Asta-Ja: Nepal Vision 2040

On November 15, 2024 Durga Poudel, Ph.D. was inducted into Lambda Alpha International (LAI) by Charles Reith, Ph.D., a LAI FL Suncoast Chapter member, at an impressive event hosted at University of Louisiana, Lafayette. After Charles' introduction and his induction ceremony, Durga gave a superb presentation on A Journey to Ecological and Environmental Sustainability based on the Asta-Ja Framework he developed over the past decades.

Durga & Charles 

As a long-time LAI member, Earth Impact (Ei) Founder and CEO Holly Elmore co-sponsored Durga's LAI nomination with Charles. On October 18, 2024, Holly welcomed Durga to the Ei Advisory Council; at the October monthly Ei Regeneration Working Group (RWG) meeting, Durga presented for the full hour on the Asta-Ja Framework; the second half of the November RWG meeting was reserved for an Asta-Ja Q&A session.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine article, Welcome Durga Poudel, Ph.D. to the Ei Advisory Council, introduces the Asta-Ja Framework.

Ei commits to work closely with Durga and his Asta-Ja community on building the bridge from academic papers and philosophies into full and complete implementation in Nepal. As Durga and Holly are Rotarians, the vision is to develop empowering working relationships between Ei, LAI, and Rotary International (RI,) with each organization contributing within their respective areas of expertise, networks, and resources.

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land. RI is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. At the end of the article is a brief Ei introduction.

Durga Poudel, Ph.D.
Born in Tanahu, Nepal, Durga's academic studies spanned the globe from Pakistan to Thailand to Taiwan to the USA where he received his Ph.D. degree in Soil Sciences from the University of Georgia. Subsequently, Durga served as a Visiting Research Scholar at University of California Davis from 1998 - 2000. 

In 2000, Charles, then School of Geosciences Department Chair, hired Durga as a University of Louisiana, Lafayette faculty member where he is now a tenured full professor. Charles says bringing Durga to the university was his "best hire ever" in his long academic career.

According to his official bio, Durga is the Professor and Coordinator of the Environmental Science Program and Director of Ag. Auxiliary Units, University of Louisiana, Lafayette. 

Durga's research focuses on water quality and nonpoint-source-pollution control, water-quality modeling, climate change adaptation, soil erosion, soil development and productivity, sustainable agriculture, organic farming, roadside-vegetation and highway enhancement, waste-water recycling, and farming systems. At the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Durga teaches several soil-science and water-quality courses.

Asta-Ja Framework
In 2008, Dr. Pramod Dhakal at the University of New Brunswick, Canada invited Durga to give an oral presentation, Asta-Ja for Economic Development in Nepal, at a Canadian conference. Later, Professor Basu Sharma encouraged Durga to publish his first in a series of thirteen Asta-Ja papers in distinguished journals. The inaugural paper, Management of Eight "Ja" for Economic Development of Nepal, was published in June 2008 in the Journal of Comparative International Management.

In January 2024, Durga published the acclaimed book, Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity, as a compilation of his thirteen articles and papers on the Asta-Ja Framework.

According to Durga,

"The book, Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity, is a collection of thirteen published research articles from 2008-2022 AD. It presents theoretically grounded pioneering framework, the Asta-Ja Framework, for sustainable conservation, development, and utilization of natural and human resources for fast-paced socio-economic transformation, sustainable economic development, and environmental quality in Nepal. It presents practical guidelines for food, water, energy, environmental and climate securities. This book also presents Nepal Vision 2040 which aims for developing Nepal to the level of developed nations by 2040 AD."

At the foundation of the Asta-Ja Framework, are eight resources:

1. 
   Jal (Water)
2. Jamin (Land)
3. Jangle (Forest)
4. Jadibuti (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants)
5. Janawar (Animals)
6. Jarajuri (Crop/Plants)
7. Jalbayu (Climate)
8. Janashakti (Human Resource)

In Nepali, asta is eight and each of the eight resources begin with "Ja" letters. Thus, the name Asta-Ja.

Asta-Ja Resources have economic value and can be degraded with poor management. Though they are critical elements of life, fire and air are free for all and not considered Asta-Ja Resources.

