Spent some time at the #CommunityGarden today. Planted some #BlackBeans and #Potatoes, and pulled up some weeds (the flowers should be popping up after all that rain). Had a cool conversation with my neighbor who is a selectboard member and who helped get the garden going again, and told him what a great job he is doing. I mean, #composters, #rainbarrels, making the #CommunityCenter an #EmergencyShelter, supporting #DatacenterMoratoriums and #SmartGrowth. What more could one ask for in a town rep!

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO

So, two of the candidates running for our town's selectboard have teamed up. They emphasize #CriticalThinkingSkills , #OpenSpaces , #CommunityGardens , and #ResponsibleGrowth . Guess who is getting my vote! (And one is the selectboard member neighbor who helped start up the #CommunityGarden and getting #Composters and #Rainbarrels for our town).

#MainePol #SolarPunkSunday #LocalGovernment #StartLocal #BuildingCommunity

This week's forecast? From drought conditions to heavy rains. Too much of a good thing all at once. I'll collect as much as I can for drier times...

#SolarPunkSunday #RainwaterHarvesting #Rainbarrels #MaineWx #ExtremeWeather #ExtremeRain #Drought #ClimateChangeWeatherWheel

#SolarPunkSunday has turned into #ActionMonday!

Today's achievements?

- Got the phone number of the person organizing the #CommunityGarden.
- Gently nudged neighbor select board member about ordering #composters and #rainbarrels (and praised all the good work he's doing)
- Dropped off a condolence card and photo mug to another neighbor who recently lost a feline friend
- Helped to fix a PDF file for the local #library (remotely), then asked if they had any "#NatureBackpacks".

I'd say I've done some #SolarPunk things today! (#BuildingCommunity is something I consider a major tenet of all things Solarpunk!)

#Rainwater Collecting Laws for Each State

A full list of the laws for rainwater harvesting by each state supported by links to current state legislation, government websites, and Senate, House, and Assembly Bills.

Jeremiah Zac, Updated: February 18, 2026

https://worldwaterreserve.com/is-it-illegal-to-collect-rainwater/

#US #SolarPunkSunday #RainwaterCollection #Rainbarrels #HarvestingRainwater #WaterIsLife

Is it Illegal to Collect Rainwater: 2026 Complete State Guide

A full list of the laws for rainwater harvesting by each state supported by links to current state legislation, government websites, and Senate, House, and Assembly Bills…

World Water Reserve

#RocklandME - #KnoxLincolnSoilAndWaterConservationDistrict

Annual Bin and Barrel Sale

Featuring #EarthMachine #Composters and Systern #Rainbarrels

Note: The Systern Rainbarrels are made from thinner plastic than some rainbarrels and definitely need to be stored when the weather gets cold -- or else they will crack!

https://www.knox-lincoln.org/shop/bin-barrel-sale

#SolarPunkSunday #BackyardComposters #RainwaterCollection #WaterIsLife #SoilIsLife #Compost

Bin & Barrel Sale — Shop — Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District

So, these #rainbarrels are a bit pricey (apparently there are bulk discounts though). However, I own two of the terracotta-colored ones, and they have held up during #Maine weather (where it can be warm and rainy one day, freezing the next). Obviously, they should be drained and stored for the winter, but when that doesn't happen, the material seems to be forgiving (unlike the beige rainbarrels -- which are made from lighter plastic)...

This program is not just for #Mainers!

Upcycle Rain Barrels and #Composters

Providing Eco-Friendly Products for More Than 20 Years

2026 MAINE WATER COMPANY RAIN BARREL EVENT

ALL ORDERS WILL BE DELIVERED 10 - 15 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF ORDER.

