Politics is top of mind for everyone in the USA and beyond as well. So it was interesting to see the Republican National Congress, Real Clear Politics and several credit unions in Ohio have joined forces to create a year-round horticultural therapy program. The Democrats are doing the same soon!
-Solutions for Change has been the leader in aquaponic education and production. They are tripling their size this year thanks to a $1,000,000 dollar grant.
-In Minneapolis an experimental sunken greenhouse has come through the winter, none the worse for wear, while still producing vegetables. This could be a turning point for those in colder climates.
-The insect farming industry has just reached the next level, as Mark Zuckerberg's sister has invested in a leading company.
Showing posts with label ohio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ohio. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Community gardens raise property values
Wisconsin has been at the leading edge of the aquaponics movement for quite some time and their state's resume keeps getting more accomplished. The Aquaponics Innovation Center, is not even a year old, but they've received almost 3/4 of a million dollars to study aquaponic systems.
-Ohio doesn't have the resume, Canton is hoping to change that. They have a $150 million dollar agri-business energy project design to bring 1,300, some of those in the aquaponics field.
-Over 1 million trees have been planted in New York City, more than any other city in the world. Here's how they did it.
-I haven't seen many articles of this type, but this landscape architect is wondering whether we need to start favoring xeriscapes and the "beauty of drought", or at least less water dependent creations, if landscape architecture is going to reflect the realities of a future, thirsty world.
-A fully automated growing system has just hit the market, on the low end the farm cube takes only 6 weeks to grow 200 pieces of your favorite vegetable.
-The UK has a brand new pop-up cafe, called Stroud Food Surplus Cafe, which sells "surplus food", food from restaurants that's perfectly fine, just past the expiration date.
-Two important studies came out last one. One quantifies how much land would be needed to feed Seattle, a city of about 650,000 people, 58 kilometers. Urban food crops, at the maximum, could fill 4% of the city's food needs.If you've been following the blog you know feelings towards community gardens have been changing, positively, over the last few years. Some towns/cities are still a bit reluctant. That should change with the first report indicating neighboring property values rise by as much as 9.4% points within five years of a garden's opening and the gardens can lead to increases in tax revenues of about half a million dollars per garden over 20 years.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Aquaponics courses in Colorado + Buffalo's Urban Agriculture Turnaround
At the end of this year and in 2015, aquaponics enthusiasts have the opportunity to learn from the best in Colorado. Advanced aquaponics and aquaponics immersion courses I'm sure will be well-attended, up next in December is the aquaponics and medical marijuana course.
-Toronto has a municipal election coming up in about two weeks. It looks like two of the major candidates strongly support more funding for urban agriculture! Not to be outdone, prominent American politicians are throwing their support behind urban ag as well, Congressman Tim Ryan is probably the biggest proponent so far.
-How did Buffalo, a resource-strapped city, go from a laggard to an urban agriculture mecca in just 10 years? A University of Buffalo researcher outlines their path to success:
-Engaging in “ordinary, incremental, persistent practices” ;
-Building a diverse but unified coalition ;
-Balancing incremental and systemic change;
-Nurturing communitywide capacity ;
-Responding nimbly to windows of opportunity ;
-Getting support from local government ;
-Connecting food to the popular issues of the day .
Check out the whole article in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
Engaging in “ordinary, incremental, persistent
practices”
Changes in local laws followed years of on-the-ground action by MAP, which grew food, sold it to low-income residents, and raised fish on an urban aquaponics farm.
Building a diverse but unified coalition
MAP’s “Rust Belt radicals” had limited policy reach on their own, so they partnered with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, government officials, farmers and others to get messages out. All had a shared vision for improving Buffalo’s food system.
Balancing incremental and systemic change
MAP built urban farms (incremental change), while also pushing lawmakers to amend land use laws (systemic change).
