In this episode, we sit down with longtime Ypsi Food Co-op member, solar advocate and community enabler Dave Strenski. From waving at neighbors, to envisioning solar panels on 1,000 roofs, Dave shares his bold, grassroots vision for an equitable solar future—one that includes low-income households, underutilized land, and a thriving co-op at its center.

We explore the pioneering solar arrays atop the Ypsi Food Co-op, and Dave’s dream of transforming vacant land into solar-powered EV charging stations. He breaks down the innovation behind “Solar for All,” a plan to install panels across neighborhoods while creating jobs and delivering long-term savings to families. Dave reminds us: solar isn’t just about energy—it’s about empowerment.

Thanks for joining us for this special 50th anniversary season—let’s keep the momentum going!

In this episode, host Rodolfo Alvarado reflects with Connor Harlow, the Bakery Manager at the Ypsi Food Co-op, whose story is as warm and fulfilling as the sourdough he bakes.

Connor first discovered the co-op back in 2013 while studying environmental science at EMU. What began as a simple search for local food quickly turned into a life-changing connection. From his first steps through the co-op’s front door to becoming the heart behind its brick oven, Connor shares how curiosity, community, and a passion for baking led him from customer to co-op cornerstone.

Connor reflects on his early days of baking pies for Thanksgiving, his self-taught mastery of sourdough, and how a once-quiet oven became a symbol of his dedication and creativity. Now, nearly a decade later, Connor reflects on what it means to grow with a place and help shape its future—loaf by loaf.

A story of purpose, passion, and the power of good food. Tune in now to hear Connor’s journey in his own words.