Mingo County Group Hosts Green Jobs Now Picnic

	The Green Jobs picnic in Mingo County was yummy and good for the future. Photo by Catherine Pancake

Mingo County OVEC members hosted a picnic, adding to the national shout, "Were Ready for Green Jobs Now!" that rang out across America on Sept. 27, Green Jobs for All National Day of Action.

The local event was part of the new JOBS project, led by Eric Mathis, a student at Appalachian State University. JOBS stands for Just Open Businesses that are Sustainable.

Wind expert Adam Milt from Appalachian State University gave a presentation, shared films and brought a small-scale working windmill to the event. Marilyn Harrell with the Charleston-based Center for Economic Options brought materials to support folks starting businesses that will diversify local economies.

Nora Benavanides, with the Green Jobs for All Campaign, came all the way from Oakland, Calif., to spread the message about how communities all over the country are standing up and demanding Green Jobs Now including the 700 communities and more than 50,000 people that took part in the national day of action.

Nora gave an inspiring speech as picnic-goers gathered around a beautiful cake provided by Wilma and Terry Steele of Meador Hollow. The cakes decoration read

"Green Jobs For All" and the icing-painted windmills sure were yummy.

In spite of the rain, about 30 people made it out to the picnic. We inspired one another to think more critically about how we can bring clean energy and good jobs to southern West Virginia.

You can find more information on the national campaign at www.greenforall.org. For more information on the JOBS project, e-mail Eric at exotericeric@gmail.com. To stay in touch with the Mingo County group, West Virginia Future, check out the website at www.westvirginiafuture.org or call (304) 475-2529.