Whenever possible I like to post about exotic locations and imagine I was working (or, not working) there. Here's a profile of a permaculture project in Maui. Speaking of exotic, for those deep, and I mean DEEP into green roof research, this one's for you.
-For those in Minnesota (and those who love Minnesota), you've got about 10 days to comment on their draft Urban Agriculture Policy.
-More good news, in the form of an urban agriculture charter school and Kingsborough (New York) Community College running NYC's first campus farm worked by students.
-It's nice when folks attend cool gatherings and blog about it, here are two perspectives from the recent Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners conference.
-Lastly, couldn't find a link to this online, so I'm dropping the whole press release. The Economics of Happiness is coming to a town near you in 2011.
Happy New Year everyone, read on and I'll see you in '11...
"Please join us for a special screening of ISEC Director Helena Norberg-Hodge’s new documentary film, “The Economics of Happiness”, which illuminates the worldwide movement for economic localization including the small scale and urban farming movement. We are launching the film in North America with events in Seattle, Berkeley, Portland, Toronto, Garrison (NY), and New York City. If you can’t attend one of the launch events, there are other ways to be involved (see below).
“The Economics of Happiness” is a call, from every continent, for systemic economic change. Among the voices in the film are Vandana Shiva, David Korten, Michael Shuman, Richard Heinberg, Rob Hopkins, Juliet Schor, Zac Goldsmith, Bill McKibben, and Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in exile. Each screening will be followed by a presentation or panel discussion with Helena Norberg-Hodge and other special guests.
Even if you are unable to attend any of the launch events, you can still help ISEC in one or more of the following ways:
Forward this email to colleagues, friends, family, and local media who might want to attend
Tell your friends, family, colleagues and neighbors about our film
Set up a screening event in your area by signing up at: http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/email-newsletter
Make a donation to help us spread the message of “The Economics of Happiness” to the world at: http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/donate-now
Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Wiserearth or Twitter at the links below.
To learn more about the film and how you can help, please visit our website: http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org
Where You Can See “The Economics of Happiness”
Seattle, WA Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 6:30-10:00pm
Town Hall (downstairs), 1119 8th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101-2738, http://www.townhallseattle.org/
The film will be followed by a panel discussion with producer Helena Norberg-Hodge, authors David Korten and John de Graaf, and Yes! Magazine Executive Director Fran Korten.
Berkeley, CA, Thursday, January 13, 2011, 6:30-10:00pm
David Brower Center (Goldman Theater), 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, www.browercenter.org
The film will be followed by a panel discussion with producer Helena Norberg-Hodge, author Richard Heinberg, Jenny Kassan of the Sustainable Economies Law Center, Rosa González of Bay Localize, and Eric Holt-Gimenez of Food First.
Portland, OR, Friday, January 21, 2011, 7:00-10:00 pm
Main Street Sanctuary, First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205, www.firstunitarianportland.org
The film will be followed by a discussion with producer Helena Norberg-Hodge.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Monday, January 24, 2011, 5:30-9:00 pm
William Doo Auditorium, University of Toronto, 45 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, http://www.harthouse.ca/location/william-doo-auditorium-new-college
The film will be preceded by a reception and exhibit of artwork by Sheridan College students entitled “Animating Good Food Ideas”. It will be followed by a panel discussion with producer Helena Norberg-Hodge, activist chef Joshna Maharaj and urban farmer Eric Rosenkrantz, moderated by author Wayne Roberts.
Garrison, New York, Wednesday, January 26, 7:00-9:00 pm
The Garrison Institute, c/o Glenclyff, 14 Mary's Way, Route 9D, Garrison, NY, http://www.garrisoninstitute.org/
The film will be followed by a talk with producer Helena Norberg-Hodge.