From 2008 through 2024, the Asta-Ja Framework segued through the Era of Theorizing, Framework Development, and the Institutionalization of the Asta-Ja via the following milestones:

• 2008: Asta-Ja introduction.
• 2009 - 2012: Asta-Ja policy, strategy, capacity-building, and social-inclusion frameworks.
• 2013 - 2018: relevancy and the applicability of the Asta-Ja Framework (national planning, agriculture and natural resources development and management, cooperatives.)
• 2018: Nepal Vision (elevating Nepal’s economy at the level of a developed nation by 2040.)
• 2019 - 2021: Food, Water, Energy, Climate, and Environmental Security introduction.
• 2022: Governance.
• 2024: Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity publication.

With the turn of the quarter-century earmark, the Era of the Implementation of the Asta-Ja Framework, Nepal inaugurates. With Diving timing, Ei and Durga join forces on securing the collaborative forces necessary for Asta-Ja Nepal implementation!

An Integrated, Holistic Framework
In his presentation, Durga explained how the Asta-Ja Resources integrate with the Earth's four subsystems:

• 

  Family, students, and friends 
  after Durga's presentation

  Atmosphere - Climate = Jalabayu
• Hydrosphere - Water = Jal
• Lithosphere - Land = Jamin
• Biosphere:
• Forest = Jangle
• Medicinal and Aromatic Plants = Jadibuti
• Animals = Janawar
• Crop/Plants = Jarajuri
• Human Resource = Janaskakti

The Theory of Asta-Ja includes eight principles with Principle #1, Community Awareness. at the energetic center: within a circle, Principles #2 through #7 directly interact with Community Awareness; Principle #8, Sustainable Community Development and Socio-Economic Transformation of Nepal, encircles the entire Community Awareness circle. Principles #2 through #7 are as follows:

• Principle #2 - Community-Capacity Building
• Principle #3 - Policy-Decision Making
• Principle #4 - Interrelationships and Linkages
• Principle #5 - Comprehensive Assessment
• Principle #6 - Sustainable Technologies and Practices
• Principle #7 - Institutions, Trade, and Governance

Durga created a comprehensive table, A Hypothetical Example of Asta-Ja Framework for the City of Kathmandu, Nepal, that showcases how the Asta-Ja Resources interact with and impact the eight Principles. For example, the intersection of Community-Capacity Building with Climate (Jalabayu) is flood control and crop diversification. The table is on pages 231and 232 in Durga's recently published Asta-Ja book.

Furthermore, the Asta-Ja Framework addresses five security areas: Food, Water, Energy, Climate, and Environmental Securities. Within his security analysis, Durga substantiates how each security area impacts and interacts with the Asta-Ja Resources and eight Principles.

In the presentation video (link provided below) provides a thorough analysis of how the Asta-Ja Framework is an Integrated, Holistic Framework. 

The analysis concludes with how Governance is critical to crafting an actionable, effective implementation plan.

For additional and in-depth information on development of the Asta-Ja Framework, view Durga's November 15 A Journey to Ecological and Environmental Sustainability recorded presentation; Durga's PPT presentation is available at this LINK.

Nepal Vision 2040

According to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Nepal: Issues and Perspectives, a 161-page paper published in October 2020, Asta-Ja is a non-profit organization dedicated to community capacity-building through training, technology transfer, logistic support, policy advocacy, and research and development. Its goal is to develop partnership with research and developmental institutions, governmental agencies, community organizations, universities, and other stakeholders and work collaboratively in agricultural, natural resources, environmental, and other research and developmental projects. 

Essential to the Asta-Ja non-profit, the Asta-Ja International Coordination Council (Asta-Ja ICC), an assembly of affiliated scholars and professionals with diverse expertise, is highly regarded in Nepal as national and global thought leaders. Durga is the ICC Chair.

Founded in 2014 within the Asta-Ja non-profit, the Asta-Ja Research Development Center (RDC)  enhances grassroots-community involvement in research and development of Asta-Ja for poverty alleviation and socio-economic transformation of Nepal implementation of the Asta-Ja Framework.

The Asta-Ja Nepal Vision 2040 aims to elevate Nepal at the par of a developed nation by 2040 utilizing the Asta-Ja Framework. The Vision showcases how the Asta-Ja Resources transform the abundant challenges into an empowering reality.

Identified challenges include poverty, food insecurity, negative balance of trade, public debt, foreign-aid dependency, plan-implementation failures, massive outmigration, Gross Domestic Product growth, natural disasters, environmental degradation, energy, corruption, and welfare.

