You’re invited to join the ANCA Community in Ticonderoga on July 26 as we celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to a strong future for the Adirondack North Country. 

We will hear stories and updates from ANCA’s leadership and board, the organization’s small business, food systems, clean energy, and Adirondack Diversity Initiative programs, and we will recognize members of our community who are working to ensure that our region’s economy includes everyone.

• What: 2024 ANCA Annual Meeting
• When: Friday, July 26, 2024, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Where: Fort Ticonderoga, 102 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, NY
• Cost: $40* includes meeting, welcome coffee and pastries, and a general admission ticket to Fort Ticonderoga for the entire day.

Questions about the meeting may be directed to ANCA's Zach Hobbs: zhobbs@adirondack.org.

* ANCA is committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the region and making our programs accessible for all. Please note alternative fee payment options during the registration process.

Pride Month

Around much of the world, June is recognized as LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex) Pride Month to celebrate the many contributions of the LGBTQI+ community to history, society and cultures worldwide.

The Historical Significance of Juneteenth

"The observance of Juneteenth is about the journey and achievement of African Americans – from a horrific period of sanctioned enslavement to the pinnacle of human endeavors. It is a story of pride, resilience and determination that will always be of historical and spiritual importance – as it serves us well to understand that together, we can overcome all obstacles in our path.

Potsdam Juneteenth Celebration

The public is invited to learn about Juneteenth, African-American culture, and local history through entertainment and brief historical presentations at the fifth annual Potsdam community-wide Juneteenth Celebration. The Adirondack Diversity Initiative is proud to co-sponsor for this annual event.

• What: 5th Annual Potsdam Juneteenth Celebration
• When: Saturday, June 22, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
• Where: Ives Park Gazebo, 3 Riverview Drive, Potsdam, NY (Rain location: Clarkson University's IRC Arena)

Harriet Tubman: Beacon of Hope

Join John Brown Lives! at John Brown Farm for the unveiling of "Beacon of Hope," a sculpture by Wesley Wofford depicting abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman. The event will also feature music from the High Peaks Bell Choir, words from Yunga Webb of the TimbukII Initiative, interactive exhibits, and more.

• What: "Beacon of Hope" Unveiling
• When: Friday, July 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
• Where: John Brown Farm, Lake Placid

Get Updates from ADI

Stay up to date on news from the Adirondack Diversity Initiative and other opportunities to engage in issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our region. Sign up for the monthly ADI e-newsletter today. Read the June 2024 newsletter here.

Sign Up Soon to Save Your Spot

Spots are filling up fast for ANCA's 8th Bike the Barns, so register today for this unique farm-by-bike experience! The fully supported recreational road cycling tour highlights the rich agricultural movement of the North Country. The ride features farm stops and culminates with a finish line celebration with local food, beverages and live music.

• What: Bike the Barns
• When: Saturday, September 21, 2024
• Where: New York's Champlain Valley
• Start/Finish: Ausable Brewing Co., Keeseville, NY

We are grateful to the experts at Bike Adirondacks for providing amazing logistic and event support for Bike the Barns. Doug and his crew make this a fun and welcoming experience year after year.

National Strategy for Reducing Food Waste and Recycling Organics

Great news this month from the U.S. Composting Coalition with the announcement of the federal government’s new strategy to address wasted food in our country. 

The strategy aligns with Compost for Good's work supporting community-scale food waste reduction and food scrap composting through technical support, marketing, education, outreach, resource sharing and peer-to-peer connections in an effort to support a regional circular economy. 

Calling North Country Composting Partners

Compost for Good is seeking entities interested in community-scale composting, food scrap hauling, or compost applications in Jefferson, Lewis and St Lawrence Counties.

ANCA, in partnership with the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC), Clarkson University and Syracuse University, is looking for emerging community composters, food scrap haulers, and/or farmers interested in compost application. This team of experts is offering technical assistance, business development support, grant writing, trainings, peer-to-peer connections for municipalities, businesses, farms, schools, and institutions interested in developing an onsite composting program. 

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact ANCA's Jennifer Perry at jperry@adirondack.org.

The 2024 summer season is well under way at the High Peaks Farmers' Markets in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, among other markets across the North Country. Stop by your local farmers' markets for farm-fresh food, locally made crafts, live music and community connection.

Learn more on the High Peaks Farmers' Market website, and follow its Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date with weekly market happenings.

SNAP and EBT are accepted at these markets.

Fight Hunger Bag Program

For the month of July 2024, $1 of every Fight Hunger Bag purchase at the Lake Placid Hannaford Supermarkets will support ANCA's food system work. From helping small farms and food businesses access project funding, to increasing community-scale composting opportunities, to promoting SNAP and EBT benefits at local farmers markets — ANCA works with regional partners to build a resilient and equitable food system in the North Country. Thank you for your support!

Thanks to all who came out on June 8 to celebrate the grand opening of Silver Birch Cycles in Saranac Lake. We are excited to see the ongoing evolution of this downtown bicycle shop under the ownership of Justin Oliver.

Learn more about the shop's history and ownership transition, as well as Justin's community-oriented vision for the business in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

Congrats to Justin on this milestone!

Congratulations to all the communities who are completing actions and earning credit toward clean energy grants while also saving money and greenhouse gas emissions. Special congratulations to those communities that recently qualified for grants:

• Town of Champlain subscribed 6 municipal accounts to community solar
• Town of Essex completed Clean Energy Upgrades tiers 1, 2 and 3 and received 1,000 pts for converting interior building lighting to LED
• Town of Jay completed Community campaign for Clean Heating & Cooling Tier 2 and purchased electric landscaping equipment
• Town of Peru completed Municipal Building Demo: Clean Heating & Cooling for installing air-source heat pumps in their town hall
• Town & Village of Potsdam started Community Campaigns for Community Distributed Generation (CDG) in partnership with NP&L
• Town of Saranac nominated former industrial land to be considered for renewable development through NYSERDA’s Build Ready program
• Village of Saranac Lake completed Community campaign for Clean Heating & Cooling Tier 2 and subscribed municipal accounts to community hydro
• Town of St. Armand completed Community campaign for Clean Heating & Cooling Tier 1

Extra congratulation to those communities that recently qualified for grants:

• Village of Clayton: $15,000
• Town of Essex: $50,000
• Town of Harrietstown: $70,000
• Town of Martinsburg: $10,000
• Village of Saranac Lake: $110,000
• Town of Westport: $100,000

Contact ANCA's Clean Energy Team at energy@adirondack.org to learn how your community can take advantage of this opportunity.

Paramedic Program at Clarkson

Thank you to ANCA Board President Kelly Chezum and leaders of Clarkson University's new Paramedic Program for welcoming our Board of Directors to campus and providing a tour of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facilities and programs.

The nine-month Paramedic Program is a great opportunity for anybody interested in pursuing a career in the medical fields, regardless of age, prior work experience and educational background. The program's second cohort begins on August 19, 2024.

Farewell to Local Food Systems Director

In May, Adam Dewbury left his position as ANCA's Local Food System Director. Among Adam’s accomplishments in his four years at ANCA are the establishment of the SOIL Loan Fund, securing a $558,000 USDA Climate Smart Commodities Grant, and providing organizational support for the High Peaks Farmers’ Markets. 

We are grateful to Adam for his work with farmers and local food system partners, as well as his collaborative work to advance equity and inclusion at ANCA and in the region. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.

Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:

• Cooperative Business Consultant: ICA Group
• Second Chance Pell Program Coordinator: North Country Community College
• On Site Energy Manager: Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES
• Executive Director: Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation
• Economic Developer: Village of Potsdam

Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.