Community Development

Grants and Loans From The Department of Energy

April 26, 2019

Since its establishment the Department of Energy has been pioneering the leveraging of informative science in order to address the country’s energy, environmental and nuclear challenges.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and Community Foundation programs from around the world.

Community Development

Grants from the Department of the Interior

April 26, 2019

The responsibilities of the Department of the Interior include the management and conservation of federal lands and natural resources, including the administration of programs that are associated with Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, territorial affairs, and to insular areas of the United States.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.

Community Development

Great Gardening Tips To Build The Perfect Garden!

April 25, 2019

There are lots of natural ways that you can grow a healthy, organic garden. You just need to learn the methods and use them.

Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. These versatile plants can grow over fences to enhance the fence’s appearance. Often, climbers grow quickly, so you’ll get the effect you want by the time the season changes. No need to worry if a bush or tree is in the way, as climbers can grow through them. Also, they can match the shape of an arbor. Some may need to be attached to a support, and others will attach themselves to any surface using their twining stems or tendrils. Trusted variations of climbers are honeysuckle, jasmine, clematis, wisteria and climbing roses.

Plant bulbs if you want spring and summer flowers. Typically, bulbs are simple to grow, and they’ll grow every single year. Different bulbs bloom at various times, so choosing appropriately, you may have blooms early spring to later summer.

Pre-soak seeds overnight in a dark place. Drop your seeds into a small jar that is filled with cold water. This will hydrate the seeds and facilitate growth. Your seeds will then have the best chance possible to survive to maturity.

Tempt your cat away from the plants he has been bothering by planting catnip or wheat grass near them. You could also repel your pet by planting rosemary or placing citrus fruit peels around your garden.

Knee Pads

If your garden requires a lot of low work, then save yourself some strain by investing in knee pads. If you spend a large portion of your gardening session on your knees, it could create pain over time. Having a pair of excellent knee pads for gardening can help cushion the knees to provide additional comfort.

Anyone can plant a garden, but only those with the proper knowledge will receive the most out of their crop. These tips on organic gardening are here to guide you on the right path.

Community Development

Tips For Harvesting Your Organically Grown Produce

April 24, 2019

Does the grass look greener when you look to the other side? You might imagine that all your neighbors have some top-secret formula that keeps their grass and garden looking so much better than yours. The fact is, there is no secret in getting a beautiful garden. All it requires is knowledge to take proper care of plants. Information about gardening is available online, in books and in magazines created for garden enthusiasts.

Choose perennials that are not vulnerable to attack by slugs. Slugs and snails can decimate a plant in one night. They gravitate towards perennials with smooth thin leaves, particularly on younger plants. Perennials with hairy leaves or bitter taste are unattractive to snails and slugs, keeping them safe from harm. Some of the best varieties of these include achillea, campanula, euphorbia, and heuchera.

Baking Soda

You do not need store-bought chemical treatments for plant mildew. A great home remedy is to mix baking soda with water and a little bit of liquid soap. Once every week, you should spray the mixture on your plants; the mildew will disappear shortly thereafter. Baking soda will bring no damage to your plants, and will treat the mildew in a gentle and efficient manner.

Make sure your soil is healthy enough before you start planting anything. You can do a soil sample analysis for an affordable fee and then know what you need to properly treat your soil with so you can grow the best plants. A lot of cooperative extension offices can provide this service to you and it is worth knowing what you need to do in order to avoid ruining your plants.

As you can see, the suggestions here are easy to follow and rather simple to implement. You simply need to know some basic approaches and then you can carry those techniques into your garden. Focus on the reaction of the plants to your methods. If you find a method is not working for you, discontinue it and try another way. With patience and love you can grow the best garden in your neighborhood.

Community Development

Small Business Administration Background

April 24, 2019

The Small Business Administration was established in 1953. Since that time the agency has dispensed millions of dollars in loans and loan guarantees, contracts, consulting assistance and other programs for small business across the United States.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and Community Foundation programs from around the world.

Community Development

Simple Organic Gardening Tips From The Pros

April 23, 2019

If you invest your time in doing organic gardening properly, the results are obvious. It lets other know that you are serious about getting the most out of your organic plants. This is a great thing. Just as with any hobby or skill, there is always room for improvement. There are tips below to help you with this.

If you are planning to grow plants within the house, the temperature should be maintained between 65 and 75 degrees within the daylight hours. They need this type of warm temperature in order to grow. Heat lamps can be used to promote growth without the necessity of raising your home’s interior temperature.

It is easy to quickly prepare your perennial garden ground. Using a garden spade, dig underneath the turf and flip it. Then, create a layer of wood chips at least three inches deep over the area you just flipped. Let the area have about two weeks, then dig it and plan the new perennials.

After sprouting occurs, you will not need to keep seeds as warm. Locate your plants further from your heat source as they mature. Additionally, remove any plastic films that were on your containers. This will keep out warmth and humidity. Watch your seeds closely to know how to go about this.

When you are working in your garden, you will want to have all of your tools in a convenient location. Do not waste your time looking for tools. Before you start work in the garden, make sure you have the necessary tools, and always remember to put them away when you are finished. Get a tool belt if you need to, or a pair of pants with a lot of pockets.

Organic Gardening

You have the tools, the products, and the skill set to apply those tips to your organic garden. This is a positive thing. As with most things, organic gardening requires that you never stop learning to improve your craft. Take the tips from above to boost your knowledge arsenal about organic gardening. You may have even found something new to employ in your own organic garden.

