North Country Economy News | April 2026 | | Take Action During Earth Week (and Every Day) | | Photo: North Country School students collect dining hall food scraps for composting. | |
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Food Waste
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that in 2019, 66 million tons of wasted food was generated in the food retail, food service, and residential sectors, and most of this waste (about 60%) was sent to landfills. Wasted food is responsible for 8% of the world’s carbon pollution and is the single largest sector of municipal landfills in the U.S., making up roughly 24% of all landfill waste.
While these numbers are sobering, it's heartening to know there are small and tangible steps we can take to reduce wasted food and keep food scraps out of landfills. Learn how in this month's What's Up North blog by Cody Douglas from our Compost for Good team.
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Our Conference is Just Days Away!
We're counting down the days to ANCA's 2026 Climate & Energy Conference in Lake Placid, and we hope to see you there!
This two-day event will bring together leaders, innovators, and community advocates to explore current climate and energy issues.
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Experiences, Sessions, Speakers & More
From noon Thursday through Friday afternoon, ANCA's 2026 Climate & Energy Conference provides countless opportunities to learn about regional energy solutions, explore local establishments that are implementing climate-smart practices, and network with others who are advancing the transition to clean energy in their communities.
Through field trips, presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, you'll engage in timely conversations about efforts that are "bridging innovation and community values" across our region and New York State.
Stay tuned for more information about sessions and speakers on our website, coming soon!
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Community Center Showcases Upgrades
Join Owls Head Mountain View Community Center for a community-wide Open House, hosted in partnership with the North Country Clean Energy Hub. Residents of all ages are welcome for an afternoon of connection, learning, and celebration as we highlight the newest upgrades to the OHMV facility. Explore energy efficiency resources, meet with community groups, and enjoy free food and family-friendly activities.
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What: Community Center Open House
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When: Tuesday, May 19, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
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Where: Owls Head Mountain View Community Center
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Lewis County Climate Adaptation Plan Workshop
Lewis County and ANCA are partnering to develop a County-wide Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience Plan (CCARP). We are seeking public input from Lewis Country residents through a survey (complete the survey here) and a series of two public workshops.
The first workshop will explore how climate hazards like flooding, high winds and drought have the potential to impact Lewis County now and in the future. We will identify places, assets, and services to include in the plan and determine their vulnerability to climate hazards.
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What: Lewis County CCARP Plan Public Workshop #1
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When: Thursday, May 21 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
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Where: Lowville Public Library
| | This will build into a second workshop, where we will identify adaptation actions to identified vulnerabilities. The resulting plan will give Lewis County tools to protect homes and communities by making safety a shared priority. | | Adirondack Diversity Initiative | | | |
Meet Renowned Ornithologist at Local Black Birders Week Events
Join the Adirondack Diversity Initiative and John Brown Lives! for our second annual local celebration of National Black Birders Week — and the opportunity to learn from esteemed author, ornithologist and naturalist Dr. J. Drew Lanham.
In partnership with NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, we are excited to host a special day of birding at John Brown Farm State Historic Site in Lake Placid on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
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Later that evening, ADI and JBL! are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lanham for a community conversation at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The talk will take place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a reception and book sale from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. We hope you'll join us for this special presentation!
Learn more about both events in this week's press release.
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Policing Forum Set for May 12
Join us for ADI’s first public Community Policing Forum, where you'll learn about this important initiative, now in its fourth year.
You’ll hear from our trainers at RENZ Consulting and members of law enforcement who have participated in the training. We'll also be sharing results of our program evaluation, with time for Q&A.
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Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by presentations at 6:00 p.m. Contact ADI's Melanie Reding for more info: mreding@adirondack.org.
| | Small Business Opportunities | |
Adirondack Buyer Days Celebrations
On behalf of ANCA staff and board (some pictured here), thank you to all who joined us for our 40th Anniversary Adirondack Buyer Days trade show in Saratoga Springs last month. It's always so inspiring and energizing to see so many talented makers make face-to-face connections with each other and with retail buyers from across the region.
