Studies galore on the benefit of local food + cherry tomatoes on a green roof

One criticism of urban agriculture and local food movements is how there is a dearth of data to truly support more than merely anecdotes and feel good claims. Things are steadily changing. Last week saw the release of a Union for Concerned Scientists report which details how local food creates jobs, keeps money in local economies, promotes community development, and can reduce the environmental and public health costs of the food we eat. On a regional level, Madison, Wisconsin has done something similar, compiling a list of how much is food is grown, by whom and to what effect. Every city needs a report like this!

-We all know green roofs can also play a part in food production and Agriculture and Agrifood Canada biologist Marc-André Valiquette says "a 2,000-square-foot flat roof has the potential to produce one tonne of fresh vegetables."
But these would not be typical green roofs, with mostly inorganic material. Using tomatoes as an example, you can see how cherry tomatoes can grow in such media, not a bigger tomato like beefsteaks. I saw first hand last week, the cherries (here's a picture of a sun ripened beauty and another of a few still waiting for prime time) are coming along fine. The beefsteak tomatoes look like cherry tomatoes.

-There's a new agriculture program in Seattle which links refugees with garden plots in an effort to help with resettlement. Part of the New American Agriculture Program at MercyCorps Northwest the garden joins other established programs in Boise and Seattle.

-Spread over four weekends, Jamaica's first permaculture course was announced last week.