A couple of days ago I was soooo excited to see an article about urban agriculture in Japan, it's rare to see English language articles about urban agriculture in any other Asian countries besides Singapore and China....and Singapore is only recently. The article was actually a reprint from the Washington Post. But a few days ago we got the real deal, urban farming in Tokyo.
Al-jazeera has raised the profile of peak soil, including this little, big tidbit from the Soil Carbon Sequestration conference: "Soil provides an estimated 1.5-13 trillion dollars in ecosystem services annually.
-Registration is now open for the 2013 Aquaponics Assocation conference in September.
-A fantastic announcement from LEED. There are 112 countries without a LEED certified project, the first project in a new LEED market will get free LEED certification!!!
-And to wrap up the day...here's Edmonton's answer to the Highline.
Showing posts with label edmonton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label edmonton. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Monday, April 16, 2012
Atlanta's low flying giant urban agriculture farm
-In the last two months I would say “the most ignored urban ag project” goes to an urban agriculture farm in southwest Atlanta. Why? Maybe because it has over 10 corporate and civic partners, so it's not a David vs Goliath story? But I think this Atlanta BeltLine Farm project is one to watch. You be the judge.
-Nearly 30% of the land within the Detroit city limits is vacant. Gardens are popping up and people are doing all sorts of creative things with the land without the city’s permission. With so many things in Detroit happening all at once, I think managing urban agriculture is low on their list of concerns. But I truly hope everyone in Detroit embraces this unfortunate opportunity, urban agriculture could lead to Detroit’s resurgence, be a massive source of pride and become what it is known for around the world.
-In San Francisco one particular group is involved in urban agriculture without city permission. NPR did a short story last week on the Guerilla grafters; I wrote about them earlier in the year. At the time I thought they were assertive, perhaps a little sneaky by grafting onto city trees. It looks like it’s actually a form of city disobedience and could be an offense worthy of a fine.
-Speaking of last week, as you know I was totally bummed to read some of the climate change news. Mother Jones heard my call for solutions to the despair. Of note, a scientist claims the sacrifice to establish a true cap and trade system, as one possible part of the solution, could be minimal, only the cost of a stamp for each family per day.
-The pretty much inaccessible green roof at Cincinnati City Hall is in need of someone to provide maintenance...for free. Any green roofers in Cincinnati looking to perform some valuable community service while getting valuable experience call City Hall!
-Lastly Edmonton’s first food and agriculture conference is scheduled to take place May 25 and 26, 2012. According to a local city councillor it’s “an opportunity for Edmontonians to participate in the conversation, so that we can capture and integrate diverse ideas into a consensus around a new strategy.” You’ve got lots to choose from, including focus groups, citizen panels and online questionnaires. Might "the Big E" be in line for a food policy council as well? We’ll see.
-Nearly 30% of the land within the Detroit city limits is vacant. Gardens are popping up and people are doing all sorts of creative things with the land without the city’s permission. With so many things in Detroit happening all at once, I think managing urban agriculture is low on their list of concerns. But I truly hope everyone in Detroit embraces this unfortunate opportunity, urban agriculture could lead to Detroit’s resurgence, be a massive source of pride and become what it is known for around the world.
-In San Francisco one particular group is involved in urban agriculture without city permission. NPR did a short story last week on the Guerilla grafters; I wrote about them earlier in the year. At the time I thought they were assertive, perhaps a little sneaky by grafting onto city trees. It looks like it’s actually a form of city disobedience and could be an offense worthy of a fine.
-Speaking of last week, as you know I was totally bummed to read some of the climate change news. Mother Jones heard my call for solutions to the despair. Of note, a scientist claims the sacrifice to establish a true cap and trade system, as one possible part of the solution, could be minimal, only the cost of a stamp for each family per day.
-The pretty much inaccessible green roof at Cincinnati City Hall is in need of someone to provide maintenance...for free. Any green roofers in Cincinnati looking to perform some valuable community service while getting valuable experience call City Hall!
-Lastly Edmonton’s first food and agriculture conference is scheduled to take place May 25 and 26, 2012. According to a local city councillor it’s “an opportunity for Edmontonians to participate in the conversation, so that we can capture and integrate diverse ideas into a consensus around a new strategy.” You’ve got lots to choose from, including focus groups, citizen panels and online questionnaires. Might "the Big E" be in line for a food policy council as well? We’ll see.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Catching up
The first week of January has brought a ton of news and stories.
-On the local education front, in Detroit a high school will offers kids a chance to learn about urban agriculture via their new training center, complete with solar hoop house, photovoltaic labs and more.
In Edmonton high schoolers can now learn about raising fish and veggies and serving them to their classmates in the cafeteria. And a Vancouver university is rolling out a four year degree in small scale, sustainable agriculture!!!
-On the city level, Cleveland announced funding for several green projects, look for more community gardens and other projects designed to mitigate stormwater and flooding.
Ottawa was considering a green roof bylaw and now they are not so sure. Thanks to freedom of information requests, intrepid reporters dug up earlier drafts which reiterated mayor Jim Watson's support of green roofs and then, for some reason, mention of the bylaw didn't make the final speech. We'll see what happens in the spring!
-Let's go bigger, country big. Qatar is developing a food sufficiency plan. Makes sense when 90% of your food is imported. Or does it???
And lastly, check out Lebanon's first green wall.
-On the local education front, in Detroit a high school will offers kids a chance to learn about urban agriculture via their new training center, complete with solar hoop house, photovoltaic labs and more.
In Edmonton high schoolers can now learn about raising fish and veggies and serving them to their classmates in the cafeteria. And a Vancouver university is rolling out a four year degree in small scale, sustainable agriculture!!!
-On the city level, Cleveland announced funding for several green projects, look for more community gardens and other projects designed to mitigate stormwater and flooding.
Ottawa was considering a green roof bylaw and now they are not so sure. Thanks to freedom of information requests, intrepid reporters dug up earlier drafts which reiterated mayor Jim Watson's support of green roofs and then, for some reason, mention of the bylaw didn't make the final speech. We'll see what happens in the spring!
-Let's go bigger, country big. Qatar is developing a food sufficiency plan. Makes sense when 90% of your food is imported. Or does it???
And lastly, check out Lebanon's first green wall.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
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.
-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.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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.
-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.
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