The official countdown to fourth of July celebrations across the U.S. has begun. Traditionally red, white and blue are the colors of the day, however if you've embraced the eco-friendly lifestyle you can easily add some green into the mix.

Drink Local
July 4 is a day of celebration and what celebration is complete without good beer? If you aren't sure what your options for locally brewed beer are, stop buy your local liquor store and ask the experts there to recommend a product made close to home. It travels far less miles to get to your store shelves and there's a good chance it will be fresher and less expensive than an import. Plus you can get that warm fuzzy feeling from knowing you've supported a local business (or from an alcohol-induced buzz, whichever you prefer). Alternatively if you know of a local brewpub in the area, find out if they sell six-packs of any of their products that you can enjoy from home.

Stay local
Speaking of home, stay as close there as you can. Fire up the grill (using our green grilling guide of course) and celebrate in your yard. If you have plans for the day that will take you away from your area, consider taking public transportation or car-pooling with friends heading in the same direction. Wherever you end up, if you'll be outdoors, make sure to protect yourself and your family with adequate sunscreen and insect repellent.

Eat local
If you'll be eating at home or going on a picnic, buy local produce and meat from a farmer's market or local butcher shop.

Ditch the disposables
If you are eating at home, use real plates, utensils and cups. If you'll be leaving the home, consider taking along your serve-ware or call up your local natural food market (if you have one) to see if they sell sugarcane-based biodegradable (compostable!) options. If not, consider sticking to finger food.

Recycle and Compost
Always recycle the leftovers from your celebration: beer cans or bottles, napkins, you name it, find a home other than a landfill for it. Put your composter to good use with any remaining food scraps.

» Wikipedia

Figuring out how to keep your kids still long enough to apply sunscreen is enough of a challenge nevermind the difficult decision of trying to decide which product will effectively protect their skin without irritating it. lavera (spelled with a lowercase 'l' intentionally) solves both issues with their Plant-Green Sun Spray SPF 25. Green plant pigment leaves a temporary colored residue on the skin so you can see exactly where the lotion has been applied - and more importantly, any areas you may have missed.

Once the green color disappears you don't have to worry because the product doesn't, even when the kids are splashing around in the pool, lake or ocean. Not only is the formula waterproof, it's 100 per cent mineral based, with vitamins and essential oils to keep skin nourished and moisturized. You don't have to fret about harsh chemicals and parabens because lavera products are natural and free of toxins.

Now all you have to worry about is trying to figure out how to dislodge sand from places God never meant it to be in the first place.

» Lavera

Most people tend to think of a set of fingerprints as a human characteristic, however years ago scientists started applying the term "genetic fingerprinting" to crops as well. Like humans, crops are considered living organisms and as is also the case in humans, the "fingerprints" can provide valuable information about that crop.

Fingerprints in humans are an identifying characteristic, something that is unique to each person. Similarily, though nearly all human DNA sequences are the same in every person, the DNA is different enough in each one of us to distinguish us from others, hence the phrase "genetic fingerprinting." Still with me?

In terms of food, genetic fingerprinting is used to examine DNA and identify and study the specific traits of crops, thus allowing scientists to select the most desirable and benficial characteristics for plant breeding (This shouldn't be confused with full genome sequencing, which determines an organism's entire DNA sequence). In the recent case of assessing the genetic fingerprint of rice, researchers can conduct diversity analysis to determine gentic similarities and differences, which allows them to select the best traits of the rice and transfer these when breeding other varieties of the crop. In the end, they hope to find the most robust varieties of rice that provide the most significant yield in diverse growing conditions.

Using genetic fingerprinting as a way to identify the best methods of growing crops is just another way science and technology are being used to further improve the condition of the world's food supply, just as Jeff Simmons predicted would be necessary if we don't want the world to face a food crisis of biblical propotions in the future.

» Business Mirror

The Calgary Stampede strives to be green all year long, by instituting several environmental policies including a commitment to recycling and land and water conservation. However, while these measures are ongoing during the 355 days a year the actual Stampede is not taking place, the 10-day festivities also feature some earth-friendly measures.

