let’s Make Some Black Gold!” focuses on the basics of at-home composting. Penn spends the first 20 minutes discussing food waste and the economic and environmental consequences that are a result of the growing problem, followed by a hands-on segment where attendees learn how to begin the composting process for themselves. Penn gives instruction on materials to use and how to properly create and maintain a composting bin, before building a pile from scratch for attendees to see. “Providing workshops that combine a classroom session and an outdoor hands-on approach is a great way to engage participants,” says Penn. “I find that the approach helps participants gain a better understanding of how to create bins and piles.” And though registration and attendance is free, for a $25 fee attendees will also be supplied with their own GEOBIN to take home and begin composting.

According to Penn, the workshops have a far larger effect than he originally ever anticipated, with the monthly composting classes sometimes having as many as 30+ attendees. Penn also receives feedback through surveys, which show a large amount of continued composting post-workshop.

Other extension classes focus on electric vehicles, solar energy, eco-friendly landscaping and more while also teaching easy and affordable ways to combat growing environmental concerns within the community.

Penn’s next “Let’s Make Some Black Gold!” workshop will be held June 26 at Shamrock Park & Nature Center in Venice. Click below for more information on the upcoming workshop, and to learn more about composting or other UF/IFAS extension classes. 

Pictured: Randall Penn gives residents a hands-on lesson in composting at the "Let's Make Some Black Gold!" workshop. Photo by Katie Erenati.

Let's Make Some Black Gold!

GrowFL on Tuesday announced the finalists for this year’s Florida Companies to Watch competition. Four second-stage businesses from the Sarasota-Manatee region made the cut.

Those include: DMT, a radar system company in Manatee County; EarthBalance, an ecological restoration and construction firm in North Port; StrataPT, an Osprey-based business services firm for business and occupational therapists; and WG Wood Products, a Sarasota company specializing in custom wood furnishings and décor.

The finalists were chosen from 224 applicants representing small business throughout the Sunshine State.

“Small businesses make up 99.8 percent of Florida businesses and we applaud these first round finalists who have shown how they stand out in their regions as innovative business leaders, going to the next level to grow their companies. They are true rock stars,” says Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL executive director. 

Honorees for this year’s award will be announced in July. 

Photo courtesy EarthBalance: Sarasota firm consults on ecological restoration.

New College of Florida has awarded the first Archimedes Scholarship to Saurav Kiri, a graduate of Pineview High School who will be attending New College this fall. He will receive an annual $10,000 scholarship and intends to study biology or biochemistry.

Sarasota philanthropists Andrew and Judith Economos established the Archimedes Scholars Program with a $500,000 gift and selected New College to administer the award earlier this year. The scholarship program, named after the legendary Greek mathematician and scientist, provides a $10,000 scholarship annually to a New College student and a $5,000 scholarship yearly to two graduates of high schools in Sarasota or Manatee County pursuing studies in a STEM field.

Kevin Zhu, also a Pineview High School graduate, and Griffin Heckler, a graduate of Manatee High School, will receive annual $5,000 scholarships from the Archimedes Scholars Program. 

New College of Florida

This Saturday, June 8, Music Compound will hold its annual Summer Fest celebration, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Child Protection Center (CPC), the goal of which is to break the cycle of abuse prevalent in so many families. The fundraiser will be held from 11am until 3pm at Music Compound’s downtown studio, adjacent to The Bazaar at Apricot and Lime. Tickets are a $5 per person donation to the cause, and includes: entrance, silent auction, wrist band for bounce house, beer samples, crafts and live music provided by Music Compound students and instructors. Vendors with items for purchase include Gigi's Food Truck, Kona Ice and Wicked Good Cupcakes. 

Music Compound

Friendship Centers, a nonprofit that serves adults over 50 in southwest Florida, recently appointed Ruth Frazier as its chief development officer. With more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, Frazier will serve as the lead strategist for philanthropy through the development and execution of a comprehensive fund development plan, supported by strategic communications, to meet the needs of the organization.

