Wisconsin wants more green roofs

-Last week plans for a potential urban farm in Battle Creek, Michigan, organized by several (eight, to be exact) churches, were potentially scuttled when neighbors complained that there would be too much traffic and a reduction in property values.
They were hoping the land would produce as much as 220,000 lbs of fruit and vegetables. The timing of this unfortunate disagreement is impeccable as Earth Island reports how cities across the US are struggling with how to amend its’ current laws and the disparate concerns of residents.

-Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources wanted Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's to install 5 million gallons of rain collecting capacity by the end of 2017. Last year, alone, the City did 4 million! So the DNR may raise it’s bar. Here’s your stat for the day, digging more deep tunnels to store wastewater “would cost between two and six times more per gallon of capacity than the various types of green infrastructure” and "This is our lowest-cost approach."
The ultimate goal? 740 million gallons' worth of storage capacity by 2035. The district estimates it will distribute $1.3 billion over the next 20 years in grants to its green infrastructure partners.

-One city council candidate in Ottawa is suggesting adopting a green roof policy. It could have happened earlier, but the delay comes from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. A change has to be made at the provincial level to allow Ottawa to change its’ own laws.  The article references Toronto’s green roof bylaw which has been fantastic. Being one of the first has its advantages. It also has its' disadvantages, as now people seem to realize that the bylaw's emphasis on 90% coverage within 2 years does not help the urban agriculture movement at all. As you know most food we eat are annuals. How (and when) will this be changed? Good question.

-Istanbul has rolled out it’s own green roof bus. It’s called the “Botobüs,” a combination of “botanic” and “bus”.

Sturgeon in aquaponics + horticultural therapy in South Korea

The aquaponics industry is still relatively new, we don't know which plants and animals will prosper. That's why it's encouraging to see new experimentation with new flora and fauna. Last week
Vancouver Island University's Nanaimo campus unveiled a demonstration aquaponics system featuring sturgeon. Will using a cold water fish help drives prices down, as it would take less energy to heat the tanks? Stay tuned.

-If you'll allow me to take a quick detour from the regular proceedings, I just have to highlight Vox's amazing "40 maps which explain America and its relationship to food".

-Last week gave me another first. It's the first time I've seen horticultural therapy mentioned in southeast Asia. I figured that there were programs there, but often trends in North America are given different names and no one knows what's going on until the dots are connected. In Seoul it appears horticultural therapy is called "professional garden therapy".
By the way, the new American horticultural therapy journal is now in print.

-The folks at Falling Fruit are chugging along with their tremendously useful worldwide foraging guide...the database has grown a lot since we last checked in. There are now over 500,000 sites listed!
Milwaukee can add a few trees to the website as Growing Power got a 4,000 fruit tree donation to spread among vacant city lots.

-Santa Fe Community College has become the first institution to offer an accredited rainwater harvesting course.

-San Francisco has a new Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone Ordinance that will allow land owners to take advantage of a property tax break when they allow a parcel of land to be used for agriculture and educational purposes. Wow! This could go a long way to literally changing San Francisco's landscape as program participants must "guarantee the land will stay in agricultural use only (it can’t be on land with a house for example) for at least 10 years".

-This is turning into an epic post! How about a little permaculture news? One of the first Greek permaculture design course is taking place right now. And if you would like to live the permaculture experience a 100 acres Chinese permaculture community is looking for practitioners and community members.

-Last but not least is exciting news that two Johannesburg academics have started a multi-stakeholder engagement project that hopes to create opportunities for urban agriculture. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister recently said the sector could create 1 million jobs over the next 16 years, perhaps this will be the model for future urban agriculture projects.