Nurturing communitywide capacity
MAP trained hundreds of youth to produce, distribute and sell food, and worked with partners to send policymakers to food-related workshops. This created a large body of experts with the know-how to move Buffalo’s food policies forward.
Responding nimbly to windows of opportunity
MAP and its allies jumped at the chance to advise planners writing the city’s new Green Code. Such windows of opportunity may open rarely; activists must take advantage when they do.
Getting support from local government
Continual engagement with city planners and councilmembers resulted in an awareness of problems surrounding food, which in turn led to proposals for new laws.
Connecting food to the popular issues of the day
Economic revitalization is a priority for post-industrial cities across the Rust Belt. Recognizing this, MAP lobbied policymakers on the idea that food — and good food policy — could be vehicles for economic development.
- See more at: http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2014/10/018.html#sthash.J8mbpbD5.dpuf
Engaging in “ordinary, incremental, persistent
practices”
Changes in local laws followed years of on-the-ground action by MAP, which grew food, sold it to low-income residents, and raised fish on an urban aquaponics farm.
Building a diverse but unified coalition
MAP’s “Rust Belt radicals” had limited policy reach on their own, so they partnered with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, government officials, farmers and others to get messages out. All had a shared vision for improving Buffalo’s food system.
Balancing incremental and systemic change
MAP built urban farms (incremental change), while also pushing lawmakers to amend land use laws (systemic change).
Nurturing communitywide capacity
MAP trained hundreds of youth to produce, distribute and sell food, and worked with partners to send policymakers to food-related workshops. This created a large body of experts with the know-how to move Buffalo’s food policies forward.
Responding nimbly to windows of opportunity
MAP and its allies jumped at the chance to advise planners writing the city’s new Green Code. Such windows of opportunity may open rarely; activists must take advantage when they do.
Getting support from local government
Continual engagement with city planners and councilmembers resulted in an awareness of problems surrounding food, which in turn led to proposals for new laws.
Connecting food to the popular issues of the day
Economic revitalization is a priority for post-industrial cities across the Rust Belt. Recognizing this, MAP lobbied policymakers on the idea that food — and good food policy — could be vehicles for economic development.
- See more at: http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2014/10/018.html#sthash.J8mbpbD5.dpuf
-Toronto has a municipal election coming up in about two weeks. It looks like two of the major candidates strongly support more funding for urban agriculture! Not to be outdone, prominent American politicians are throwing their support behind urban ag as well, Congressman Tim Ryan is probably the biggest proponent so far.
-How did Buffalo, a resource-strapped city, go from a laggard to an urban agriculture mecca in just 10 years? A University of Buffalo researcher outlines their path to success:
-Engaging in “ordinary, incremental, persistent practices” ;
-Building a diverse but unified coalition ;
-Balancing incremental and systemic change;
-Nurturing communitywide capacity ;
-Responding nimbly to windows of opportunity ;
-Getting support from local government ;
-Connecting food to the popular issues of the day .
Check out the whole article in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
Changes in local laws followed years of on-the-ground action by MAP, which grew food, sold it to low-income residents, and raised fish on an urban aquaponics farm.
MAP’s “Rust Belt radicals” had limited policy reach on their own, so they partnered with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, government officials, farmers and others to get messages out. All had a shared vision for improving Buffalo’s food system.
MAP built urban farms (incremental change), while also pushing lawmakers to amend land use laws (systemic change).
MAP trained hundreds of youth to produce, distribute and sell food, and worked with partners to send policymakers to food-related workshops. This created a large body of experts with the know-how to move Buffalo’s food policies forward.
MAP and its allies jumped at the chance to advise planners writing the city’s new Green Code. Such windows of opportunity may open rarely; activists must take advantage when they do.
Continual engagement with city planners and councilmembers resulted in an awareness of problems surrounding food, which in turn led to proposals for new laws.
Economic revitalization is a priority for post-industrial cities across the Rust Belt. Recognizing this, MAP lobbied policymakers on the idea that food — and good food policy — could be vehicles for economic development.