No reservations required, but the Garrison Institute asks that you RSVP so they can anticipate attendance. For more information or to RSVP, please call 845.424.4800 or email garrison@garrisoninstitute.org
New York City, NY, Thursday, January 27, 2011, 6:30 pm-10:00 pm
The Great Hall, The Cooper Union, 30 Cooper Square (7 East 7th Street), New York, NY 10003, http://cooper.edu/
The film will be followed by a panel discussion with producer Helena Norberg-Hodge, Judy Wicks, co-founder of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), Gloria Steinem, acclaimed writer and co-founder of New York and Ms. magazines, and Stacy Mitchell, author and senior researcher with the New Rules Project.
A $15 donation is greatly appreciated at each event; no one turned away.
I look forward to hearing from you if you need more information about the film or wish to get involved.
Sincerely,
Robert Ovetz, Ph.D.
Outreach & Events Coordinator
International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC)
PO Box 9475
Berkeley, CA 94709
USA
+1 510.548.4915 (office)
economicsofhappiness@isec.org.uk
www.isec.org.uk
www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org
Watch our trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ISECeconofhappiness
Join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/The-Economics-of-Happiness/129994847035746?ref=ts
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EconofHappiness
Join us at Wiserearth at: http://www.wiserearth.org/group/Economicsofhappiness
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Living Architecture wish list for 2010
There are a few things I hope:
-That Detroit officials, make like Seattle, and seize the opportunities that have been handed them.
-Speaking of Seattle, it was great that 2010 was the year of urban agriculture. C'mon Seattle, make this the DECADE of Urban Agriculture!
-The new mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, wears green with pride this holiday season, in 2011 and beyond. This includes, first and foremost, keeping the Green Roof Bylaw, a truly progressive and groundbreaking piece of legislation on the books. Some developers have threatened going elsewhere because of the bylaw, but really, how many of them will not cash in on the condo craze in Toronto and, in the worst case scenario, choose the cash-in-lieu of option. Some protested that the bylaw was too weak, now with a change in administration it looks like it could be viewed as good politics. I believe that Toronto is unique in it's collective commitment to the environment and the bylaw and other incentives definitely helps Toronto differentiate itself from other municipalities in North America.
-That Detroit officials, make like Seattle, and seize the opportunities that have been handed them.
-Speaking of Seattle, it was great that 2010 was the year of urban agriculture. C'mon Seattle, make this the DECADE of Urban Agriculture!
-The new mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, wears green with pride this holiday season, in 2011 and beyond. This includes, first and foremost, keeping the Green Roof Bylaw, a truly progressive and groundbreaking piece of legislation on the books. Some developers have threatened going elsewhere because of the bylaw, but really, how many of them will not cash in on the condo craze in Toronto and, in the worst case scenario, choose the cash-in-lieu of option. Some protested that the bylaw was too weak, now with a change in administration it looks like it could be viewed as good politics. I believe that Toronto is unique in it's collective commitment to the environment and the bylaw and other incentives definitely helps Toronto differentiate itself from other municipalities in North America.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Just Enough
Finally got around to reading “Just Enough” by Azby Brown, a truly fascinating book. What’s it about? I can’t say it better than the book jacket...”Just enough is a book of stories and sketches depictions of vanished ways of life told from the point of view of a contemporary observer. Faced with a country on the brink of disaster, it’s environment pushed to the edge through overly aggressive use of natural resources government and people overcame many of the problems that confront us today - issues of energy, water, materials, food and population.
The book is absolutely fascinating. There are essentially six chapters, the odd chapters detail the daily life of (and sometimes through the eyes of) a farmer, carpenter, and samurai. Azby does a fantastic job of covering every detail exhaustively, so the reader gets a true sense of what life is truly life. The even chapters detail what we can learn from their lives. This is where the book distinguishes itself and truly shows it worth. The book should be part of the curriculum of every high school student for it provides so many answers (or, for the most progressive North Americans, starting points) for how we can make our countries, cities and towns, individuals lives more sustainable and hopefully show us how wonderful a new sustainable life could be.