In her new role, Frazier will be responsible for fundraising events, planned giving, capital or endowment campaigns, special fundraising initiatives, development projects and the cultivation, management and stewardship of donors and volunteers. Most recently, she served as the chief development officer for Chimp Haven, The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where she led all fundraising activities for the national organization with a $5 million budget and increased annual fund revenue by more than 50 percent. 

Friendship Centers

The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee (TFTSM)—an organization founded in 2005 to provide young people with educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf—has hired golf industry veteran Andy Mears as its Development Director. He most recently development director for The First Tee of Greater Chicago, and has spent 40 years working in many areas of the golf industry.

His position as Development Director for The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee will have him managing fundraising, and see the organization adopt a new Development Plan under his fundraising leadership. The plan prioritizes stewardship of current donors, as well as seeking new donors, especially at the corporate level. 

The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee

The Team Tony Cancer Foundation, a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization that provides free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers in the local community, recently appointed Melissa Ferlazzo as its development director.

In her new role, Ferlazzo will handle the day-to-day fundraising and development operations of the nonprofit. She will also coordinate special events, spearhead grants and grant writing and supervise donor relations and volunteer recruitment. Before joining the Team Tony Cancer Foundation, Ferlazzo served as the director of programs for Junior Achievement. She was responsible for the implementation of elementary, middle and high school programs, which impacted more than 4,000 students annually. 

Team Tony Cancer Foundation

The Sarasota YMCA Achievers program recently awarded college scholarships to 20 high school graduates, as well as to 15 college students who participate in the program. The Achievers program empowers students to set and achieve goals in both their educational and personal lives, encouraging continuous growth in the areas of personal development, college preparation, community service and leadership, cultural enrichment and career options. The program, which has served the community for 28 years, is open to all middle and high school students in Sarasota County. Sponsors of the Achievers program include Publix Super Markets Charities, Sarasota County and United Way Suncoast. 

Sarasota YMCA Achievers

Bank of America has presented Meals On Wheels of Sarasota a $10,000 grant in support of its meal service to homebound seniors, Veterans, children and their families who are unable to shop, visit a food pantry or prepare meals for themselves. 500+ heart healthy meals are delivered six days a week to residents of all ages who have physical or mental disabilities. 

Meals on Wheels of Sarasota

Embracing Our Differences has announced the addition of Linda Poteat-Brown and Kaley Wisner to the organization’s board of directors.

Poteat-Brown, the daughter of one of EOD’s founding members, Carol Poteat-Buchanan, who died in 2018, is the director of human resources at Easter Seals Southwest Florida and has nearly four decades of experience in the areas of marketing, event planning and human resources. She is also a graduate of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sarasota Class of 2018. Wisner, a 10th-grade student at Pine View School, is a member of The Boys & Girls Club’s STAR (Students Take Active Roles) Leadership Training program. She has participated in the EOD student docent program for the organization’s outdoor exhibit at Bayfront Park, and has also submitted art and quotes for the exhibit.  

Embracing Our Differences

Join SRQ MEDIA for the SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota on Thursday, July 25, 2019 from 11:30am-1pm. The SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy luncheon and panel discussion will deeply explore new practices that are changing the face of the nonprofit world through innovative approaches, strategic mission development and groundbreaking initiatives that strengthen impact. The SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy guest panelists include David Moore, Founder and President of Moore Strategic Consulting; Sabeen Perwaiz, Executive Director of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance and Lilly Weinberg, Program Director of Community and National Initiatives for the Knight Foundation.

Thank you to SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy event sponsor CoolToday and to the 2019-2020 SB2 Series sponsors: Merrill Lynch Mariash Lowther Wealth Management, JFCS of the Suncoast, The Hyatt Regency Sarasota and PSAV.

Tickets for SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy can be purchased HERE

SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy