Go Green
Rockford Woman editor Jennie Pollock knows that we’re not going to transform our lifestyles overnight, but she looks for ways big and mostly small to protect our planet. Read about her experiences (she’s tried giving up plastic and meat, for example) and share your possible solutions here.

Blogger bios

Ever since she switched to reusable grocery bags in 2007, Rockford Woman editor Jennie Pollock has been paranoid about almost every thing she puts in the trash, wondering “Is this recyclable?” This blog started in May with a one-week experiment, trying not to buy plastic, and Pollock has kept it up since then. Finally, “green” is in, and maybe you want to help people save our planet.

Jennie is joined by these green bloggers:

Jill Beyer of Harrison Market Gardens, an organic pick-your-own vegetable and fruit market at 9024 Harrison Road in Rockford, is a retired teacher who’s passionate about bringing local foods and their growers to the forefront.

Meghan Bowe is programming specialist for horticulture and natural resources at the University of Illinois Extension - Winnebago County. She also contributes to the Garden Q&A column found Saturdays in GO.

Tom Eickman of Eickman’s Processing in Seward is president of the Illinois Association of Meat Processors for 2009.

Andrea Hazzard is from Pecatonica’s Hazzard Free Farm PYO CSA, a three-acre farm that offers pick-your-own organic produce to members who pay $20 a week to get a share. It’s part of First Hand Harvest CSA LLC. For more information, go to firsthandharvest.com or localharvest.org/farms/M17735.

Margaret Larson is director of the University of Illinois Extension for Stephenson and Winnebago Counties.

Heidi Lindroth is co-owner of Moonglow Farms in Davis, which features produce from April through November, plants from April through September, herbal vinegars and teas year-round, heirloom vegetable and herb plants, and more.

Constance McCarthy is “blog mother” and a University of Illinois Extension master gardener for Winnebago County.

JoAn Todd of Rockford is a registered dietitian and works for the University of Illinois Extension as an educator in nutrition and wellness, helping local staff in five counties teaching nutrition to consumers. She currently serves on the advisory council for the Rock River Valley Pantry and Northern Illinois Area Council on Aging.

Lenae Weichel and her family have gone “locavore” since summer 2008. That means they try to eat only food raised within 100 miles of their Owen Township home.