Thank you for making this such a great 40th year. We look forward to seeing you in 2027!
Save the date: March 14-15, 2027 in Saratoga Springs. Buyer registration is open.
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Congratulations to the winners (pictured below) of this year's New Product Contest, which featured nearly 30 beautiful new products made by show vendors:
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First place: Meliora Forever
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Second place: Menai & Co.
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Honorable mentions: Third Wolf Designs and RiverStone Arts
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Entrepreneur Roundtable Continues in May
Join other members of the North Country business community in a welcoming space where you can network, share ideas, ask questions, and feel connected. In response to positive feedback from winter program participants, ANCA's Small Business Program team will reconvene our monthly Entrepreneur Roundtable virtual sessions, starting in May.
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What: Entrepreneur Virtual Roundtable
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When: First Tuesday of each month (May 2, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1)
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Where: Virtual via Zoom
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Cost: Sliding scale (recommended donation of $20)
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Want to meet up with other entrepreneurs in person?
Join Clarkson University's Shipley Center for Innovation and partners for North Country Entrepreneurship Meetups across the region. The regional series of meetups rotate between locations across seven counties. The program now hosts free meetups in Lowville, Potsdam, Malone, Plattsburgh, Elizabethtown, Ticonderoga, and the Tri-Lakes.
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New Small Business Upgrade Program
ANCA is happy to announce our new Small Business Energy Upgrade Initiative, which is supported by a grant from the National Grid Foundation and set to launch later this spring.
Join us for a free webinar to learn more about three initiatives designed for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and economic development partners interested in advancing projects that increase safety, comfort and affordability.
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What: Small Business Energy Upgrade Webinar
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When: Tuesday, May 19 at noon
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Where: Virtual via Zoom
Pictured: Tug Hill Artisan Roasters in Lowville installed an energy-efficient heat pump system in 2022 with ANCA's support .
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Mothers Day Market
The farmers' market is the perfect place to find a meaningful gift for mom or to pick up some locally crafted items that will brighten up her day. On Saturday, May 9, the High Peaks Farmers’ Market will set up inside the Hotel Saranac for a special Mother's Day celebration. Learn more.
The Saranac Lake outdoor farmers’ market returns to Riverside Park on May 16 with a full slate of local food and craft vendors. The Lake Placid market returns outdoors at the Olympic Oval on July 1.
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Leftover Produce Goes from Market to Table
Thanks to a grant award from the Glenn & Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, ANCA will purchase leftover produce at the end of our High Peaks Farmers' Markets this summer and then distribute it to local soup kitchens and food pantries. This effort will help address food insecurity in our region, support our hardworking farmers, and reduce food waste.
Thank you to the Pearsall Foundation for supporting this project. Learn more about this and other awarded projects on the Foundation's website.
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Composting Partners Grow Support
The momentum for reducing organic waste through community composting keeps growing!
Clarkson University and our Compost for Good team were recently awarded a nearly $100,000 grant for continuing their efforts to build awareness around composting opportunities and support a growing number of small businesses who are helping divert organic waste from landfills by collecting, hauling and composting food scraps.
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To learn more or get involved in our programs, contact compostforgood@adirondack.org.
Photo: Community Compost Liaison Tanaka Mudzimbasekwa at a St. Lawrence County event
| | ICYMI: News from Around the Region | | |
Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:
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Multiple Positions: Adirondack Mountain Club
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Restoration Project Contractor: Boquet River Association
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Grant Coordinator-Contractor: Adirondack Health
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Development Director: Ausable Freshwater Center
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Digital Editor: Adirondack Explorer
Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.
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Build Shared Prosperity for All
ANCA members and donors are building shared prosperity across northern New York by supporting programs that strengthen small businesses, local food systems, climate & energy initiatives, and welcoming & belonging. Thank you for powering this important work.
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