New Economy News | September 2025 | |
Investing in the Future:
ANCA's 2024 Annual Report
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ANCA and our partners are working at a pivotal time — where investments in our rural communities today are essential for building a strong, stable economy that will sustain North Country farms, businesses and communities for generations to come.
In ANCA's 2024 Annual Report, you’ll find stories of people and projects we supported this past year — each demonstrating how ANCA leverages our relationships, reputation and expertise to advance a timeless mission.
Together with partners and the people we serve, we are building a future where our communities are resilient and thriving.
| | | Hot off the press! Want to receive a print copy of the Annual Report? Send your contact information to membership@adirondack.org and we'll mail you one. | |
How Welcoming Are the Adirondacks?
This summer, Colgate University student Leigha Schultze joined us as an Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI) fellow. She contributed to an ongoing study on how visitors to the Adirondack High Peaks perceive the area in terms of welcoming and inclusivity. This research supports the NYSDEC's Visitor Use Management (VUM) planning by evaluating whether people feel welcome in wild spaces in the Adirondacks.
| | | In this month's What's Up North Blog, Leigha reflects on her fellowship with ANCA and ADI and the role local nonprofits play in empowering community members to enact positive change that benefits all who live, work and visit our region. Read about her experience on our blog page. | | On a Roll: Raising Awareness by Bike and EV | |
A Beautiful Day to Bike the Barns
Wow. Sunday's weather and vibe were perfect for ANCA's 8th Bike the Barns! Thank you to all who joined us in Westport, New York for this celebration of North Country farmers and local food entrepreneurs, and all they do for our rural communities and landscapes.
Over 250 riders and supporters participated in the event, where cyclists had a chance to meet and learn from farmers and business owners along the route, experience their farms and lands up close, and engage more intentionally with the local food movement.
Special thanks to the BikeADK crew for their expertise, our amazing sponsors for their fiscal support, our host partners at Camp Dudley, farm stop hosts, the generous folks who donated raffle items, food and drink providers at ADK Food Hub and Ausable Brewing Company, our eager volunteers from Ithaca College and elsewhere, and the local band Ploughman's Lunch.
Your engagement and support truly made this a special day. Thank you!
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Watts & Wheels Rolls This Saturday
Join The Wild Center, Third Act Upstate NY, and the North Country Clean Energy Hub for a special celebration of electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean energy technologies. Speak to local EV owners and see their vehicles, visit with community organizations working in clean energy, and attend programs about renewable energy solutions.
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The free event will also feature family-friendly activities and the chance to see the community-created Sun Day Wool tapestry!
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What: Watts & Wheels Celebration
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When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Where: The Wild Center, Tupper Lake
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Registration: FREE; pre-registration encouraged
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Input Wanted: North Country Comprehensive Climate Action Plan
On Thursday, October 16, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., ANCA will host a webinar to review and gather feedback on the New York State Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). This webinar is presented as part of the NYSDEC Climate Smart Communities Grant program, administered by ANCA. Participation will help shape strategic priorities and collaborations.
The webinar will:
- Share NYS Scoping Plan highlights
- Recap the US EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program (CPRG)
- Review key concepts about Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP)
- Discuss intersection of plans and ask gather feedback specific to our North Country region
North Country leaders are encouraged to attend and provide region-specific insights to inform future climate and energy funding decisions.
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Public Comment for Saranac Lake Plan
The Saranac Lake Climate Task Force has developed a draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) aimed at guiding climate initiatives within the community. Residents and stakeholders are invited to review the plan and provide feedback to help shape and strengthen its direction. Community input helps make sure the CAP reflects local priorities. The deadline for comments is Tuesday, September 30.
| | | Small Business Opportunities | | |
Back to Basics Fall Webinar Series
Join the ANCA Small Business Team for a new fall webinar series: Back to Basics for Entrepreneurs. These hour-long webinars provide best practices, tips and resources for building skills for your business.
- Tuesday, October 7, 12-1 p.m.: Basic Digital Communications — REGISTER HERE
- Wednesday, October 22, 12-1 p.m.: DIY Website Basics — REGISTER HERE
Stay tuned for more programs in this series! Questions? Contact us at smallbusiness@adirondack.org.