*** BARREL PRICES INCLUDES DELIVERY VIA FEDEX/UPS DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOME OR OFFICE ***

https://upcycle-products.com/me/mwc/

#SolarPunkSunday #RainbarrelProgram #Composter #HarvestingRainwater #WaterCollection #HomeComposting

#NapervilleIL - #TheConservationFoundation
#RainBarrels & #Composters

"One simple, efficient, low-cost method to reduce the amount of #StormwaterRunoff from your property is to use rain barrels. Estimates indicate that a quarter-inch of rain falling on an average home yields over 200 gallons of water. Rain barrels are simply large containers that help conserve stormwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost as runoff. Modern rain barrels are sealed, safe around children and insect resistant – they can even be painted or decorated to your liking. You can divert water from your downspout to fill your rain barrel and a hose spigot on the front makes the water easy to access and use.

The Conservation Foundation sells rain barrels, also known as #WaterBarrels, year-round through our partnership with Upcycle Products, Inc. Our 55-gallon rain barrels are made of recycled food-grade plastic, come in a variety of colors and can be purchased for $72.00 (plus tax) for pick-up at #McDonaldFarm in Naperville.

Composters

When we compost our #KitchenScraps and #YardWaste we reduce the amount of material going to the #landfills and instead return nutrients to the #soil. The many benefits of #composting include reducing the amount of material going to landfills and adding organic matter to our #garden beds. This improves soil structure and texture, increases the soil’s ability to hold both water and air, improves soil fertility, and stimulates healthy root development in plants. And it saves you money so you don’t have to buy chemical fertilizers!

Upcycle compost bins (stationary and tumbling) are the same size as the 55 gallon rain barrel, approximately 2 ft by 3.5 ft (the base of the tumbling composter requires a 3 x 4 ft area). The bins are re-purposed BPA-free food grade plastic barrels."

FMI and to order:
https://theconservationfoundation.org/conservation-home/rain-barrels/

#SolarPunkSunday #Illinois #Composters #RainwaterCollection #WaterIsLife #SoilIsLife

#AllianceForTheChesapeakeBay - #RiverSmart Homes: #RainBarrels

"Funded by the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), the RiverSmart Homes Rain Barrel program helps reduce #stormwater runoff in #WashingtonDC, improving the quality of local #streams and #waterways. Residents of the District can receive up to three reduced-cost barrels, information about stormwater issues, and signage for their yard. In addition, the Alliance coordinates and trains local contractors to install rain barrels in the city.

By aiding in the coordination and installation of barrels, the program allows for easy and accessible environmental solutions on your property!"

Learn more:
https://www.allianceforthebay.org/project/riversmart/riversmart-homes-rain-barrels/

#SolarPunkSunday #DC #ChesapeakeBay #RainbarrelProgram #WaterCollection #WaterIsLife #RainwaterCollection

RiverSmart Homes: Rain Barrels - Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

#PortAransasTX - Discounted #RainBarrel program offered

February 12, 2026

"With the continued drought and increased water restrictions, Keep Port Aransas Beautiful (#KPAB), the Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4 and the #PortAransas Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce are offering an opportunity to conserve water resources.

Port Aransas homeowners and residents may purchase rain barrels at a discounted price through this program.

Nueces County water customers can purchase a limit of two rain barrels for the discounted price of $66. Additional rain barrels can be ordered for $88 each.

The deadline to order the barrels is Monday, March 30.

The rain barrels will be distributed from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 11, at the water district parking lot.

The water district is located at 200 Howard Blvd.

'Collecting rainwater is a great way to conserve a natural resource and keep water clean,' said a news release from KPAB."

Source:
https://www.portasouthjetty.com/articles/discounted-rain-barrel-program-offered/

The rain barrels may be purchased directly through the program’s website, https://www.rainwatersolutions.com/products/portaransas, using a credit or debit card.

#SolarPunkSunday #WaterCollection #Rainbarrels #HarvestingRainwater #RainwaterCollection #Texas #Drought #ClimateChange

Discounted rain barrel program offered - Port Aransas South Jetty

With the continued drought and increased water restrictions, Keep Port Aransas Beautiful (KPAB), the Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4 and the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce are offering an opportunity to conserve water resources. Port Aransas homeowners and residents may purchase rain barrels at a discounted price through this program. The rain barrels <a href="https://www.portasouthjetty.com/articles/discounted-rain-barrel-program-offered/">[…]</a>

Port Aransas South Jetty -