Utilizing the Asta-Ja Resources, the challenges transform into the Nepal Vision 2040:

1. Food self-sufficiency
2. Reliance on renewable resource energy
3. 30-million tourists annually
4. Export of organic foods, medicinal and aromatic plants, and other products
5. Corruption control
6. Infrastructural development
7. Community resiliency & Social Services
8. Asta-Ja Resource conservation, utilization, and development

Grassroots Research and Development

In 2018, Asta-Ja USA, Sustainable Natural Resources for Community Development, was established as a 501(c) nonprofit with the following mission:

To promote sustainable development of natural and human resources through education, capacity building, charitable activities, applied research, policy-``decision support, and environmental conservation. 

As a non-profit, Asta-Ja USA may accept tax-deductible donations and contributions from U.S.-based organizations, corporations, and other entities that fund grassroots research and development with the RDC.

Via a RI Basic Education Improvement Grant, seventeen U.S. teachers traveled to Nepal and aided with course curriculum, Nepalese teacher education, and other education-based projects. 

The RDC Projects page lists funded Asta-Ja grassroots projects over the past years: 

• Seeds for Family Nutrition and Income Generation 
• Environment Pollution Community Awareness Seminar Series
• Chudher Drinking Water Project
• 2015 Gorkha Earthquake Relief Works
• Chure Conservation and Development Project
• Climate Change Adaptation Research

Grassroots projects showcase the amazing potential for Nepal within the Asta-Ja Framework; the projects build the foundation for holographic implementation across Nepalese communities, tourist and other industries, and environmental stewardship

All in the Family

During his November 15 presentation, Durga honored his family for their unwavering support for and contributions to building the Asta-Ja Framework. In 2008, the Poudel family traveled together via car 2549 miles, 39 hours from Lafayette, LA to Ottawa, Canada and back for Durga's inaugural Asta-Ja lecture. 

Durga with Shanta and their
daughter Rachana.

Several times during his dialogue Durga acknowledged and recognized his lovely wife Shanta who was in the audience.

As she was visiting her parents, Durga and Shanta’s youngest daughter Rachana attended the event. The elder siblings – Roshan and Rosina – celebrated Durga’s LAI induction and Asta-Ja achievements in spirit from New York City and Los Angeles, respectively.

Ei Asta-Ja Nepal Task Force
As a welcome to 2025, Ei embarks on establishing the Ei Asta-Ja Nepal Task Force to serve as a bridge from academic papers and philosophies into full and complete implementation of Asta-Ja: Nepal Vision 2040. The task force will serve as a guiding force within the Era of the Implementation of the Asta-Ja Framework.

_______________________________________

Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work. 

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org.

A Hurricane Trilogy

The second half of the 2024 hurricane season was brutal to Florida's Gulf Coast: three hurricanes - Debby, Helene, and Milton - made landfall in two months, with Helene and Milton less than two weeks apart. Each hurricane wreaked havoc with different flavors of destruction.

Earth Impact's (Ei) global offices reside in Ei Founder & CEO Holly Elmore's Sarasota home, located three miles inland from Sarasota Bay. Sarasota is on the Central Gulf Coast 50-miles south of Tampa and was directly impacted by the three hurricanes.

Hurricanes
With their own personality and parameters, Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton arrived in and left the Sarasota region with unique damage and destruction.

Debby, a rain event
In early August, then Tropical Storm Debby brought 18 inches of rain to Holly's backyard, flooding the lower-yard levels yet not her home. Two weeks earlier a low pressure system ended the severe drought with 16 inches of rain in two days. Thus, the area ground was saturated when Debby's rain arrived and caused severe flooding.

Tropical Storm Debby
street flooding
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Debby's flooding was generally inland along Philippe Creek, a 7.2-mile stream within the Sarasota Bay Watershed, the Myakka River, a 72-mile river that flows through Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties into the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) through Charlotte Harbor, and in several well-established neighborhoods.

Much of Debby's flooding in Sarasota was unprecedented and served as a wake-up call for the importance of infrastructure maintenance; many in the community questioned the common practice of filling in wetlands to build gated communities and other developments.

Before making landfall on August 4 in Steinhatchee on Florida's panhandle, Debby strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane.

Helene, a storm-surge event
On September 26, Hurricane Helene moved north through the Gulf around 100 miles off the Florida Central Gulf Coast. Predictions included 4 - 7 feet of storm surge on the Sarasota barrier islands and bay-front coastline. Due to Helene's 100-mile distance off shore, many were surprised when the storm surge arrived as predicted; the storm surge completely flooded the barrier islands and dropped tremendous volumes of sand on roadways and in homes and businesses. The destruction was devastating.

