GROW’s Post

While it's set to be a lovely summer's evening in #Leeds, why not take a stroll along the restored canals and wharfs of our historical industrial district? This article explains the history of Holbeck (location of our new office) and what to look out for: https://lnkd.in/gVbCQmMU

Lessons are all around us, just waiting to be learned, if we take the time to pay attention and reflect. A few weeks ago, our President, Derek DeGeest, was invited by the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development, to be a part of the Governor’s Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park. This annual tradition is crucial to managing the buffalo’s population and grown in popularity. With over 24,000 people attending, a new record was set for this long standing tradition, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year. It was learned that unlike other animals that run away from storms, buffalo charge straight into them. Risk, uncertainty and instability will always be a part of life, both personally and professionally. A big part of how those challenges play out, comes down to the way we navigate them. Will we address them head on, move through them and come out on the other side armed with wisdom and growth? Or will we run from them, passively waiting for them to hit, frantically trying to figure out a way through it. At DeGeest and LestaUSA Self-Learning Painting & Finishing Robots, we’ve experienced many challenges, and we’ll encounter many more. The manufacturing industry will continue to face challenges, from workforce to automation, a storm seems to always be brewing. Knowing the leaders at the helm of these manufacturing companies, we have no doubt that the preference is to charge straight into these challenges because we know once we’ve passed the storm, our businesses and industry will be wiser and more prepared to continue producing the stronger standard for our customers and country. #buffaloroundup #southdakota #custerstatepark #buffalo #blackhills #astrongerstandard #strongercommunity #strongerindustry #strongerpeople #strongertogether

For those few people not yet sick of seeing my face in your newsfeed, here’s a snippet of a recent employee spotlight I did.

Outcome of Short-Term Let Licensing..... What are we really achieving here? Nimbyism at its finest. If I had moved next door with my three dogs (including a very energetic springer spaniel who could definitely jump the wall), would that have made headlines? Probably not. Maybe the focus should be on fixing the wall instead. STL licensing is now encouraging spurious complaints resulting in huge cost to the licensing committee and a waste of public resources, both in terms of time and money. Instead of building stronger communities, it’s tearing them apart. Time for a rethink. #CommunityCohesion #STLLicensing #Nimbyism Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers https://lnkd.in/eE2VC4JX

National Bison Day - November 2, 2024 Today, we honor the buffalo, an enduring symbol of strength, resilience, and sacred connection for many Native American tribes. For many Native American tribes, the buffalo, and bison, is a sacred animal, integral to our way of life, survival, and holds spiritual significance. The near-extermination of buffalo in the 19th century was a deliberate act of oppression, aimed at dismantling Indigenous economies, cultures, and self-sufficiency. We believe the buffalo was a gift from the Great Spirit to sustain us, and its suffering paralleled our own pain and oppression. The reintroduction of buffalo represents a reclamation of heritage, sovereignty, and resilience. It signifies the restoration of a vital resource that once sustained Indigenous peoples physically, culturally, and spiritually. I had a dream where buffalo ran in herds down a street. I stood in the middle, and everyone told me to move, but the buffalo ran around me in its full power. In the midst of their strength, I saw how the Creator was utilizing the buffalo to restore unity, peace, love, and healing to my people. This act of reintroduction is a powerful symbol of justice because it acknowledges past wrongs and takes concrete steps toward healing and empowerment. It allows tribes to reconnect with their traditional practices, enhance food security, and revitalize ecosystems. The return of the buffalo is also a step towards ecological justice, recognizing the intrinsic connection between Indigenous people and our land. It supports the revival of balanced ecosystems and acknowledges the role of Indigenous knowledge and stewardship in maintaining environmental health. This effort is a testament to the resilience and strength of our Native communities in reclaiming our rights and culture. The return of the Buffalo symbolizes justice and many prayers being answered. It’s more than a mission; it’s restorative justice. Text GIVE NATIVE to 44-321 to support this work. #NationalBisonDay #SupportNativeLed #SupportIndigenous #BuffaloResilience

A piece of West Des Moines history came tumbling down this week. 🏚️ The 130-year-old building that housed The Longest Yard sports bar in Valley Junction is no more. As I watched the demolition, I couldn't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and excitement for what's to come. For decades, this spot was a gathering place for sports fans, a hub of community spirit, and a landmark in our evolving cityscape. How many of you have memories tied to this old building? 🍻 But change is inevitable, and often necessary for growth. The demolition marks not just an end, but a new beginning for Valley Junction. It's a tangible sign of our city's progress and development. What do you think should replace this historic site? 🤔 • A modern eatery to carry on the location's legacy? • A community space to bring people together? • A mixed-use development to boost local businesses? Let's use this moment to reflect on how we balance preserving our heritage with embracing the future. After all, the stories and connections formed within those old walls will live on in our community's collective memory. Share your thoughts or favorite memories of The Longest Yard below! Let's keep the spirit of this West Des Moines landmark alive, even as we look forward to what's next. #WestDesMoines #ValleyJunction #CommunityDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #LocalHistory

You're invited! Join Us Today for an insightful evening as we come together to discuss the future of San Ramon! 📍Gala Ranch, San Ramon   🗓️ September 15th | 6 PM - 8 PM   📩 Address provided upon RSVP. https://lnkd.in/g5FJ3fp2 Let's work together to keep San Ramon thriving! #SanRamon #ChiragForMayor #SanRamonFuture #CommunityFirst #LeadershipInAction #YourVoiceMatters"

Lake Ontario from Eastman Lake

🤔 A topic I never thought I would be fascinated by and passionate about? Lawns. Yep, grass lawns. Sounds odd, but hear me out. So much of a safe, healthy ecosystem relies on biodiversity, native plants, water efficiency, and a myriad of other facets that can start (literally) in our backyards. The National Wildlife Federation put out a recent three-part series that's a must-read. Check out: 1️⃣ Why We Have Lawns covers the history of the classist, aristocratic obsession with lush grass lawns, and includes the terrifying story of how the “Chemical Warfare Service, an agency initially established to develop and deploy chemical weapons for military use” in WWI decided to call itself “the ‘Chemical Peace Service,’” to keep itself relevant after the war, and “began testing war gasses for use as pesticides” in US homes 😵 https://lnkd.in/gYZx8krp 2️⃣ Why We Shouldn’t Have Lawns explains the toll on both human and wildlife health as well as additional environmental impacts. A “massive amount of pesticide use is known to cause long term impacts on human health as it enters waterways, is absorbed by plants, and even drifts into the air. Several kinds of cancer have even been linked with exposure to lawn chemicals.” 😷 https://lnkd.in/gmXJE_iH 3️⃣ Grow Beyond No Mow May explains great ways to take action, covering both how to replace turf grasses (which “have root systems that are only a few inches deep, which makes them inefficient at managing or filtering water”) with native plants and how to intentionally manage any grass lawn you do keep (like approaching “mowing sparingly and intentionally, but don’t let it go ‘unmanaged’” and avoiding “pesticides and fertilizers.”) 🌸🌻🌼🌷https://lnkd.in/gkfehKNp Thoughts?