Changes in local laws followed years of on-the-ground action by MAP, which grew food, sold it to low-income residents, and raised fish on an urban aquaponics farm.
MAP’s “Rust Belt radicals” had limited policy reach on their own, so they partnered with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, government officials, farmers and others to get messages out. All had a shared vision for improving Buffalo’s food system.
MAP built urban farms (incremental change), while also pushing lawmakers to amend land use laws (systemic change).
MAP trained hundreds of youth to produce, distribute and sell food, and worked with partners to send policymakers to food-related workshops. This created a large body of experts with the know-how to move Buffalo’s food policies forward.
MAP and its allies jumped at the chance to advise planners writing the city’s new Green Code. Such windows of opportunity may open rarely; activists must take advantage when they do.
Continual engagement with city planners and councilmembers resulted in an awareness of problems surrounding food, which in turn led to proposals for new laws.
Economic revitalization is a priority for post-industrial cities across the Rust Belt. Recognizing this, MAP lobbied policymakers on the idea that food — and good food policy — could be vehicles for economic development.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Green walls fighting poverty...and terrorism
I've profiled Africa's green wall spanning the edges of the Sahara to prevent rapid desertification.
It is wonderful that governments have banded together to tackle this, creating the Panafrican Agency of the Great Green Wall. Of course it's benefit, ecologically, is undisputed, I hadn't considered how important it is to other parts of life. Naturally planting trees means having natural resources and mitigating poverty. Forbes further connects the dots by pointing out more natural resources decreases the need to literally fight over dwindling supplies by joining one surging industry, extremism.
-Here's the wonderfully curious case of Cleveland State University. They were all set, it seemed, to get rid of their $250,000 green roof over leaking concerns. And now? Another $100,000 to improve the roof! Talk about student power!
-On a sad note a high school in Hawaii had over 1000 fish stolen from their aquaponics tank! Hopefully they get back up and running soon!
It is wonderful that governments have banded together to tackle this, creating the Panafrican Agency of the Great Green Wall. Of course it's benefit, ecologically, is undisputed, I hadn't considered how important it is to other parts of life. Naturally planting trees means having natural resources and mitigating poverty. Forbes further connects the dots by pointing out more natural resources decreases the need to literally fight over dwindling supplies by joining one surging industry, extremism.
-Here's the wonderfully curious case of Cleveland State University. They were all set, it seemed, to get rid of their $250,000 green roof over leaking concerns. And now? Another $100,000 to improve the roof! Talk about student power!
-On a sad note a high school in Hawaii had over 1000 fish stolen from their aquaponics tank! Hopefully they get back up and running soon!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Aquaponics and kids, a natural fit
Cool photos of a Youngstown City School District vacant horticulture building turned into an aquaponics facility by students, teachers and volunteers. The first one in Ohio!
-One state west in New York, Schenectady students have built an aquaponic system and are hoping to win the Guerilla Green contest. Curious to see how their aquaponics system helps them learn about music!
-The USDA has released its Food Access Research Atlas. Check it out, one can explore multiple food access indicators.
A few other food access tools were well-publicized last week, one allows food distributors to provide non-profits with food deemed less than aesthetically pleasing, the other helps restaurants pass out unwanted food.
-One state west in New York, Schenectady students have built an aquaponic system and are hoping to win the Guerilla Green contest. Curious to see how their aquaponics system helps them learn about music!
-The USDA has released its Food Access Research Atlas. Check it out, one can explore multiple food access indicators.
A few other food access tools were well-publicized last week, one allows food distributors to provide non-profits with food deemed less than aesthetically pleasing, the other helps restaurants pass out unwanted food.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Horticultural Therapy in the Midwest
A couple of horticultural therapy stories from the Midwest...
First, an appearance by Janice Hoetker Doherty to talk about horticultural therapy in general and her new horticultural therapy book, "A Calendar Year of Horticultural Therapy".
