Gretchen Wallace's Page

I recently went to visit David Strelneck of Ashoka's Water Innovations at Ashoka in the DC area. He generously shared with me the cutting edge patterns that Ashoka has been distilling from the work of their network of Fellows working on water issues globally. What I noticed was that there was little mention of what I work with as a critical intersection - WOMEN and WATER. David was very open to hearing my experiences working with vulnerable women in Africa and we've agreed to continue our… Continue

I'd like to introduce everyone to Seldon Labs of Windsor, VT and their product called the Waterbox. Seldon uses innovative technology that they have patented called nanomesh. Using extremely tiny particles of carbon called nanotubes, they create a mesh of spun fiber out of these nanotubes that when water flows through it is capable of eliminating almost all viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, parasites and almost any other particulate that could cause us harm. This Waterbox and their Waterstick… Continue

It is 2020 and I am eating a vegetarian meal prepared with only the ingredients grown in my own garden. This includes a range of greens, root vegetables, legumes, culinary herbs and other vegetables along with berries and maple syrup for dessert. Having raised a strong crop of soybeans, I have been able to make my own tofu, which provides protein for my meal. I also cultivate my own medicinal herbs and so I am able to serve teas made from my own flowers. We bake our own bread and make our own… Continue

I live in New England, but I work in Rwanda. So, I'll comment on the issues and solutions in both locations. In New England, the biggest challenge is eating locally, healthily. We live in a cold climate where the growing season is often less than 3 months long. So, eating locally all year round is a challenge. Instead, we are incredibly dependent on shipping in food from all over the world. It is strange to think it is common for folks here in New Hampshire and Vermont to be eating mangoes and… Continue