As we mentioned last week, the Alberta SPCA and Calgary Humane Society are onsite during all rodeo events to ensure the animals are treated properly. The animals are also moved in the evenings so they are a safe distance from the nightly fireworks display, as the noise can be distressing to them. And as re-purposing material is a significant goal of Stampede organizers, the bedding waste from the livestock is turned into garden fertilizer by a local company.

Besides the rodeo and chuckwagon events, rides are another popular attraction at the Stampede. North American Midway Entertainment, the company that provides the rides, is currently working on making their own operations are earth-conscious as possible. Soy biofuels are used to power the Midway whenever possible. The lights on rides are also kept off from down until dusk to conserve erngy, and several of these lights have even been replaced with LEDs, an initiative that is expected to continue.

The improtance of recycling is not just emphasized to Stampede employees with their extensive on-site recycling program, but is also promoted and encouraged among visitors to the Stampede grounds. Recycling wagons and receptacles are set up sporadically through the grounds, allowing guests to avoid using the garbage can when possible. The Stampede is part of a new, pilot recycling program which allows for recyclable materials to be commingled. All materials must be put in clear plastic bags, but sorting is no longer required. Hired sweepers, as well as volunteers from local clubs collect these bags of recyclables and take them to local recycling centres for processing. In fact, the company that is handling the Stampede's recycling is the same one that is running the city of Calgary's new recyclingi program. Additionally, plush toy recycling centres are set up on the Midway to encourage patrons to find a new home for any unwanted toys they win while playing games. The response to this initiative was so overwhelming in 2008 that another one was established this year.

And for those skeptics who believe events such as this only serve as a cash-grab for the organizations that plan them may be surprised to learn the Calgary Stampede organization is just that: a non-profit organization that puts any money made from the event back into the community, such as agriculture and music programs.

To learn more about the Stampede, including how you can buy tickets or plan to attend in upcoming years, hit the jump to visit the official website!

» Calgary Stampede

Happy Canada Day to all of our friends from the north!

If you've ever wondered what's so great about this great land, check out the two videos below. The first is a classic Canadian commercial (seriously, as in Molson Canadian) that goes down in the history books as one of the greatest ads in the country's history. The second is another true Canadian classic which hopefully sheds some light on the nation's obsession with hockey. Stompin' Tom Connors is an icon whose anthem "The Hockey Song" has been played at every Canadian NHL game since it debuted in 1973.

Now we're off in search of some maple syrup in honor of the day! 

» Canada.com

Norman Borlaug didn't become a Nobel Peace Prize winner overnight. The documentary below was created by students at Redmond Jr. High School in Redmond, Washington as part of the 2009 Washington State National History Day competition and ended up winning first place.

While the documentary provides a summary of Borlaug's life and achievements, it also explains that the seeds of his agricultural success were planted early (ha, seeds, planted - get it?). Agriculture was in Borlaug's blood, as he grew up on a farm. However rather than taking over the family farming business, Borlaug was encouraged by his grandfather to pursue higher education. He attended the University of Minnesota and was later accepted in the institution's College of Agriculture. There he met Alvin C. Stackman, the head of the plant pathology department, whose discussion of wheat rust disease fascinated Borlaug. It was Stackman who encouraged Borlaug to pursue the field of plant pathology. This, as well as a job with the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public work relief program for unemployed men, had a huge influence on Borlaug. He said of the program, ""I saw how food changed them...All of this left scars on me."

The video also outlines Borlaug's agronomical innovations:

1. High Volume Crossbreeding - Developing rust-resistant wheat by crossbreeding thousands of different lines, rather than dozens which was the typical approach by plant breeders.

2. Shuttle Breeding - Borlaug bred wheat in the central highlands of Mexico and then immediately took the seeds north. This was to take advantage of Mexico's two growing seeds, allowing more crops to be cultivated each year.

3. Changing the wheat's architecture - By changing the structure of the wheat by cross-breeding a Japanese dwarf wheat with high-yielding American wheat, combined with Borlaug's disease-resistant wheat cultivars. The result: six times higher wheat yield in Mexico than a decade earlier.

In other words, the young people at Redmond Jr. High School have done their research and show how Borlaug's childhood and young adult years would eventually lead to his status as one of the most influential humans who has ever lived. Check out the 10-minute documentary below to learn more about Borlaug and his life story.

» YouTube