Month: September 2018

2018-09-21T10:12:00

(BPT) – For a region the size of Connecticut, Puerto Rico packs a big punch when it comes to its contribution to world agriculture.

Many people are unaware, that the 5,335-square-mile commonwealth is the research and development headquarters for up to 85 percent of the commercial corn, soybean and other hybrid seeds grown in the U.S. It is part of a biotech industry that has been thriving for 35 years. “Puerto Rico is, in many cases, the first and most important location for the development of new crops,” notes Liliana Sánchez Cortés, a site manager for global agrochemical and seed producer Syngenta.

The nation’s importance to the food chain is partly why that firm was so quick to help after Hurricane Maria destroyed an estimated 80 percent of the nation’s crop value last September. The storm ruined $780 million worth of agriculture yields, while knocking down structures and landscapes nationwide. The agribusiness firm operates three research farms in the commonwealth and employs 45 people — three of whom lost their homes in the storm.

In response to the crisis, a cross-departmental Syngenta team from Wisconsin organized airlifts of emergency supplies, including generators, satellite phones and 220,000 pounds of food, water and household goods. The company also donated $200,000 to a local food bank and contributed new pollen sources for the region’s bees.

Why is Puerto Rico so important to the future of worldwide agriculture? Consider the following:

Much of the world’s hybrid seed has been grown or processed in Puerto Rico’s nursery systems. Syngenta analysts estimate its new soybean varieties would take two to three more years to develop without Puerto Rico’s facilities. Thanks to its unique climate allowing for 52 weeks of planting and harvesting, the region’s environment is ideal for seed R&D protocols. Because of the nation’s efficient and expedited plant-breeding programs, researchers can use data from fall crops to develop new hybrid and variety combinations that can be planted the following spring. The ag biotech industry there brings in more than $65 million in net benefits to the local economy, and analysts say the inter-industry multiplier effect stretches that amount to nearly $135 million. This year, some 860,000 people there are employed in the ag trade, according to Statista.com.

Though the hurricane hit at a critical time between growing seasons, Syngenta has since been able to repair flood and structural damage at its facilities, replant seedlings and hire temporary employees to fill in for those seeking sanctuary. To learn more, visit SyngentaThrive.com.

2018-09-21T10:58:00

(BPT) – What drives someone to take the risk and start their own business?

Sometimes it’s a great product or an idea that solves a problem. But many small- and medium-sized businesses today have another focus: socially and environmentally conscious causes.

Take, for example, small business Bayou with Love, which partnered with Dell to create a jewelry line using recycled gold from old computer motherboards. The jewelry line is just one example of a small business prioritizing doing good for the planet.

Cuvee Coffee practices direct trade, a model that considers environmental, financial and social sustainability as well as personal relationships. It builds partnerships with farmers who are good stewards of the land, pay fair wages to their workers and are often leaders in their communities. Cuvee then pays above market prices for their coffee. In return, the company gets the best coffee and the farmers make substantial profits.

Warm cookie delivery company, Tiff’s Treats, donates all sales from opening days at new locations to a charity. Past grand openings have benefited Small World Yoga, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and Gabriella’s Smile Foundation. In total, their grand openings have donated over $150K to various charities. In June 2018, the Tiff’s Treats Grand Opening in Atlanta benefited Reese’s Magic Fund.

Using ethical and altruistic principles to guide business practices, these entrepreneurs are practicing “conscious capitalism,” and investors are taking notice.

Angel investors and venture capitalists have helped these businesses play their part in a national and global trend toward social betterment in business.

Here are a few ways small businesses can benefit from conscious capitalism.

It opens the door to more capital

When a company launches a humanitarian initiative or implements an ethical program, people pay attention.

According to Fundivo, angel investments in altruistic businesses have been steadily growing since 2002 and roughly four jobs are created per investment. Moreover, a recent study from The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investing reported that under sustainable and responsible investing guidelines, a total of $8.72 trillion was made in 2016, showing a 33 percent increase since 2014.

Increased networking opportunities

By helping businesses reach like-minded changemakers, the tech industry has made it easier for small businesses to maintain a conscious mission statement along with a profitable bottom line.

Funding for socially conscious businesses has become more easily achievable through crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Even Kickstarter owners Yancey Strickler and Perry Chen insisted that their crowdfunding platform become a Benefit Corporation, ensuring they remain focused on their mission to bring creative projects to life rather than simply increasing the size of their own profits.

These crowdsourcing platforms are an efficient way for companies to find investors, but also to network and get their message out.

A boost from tech

At the center of many altruistic businesses is the robust use of technology, which has allowed many highly successful small businesses to support social and environmental causes.

Having dependable and easy-to-use technology is critical for these businesses, and many tech giants have also implemented programs to support conscious capitalism in small businesses.

For instance, Dell has been particularly passionate about helping businesses with an eye for social change and environmental consciousness. Through its 2020 Legacy of Good plan, which outlines its sustainability goals, it has helped small businesses use technology in a way that drives progress and social change.

Dependable and affordable technology is essential to promoting social change, and that’s why so many entrepreneurs and investors are realizing that when paired with technology, ethical business practices can do a lot of good — and turn a profit.

2018-09-21T10:01:00

(BPT) – Snow, Nor’easter storms and too many blisters to count — no challenge was too big for Matt and Trevor to overcome as they journeyed across the country this year. The determined duo began their excursion on March 1 in Delaware and recently celebrated their final steps in San Francisco on Sept. 8. Traveling across 15 states, Matt and Trevor experienced the trip of a lifetime. And they raised over $6,000 for veterans along the way.

Matt Anderson and Trevor Stephens met playing football in seventh grade in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and quickly became best friends. After high school, the two went their separate ways. Matt went to Iowa State University to study chemical engineering, whereas Trevor joined the Marines. Despite following different paths, Matt and Trevor’s friendship remained strong. The two agreed to take a road trip together before entering the workforce.