The book is absolutely fascinating. There are essentially six chapters, the odd chapters detail the daily life of (and sometimes through the eyes of) a farmer, carpenter, and samurai. Azby does a fantastic job of covering every detail exhaustively, so the reader gets a true sense of what life is truly life. The even chapters detail what we can learn from their lives. This is where the book distinguishes itself and truly shows it worth. The book should be part of the curriculum of every high school student for it provides so many answers (or, for the most progressive North Americans, starting points) for how we can make our countries, cities and towns, individuals lives more sustainable and hopefully show us how wonderful a new sustainable life could be.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Happy Holidays - Roof Garden
While we take a break for the holidays, I have to leave you with the only roof garden song I know. This song my father played incessantly when I was little and I had no idea what Al was saying until a few days ago.
Al Jarreau - Roof Garden.
"Does anyone want to go waltzing in the garden? Does anyone want to go waltzing on the roof?"
And a few more "green" songs...
Ben Selvin (Roof Garden Orchaestra)
Greensleeves
Mossy Woodland
Al Jarreau - Roof Garden.
"Does anyone want to go waltzing in the garden? Does anyone want to go waltzing on the roof?"
And a few more "green" songs...
Ben Selvin (Roof Garden Orchaestra)
Greensleeves
Mossy Woodland
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
"Urban agriculture is the new golf"
The LA Times let's us know that more housing developments are being built around urban farming...therefore making urban ag "the new golf".
-Meanwhile in Senegal, officials agree that city-planners must make urban horticulture an integral part of their development and planning and Belize has taken up the cause as well.
-Vertical gardens have hit the big time when they get a TIME profile. It's great to see the author did his homework and can share the costs with the readers. There's something TIME's straightforward writing which is refreshing.
-Lastly I'll cut and paste a press release, because I can't for the life of me find a link, with some exciting news for urban farmers in Canada:
Wednesday December 8th, 2010
NFU OPENS MEMBERSHIP TO URBAN FARMERS
Saskatoon, Sask - National Farmers Union (NFU) membership is now open to urban farmers, according to a resolution passed at the NFU's 41st Annual Convention, held from December 2-4 in Saskatoon. The NFU constitution, states that, membership is open to any person that is engaged in farming in Canada.
Newly elected, NFU Youth Vice-President, Paul Slomp stated that "young and new farmers are supporting themselves and feeding their communities by producing fruits, vegetables, grains and some cases livestock on lands within city boundaries." Paul, a livestock farmer from Eastern Ontario, went on to say, "These farmers tend to be well-educated and innovative in their efforts to reclaim unused acreage. The NFU is very inclusive and our members have diverse operations. It makes sense to include urban farmers in the organization. Membership in the NFU will give these farmers a forum to bring policy to all levels of government, and allow them to contribute both their expertise and their concerns to the betterment of all farm families."
"These plots may be small but these skilled farmers use them quite extensively, returning from $5000 to $10,000/acre," said NFU Womens President, Joan Brady. Brady, who operates an intensive market garden on 3.5 acres in Huron County went on to say, "communities are increasingly concerned about planning for their food needs for the future. Food production in the cities will act as a buffer to the insecurity of a global food system, well beyond the control of the average Canadian."
The NFU is a non-partisan, nation-wide democratic organization made up of thousands of farm families from across Canada who produce a wide variety of commodities, including grains, livestock, fruits and vegetables. The NFU was founded in 1969 and chartered in 1970 under a Special Act of Parliament. The mandate is to work for policies designed to:
1. raise net farm incomes from the marketplace;
2. promote a food system that is built on a foundation of financially-viable family farms which produce high-quality, healthy, safe food;
3. encourage environmentally-sensitive practices that will protect our precious soil, water and other natural resources; and
4. promote social and economic justice for food producers and all citizens.