In Sarasota, minimal rain accompanied Helene with Holly recording approximately two inches of rain at her home.

Helene made landfall as a massive Category 4 Hurricane in Florida's Big Bend Region. After making landfall, Helen traveled north causing catastrophic damage in the North Carolina western mountains and other areas; the destruction path was 500-miles long.

Milton, a wind event
Less than two weeks after Helene's devastation, the Florida Gulf Coast braced for a cataclysmic hurricane garnering unbelievable strength as it traveled east through the warm Gulf waters. With minimal time for collection, streets on the barrier islands remained lined with debris from cleanup of Helene's destruction. Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton barreled towards the Tampa Bay / Sarasota area.

Fallen tree near Holly's home
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

At 8:30 pm on October 9, Milton made landfall on the southern portion of Siesta Key, one of Sarasota's barrier islands, as a Category 3 storm; two days earlier Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane breaking records as one of the most powerful storms in the Atlantic basin.

For nearly an hour, Milton's eye hovered over the Sarasota region gifting residents with the surreal silence inherent within the eye of a hurricane.

Though the area lost tremendous elder tree cover, the predicted obliteration of the Sarasota barrier islands did not manifest. A good portion of the region was without power for a week or more.

Old Florida Charm
Hurricane Helene's storm-surge flooding and sand deposits caused unrepairable damage to many of the region's elder homes and businesses. In general, structures designed and built in accordance with the more recent building codes survived the hurricanes with minimal or at least repairable damage. New building codes require elevated living/working space along with hurricane-resistant construction materials.

The Rod & Reel in 2018
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Sadly, the Sarasota region lost many of its iconic, eclectic restaurants. One local favorite, the Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant built in 1947 survived Helene with only the pier sustaining major damage. Yet, Milton completely obliterated the pier and restaurant; only the sign survived. The Rod & Reel was the first stop on Holly's famed SRQ Tour.

Another popular dining destination, Caddy's Bradenton on the Manatee River was completely destroyed and will not be rebuilt.

Yet, the Cortez Fishing Village established in the 1880's cleaned, repaired, and opened for business within weeks after Milton seemingly destroyed the charming village. Pop's Sunset Grill located on the Intracoastal Waterway and Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay, popular eclectic destinations, opened within days after Milton traveled across the state. It is surreal that Turtles received minimal damage as Milton made landfall nearby.

Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots
When she returned to her hometown in 2021, Holly donated her front yard for an Ei Native Plant Landscape Pilot and her backyard for an Ei Permaculture-Oriented Landscape Pilot. The Holly Elmore Images Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots album chronicles the pilot development and progress. 

The RiA Magazine article, Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots, announces the pilots and emphasizes their importance within the Ei Nature Prevails platform.

Oak tree debris in pilot
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

For Tropical Storm Debby, the Pilots were appreciative of the excessive rainfall after the drought during the summer's usual rainy season. As Holly's home is three miles inland from Sarasota Bay, Hurricane Helene's storm surge did not impact the pilots. 

After Hurricane Milton, the pilots were completely disheveled and numerous plants lost. The four massive oak trees on the property provided protection from the intense wind and deposited a significant amount of oak debris throughout the pilots.

The healthy soil filled with active microbial communities and fungi networks absorbed the tremendous rainfall from Debby and held the roots in place for most of the young trees, bushes, and plants. In the overall perspective, the pilots were reasonably unscathed by the 2024 hurricane trilogy and will completely recover over time.

Resiliency is a necessity for those who choose to call the Florida peninsula their home. With warming oceans, increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes are forecasted for the Sunshine State. The 2024 hurricane trilogy is a glimpse of future weather patterns.

_______________________________________

Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work. 

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org.

Welcome Durga Poudel, Ph.D. to the Ei Advisory Council

On October 18, 2024 renowned Professor Durga Poudel, Ph.D. officially joined the Earth Impact (Ei) Advisory Council!

Durga & his family in NYC, May 2024

According to his official bio, Durga is the Professor and Coordinator of Environmental Science Program, Director of Ag. Auxiliary Units, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. 

Durga's research focuses on water quality and nonpoint source pollution control, water quality modeling, climate change adaptation, soil erosion, soil development and productivity, sustainable agriculture, organic farming,  roadside vegetation and highway enhancement, waste water recycling, and farming systems. At the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Durga teaches several soil-science and water-quality courses.

