Green Thumb Garden Center in Ferndale was recently chosen for the city's Green Business of the Year Award by the Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission.

The FESC announced the award during the Earth Day party at the Loving Touch as part of Ferndale's fourth annual Green Week.

Store manager Jonathan Pavley said the store, which opened in April 2010 and focuses on indoor and outdoor organic gardening, promotes the culture of green living and has become a community resource for advice on issues like composting, rain barrels and organic lawn care.

"I think the cultural side of it is my favorite aspect," Pavley said, discussing the shop's education and outreach efforts. "We're kind of pushing the frontier of that culture ... the notion of organic to be more acceptable and talked about."

He said many residents, teachers and community farmers have become regular customers and turn to the shop for information on issues like seed saving - the practice of saving seeds from open-pollinated vegetables, herbs and flowers for use from year to year.

"There's a lot of support and appreciation for the shop," he said. "There a consistent neighborhood following."

Last year's Green Business of the Year Award went to Garden Fresh Gourmet in Ferndale.