And secondly a Chicago health care center has received a grant to turn part of their parking lot into a green space for horticultural therapy.
First, an appearance by Janice Hoetker Doherty to talk about horticultural therapy in general and her new horticultural therapy book, "A Calendar Year of Horticultural Therapy".
And secondly a Chicago health care center has received a grant to turn part of their parking lot into a green space for horticultural therapy.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
The world's first aquaponics based horticultural therapy garden
Two worlds have finally been joined. Horticultural therapy, which is definitely on the rise and aquaponics, which has gone stratospheric, have been integrated to make a fantastic garden for advanced-dementia residents at a care facility in Australia.
-A couple of surveys for you to fill out, if you have the time and inclination. And especially if you live in Minnesota or Illinois.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a plan to address urban agriculture within the park system and is looking for your thoughts. Similarly the Ohio State University Extension Office wants your opinion on what sorts of programs would be best in 2013.
-Chicago wants to leave other urban agriculture friendly municipaliies in the dust by creating an urban farming center 13 miles long! That is amazing news, sensational actually. And makes it easier to relay this article from Macedonia as a group of permaculture enthusiasts look to get their project up and running.
-A couple of surveys for you to fill out, if you have the time and inclination. And especially if you live in Minnesota or Illinois.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a plan to address urban agriculture within the park system and is looking for your thoughts. Similarly the Ohio State University Extension Office wants your opinion on what sorts of programs would be best in 2013.
-Chicago wants to leave other urban agriculture friendly municipaliies in the dust by creating an urban farming center 13 miles long! That is amazing news, sensational actually. And makes it easier to relay this article from Macedonia as a group of permaculture enthusiasts look to get their project up and running.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Green roofs pick up steam in British Columbia
For the peak oil fans out there, last week via the wonderfully eclectic Journal of Sustainable Human Development came an address from Richard Heinberg (of the Post Carbon Institute) to the graduating class of Worchester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts. He gave an "alternative" commencement speech, some objected to having an oil company CEO be the only voice they heard before leaving the Institute.
-Port Coquitlam, in British Columbia, is one of the few cities to have a green roof bylaw. And it's great to see there isn't push back
from developers or retailers, everyone seems to be quite happy to do their part. The mayor, in particular, seems to be a big advocate and it lends credence to the belief that change starts with a few people in power at the top or a lot of people at the grassroots level.
-The web has made our world so small, I now know how urban agriculture and food security benefits those in Ethopia.
-Toledo, Ohio has it's own urban farming training center
opening in February 2012. Partnering with a local community college, it will feature greenhouses, a commercial kitchen and much more.
-15,000 signatures was no problem for Agriculture Montreal! They made the deadline in time and now Montreal's executive committee will hold public hearings on urban agriculture in Montreal. Congrats to the fifty organizations and thousands of people who worked so hard!
-Port Coquitlam, in British Columbia, is one of the few cities to have a green roof bylaw. And it's great to see there isn't push back
from developers or retailers, everyone seems to be quite happy to do their part. The mayor, in particular, seems to be a big advocate and it lends credence to the belief that change starts with a few people in power at the top or a lot of people at the grassroots level.
-The web has made our world so small, I now know how urban agriculture and food security benefits those in Ethopia.
-Toledo, Ohio has it's own urban farming training center
opening in February 2012. Partnering with a local community college, it will feature greenhouses, a commercial kitchen and much more.
-15,000 signatures was no problem for Agriculture Montreal! They made the deadline in time and now Montreal's executive committee will hold public hearings on urban agriculture in Montreal. Congrats to the fifty organizations and thousands of people who worked so hard!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
60 year leases on government land?
I haven't looked at the stats for urban farming in North America vs Europe, but it appears things are heating up on the east side of the Atlantic as well.
-In Canada, National Parks and Conservation areas are warming up to the idea of farming. Stat of the day, in Canada 5 year leases are normal but one U.S. national park in Ohio is offering farmers 60-year leases. THAT we need to hear more about!
