Ride the Green Roof Wave in the Phils

-Green Mountain College announced earlier in the week that it will offer a distance-learning master's degree in Sustainable Food Systems (MSFS). The first of its kind??? I dunno, someone needs to verify that! Also it looks like a mayoral candidate in Denver would take it to the next level, if elected. Could he take a page out of Edmonton's book?

-It looks like we are witnessing the beginning of a green wall and green roof movement in the Philippines. If you're there, get in now!!! (That little push is for our massive Philippines audience!)

-The Wall Street makes a good point, you don't hear much about "peak oil" in mainstream oil publications. Heavy oil is the euphemismmost often used.

-Agriculture + Development = Opportunity

-Oh yes, and I keep forgetting. Great instructions on how to build a hoop house.

Urban Gardening at Seneca College hits the next gear

Back in late March, we mentioned a great new project in Toronto. The urban agriculture project at Seneca College's Newnham campus is developing quickly. verticiel has been fortunate to be along for the ride and yesterday Seneca students and staff began building the plots (near the Don Valley and Finch) and a meeting was held for interested gardeners. A good turnout, with some passionate folks. You can follow the adventure at Seneca Urban or Seneca Agricultural Project (SAP) on Facebook.







-Also, can't forget Monday's episode of NPR's To the Point (I like to listen on KCRW...of course!) The City of Chicago is preparing for climate change, I wonder if that means more money for green roofs?

Three cheers for Agroecology

-Are agricultural productivity and biodiversity mutually exclusive? Bioscience has your answer.

-I've seen a few photos of a new green wall in New Zealand, but have mostly ignored it because it has been billed as "the biggest in New Zealand". Now, with a population of 4 million and not too many green walls built to date, it was unclear what that title meant. Well, it looks like it should be billed not just as the biggest in NZ, but an incredible one.

-Looks like urban agriculture is starting to gain traction in New Jersey.

Lastly, if you're a writer and into food justice/security Stuffed and Starved is being updated over the summer and they would like some help. Here's what they are looking for:

"someone who:

* knows the subject area around the global food system (and has likely skimmed, if not read, Stuffed and Starved)
* is exceptionally well organized,
* can keep track of references in Endnote
* works very well independently,
* writes lucidly
* can commit to 2-3 months full time this summer

It'd also help if they know their way around the IMF, World Bank, FAO and USDA databases, and are a dab hand with tracking references down online, though this isn't a requirement. It doesn't take long to pick up."

If that's you, let them know pronto, it closes right now. Later in the year there will also be a bigger project on Agricultural Utopias if that interests you as well.

1.2 billion dollars for a green roof ?!?!?!

June 14, if you can spare the time, there's a next level community gardening webinar courtesy of Toronto's The Stop Community Food Centre. If you or your organization are interested in using gardens as therapeutic tools and how to create inclusive and accessible gardens, among other topics, sign up now (you can also call 416-652-7867 x. 247) and sit in because there's only 100 spots.

-On the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation folks are getting together to, hopefully, grow a food forest. Seems like a few projects are happening right now, including a permaculture design certificate.

Speaking of permaculture if you're in the market the Seres Centre for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Education – the first of its kind in Central America, is looking to hire.

-Chicago looks set to allow the sale of produceurban rooftop farming

-I saved the most sensational story for last. I definitely support green roofs and I guess this would be one, technically...but I agree, this price tag is a bit much!!!

So busy!

Between starting gardens at home (both horizontal and vertical), ongoing projects (which hopefully we'll post some pictures of soon) and designing green roof and green wall projects, it's been tough to blog the last few weeks.
But, here's the latest interesting living architecture news:

-A couple of reports have hit the internet recently about the effects of green roofs. First is a study by Mary Jo Kirisitspublished in the journal Water Research which examines the effects of conventional and alternative roofing materials on the quality of harvested rainwater . Haven't read it yet, but will have to soon as Dr. Kirisits seems to be the real deal.
The second from Columbia University says that green roofs do a fantastic job at retaining water. 20 TIMES BETTER than the City of New York stated in PlaNYC.

-Mayor Rahm looks to take Chicago to the next level. I love this 55 promises list. Not just because it's not a round number or due to all of the content (we can't agree with everything...right?), but the elimination of food deserts slides in at #17, higher than street safety! Wow!

-Oh yeah, there's an urban farming internship available at Kingsborough Community College. So for those of you who procrastinated...because it always pays off, you are right once again!

-By the way, the picture above is a bag full of fun...which hopefully will yield some oyster mushrooms in the near future!

Of urban farms, dreams, and redtape

Anyone who has been following the urban agriculture movement knows the work of Sweet Water Organics, disciples of Will Allen. Looks like they are in line to expand provided with a loan from the City of Milwaukee.10 employees by 2012, 21 in 2013 and more to come. If Milwaukee is the worldwide hub for urban agriculture, the Bayview Compass might have found their niche too as they've been busy churning out urban ag articles recently. Milwaukee is fast becoming what Detroit wants to be.

-A common theme among urban agriculture proponents is the redtape in their local municipality. You can add Montreal's urban pioneers to that list.

-A 2-acre urban farm urban farm will be built in Dallas on a little used college football field. Eventually, the college wants to open its own grocery store!!! Hopefully if that happens, the store will follow a Portland CSAs lead and accept food stamps as payment.

With yesterday's election, we can't forget about Canadians trying something new.