Indianapolis —Marian University is finishing out its EcoLab outdoor classroom with a quest for a top design project. Here’s the info:

Objective: design a piece that fits the open space in the roof of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust Outdoor Classroom. The piece should be educational and complementary to the design of the classroom and the landscape.

The open space is there to allow light in the classroom and therefore gives visitors and school groups an open view of the sky and surrounding treetops. The university seeks a creative and functional addition to the space that enhances the use of the open roof and the classroom.

Bloomington, Ind. — Bloomington Winter Farmers Market kicks off its sixth year 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, at Harmony School, 902 Second St. Parking is available at the school, on surrounding streets, and at the nearby Indiana University garage.

Local farmers will offer as much fresh produce as the season allows, including butternut squash, root crops and early greens. Also available will be fresh farm eggs, meats from local farms, alpaca yarns and fibers and a full line of garden seeds. Exciting new products include locally made tofu, goat cheese and breads.

Rain Gardens are a hot topic in gardening now, along with native plants, vegetable gardening and wildlife gardening. Rain gardens are a good opportunity to conserve water on your property. But not every site is right for a rain garden. If you want to learn more about them, here’s a great opportunity for professionals to learn more:

"Landscaping with Rain Gardens: The ABC’s of Design and Construction workshop will be held on February 16, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Normandy Barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

This workshop is for professional landscapers, garden centers, nurseries, landscape suppliers, park departments, groundskeepers, and others who may be asked to design, construct, or maintain rain gardens.

Recently, I noticed there are more and more Green apps in the  App Store on my iPod (Stuck with Verizon Wireless, can't have iPhone :( , really wish I had the phone... kicking myself every time I need to look up something on the road).

Downloaded this one before Xmas: Find Green - "Find the Green in Everything... Locally. A perfect companion for traveling and the on-the-go eco- or health-conscious consumer, Find Green connects you to all the best local green businesses and services you want! " I tried to find local stores for Green Xmas presents in my biking distance, only one was shown on the list: Global Gifts, 7.6 miles away from me. When I tried to find local food/dining in my biking distance, there are 12 of them, including farmers markets, local butcher shops, and Broadripple Brewpub?! Interesting. It also come with Green Tips everyday.

Also, I just downloaded CO2 Tracker. Darn!! This has to be on the iPhone: "This app uses iPhone’s GPS to track the start and end point of a trip and returns an estimate on the amount of CO2 emissions your mode of travel generated. " I don't drive much with my Civic Hybrid, but still would be interesting to see how much CO2 I emitted, and how I can reduce it.

We’re not perfect! Never claimed to be… we’re just trying our best to be green and share the info. So when we publish lists, we know there’s no way we catch everyone, but how the heck did we miss the new Winter Market in Fort Wayne?  Thanks to Julia Gornell, we found out about it and connected with Market Master Chris Shatto who shared this info with us:

“The Historic West Main Street Winter Farm Market is an extension of our highly successful summer outdoor market- it is Fort Wayne’s first and only winter farm market.

Congratulations to Basic Roots!

Basic Roots Community Foods is celebrating 4 years of making “good food accessible.” Those in the local food community are well aware of Kay Grimm’s hard work to offer wholesome organic seasonal food to the Indianapolis community. With the help of Sue Spicer, Basic Roots has become a real leader in education about and distribution of local food since December 2005.

Their year-round food delivery service has also highlighted the need for a strong food security system here. Seasonally based food, locally and regionally sourced emphasizes variety, quality and nutrition, and always includes a nutrition-based newsletter with recipes. Commitments are month to month.

Change.org has gathered guides from various organizations to offer the perfect sustainable gift selection for about anyone on your list, from vegans to organic food enthusiasts. The guides also include cause organizations, so that gifts can be made in the name of a friend or loved one to support green groups.

While you're at it, check out ILG's guide to sustainable gifts, including several items made in Indiana.

At a time when good jobs are scare, two new positions are posted on ILG’s Opportunities page. IKE – Improving Kids’ Environment – is searching for an Executive Director, and a Program Manager is needed for the Food Farm and Family Coalition’s issue of a sustainable and local food system in Indianapolis. Check out the job descriptions under "Opportunities" by clicking the “What’s Happening” tab on the home page. ILG’s job post is also there…we are always in the market for great sales people with a passion for green and desire to make a difference locally – full or part time. Check out "What's Happening" and make a difference!

Willowfield Lavender Farm at the Indy Winter Farmers Market. © Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

Indianapolis — The Indy Winter Farmers Market opened its second season with an enthusiastic crowd Nov. 14 in a new location, 901 N. East St.

I bought eggs, potatoes and some yummy breakfast muffins, the latter from Valentine Hill Farm. Also on hand was Meghan McCormick from Green Savings Indy. The biggest temptation was Willowfield Lavender Farm's tables, which scented the area with soaps, lotions and other products made with the aromatic plant. I'll have to go back.

Speaking of going back, the market has a frequent shopper card, which when filled, can be entered into a drawing for a bag of groceries.

Keith Welch (left) and Mike Foley, who farm Fields of Agape, spent their first Saturday selling flax seed and more at the Indy Winter Farmers Market. © Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

Going to a farmers market is nothing like going to a grocery store. One stat I heard was that when shopping at a farmer's market, we have at least six conversations. At the grocery, we have one, and that's usually at the checkout.

Another stat also heard recently — if we spent $6.30 a week on local foods, we would add millions to the Indiana economy by supporting growers and farmers, their suppliers and workers. Best of all, though, is the deliciously fresh food and other products.