A similar program to Guelph, Canada's FarmStart is profiled in Ottawa for its local work.
-I am definitely a lover of Utne magazine, they consitently deliver really interesting and timely articles. Case in point, this one about how the local food movement is inching toward inclusion across the USA.
-In Canada, National Parks and Conservation areas are warming up to the idea of farming. Stat of the day, in Canada 5 year leases are normal but one U.S. national park in Ohio is offering farmers 60-year leases. THAT we need to hear more about!
A similar program to Guelph, Canada's FarmStart is profiled in Ottawa for its local work.
-I am definitely a lover of Utne magazine, they consitently deliver really interesting and timely articles. Case in point, this one about how the local food movement is inching toward inclusion across the USA.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
More internship news + the Office of Urban Agriculture
Two separate calls for interns in Chile!!!
The first one can be found at Volunteer Abroad.
The second one, right here:
Two Permaculture Interns Wanted in Chile! Please forward widely. The Apple Tree Eco School in Chile is looking for two experienced entrepreneurial permaculture interns starting May 2010. We need (1) an experienced administrator proficient in English and Spanish to help manage a busy permie office, planning and promotions and (2) an experienced gardener to assist in production, processing and distribution of organic food. This is an unprecedented opportunity to work in Permaculture centre connected to Gaia University, Transition Towns and the Permaculture Research Institute. Get hands on experience in the management of Permaculture projects, relief work, design consultancy, teacher training,
transition training and much, much more. All food and board provided.
Successful applicants will also have opportunities to self-generate income. Start your Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, on the edge, working where it counts. Contact Grifen Hope or Javiera Carri?n with a detailed CV and a letter of application through our website: www.ecoescuela.cl or via the information below...
Planificador Urbano / Phone: +56-09-92292398 / Skype: wholehabitat / Ecoescuela El Manzano
Planning & Design for Resilience / Web: www.ecoescuela.cl
-Also, a bill by Marcy Kaptur from Ohio was introduced to create an within theOffice of Urban Agriculture within the Department of Agriculture.
The first one can be found at Volunteer Abroad.
The second one, right here:
Two Permaculture Interns Wanted in Chile! Please forward widely. The Apple Tree Eco School in Chile is looking for two experienced entrepreneurial permaculture interns starting May 2010. We need (1) an experienced administrator proficient in English and Spanish to help manage a busy permie office, planning and promotions and (2) an experienced gardener to assist in production, processing and distribution of organic food. This is an unprecedented opportunity to work in Permaculture centre connected to Gaia University, Transition Towns and the Permaculture Research Institute. Get hands on experience in the management of Permaculture projects, relief work, design consultancy, teacher training,
transition training and much, much more. All food and board provided.
Successful applicants will also have opportunities to self-generate income. Start your Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, on the edge, working where it counts. Contact Grifen Hope or Javiera Carri?n with a detailed CV and a letter of application through our website: www.ecoescuela.cl or via the information below...
Planificador Urbano / Phone: +56-09-92292398 / Skype: wholehabitat / Ecoescuela El Manzano
Planning & Design for Resilience / Web: www.ecoescuela.cl
-Also, a bill by Marcy Kaptur from Ohio was introduced to create an within theOffice of Urban Agriculture within the Department of Agriculture.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Toronto's secret green wall + more
Question: If a green wall goes up in Toronto and no one knows, does it exist?
-So I'm puttering around the Toronto Reference Library (TRL) yesterday when I stumbled upon this on the 2nd floor.
WOW! Not that I know everything, but, I hadn't heard much about this at all. And I googled it, only a couple of brief notes on it's existence. What gives TRL??? This approximately 50 square foot beauty we should all know about. Especially, because it's one of perhaps five in the Toronto Metro area...and third biggest to my knowledge!!!