Durga will serve as an invaluable Ei Advisor within the Nature Prevails, Soil Health, and Water Use | Toxicity Ei platforms.

LAI Global Webinar
Fellow Ei Advisor Charles Reith introduced Ei Founder & CEO Holly Elmore to Durga for the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) Agriculture's Impact on Water Quality / Quantity and Land Economics Global Webinar slated for early 2025 broadcast. In addition to presenting on the global webinar, Durga will serve on the LAI Global Land-Water Series Group co-chaired by Holly and Jim Musbach.

In early October, Durga accepted Charles and Holly's co-sponsored LAI At-Large member nomination. On his next quarterly Lafayette visit, Charles will host a local meeting where he will formerly induct Durga into LAI membership; Durga will follow with a presentation on his important work. Charles is a LAI FL Suncoast Chapter member.

About LAI

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders 

in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.

LAI is a growing network of chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Each chapter offers a wide variety of programs with industry leaders, discussion forums, community service projects and networking events.

Membership is highly selective through a nomination process initiated by a LAI member. Nominees for LAI membership must demonstrate ten or more years of experience in their fields, professional distinction, and outstanding contributions to the community in their field of endeavor.

LAI is committed to excellence and high professional standards to make a difference. A value to members is knowing you are someone who helped make that difference.

Asta-Ja Framework*
In June 2008, Durga published the pioneering article, Management of Eight 'Ja' for Economic Development in Nepal, in the Journal of Comparative International Management. From the article abstract:

This paper proposes a theoretically grounded Asta-Ja framework of Eight "Ja" ─Nepali letter "Ja", Jal (water), Jamin (land), Jarajuri (plants), Janawar (animals), Jungle (forest), Jadibuti (medicinal and aromatic plants), Jalabayu (climate), and Jansakti (manpower) and referred to as Asta-Ja in Nepali language for economic development and management of Nepal. More concretely, it identifies and analyzes key elements of the framework to derive its implications for theory and policy development. 

Subsequently, Durga published over a dozen referred journal articles that elucidated Asta-Ja principles, strategies, guidelines, and approaches to sustainable conservation, development, and utilization of natural and human resources for accelerated economic growth, fast-paced socio-economic transformation, and overall securities in Nepal.

The Inauguration of Asta Ja Abhiyan Nepal blog post announces the December 24, 2008 formation of The Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal, a non-governmental, non-profit organization co-founded by Durga in his native homeland, Nepal. According to the post:

The Asta Ja Abhiyan Nepal envisions an economically prosperous, environmentally sound, and socially just Nepal through sustainable development and management of Asta Ja. Also, the Asta Ja Campaign Nepal envisions Nepalese people and friends of Nepal recognizing, appreciating, caring, and sustainbly developing and managing Asta Ja for Nepal's prosperity, environmental quality, national pride and societal integrity in their respective capacities. 

Additionally, Durga is the Founding President for Asta-Ja Research Development Center located in Kathmandu, Nepal and Asta-Ja USA located in Hawaii; they are nonprofit nongovernmental organizations, work closely together as sister entities, and institutionalize Asta-Ja.

In January 2024, Durga published the acclaimed book, Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity, as a compilation of his over-a-dozen articles and papers on the Asta-Ja Framework. At the October monthly Ei Regenerative Working Group (RWG) meeting, Durga shared the Asta-Ja Framework featuring his book with his fellow Ei Advisors. By popular demand, the November RWG meeting topic is a Q&A with Durga.

Ei is honored to welcome Durga Poudel, Ph.D. to the Advisory Council and work with him on a variety of endeavors.

* unless otherwise referenced, the majority of this section was derived from the Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity preface and back cover.

_______________________________________

Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work. 

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org.

Era of Impact

On July 11, 2024, then Elemental Impact Founder & CEO Holly Elmore signed the trademark-transfer documents and released the use of Elemental Impact to an independent third party. Signing the documents was Holly's final act as Elemental Impact Founder & CEO.

The Regeneration in ACTION (RiA) Magazine article, Introducing Earth Impact, introduces the new Ei persona, Earth Impact (Ei)!

Perfect Timing
With perfect timing, the Elemental Impact-trademark transfer marked the end of the Era of Regeneration and the entry into the Era of Impact! 

Ei Eras flow within seven-year cycles: Era of Recycling Refinement (2010 inception - June 2017,) Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024,) and Era of Impact (June 2024 - June 2031.)