Community Development

SBA Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

April 23, 2019

The Small Business Administration has a variety of offerings to assist woman entrepreneurs start and grow and their business endeavors. This latest video provides an in introduction to how the SBA can help you.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on nonprofit information, educational grants and Civic Engagement programs from around the world.

Community Development

How To Make The Best Organic Garden

April 22, 2019

You can take organic gardening as a hobby, or as a science. The following tips will assist you in becoming an accomplished organic gardener.

If you choose to use organic methods to care for your houseplants, you should bear in mind that certain plants require more sunlight than others. If your home does not let in sufficient light, then consider getting plants that thrive in low-light situations. You can also get special lamps if you want a different kind of plants.

Be efficient when working in your garden. You do not have the time to spend an hour looking for each tool you need. Prepare all the tools you need before you go out to work on your garden, and put them away nicely when you are done. Wear pants with several pockets or use a tool belt.

Store a few plastic bags near your garden to slip on over your dirty gardening shoes. Having these available lets you keep your flow in movement, and helps you return to your gardening fast so you can finish up your day.

Pine can make for a great type of mulch. Certain plants are acidic, and thrive in acidic soil. If you have some of these plants, then pine needles are an easy way to add acid to their bed. Cover your beds with the needles, as they will decompose and disperse their acid throughout the soil.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are good for your soil. The grounds contain essential nitrogen, which will benefit your plants in many ways. Nitrogen is a nutrient that will help your plants grow taller and bloom faster, so use those coffee grounds, extra compost, or diluted urea to make this happen.

Clearly, organic gardening is a more voluminous subject than is commonly known. Organic gardening demands hard work and perseverance in the face of adversity, but your sacrifices will be rewarded when you can look out of your bedroom window and see a stunning organic garden in your own backyard, that you created with your own bare hands. By using the tips and techniques found here, you can have a healthy, productive garden in no time.

Community Development

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Green Energy Tips That Can Work For Anyone!

April 21, 2019

It’s vital that we better care for the environment that’s critical to our daily lives. Using green energy will help you save money and do your part to protect the environment. The tips below will give you some great ideas on how you can make green energy work for your home.

When drawing up the landscaping plans for a garden path or patio, incorporate solar-powered lamps. These lamps aren’t costly and do not need additional power sources other than direct sun exposure. This saves you a lot of energy. It also means you do not to have string up those outdoor lights.

Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Natural materials like cotton repel moisture from your skin and allow it to stay cool. Also, choose lighter colors. Darker colors absorb heat, which makes you feel warmer, meaning you’ll set your thermostat lower.

Take time to make sure to properly maintain the fridge. Refrigerators take lots of energy to run, so it’s crucial to make sure it is running effectively. Regularly make sure the heating coils are dust-free. In addition to that, make the seal near the door clean and tight.

If you are someone who is seeking out ways to live green so you can help save the planet’s energy, there’s a lot you can do. You do not have to spend money to help, but you can clean your furnace filters once each month and set your heat to 60 degrees if you are not home. Setting the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees will help reduce energy costs, too. Just little changes can help.

If you are serious about becoming more green, you should keep track of your energy usage from month-to-month and then year-to-year. Increasing your consciousness of your energy consumption can help you cut back. If you are specifically focusing on reducing your electricity and water consumption, then you are going to be more conscious of lights left on, or dripping taps.

If caring for your environment and wallet matter to you, then the application of the ideas presented here will surely satisfy you. The cost savings can be well worth your effort.

Community Development

Thoughtful Ideas That Will Improve Your Home

April 20, 2019

Do you need home improvement inspiration? Are you searching for home repair information? In this article, you can briefly learn how to improve your home or how to tackle new projects.

If you are thinking of purchasing a home, hire a professional inspector to check it out. This can help you get a much more accurate sense of what type of fixing up may be needed. A professional can give you unique insights and suggestions and can provide amicable solutions.

It isn’t necessary to hire a professional designer to achieve a professional look. You can get a lot of information and inspiration from books, magazines and websites. You may find the perfect inspiration for your entire home improvement project in a single magazine layout. You can also find information about cheaper do-it-yourself projects in these resources.

The first step to a kitchen or bathroom renovation is turning off the water! Find the shutoff valve before you do any work near pipes or other water supplies. These suggestions can help you prevent the flooding of your home.

Draft Excluders

Purchase draft excluders or sealant strips to stop air from getting out. Draft excluders can be placed under a door and prevent warm air from exiting and cool air from entering your home. There is sealant stripping that can fit around a door frame, which will accomplish the same thing. You can find them at your local hardware store.

Before deciding on renovations for your home, go to several open houses in new subdivisions. You will get a feel for the latest color palettes and you can see how your home might look if you used some of the newest ideas. You’ll find many homes have the touch of an interior designer, ideas you can take for free.

Implement a safety strategy by discussing escape routes with your family. People generally panic when things go awry. When you’ve mapped out how you’ll exit your home in the face of a fire or another emergency, you’ll be sure that your family can get out safely. Planning this in advance allows you to model the home in such a way that you won’t meet obstructions in the escape.

You may have an idea of what you would like to change, but have not been sure about how to make the change. Here, we have presented some good ideas for your consideration. Take your time and think them through. A bad repair job could result in you losing your home temporarily, or even permanently. Use the tips you’ve just read and you are sure to have a great home improvement experience.

Community Development