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Returning Vendor Registration Open for Adirondack Buyer Days
Registration is open for returning vendors for our 2026 Adirondack Buyer Days trade show!
We'll soon begin accepting applications from prospective new vendors, who are invited to complete our Vendor Interest Form. Buyer registration to follow!
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NY Cooperative Summit Coming Soon
ANCA and CBIT look forward to participating in this year's New York Cooperative Summit in Albany on Saturday, October 4, 2025. This one-day event brings together cooperative members, leaders, organizers, and allies to share practical tools and strategies for starting, sustaining, and scaling the co-op ecosystem across New York State. Learn more and register here.
| | Adirondack Diversity Initiative | | | |
Exploring Human-Nature Relationships
ADI, in partnership with Talking Rivers and Diversity Education in Nature (DEIN), is offering free virtual sessions that explore human interactions with nature, nature awareness, and ways we can build more equitable human ecosystems by better understanding our non-human world. October sessions include:
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Save the Date: Rivers, Forests, Voices
ADI will host an in-person gathering for educators and community leaders focused on building relationships with nature. Participants will learn from guest speakers from Talking Rivers and DEIN. More information coming soon. Save the date now!
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What: Where Rivers, Forests, and Voices Meet: Co-Creating Justice Across Human and Ecological Communities
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When: Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Where: The Wild Center, Tupper Lake
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Outdoor Xperience For All
ADI is proud to support Xperience For All, set for Saturday, September 27 at Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake. This day devoted to outdoor recreation features workshops, games, demonstrations, and presentations, all in the spirit of providing visitors a foundation to safely pursue recreation on their own. ADI's Tiffany Rea-Fisher and Tamara Jolly will be present to share information about ADI programs.
Photo courtesy of Adirondack Experience
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N4C Network Expands
The North Country Community Composting Coalition (N4C) recently welcomed new member Ben Wever Farm. The farm is gradually expanding their food scrap collection services in the Essex, Westport, Willsboro and Elizabethtown areas.
Photo: Compost for Good's John Culpepper consults with Ben Wever Farm's Shaun Gilliland during a farm visit.
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Elsewhere, North Country Compost has launched a bucket swap at Coakley ACE hardware in Canton and River Valley Regeneratives (RiVR) has exceeded 1 million pounds of food scraps collected since their launch three years ago! RiVR recently tripled their accounts when Blue Line Compost closed after five years of excellent service in the area.
To find a food scrap hauling business or community composter in your area, visit our N4C webpage or contact Jennifer Perry at jperry@adirondack.org. Email pigelb@gmail.com to learn more about Ben Wever Farm's services.
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Meat & Mortality Composting
Composting provides an inexpensive option for
disposing of dead animals, butcher wastes, and other biological residuals. Next Monday, Compost for Good will host a free workshop with mortality composting expert Jean Bonhotal that will offer a hands-on opportunity to learn about animal mortality and butcher waste composting. A great opportunity for local farmers and butchers.
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What: Meat & Mortality Composting Workshop
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When: Monday, September 29, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
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Where: Whitcomb's Arts and Reber Rock Farm, Essex, NY
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Registration: Free
Email Jennifer Perry at jperry@adirondack.org for more information.
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Welcome to the ANCA Team!
Earlier this month, Kayla Gutheil joined ANCA's Climate & Energy team as our new Technical Energy Advisor. A former Energy Advisor with the North Country Clean Energy Hub, Kayla now works closely with ANCA staff and Hub partners to assist North Country businesses and nonprofits with energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities and projects.
Welcome Kayla!
| | | ICYMI: News from Around the Region | | |
Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:
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People & Operations Manager: Democracy at Work Institute
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Vice President of Administration/ Chief Financial Officer: SUNY Canton
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Executive Director: View Arts Center
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Administration & Finance Specialist: Cooperative Development Institute
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Project Manager: Green Goat Maps
Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.
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Build a Resilient Regional Economy
ANCA members and donors are growing the region's New Economy by building strong, resilient and equitable systems for local food, clean energy and small businesses. We deeply appreciate your support of this important work.
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