Operate the Giving Garden at Cafe Bella and other satellite locations including WCBE.  The objective of the Giving Garden is to help build urban gardening skills to provide people living within cities with better nutrition and a connection to the earth.  Additionally, we intend to change culture by promoting skills that will enable people to grow their own food in the future. 

Plants are started as seeds, grown and planted in containers that are distributed through the food pantry system.  The primary pantry at this time is located at 18th and Oak St, Columbus, Oh.  Over 1000 pounds of food were distributed to date in 2009.  This was our first year.  We expect to significantly increase our impact by expanding locations and volunteers next year and beyond.

Partner with Coyote Trails to offer nature classes for youth at Earthtouch.  Coyote Trails School of Nature is founded upon this mission:   "Preserving our common heritage and the natural environment through the art and science of earth-based primitive living skills."  Coyote Trails is planning their initial program in partnership with Earthtouch in the fall 2009.

Carbon Off-set   Adopt-an-acre and Earthpass programs - Earthtouch manages a carbon off-set program to educate people on their carbon footprint and also provide preservation land to off-set carbon produced by humans.  To calculate your carbon footprint as part of earthpass or adopt-an-acre please click the following website:  www.myfootprint.org.  The earth passes are priced at $25 for a one year partial carbon off-set.  We also offer an adopt-an-acre program for higher donations. 

Community Programs   We have a rich history of creating  programs that allow local students an opportunity to develop skills as part of our partnership with the community.  Vinton County MR/DD clients and high school science students use the trails for recreation and learning.  Additionally, Vinton County cross country team members use the trails as part of their training course.  

Rite of Passage Gardens    Earthtouch plans to kick off a memorial garden project after the land management plan has been created.  We will plant fruit trees or native trees in celebration of significant events such as a birth or a wedding or to honor the memory of people as they pass.   This program is designed to re-forest grass lands, provide a lasting food source and provide an avenue to increase connection with land and living species, and to create a ritual to honor the many rites of passage in our lives.  This also provides an ecologically friendly alternative to sending cut flowers.  This service is offered at a modest fee to pay the cost of the tree and the cost of caring for your tree in perpetuity.  You may visit the gardens by arranging a visit to the Earthtouch nature preserve.

Personal Retreat Accommodations – Earthtouch is preparing one very rustic cabin for rental for personal retreat.  It is nestled into its surroundings to ensure privacy and is limited in its technological complexity to minimize human impact on the land.  It is furnished with table and chairs, oil lamps, hammocks, yoga blankets, dishes and linens. It has a deck, deck chairs and easy access to a nearby campfire pit. It is located near private composting toilet.