AGRIHOOD RESIDENTS KICK-OFF NEIGHBORHOOD BLUE ZONE INITIATIVE WITH DOCUMENTARY AND DISCUSSION

WHAT: Green Gate Farms and Village Farm agrihood residents invite all to an early Earth Day celebration at its historic east Austin farm site. Events include: a tour of the organic farm, potluck supper in the farmhouse, outdoor screening of the Blue Zone documentary, and a resident-led  discussion about creating a neighborhood Blue Zone. Blue Zones are geographic areas with lower rates of chronic disease and longer life expectancy due to diet, exercise and lifestyle.

Every year Green Gate Farms hosts an Earth Day event to raise awareness about how to get involved in protecting our foodshed and environment. Visitors are encouraged to come experience Village Farm, the country’s first Tiny Home agrihood: a certified organic farm, 120 tiny homes, and residents who are passionate about health and living sustainably.  

WHEN: Saturday, April 20 2024, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 

5:30 p.m. Free Tour of Green Gate Farms by farm founders

6;00-7:00 p.m. Potluck, historic farmhouse. Please bring food/drink to share.

7:00-8:00 p.m Documentary viewed outdoors on farm* 

8:00-8:30 p.m Community Discussion about creating a local Blue Zone

WHERE: Green Gate Farms (east Austin, 8310 Canoga Ave, Austin, 78724)/Village Farm Agrihood *In case of bad weather, documentary will be viewed indoors.

WHO: Open to all 

HOW: Free but donations encouraged to cover event costs. Limited parking at the Big Red Barn. Please carpool, cycle, or walk as you are able.

FOR MORE INFO: Blue Zone Team, Village Farm Members: Lori MacAuley, 512-294-4796, Regina Kubelka, 512-577-4382.  Green Gate Farms: Erin Flynn, 512-949-9831

Information Meeting about Air Permit for Proposed Rock Crusher

Come early for Free BBQ!

Neighbors have a rare opportunity to insist to regulators that Bastrop County has no need for more rock crushers as Travis Materials seeks to add yet another to the FM 969 area, this time near Utley Bridge.

Travis Materials, is one three companies that have suddenly started mining the historic and recreational areas in Utley/Wilbarger Bend in the past two years. Though tons of prime farmland are being removed daily there has been no input from neighbors or people who have enjoyed the area for decades.

Travis Materials has requested an air permit to add yet another rock and cement crusher to this FM 969 neighborhood in western Bastrop County. This plant, near Wilbarger Bend Road, will have negative impacts upon: 

• School children and low-income residents living beside mining operations

• Neighbors and long-time residents of Utley Freedom Colony 

• Bastrop’s premier recreational areas along Colorado River, near Utley Bridge

• Historic sacred places like Barton Hill cemetery, final resting place of enslaved people, recently impacted by mining

• Bald eagles (currently nesting) and other wildlife on Wilbarger Bend

• Certified organic farms and ranchers, including Green Gate Farms, Middle Ground Farm

Given current policies, this meeting is the only opportunity for the public to question miners and share concerns about adding a rock and cement crusher to our neighborhood.

When: Thursday, March 7, 2024 

• Community Gathering, learn how poorly monitored mining affects you and what you can do about it. Meet environmental groups, sign petitions, enjoy free BBQ,

  4:00-7:00 p.m.

• TCEQ Informational Meeting about Travis Materials’ Rock Crushing Air Permit, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Where: Spiderwood Studios, 140 Utley Road, Elgin, TX 78621

Who:   Come early to meet your neighbors and learn more from groups that may include: (organizations in bold are confirmed) 

• PODER

• Bastrop Interfaith

• Friends of the Land, farmland preservation

• Keep Bastrop Boring

• Texans for Responsible Gravel Mining (TRAM)

• Environmental Stewardship