Hi, I'm Barbara. I also answer to Babs and Edgewalker, though the
latter is more a nom de net. I live and work in Rancho, within
walking distance of the Mather business part. I've been
progressively greening my lifestyle for some time, and I've talked
with some sustainability advocates who have moved to rural areas, but
I am particularly interested in making the Sacramento area more
sustainable, from buying and/or raising food locally to local
production of biodiesel, methane and glycerin-sourced ethanol for
fuels. As I see it, sustainability means that we don't just recycle,
we create what we need from what's here already and make the best
possible use of what we do import from elsewhere.

So, a few questions sparked mostly from the upcoming potluck. Does
anyone know of a local supply of grains and grain products -- wheat,
oats, etc. -- that was raised, say within a hundred miles of the
metro area? Is there any kind of profile available for local
markets, including the local Asian stores, that shows where the
company sources the bulk of its food and other goods? Also, are
there any biodiesel or ethanol producers here in the area, whether
experimental or commercial? I work for a company that is serious
about its green commitments, and I would like to present some options
to management for fuels that might be usable in the company's truck
fleet and/or employee vehicles.

Thank you for your consideration.

Barbara