As some of you might already know, we are donating a portion of every entry from our upcoming Sun Mountain races to Partnership for a Sustainable Methow (PSM), a local non-profit organization. I want to take a few minutes to explain all that PSM does for our community.
Based in Twisp, PSM works to "initiate, encourage and support activities that foster long-term sustainability and well-being in the Methow Valley Community." This amazing group of dedicated folks organize sustainability classes each month to learn how to do things from knitting to canning to skiing; publish the journal Sustinere that gives readers new ideas to live more lightly; hold "classroom in bloom" where students learn about agriculture and gardening firsthand during school; partner with another non-profit to grow organic food for low income folks; and put together The Local Source, a directory of services, products and resources in the valley to strengthen the local economy and community. As if that's not enough, they also bring the valley together each fall for a harvest dinner. Farms of all sizes donate food and a local chef puts together an amzaing menu for us all (last year there were over 200 people in attendance) to enjoy as we meet new people and the people who grow our food.
The programs PSM initiate simultaneously empower us to be more self-sufficient and draw the community together, two things that seem to be increasingly important. We are lucky to have such a resource in our area and are excited to support the work they do.