Era of Recycling Refinement (2010 inception through June 2017)
In 2010 Ei, a 501(c)3 non-profit, was founded as the home to the Zero Waste Zones (ZWZ), the nation’s forerunner in the commercial collection of food waste for compost. When the ZWZ were sold to the National Restaurant Association in 2012, Ei’s focus shifted to the Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFCI) via the SFCI – Atlanta Airport Pilot, SFCI – Concord Mills Pilot, and the SFCI – Georgia Dome Pilot.

Holly speaking at the 2018
WorldChefs Congress in Kuala Lumpur
photo courtesy of WorldChefs

Within the SFCI Pilots, whose stated mission was to address Post-Consumer Food Waste, Ei spearheaded a series of materials-resource-recovery projects intertwined with Recycling Integrity:  the Source-Separated Materials-Recycling Template, Total-Materials-Management Approach, Zero Waste-Food Journeys, and Plastic Film Recycling.

Working closely with the SMAT – Sustainable Materials Action Team – Ei responded to industry partners’ requests to develop the Compostable Food & Beverage Packaging-Education Session and the World Chefs Waste | Recycling Course Curriculum. Later, Holly provided the working documents for the World Chefs Food Waste Challenge launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the 2018 WorldChefs Congress; in the Congress’ final plenary session, Holly presented on The Profitability of Waste: the business case for food waste reduction.

Within the spirit of recycling refinement, Ei launched the Airborne Kitchen Grease Initiative working closely with Ei Partner Grease Lock/Ellis Fibre and the SFCI Pilots.

Era of Regeneration (June 2017 through June 2024,)
In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration. Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

Conscious Cleaning demo at
Ted's Montana Grill

Until the COVID pandemic in 2020. the Ei Partner-business model remained viable; partner-funded programs included the Ei Conscious Cleaning Initiative and the Three-Step Straw Initiative (TSSI.) While traveling for the TSSI, Holly intertwined work related to the Healthy-Food School Programs.

During the pandemic, Holly returned to her hometown Sarasota, Florida and launched the Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots (Rewilding Pilots) in her spacious yard. Once settled in Sarasota, Holly embarked on building a Lambda Alpha International (LAI) FL Suncoast Chapter while establishing herself within the local environmental community.

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.

Thus, the Era of Impact emerged as the Ei business model evolved away from projects, pilots, and initiatives and to Ei Educates.

Era of Impact (June 2024 – 2031)
Timed perfectly with the June 2024 Elemental Impact-trademark transfer and the corporate-name change to Earth Impact (Ei,) the Era of Impact launch closed out the Era of Regeneration.

Incorporated within the Ei Educates-business model, Ei embraces three focus areas/concepts: Collective Consciousness, Soil & Water: the foundation of life, and What We Eat Matters.

Collective Consciousness:
The November 2023 RiA article, Collective Consciousness: a movement, a solution, introduces collective consciousness with a brief history and substantiates how it is integral to Ei’s important work via three examples: 1>Zero Waste is a Team Sport, 2> the Sustainable Food & Beverage Packaging Value Chain Meetings (2011 -2014,) and 3> the Nature Prevails platform.

Soil & Water: the foundation of life
Soil and water are in a sacred marriage that supports life on Earth and must be addressed in unison. Healthy well-structured soil is a living, breathing ecosystem and retains significantly more water than depleted soil. Additionally, healthy soil filters water and removes contaminants as it flows to aquifers. In return, water keeps a healthy soil ecosystem hydrated.

Bee resting within a grass spiral
Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Insects are the base of predator/prey hierarchy, integral to the natural ecosystem foundation, and essential to supporting the Earth’s life web. Many insects, such as dragonflies and mosquitoes, live their juvenile or larva stage under water and their adult lives on land supporting plants and soil systems; aquatic larva is similar to a butterfly’s caterpillar stage.

The December 2022 RiA article, Soil & Water: the foundation of life, sets a basic premise for the Era of Impact; the article showcases how soil and water are completely integrated with the three Era of Regeneration platforms: Nature Prevails, Soil Health, and Water Use & Toxicity; these platforms carry over into the Era of Impact. 

What We Eat Matters:
In the January 2024 RiA Magazine article, What We Eat Matters (WWEM,) encapsulates Ei’s work during the Era of Regeneration and is organized into three main WWEM categories:

• Personal Health – Nutrition, Physical, Mental & Emotional Health, and Tasty Food.
• World Water Pollution & Depletion – Chemical Farming, Time-Released Fertilizers and Pesticides, and Water-Intensive Food
• Diversity Reduction – Insect Apocalypse & the Holocene Extinction

The WWEM article outlines a roadmap for future articles and Ei Educates activities.