When they started planning their cross-country road trip, however, plans changed. Trevor suggested the idea of walking across America instead and while Matt was hesitant at first, he quickly became eager to take on this challenge as well.

As they began researching best routes to take, the pair also learned that many of those who have undertaken a similar journey did so for charity. Matt and Trevor decided to follow suit, and the two landed on supporting the Purple Heart Foundation.

The Purple Heart Foundation, an organization that hit particularly close to home for Trevor, offers emotional, medical and financial support to veterans who have completed their service and returned home. Trevor and Matt agreed that this was an organization they could be passionate about raising money and awareness for during their journey, so they set a goal to raise $5,000 in donations and began the Matt and Trevor Walk Across America event.

Traveling more than 3,000 miles during their cross-country hike, Matt and Trevor learned a lot about themselves, the country they love dearly and the people who make America beautiful. The two passed through Delaware; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; West Virginia; Ohio; Indiana; Illinois; Iowa; Nebraska; Kansas; Colorado; Utah; Nevada and California. In each state, Matt and Trevor met people of diverse backgrounds and were humbled by their generosity. Along with donations, many people offered the two meals, lodging and gear to help them continue the journey. People were genuinely interested in learning more about the Purple Heart Foundation’s cause and truly wanted to help.

While there was no shortage of hard days (or blisters!), the people Matt and Trevor met along the way made the trip worth it and reminded them that they were walking for a cause that mattered to so many people across the country. Thanks to their determination, the pair celebrated their last steps of the journey at Baker Beach in San Francisco, where a group of family, friends, military buddies and people from the Purple Heart Foundation were ready to welcome and congratulate them on their incredible accomplishment. It’s stories like these and people like Matt and Trevor that remind us of what makes this country great.

2018-09-20T12:01:01

(BPT) – A seat belt or lower anchors alone isn’t enough to properly secure a forward-facing car seat. A new infographic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows you how to make sure your child’s car seat is safely secured with a tether. Find more installation tips and make sure your child is in the right car seat for their age and size at NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat.

2018-09-20T12:01:01

2018-09-20T10:41:00

(BPT) – Where do the red and orange hues of Australia’s iconic outback meet white sand beaches and turquoise blue water? Where can you walk off the shore and instantly experience pristine coral reef during a special drift snorkel? It’s where the best marine encounters in the world are part of everyday life. Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef, along the stunning Coral Coast, is one of the region’s best-kept secrets.

Jump on a two-hour flight from Western Australia’s capital city of Perth or opt for an extraordinary 750-mile road trip to pull on your snorkel gear and step into the bluest waters of the Indian Ocean. From here, you only need to swim a couple of meters before you’re floating over the UNESCO World Heritage-listed coral gardens of one of the largest and most accessible wildlife-rich reefs on the planet.

Coral Coast’s mass quantity and diversity of marine life indicates the health of the reef and at Turquoise Bay — a local favorite — you can catch a ride on its gentle current to view the 200-plus varieties of coral and more than 500 species of fish that call Ningaloo Reef home. On any given day you may come across schools of tropical fish, green turtles, dolphins and sting rays. Scuba divers can also visit the Exmouth Navy Pier, best described as an “aquarium without glass” and considered one of the best shore dives in the world. It is also an underwater photographer’s dream renowned for its vast array of quality marine life.

Swim with the biggest fish in the sea

Beyond the coral reefs, Ningaloo is one of the only places in the world where whale sharks appear annually. From March through August, charter companies guide visitors to the back of the reef where they can swim side-by-side with these gentle giants. The region has the most consistent congregation of whale sharks, the key to its incredible swims. With no more than 10 people in the open water at a time, these intimate and awe-inspiring tours are conducted in an eco-minded, sustainable manner to minimize disturbance. During the day at sea, you may also spot manta rays, turtles and dugongs feasting on the world’s largest seagrass meadows.

Not only can visitors dive with whale sharks, but between August and October they can swim with humpback whales, too. Previously endangered, humpback whale numbers have steadily recovered and now an estimated 30,000 migrate along the coast each year making Western Australia’s the largest population in the world.

Adventures above water

There’s also plenty to do along the shores and further inland. A gentle one-hour cruise on the still waters of Yardie Creek in Cape Range National Park is the best way to see the striking colors and the wild inhabitants of this ancient red limestone gorge, including rare black-footed wallabies, euros, red kangaroos and birds. Active travelers can also hike through the Cape Range National Park, taking in the rocky gorges carved by ancient flowing rivers.

For a truly secluded experience, spend a night or two glamping under the stars in luxury safari tents at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef where the outback meets the sea. Here, Wi-Fi-free days are filled with guided gorge walks, fishing, kayaking, relaxing and snorkeling. The chef serves inspired gourmet meals, from seafood caught that day off the reef to local fare, all-inclusive with Margaret River wines and locally distilled spirits. It’s the only place to stay in the region where you can dive right into the reef simply from the shore. Alternatively, travelers can enjoy air-conditioned, resort-style accommodations at Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, offering suites with local artistry, a restaurant and swimming pool overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Plan your adventure

To make the most of your trip, don’t forget to stop at the other UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, Shark Bay, less than a day’s drive from Ningaloo. Shark Bay is another marine hotspot, best known for the wild dolphins of Monkey Mia, where they swim right up to the shore and play by your feet. Visitors can also take a walk and wonder at Shell Beach, one of only two beaches on Earth made of billions of tiny shells from just one species.

Western Australia’s Coral Coast is one of the rare places on the planet where you can easily access such an incredible diversity of marine life in its natural environment, so close to the shore. Learn more at www.westernaustralia.com.