This Independence Day weekend, we're paying tribute to all the folks who grow the good food we eat, who are taking steps to grow their own, or maintain their properties with organic standards in mind. 
So we're playing an encore presentation from our annual pilgrimage to the Northeast Organic Farming Association's Organiconn conference - which was held earlier this year at Wesleyan University. 
We caught up with NOFA's director, the event's keynote speaker, as well as a number of other guests promoting organic practices and programs that are enhancing our state's environment and public health, while engaging our youngest citizens to participate and enjoy the fruits and veggies they can raise and eat from their own personal, school, or community garden.

Meet the Dean from the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology at Sacred Heart University talking about Techstars Startup Week - a free five-day virtual conference open to the public starting Monday and hosted by SHU featuring inspirational mentors, entrepreneurs, professors, and industry experts from across the nation.

Then we're bringing back the senior legislative counsel at the Marijuana Policy Project which funds the CT Coalition to Regulate Marijuana to catch up on news about the state's continuing efforts to legalize recreational pot use and access, and get the latest following a virtual forum on the subject with a panel of diverse legalization proponents.

And we'll wrap checking in again with our friends from AARP Connecticut, which has selected five Livable Communities Grant recipients that will complete quick-action projects across Connecticut that will help make immediate improvements or jumpstart long-term progress that will support residents.

We're checking in with the executive director at Bridgeport's Green Village Initiative, which is currently working with the city to try and preserve its Reservoir Community Farm and gardens. We'll learn more about progress to that end and all the ways folks can get involved - even if it just means planting a few tomatoes or sending out a few emails.

Then we'll stick around the Park City and meet two individuals heading up the Bridgeport United Coalition who will clue us in on how this organization is helping reduce tobacco, alcohol and other drug use among youth and make Bridgeport a safer, healthier, and drug-free city.  

And we'll wrap inviting you to celebrate women and girls throughout the region as the Fairfield County Community Foundation readies for its annual  Fund for Women & Girls Celebration coming up this week.