GILA word of the week: Compost Cuisine

One of these days I'll do another "best GILA websites". Allafrica.com, will definitely be on it. In the last week they've had great permaculture features. Check out this one detailing how students in ten schools split between Malawi (with some assistance from Norway) and Zimbabwe are getting a taste of entrepreneurism as they raise, harvest and sell fruits and vegetables.

-Yes, this story is too good to pass up. While looking into some green roof media I discovered a restaurant in Japan that serves dirt. Dirt in drinks, dirt in dessert, dirt as a dressing. A review of the restaurant points out that some of the dishes made use compost, not dirt. Duly noted. I've never heard of it before, but this can't be the only restaurant in the world...can it? Either way, I have to get there. One day...
While we're on the topic, it's probably a good time to talk about biosolids and ask your municipality if they are allowed in your compost.

-More research into the plants that are best for green roofs; in southern California a student's experiment suggests that the indigineous dudleyas may be a better fit than sedum species plants.

-Should the USA have an Office of Urban Agriculture? 200 of the nation's mayors think so.

A couple of things

-Two green roof studies have been recently referenced on The Earth’s Institute website. It will cost you a bit to get your hands on the studies, but well worth the price.

-Near and far innovative food security efforts continue to assist those in need. Of particular interest is a permaculture project in Malawi which has trained hundreds of teachers and planted thousands of trees.