HTA members will continue to receive digital versions of the Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture at no cost as a member benefit; however, those who prefer to read JTH as a printed document now have the ability to purchase a print version of the publication. The current edition is already available. This change in publishing policy is the direct result of feedback received during 2013's Membership Satisfaction survey.
AHTA members, as well as non-members, may now purchase a printed version of JTH through Amazon or Createspace, which is a publishing arm of Amazon. AHTA members may order the printed Journal at a significant discount (up to 90%) when they use Createspace.com through use of a promotional code. The promotional code can be found on the AHTA Members' Welcome page.
At present, AHTA is only able to offer the latest edition of the Journal through Createspace; however print editions of JTH are still available through AHTA for most years between 1996 and 2010. These Journals are also still available via the online ordering system found on the Publications page on the AHTA website.
The cost for purchasing a print edition of  JTH is $25.00 per issue for non-members. Members are able to purchase printed editions at cost, which will fluctuate based on the number of pages per issue but is expected to be approximately $5.00 (plus shipping) per edition.
To order a printed copy of the current issue of the Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, visit the AHTA Members' Welcome page to access the Member Discount Code. Log on to www.createspace.com; click the Site dropdown and select Store. Enter 'AHTA' in the Search field and the current issue will be available. The AHTA discounted price will not appear until you checkout using the Members Only code. Once the purchase is completed, the issue will be mailed to you within 8-10 days. While the Journal is also available on Amazon.com, the “Members Only” discount cannot be used on that site. The discount is only available on the CreateSpace.com site.
For more inform
- See more at: http://ahta.org/news/journal-therapeutic-horticulture-now-available-print#sthash.Izaf0Xlc.dpuf

t is among the oldest living species on the planet, but researchers say sturgeon may be a key to future food security.
International Centre for Sturgeon Studies staff members unveiled a demonstration aquaponics system at Vancouver Island University's Nanaimo campus Friday.
It's a variation of hydroponic, or water-borne, growing that replaces chemical fertilizers with fish waste to nourish plants.
At VIU healthy chives, Swiss chard, lettuce, basil, cress and even quinoa grow on waste water from tanks containing the 250-million-year-old, living dinosaurs.
Visitors dined on a lunch of salads from the vegetables, served alongside grilled sturgeon steaks - all grown from the same system.
"This is the first time anybody has combined sturgeon, a coolwater fish, with aquaponics on this scale," said Don Tillapaugh, centre director.
The system provides a more immediate return on investment after someone pours money into a commercial fish farming (aquaculture) operation, boosting an investor's cash flow.
Tiny microbes release nutrients for plants to easily absorb.
"Studies have shown plants can grow up to 30 per cent faster, as compared to hydroponics."
"In aquaculture, it takes two to three years. .. where you don't have any cash flow. With aquaponics, you can get a head of lettuce in three weeks."
The goal now is to move toward commercial food production.
The VIU program, in existence since 1979, is reaching out to its extensive network of industry contacts.
"The project is to develop scientific information to allow entrepreneurs to decide whether sturgeon farming or aquaponics is a business for them," Tillapaugh said. "It's about food production, not fish production."
DBellaart@nanaimodailyn
- See more at: http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/news/viu-researchers-say-sturgeon-could-hold-the-key-to-future-food-security-in-the-world-1.1129681#sthash.t9PIxH3V.dpuf

t is among the oldest living species on the planet, but researchers say sturgeon may be a key to future food security.
International Centre for Sturgeon Studies staff members unveiled a demonstration aquaponics system at Vancouver Island University's Nanaimo campus Friday.
It's a variation of hydroponic, or water-borne, growing that replaces chemical fertilizers with fish waste to nourish plants.
At VIU healthy chives, Swiss chard, lettuce, basil, cress and even quinoa grow on waste water from tanks containing the 250-million-year-old, living dinosaurs.
Visitors dined on a lunch of salads from the vegetables, served alongside grilled sturgeon steaks - all grown from the same system.
"This is the first time anybody has combined sturgeon, a coolwater fish, with aquaponics on this scale," said Don Tillapaugh, centre director.
The system provides a more immediate return on investment after someone pours money into a commercial fish farming (aquaculture) operation, boosting an investor's cash flow.
Tiny microbes release nutrients for plants to easily absorb.
"Studies have shown plants can grow up to 30 per cent faster, as compared to hydroponics."
"In aquaculture, it takes two to three years. .. where you don't have any cash flow. With aquaponics, you can get a head of lettuce in three weeks."
The goal now is to move toward commercial food production.
The VIU program, in existence since 1979, is reaching out to its extensive network of industry contacts.
"The project is to develop scientific information to allow entrepreneurs to decide whether sturgeon farming or aquaponics is a business for them," Tillapaugh said. "It's about food production, not fish production."
DBellaart@nanaimodailyn
- See more at: http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/news/viu-researchers-say-sturgeon-could-hold-the-key-to-future-food-security-in-the-world-1.1129681#sthash.t9PIxH3V.dpuf

