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large piece of our economy to be determined by companies and governments that don’t have Northeast PA first in mind. Secondly, we don’t want to see a community that is disconnected from its food source and how it is grown.” The Peregrims provide opportunities for children and families to visit the farm and learn about sustainable, healthy farming. Meat without GMOs, strawberries grown without pesticides and other produce and eggs are customer favorites.
batch of broiler chickens, strawberries and asparagus. July brings Blueberry UPick, raspberries and naturally grown vegetables. The Peregrims are also members of the PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture and the Weston A. Price Foundation.
June will bring the first
SUSaN VINSKOFSKI
Day Job: Writer/Editor at Learning and Yearning Resides: Clarks Summit Family: Husband, Michael; children, Jessi and
kenneth ruby, LEED aP BD+C Day Job: Specifications Writer, Project Manager and Associate at hemmler + camayd architects in Scranton Resides: Spring Brook Township
Amanda Grace Images
Family: Wife, Michele; Daughter, Lilianna Ruby, a LEED Accredited Professional since 2008, has been part of the design team for two local projects that have achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. One of those projects was Lackawanna College’s Environmental Education Center in Covington Township, where this issue’s cover photo was taken (read more on page 14). The property’s landscaping utilizes native and adapted plant species
that require no potable water irrigation. “The majority of the site has been restored with native species that match what was in place before any of the work began – the site was a natural field, and for the most part it remains a natural field,” he explains. “This is important as it minimizes disruption to the local ecosystems.” “From the time I was a young boy I enjoyed the outdoors including hiking, camping, swimming, fishing and hunting with a keen interest in protecting and preserving the environment for others to enjoy. As a member of the design community, I believe we have a responsibility to preserve and protect the earth’s natural resources to the greatest extent possible. Green design and building is a pro-active, hands-on means of conserving and protecting our natural resources and natural environment; it is not just ‘talking the talk,’ it is actually ‘walking the walk.’” Ruby has also aided in river cleanup with the Lackawanna River Corridor Association and Boy Scouts.
Lisa Ragn acci
Green Leaders 2014