- 30 -
For more information, questions about NFU policies, or questions about membership, please contact:
Joan Brady, NFU Womens President (519) 237-3139
Paul Slomp, NFU Youth Vice President (613) 230-0684
Kevin Wipf, NFU Executive Director (306) 652-9465
-Meanwhile in Senegal, officials agree that city-planners must make urban horticulture an integral part of their development and planning and Belize has taken up the cause as well.
-Vertical gardens have hit the big time when they get a TIME profile. It's great to see the author did his homework and can share the costs with the readers. There's something TIME's straightforward writing which is refreshing.
-Lastly I'll cut and paste a press release, because I can't for the life of me find a link, with some exciting news for urban farmers in Canada:
Wednesday December 8th, 2010
NFU OPENS MEMBERSHIP TO URBAN FARMERS
Saskatoon, Sask - National Farmers Union (NFU) membership is now open to urban farmers, according to a resolution passed at the NFU's 41st Annual Convention, held from December 2-4 in Saskatoon. The NFU constitution, states that, membership is open to any person that is engaged in farming in Canada.
Newly elected, NFU Youth Vice-President, Paul Slomp stated that "young and new farmers are supporting themselves and feeding their communities by producing fruits, vegetables, grains and some cases livestock on lands within city boundaries." Paul, a livestock farmer from Eastern Ontario, went on to say, "These farmers tend to be well-educated and innovative in their efforts to reclaim unused acreage. The NFU is very inclusive and our members have diverse operations. It makes sense to include urban farmers in the organization. Membership in the NFU will give these farmers a forum to bring policy to all levels of government, and allow them to contribute both their expertise and their concerns to the betterment of all farm families."
"These plots may be small but these skilled farmers use them quite extensively, returning from $5000 to $10,000/acre," said NFU Womens President, Joan Brady. Brady, who operates an intensive market garden on 3.5 acres in Huron County went on to say, "communities are increasingly concerned about planning for their food needs for the future. Food production in the cities will act as a buffer to the insecurity of a global food system, well beyond the control of the average Canadian."
The NFU is a non-partisan, nation-wide democratic organization made up of thousands of farm families from across Canada who produce a wide variety of commodities, including grains, livestock, fruits and vegetables. The NFU was founded in 1969 and chartered in 1970 under a Special Act of Parliament. The mandate is to work for policies designed to:
1. raise net farm incomes from the marketplace;
2. promote a food system that is built on a foundation of financially-viable family farms which produce high-quality, healthy, safe food;
3. encourage environmentally-sensitive practices that will protect our precious soil, water and other natural resources; and
4. promote social and economic justice for food producers and all citizens.
- 30 -
For more information, questions about NFU policies, or questions about membership, please contact:
Joan Brady, NFU Womens President (519) 237-3139
Paul Slomp, NFU Youth Vice President (613) 230-0684
Kevin Wipf, NFU Executive Director (306) 652-9465
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Urban ag rewind
It’s been a while since the last posting, there’s a tremendous amount going on including a recent move. I have lots of good posts waiting in the wings, so let’s get to it.
-First up is your monthly financial post peak oil warning.
-The Atlantic has a tremendous story on the role five urban gardens are having in New Orleans. And Atlanta and Oaklandwill be getting new urban gardens as a result of some great collaborations and a little bit of dough.
-But small contributions and efforts can be important as well. I hope that more companies follow this one's example and use living walls to produce food for their employees and local food banks or give a small grant to start vocational training programs in urban agriculture or a local community garden none of the programs cost that much money, but the impact will be worth every dollar.
-And a quick job alert if you're in NY.
-First up is your monthly financial post peak oil warning.
-The Atlantic has a tremendous story on the role five urban gardens are having in New Orleans. And Atlanta and Oaklandwill be getting new urban gardens as a result of some great collaborations and a little bit of dough.
-But small contributions and efforts can be important as well. I hope that more companies follow this one's example and use living walls to produce food for their employees and local food banks or give a small grant to start vocational training programs in urban agriculture or a local community garden none of the programs cost that much money, but the impact will be worth every dollar.
-And a quick job alert if you're in NY.
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