t is among the oldest living species on the planet, but researchers say sturgeon may be a key to future food security.
International Centre for Sturgeon Studies staff members unveiled a demonstration aquaponics system at Vancouver Island University's Nanaimo campus Friday.
It's a variation of hydroponic, or water-borne, growing that replaces chemical fertilizers with fish waste to nourish plants.
At VIU healthy chives, Swiss chard, lettuce, basil, cress and even quinoa grow on waste water from tanks containing the 250-million-year-old, living dinosaurs.
Visitors dined on a lunch of salads from the vegetables, served alongside grilled sturgeon steaks - all grown from the same system.
"This is the first time anybody has combined sturgeon, a coolwater fish, with aquaponics on this scale," said Don Tillapaugh, centre director.
The system provides a more immediate return on investment after someone pours money into a commercial fish farming (aquaculture) operation, boosting an investor's cash flow.
Tiny microbes release nutrients for plants to easily absorb.
"Studies have shown plants can grow up to 30 per cent faster, as compared to hydroponics."
"In aquaculture, it takes two to three years. .. where you don't have any cash flow. With aquaponics, you can get a head of lettuce in three weeks."
The goal now is to move toward commercial food production.
The VIU program, in existence since 1979, is reaching out to its extensive network of industry contacts.
"The project is to develop scientific information to allow entrepreneurs to decide whether sturgeon farming or aquaponics is a business for them," Tillapaugh said. "It's about food production, not fish production."
DBellaart@nanaimodailyn
- See more at: http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/news/viu-researchers-say-sturgeon-could-hold-the-key-to-future-food-security-in-the-world-1.1129681#sthash.t9PIxH3V.dpuf

New York City schools launch campaign to create a green roof curriculum

Launched about a month ago, three NYC schools are collaborating on a campaign to create a green roof curriculum guide for K-12 schools. Help them out if you can.

-Speaking of curriculum, there's terrific news for Milwaukee Public Schools’ Urban Schools Aquaponics initiative. A two year contribution that includes $98,000 to develop curriculum and instructional content that educators can use to build similar programs nationwide.

-Will Allen is a busy man, as he has inspired Milwaukee to create an urban food systems institute,  The Institute for Urban Agriculture and Nutrition.

-Talk about a criticism! No love lost for Alterrus, who went bankrupt a few weeks ago, from the National Post. Taken to task are Vancouver officials and well-compensated Alterrus staff members, but I get the feeling the author is just not a fan of Vancouver's current party in power. Why do I suspect that? He labelled some of their efforts as "goofy green initiatives".

-I find it quite interesting that Vincent Callebaut was given some space to talk about his Dragonfly vertical farm vision in an Abu Dhabi newspaper. If there's one place which likes to go big and would give it a try, it's Abu Dhabi. Think "The Landmark" and "Sky Tower".

-The Department of Crop Science at the Agricultural University of Athens has been quite proficient recently in publicizing their findings from the experiments with native Mediterranean plants best suited for green roofs. They're back with more plants which should proliferate in the Mediterranean region.

That's all for now. Look for a brand new verticiel website very, very soon!

The third edible forest + urban agriculture drops hunger by 50% in Venezuela

The USA has two food forests already (in Seattle and Holyoke, Mass -- 90 minutes from Boston). A third is being planned for tiny (less than 4,000 strong!) Basalt, Colorado, about three hours west of Denver.

-Milwaukee’s Home Gr/own initiative is bringing together 10 to 20 different food and farming related programs to boost employment and utilize vacant lots. What’s even better is this is coordinated through the mayor’s office!

-Venezuela has reduced it’s number of hungry people by over 50%, according to the United Nations World Food and Agriculture Organisation. They hope to double their 39,000 urban gardens within a year!