Ei Educates
Though education was always integral to Ei's pursuits over the years, the primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. As Ei enters the Era of Impact, gears shift to a new business model and platform, Ei Educates.

Within the Ei Educates platform, Ei utilizes its extensive professional network as well as Holly's experience to educate on pertinent environmental and social equity topics. With their in-depth industry expertise and connections, Ei Advisors are essential to Ei Educates successes.

Ei-Hosted Conference Panels & Webinars
The inaugural Ei Educates session debuted at the 2018 U.S. Composting Council hosted in Atlanta, Georgia via the Ei-hosted panel Compost’s Empowering Role in Sustainable Soils; Holly moderated the session and panelists included Ei Advisors and Strategic Allies. It was the most popular break-out session at the conference with every seat filled in the large room. The RiA Magazine article, GAME WON: 2018 compost conference a record-breaking success, showcases the Ei-hosted panel.

Post-COVID pandemic in 2023, Ei Educates webinars and speaking engagements segued into common ground. 

Rewilding Pilots
Designed as an educational platform that inspires by example, the Rewilding Pilots inaugurated community-based tours in the fall of 2023. Once a deck is built under the massive front-yard oak trees, the Rewilding Pilots will host educational workshops; the first workshop planned is Building Healthy Soils 101.

Ei Food Forest
Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

In October 2023, the Ei Food Forest, integral to the Rewilding Pilots, was included in a sold-out Transition Sarasota Eat Local Week food forest tour. The RiA Magazine article, Food forests transform lawns into lovely, beneficial landscapes, recaps the important role food forests play within a myriad of areas and showcases the educational tour.

On January 7, 2024 the FB Group 941 Natural Gardeners hosted the second Rewilding Pilots tour focused on the backyard food forest and the vegetable, herb and edible-flower garden. Nearly 30 intrigued local residents attended the Sunday-morning tour. The RiA Magazine article, Local Food Security: building a movement through yard gardens and food forests, introduces the  modern-day gardening movement and showcases the well-attended tour

Articles
In addition to speaking engagements, webinars, tours and other events, RiA articles are integral to Ei Educates. In the prior Eras, the RiA articles were generally documentary in nature and chronicled Ei's important work. With the advent of Ei Educates, many articles are introductory in nature for emerging concepts or showcase synergies of seemingly disparate issues, events, and/or activities. 

The previously referenced Collective Consciousness, a movement, a solution and What We Eat Matters articles are prime examples of Ei Educates-oriented articles.

Staged to Soar
With a solid foundation built via accomplishments within the Era of Recycling Refinement and Era of Regeneration, Ei is staged to soar within the Era of Impact!

_______________________________________

Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work. 

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org. 

Introducing Earth Impact

On July 11, 2024, Elemental Impact Founder & CEO Holly Elmore signed the trademark-transfer documents and released the use of Elemental Impact to an independent third party. Signing the documents was Holly's final act as Elemental Impact Founder & CEO.

Immediately upon execution of the trademark-transfer documents, Ei stepped into an evolved persona, Earth Impact!

Earth Impact 
With the documents executed, Holly began the arduous task of segueing Elemental Impact into Earth Impact (Ei.) After securing www.earth-impact.org, Holly and the Ei webmaster embarked on overhauling the website content and transferring the site to a new server. One month later, the Ei website is ready to introduce Earth Impact as Ei's evolved persona!

The Ei social media accounts are changed to Earth Impact, and Holly's new email address is holly@earth-impact.org.

With the tedious work nearly complete, it is time to embrace a new Ei Era!

Era of Impact
With perfect timing, the Elemental Impact trademark transfer marked the end of the Era of Regeneration and the entry into the Era of Impact! 

Ei Eras flow within seven-year cycles: Era of Recycling Refinement (2010 inception - June 2017,) Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024,) and Era of Impact (June 2024 - June 2031.)

When Ei entered the Era of Regeneration, the Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity Focus Areas were launched and will continue into the Era of Impact.

Within the Era of Impact, Ei embraces a renewed business model Ei Educates.

Ei Educates
Though education was always integral to Ei's important work, Ei's primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. As Ei prepares to enter the Era of Impact, gears shift to a new business model and platform, Ei Educates.

