Earth to earth in Philly

To anyone familiar with Achewood, the very first panel of the Jan. 31 strip will likely induce anticipatory giggles, or even guffaws: Ray, the cat in the thong, is in almost every way the polar opposite of Pat, a fact that becomes evident in the ensuing argument about exactly how composting should be done - an argument that somehow leads to Ray convincing John Mackey to have helicopters fly over potato fields reading People magazine aloud.

Ray and Pat's spat could have been avoided if both had sat down at a proper composting conference and got their facts straight. And if a composting conference sounds like something that would only happen in the exaggerated-piety world of Achewood, think again: A week from today, on Feb. 10, the PA Horticultural Society will host Compost Matters, a conference devoted to just that topic that will be held at the American Philosophical Society in Old City. Here's some of the details:

With a focus on new developments in food-waste composting practices, the forum will bring together innovators, policy makers, and visionaries in the field, examining current barriers to food waste recovery, public policy issues, and successful models from the region and around the state. The conference is geared toward sustainability professionals from local governments, institutions, and businesses; municipal and state officials; and the interested public. Participants will learn about current opportunities for composting food waste and how to include food recovery efforts in their operations. Tours of local composting sites will be offered on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning, February 13.

Keynote speaker Will Allen received a MacArthur “Genius Grant” in 2008 for his efforts to promote sustainable farming in low-income neighborhoods. Allen is CEO of Growing Power, a national nonprofit organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that supports the development of community food systems.

Find more information and register for the conference here.

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About Earth to Philly

Earth to Philly is a weblog focusing on earth-conscious technology, trends and ideas, from a Daily News perspective. We look at the "green" aspects of your home, business, food, transportation, style, policy, gadgets and artwork. If you have a Philly-related story, Click here to let us know about it!

The experts at Philadelphia's Energy Coordinating Agency answer your energy questions in our regular feature Stay Warm, Stay Green. Send in your question or questions to energy@phillynews.com.

Look for Jenice Armstrong to supply tips on green living as well as occasional columns on the subject of Green. She also blogs at Hey Jen.

Becky Batcha stays tuned for the here-and-now practical side of conservation, alternative energy, organic foods, etc. - stuff you can do at home now. Plus odds and ends.

Laurie Conrad recycles from her ever-growing e-mailbag to pass along the latest travel deals, fashion statements, household strategies, gadgets, cool local events and other nuggets of interest to those who appreciate a clean, green world.

Vance Lehmkuhl looks at topics like eco-conscious eating, public transportation and fuel-efficient driving from his perspective as a vegetarian, a daily SEPTA bus rider and a hybrid driver, as well as noting the occasional wacky trend or product. Contact Vance with your 'green' news.

Ronnie Polaneczky sees the green movement through the eyes of her 12-year-old daughter, who calls her on every scrap of paper or glass bottle that Ronnie neglects to toss into the house recycling bins. Ronnie will blog about new or unexpected ways to go green. She also blogs at So, What Happened Was...

Sandra Shea and the DN editorial board opine on any green-related legislation or policy. And we'll pass along some of the opeds on the subject that people send us.

Jonathan Takiff will be blogging mainly about consumer electronics - those things that we love to use and that suck too much energy. He'll spotlight green-conscious gizmos made in a responsible fashion, both in terms of materials used and the energy it takes to run them.

Signe Wilkinson draws the comic strip Family Tree, which follows the Tree family as they try to live green in the face of nattering neighbors, plastic-wrapped consumer products, and the primal teenage urge to spend vast quantities of money on hair care products of dubious organic quality.

In addition to these updates from our newsroom bloggers, watch for an occasional feature, Dumpster Diver Dispatches, from Philadelphia's original "green" community of artists, the Dumpster Divers. You'll learn about creative ways to reuse and recycle while you reduce, and about the artists who are making little masterpieces from what others throw out.