Horticutural therapy...in space

I know it seems as if I post an aquaponics story nearly every day; what can I say, the industry is bananas right now! Here's the latest on the Sweet Water Organics saga. A few folks wanted to buy what was left after it closed, but everyone passed, it seems some equipment has gone missing and no utilities are at the site. How did that happen?

-In Denver, Colorado a bicycle powered organization is doing its best to reduce food waste, a problem around the world. In the last 18 months they have rescued and delivered over 250,000 pounds of food to those in need!

-Next year Toronto could be looking at its first large green wall, if officials listen to a community group who prefer it to the normal sound barriers.

-Earlier this week I'd made the resolution to place a greater focus on integrating horticultural therapy practices into all of our projects. This article is a wonderful primer for how I, and you, can do that.

-Looking way down the line, researchers across North America are involved with ways to grow food in space...and use them for horticulturally theraputic measures as well. If dreams of a colony on Mars are one day a reality, people are going to need every type of relaxation technique that they can get their hands on.

Sydney rules living architecture!

Sometimes the stars aline and cool stories from one place hit the web at the same time.

The beautiful picture above is from a decommissioned ship west of Sydney. Living...and floating...architecture! How would the world look if more ships were turned into buoyant gardens... bobbing around in harbours around the world?
-Sydney’s University of Technology is introducing Sydneysiders to living walls with edible plants or as some call them, edible walls. Although that term always strikes me funnily, but maybe that’s the next frontier? Walls that produce food...and that you could eat? Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factoryesque!

-If you're in a horticultural therapy program or just studying on your own, here are some flash cards to help your preparation.


-Los Angeles has upped the ante and is now offering all property owners $2 per square foot (up from $1.50) to rip up their lawns and to plant drought tolerant plants!

-Here’s a story which I thought would’ve gain wider attention. Milwaukee is well-known for its environmental leanings, they are one of a few municipalities with a green roof rebate. So I sympathize with small landowners that bigger ones are getting special treatment...and three times the rebate.

Green roof industry grows by 24% in 2012

Hot off the presses, according to green roof and green wall advocacy group, Green Roofs For Healthy Cities, the green roof industry grew by approximately 24% in 2012. Not as much as previous years, but growth in the industry means more green roofs...and that's a great thing for everyone.

-Horticultural therapy internship opportunities don't come around often, so when the opportunity arises you have to jump on them FAST! After your internship is done, who knows, you may be the next to create an award winning program like Horticulture for People with Disabilities in New Jersey have.

-I don't mean to make this post focused on metro New York, but one last thing. The green roof property tax abatement has run out, but City Council is investigating whether to renew it or offer something bigger and better.

-NY and Philly have had a friendly rivalry for a while, add the Green Angel Fund, an urban agriculture focused competition between two high schools, to the mix.

-The last two years have brought several insightful articles (exposés???) about Milwaukee's Sweet Water Organics, the pioneering aquaponics company. Unfortunately, it looks like they have closed up shop. It will be interesting who ends up taking control of their equipment and what sort of operation will rise from the rubble.

-Apps for urban agriculture have definitely picked up steam in the last six months.  Michigan State University Extension has been very kind to do a roundup of the very best, including those which can help you determine weeds, insects, and soil characteristics.

28 activities and 18 benefits to urban agriculture

Do your friends want to know why they should support urban agriculture? Here's a fantastic metrics framework from the Design Trust for Public Space detailing 18 benefits and 28 activities. 

-Stat of the day: according to one calculation Beijing has 93 million square metres (23,000 acres) of green roof ready rooftops. Particle pollution could be reduced by as much as 880,000 kilograms every year, (equal to removing 730,000 cars from the road) and a reduction of 3.5 million cubic metres of stormwater.

-Back in July I first talked about the Bayview Compass' coverage of Sweet Water Organics, the Milwaukee based aquaponics organization. That article was perhaps the best one of the year, in the living architecture world. This follow-up one is not that bad either, SWO defaulted on a loan which could be renegotiated. For the life of me I don't know why SWO has such a spotlight on them, it seems organizations run into trouble all the time. Perhaps when you garner as much positive attention as they have, when something goes wrong, you get as much negative attention.

-Coming soon to Vancouver, a 1,000 tree urban agriculture orchard.