The RiA Magazine article, Ei Educates, chronicles the Eras of Recycling Refinement and Regeneration and introduces Ei Educates as the evolved business model.

Within the Ei Educates platform, Ei utilizes its extensive professional network as well as Holly's experience to educate on pertinent environmental and social equity topics. With their in-depth industry expertise and connections, Ei Advisors are essential to the success of Ei Educates.

Ei Advisor Kathy Kellogg
Johnson at the podium
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

The inaugural Ei Educates session debuted at the 2018 U.S. Composting Council Conference hosted in Atlanta, Georgia via the Ei-hosted panel Compost’s Empowering Role in Sustainable Soils; Holly moderated the session and panelists included Ei Advisors and Strategic Allies. It was the most popular break-out session at the conference with every seat filled in the large room. The RiA Magazine article, GAME WON: 2018 compost conference a record-breaking success, showcases the Ei-hosted panel.

Post-COVID pandemic in 2023, Ei Educates webinars and speaking engagements segued into common ground. 

In addition to the plethora of Ei-Hosted Conference/Webinar Panels, Ei hosts educational sessions via tours of the Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots (Rewilding Pilots) located in Holly's front and backyards. To date, two successful Rewilding Pilot tours were hosted with near-capacity attendance.

At three-years old, the Rewilding Pilots are ready to serve as an Ei educational platform via tours, workshops, and events. Once the weather cools in the fall, a Building Healthy Soils 101 workshop is slated for local residents. When funding is raised, a large deck with ample seating under the front-yard oak trees will host events.

In February 2024, Holly accepted the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) invitation to serve as the Global Water-Land Series Group Co-Chair. 

On June 13, 2024, the Group hosted the Introduction to Water and Land Economics Global Webinar; introductory in nature, the webinar was designed as a foundation for a plethora of future webinars on more specific topics. As the Co-Chair, Holly orchestrated the superb webinar and invited two Ei Advisors to serve as webinar panelists. The RiA Magazine article, Introduction to Water and Land Economics, gives an in-depth summary of the impressive webinar. To view the recorded Introduction to Water and Land Economics webinar, click HERE.

In addition to speaking engagements, webinars, tours and other events, RiA articles are integral to Ei Educates. In the prior Eras, the RiA articles were generally documentary in nature and chronicled Ei's important work. With the advent of Ei Educates, many articles are introductory in nature for emerging concepts or showcase synergies of seemingly disparate issues, events, and/or activities.

The November 2023 RiA article, Collective Consciousness: a movement, a solution, introduces collective consciousness with a brief history and substantiates how it is integral to Ei's successes. 

In the January 2024 RiA Magazine article, What We Eat Matters (WWEM,) Ei's accomplishments over the past seven years are organized into three main WWEM categories:

• Personal Health - Nutrition, Physical, Mental & Emotional Health, and Tasty Food.
• World Water Pollution & Depletion - Chemical Farming, Time-Released Fertilizers and Pesticides, and Water-Intensive Food.
• Diversity Reduction - Insect Apocalypse & the Holocene Extinction.

The WWEM article outlines a roadmap for future articles and Ei Educates activities.

Ei received a $100,000 anonymous  to expand the Ei Educates platform.

THANK YOU
The tedious, yet smooth transition from Elemental Impact to Earth Impact was possible due to the unwavering support and expertise of Ei In-Kind Partners:

• Thompson Hine - Ei General Counsel & Thompson Hine Partner, Greg Chafee ensured the trademark-transfer documents accurately reflected the negotiated parameters in a professional manner, filed the Earth Impact name-change amendment with the Georgia Secretary of State, and shared his sage advice with Holly throughout the negotiations.
• HLB Gross Collins - Ei Treasurer & HLB Gross Collins Shareholder Pauline Reynolds advised Holly on the tax implications of the trademark transfer and gave guidance on the name change with the IRS.
• Thompson Creative - Lee Thompson, Thompson Creative Owner, updated the Ei logo expeditiously as she embarked on European travels.
• Atlanta Web Design - Ei Webmaster and Atlanta Web Design Owner, Jonathan Beacher dedicated the extraordinary amount of time necessary to address the multiple challenges inherent within the Earth Impact-website launch.

New Adventures
With a solid foundation built via Elemental Impact's tremendous and varied successes over nearly fifteen years of environmental accomplishments, Earth Impact has a clean slate to embark on exciting, impactful work. Earth Impact's future is exceptionally BRIGHT!!!

_______________________________________

Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work. 

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org.