Here's what I could glean without being too intrusive. It has some pretty good lighting for the top portion. All the plants (including several different kinds of ivy) look healthy. The plants (about 100) seem to be randomly placed in synthetic felt and there's ample room in the bottom drainage basin. At first I wondered why it's back here where no one can see it, but because of the way the library is constructed it couldn't be anywhere else. One might think these are just so-so pictures, but it's obscured from the front by a huge pillar so it's impossible to photograph head on.
I talked to a couple of librarians to learn more...I'm wondering who put it up and when. One librarian said it went up about 6 months ago and had no idea how rare they were. Hopefully I'll find out more soon.
-Got a tip today on a new website. Anyone who has a green job to fill or is looking for a green job knows that there are WAY too many websites to search. It's nice that everyone has a piece of the pie, but surely, can't there be a better way? Behold... Green Job Spider. Look, even jobs in Mexico and Canada! I wonder, is this the only green job spider out there???
While we're at it, here's a rare PAYING permaculture summer gig in Cleveland, Ohio.
-Speaking of Ohio, the Lucas County Arena in Toledo appears to be the first LEED certified sports arena. Can't find any pictures of their 900 square foot green wall, but we've got this 7 month old rendering. Dudes, you have the FIRST LEED CERTIFIED SPORTS ARENA IN THE WORLD...you deserve major kudos and the whole world should know!!! What's with folks not wanting publicity???
-Brad Lancaster and David Spicer are headed to the West Bank to lead the world's first permaculture design course in June 2010. You also get some skype visits by other heavyweights. Green the deserts indeed!
-Wickedly long article from The Age featuring most of the really progressive present and future vertical farming. A great primer.
-Top 10 lists are the best. Here are a few green roof homes not normally profiled. The house OUTrial
looks great.
-So I'm puttering around the Toronto Reference Library (TRL) yesterday when I stumbled upon this on the 2nd floor.
WOW! Not that I know everything, but, I hadn't heard much about this at all. And I googled it, only a couple of brief notes on it's existence. What gives TRL??? This approximately 50 square foot beauty we should all know about. Especially, because it's one of perhaps five in the Toronto Metro area...and third biggest to my knowledge!!!
Here's what I could glean without being too intrusive. It has some pretty good lighting for the top portion. All the plants (including several different kinds of ivy) look healthy. The plants (about 100) seem to be randomly placed in synthetic felt and there's ample room in the bottom drainage basin. At first I wondered why it's back here where no one can see it, but because of the way the library is constructed it couldn't be anywhere else. One might think these are just so-so pictures, but it's obscured from the front by a huge pillar so it's impossible to photograph head on.
I talked to a couple of librarians to learn more...I'm wondering who put it up and when. One librarian said it went up about 6 months ago and had no idea how rare they were. Hopefully I'll find out more soon.
-Got a tip today on a new website. Anyone who has a green job to fill or is looking for a green job knows that there are WAY too many websites to search. It's nice that everyone has a piece of the pie, but surely, can't there be a better way? Behold... Green Job Spider. Look, even jobs in Mexico and Canada! I wonder, is this the only green job spider out there???
While we're at it, here's a rare PAYING permaculture summer gig in Cleveland, Ohio.
-Speaking of Ohio, the Lucas County Arena in Toledo appears to be the first LEED certified sports arena. Can't find any pictures of their 900 square foot green wall, but we've got this 7 month old rendering. Dudes, you have the FIRST LEED CERTIFIED SPORTS ARENA IN THE WORLD...you deserve major kudos and the whole world should know!!! What's with folks not wanting publicity???
-Brad Lancaster and David Spicer are headed to the West Bank to lead the world's first permaculture design course in June 2010. You also get some skype visits by other heavyweights. Green the deserts indeed!
-Wickedly long article from The Age featuring most of the really progressive present and future vertical farming. A great primer.
-Top 10 lists are the best. Here are a few green roof homes not normally profiled. The house OUTrial
looks great.
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