It's always good to check in with the folks at the permaculture podcast. Last week we heard what could be done with 1/6 of an acre in a temperate climate.
-Check out this app, it ranks neighbourhoods by environmental criteria like green roofs, community gardens, farmers markets, parks and public transit. It's a great way to help select your next home.
-A children's hospital in San Antonio is building a massive 2 acre garden to teach the community about the relationship between food and health.
-After 360 years a South African community garden will sprout again. Boston is similarly celebrating urban agriculture with their first Urban Agriculture Day.
Unfortunately in Bangalore things are going in the opposite direction. The city, which was a burgeoning urban agriculture oasis, will probably see urban agriculture wither because of development pressures.
-The USA's first urban agriculture kids camp kicked off a couple of weeks ago. I'll add this to my end of the year predictions...I think you'll be seeing a lot more of these in the future.
Showing posts with label south africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label south africa. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Monday, June 23, 2014
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Thursday, July 11, 2013
40 hours of free permaculture lecture + urban agriculture opportunities in Africa
A supermarket in South Africa has embraced alternative technologies like no one else, by incorporating solar energy and aquaponics to get closer to being a fully sustainable supermarket.
-Watch, listen, revel in 40 hours of permaculture lectures from Bill Mollison!
-Watch, listen, revel in 40 hours of permaculture lectures from Bill Mollison!
opened up in South Africa.
-Even better is an urban agriculture scholarship to pursue a PhD co-sponsored by schools in Sweden and Ghana!
-Even better is an urban agriculture scholarship to pursue a PhD co-sponsored by schools in Sweden and Ghana!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Three Urban Agriculture Internships
A few urban agriculture internships to pass along...touch up that resume!
-Save the Children is looking for a permaculture consultant in Somalia, applications due February 28.
-Check out Idealist for a 2-8 month urban agriculture internship in Cape Town, South Africa.
-Turning state side, in Boston (Roxbury, actually) City Natives has a six month spring/summer urban agriculture internship available.
-Save the Children is looking for a permaculture consultant in Somalia, applications due February 28.
-Check out Idealist for a 2-8 month urban agriculture internship in Cape Town, South Africa.
-Turning state side, in Boston (Roxbury, actually) City Natives has a six month spring/summer urban agriculture internship available.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Food security, food justice and urban agriculture
There are "hundreds of nonprofits dedicated to building organic gardens" reports Civil Eats. And their recent article takes a look at a few exciting projects from across the continent. There's one particular project that I wanted to highlight, I forgot to post it back in August! (I know, so bad). But New Roots' work with refugees, particularly in cities.
-Could big ag and big oil join forces? It's definitely something to be aware of as the US invests more time and energy into fracking.
-Last for today is a short but illuminating article on the role of urban agriculture in South Africa, urban ag. has historically been illegal but that hasn't stopped people from embracing it across the country.
-Could big ag and big oil join forces? It's definitely something to be aware of as the US invests more time and energy into fracking.
-Last for today is a short but illuminating article on the role of urban agriculture in South Africa, urban ag. has historically been illegal but that hasn't stopped people from embracing it across the country.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Online aquaponics course + urban agriculture in Africa
If you would like to learn about aquaponics, but can't make it to or are far away from, the reputable learning centers, there is a new Aquaponics Gardening course online. You can go at your own pace and it's taught by some of the best in the business.
-Over the last couple of weeks I have seen a slew of fantastic articles and reports about urban agriculture in Africa. First an incredible urban rooftop agriculture program which focuses on skills transfer and environmental education. Next came the release of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation's (FAO) status report on urban farming in Africa. Here's the online presentation.
In addition there is a report from the front lines of the urban agriculture movement in Cameroon. Lastly is your opportunity to be part of the movement, if you are so inclined, by volunteering for a permaculture project in Mozambique.
-Over the last couple of weeks I have seen a slew of fantastic articles and reports about urban agriculture in Africa. First an incredible urban rooftop agriculture program which focuses on skills transfer and environmental education. Next came the release of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation's (FAO) status report on urban farming in Africa. Here's the online presentation.
In addition there is a report from the front lines of the urban agriculture movement in Cameroon. Lastly is your opportunity to be part of the movement, if you are so inclined, by volunteering for a permaculture project in Mozambique.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Cities Alive - green roofs/green walls conference starts next week
I hope everyone in the USA had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
For those of us who've celebrated an American Thanksgiving, we know indulgence is par for the course, as is leftovers which may or may not be eaten quickly. America's first package free/zero waste grocery store, has a few good tips for what to do with the leftovers so everything goes fast!
-Next week, the big event for the living architecture community is the Cities Alive conference in Philadelphia. It's the 9th annual conference, this year focusing on restoring urban waters.
And more municipalities are waking up to the importance of living infrastructure. For instance, Durban, South Africa has launched a green roof pilot project.
-We're all aware of New York City's work in this area, last week Mark Bittman welcomed guest bloggers to talk more about initiatives in the City.
-Last up for today, those who live in Toronto and part of the food security scene know Anan Lololi and the Afri-Can FoodBasket program. Now, thanks to Canadian Geographic we all are.
For those of us who've celebrated an American Thanksgiving, we know indulgence is par for the course, as is leftovers which may or may not be eaten quickly. America's first package free/zero waste grocery store, has a few good tips for what to do with the leftovers so everything goes fast!
-Next week, the big event for the living architecture community is the Cities Alive conference in Philadelphia. It's the 9th annual conference, this year focusing on restoring urban waters.
And more municipalities are waking up to the importance of living infrastructure. For instance, Durban, South Africa has launched a green roof pilot project.
-We're all aware of New York City's work in this area, last week Mark Bittman welcomed guest bloggers to talk more about initiatives in the City.
-Last up for today, those who live in Toronto and part of the food security scene know Anan Lololi and the Afri-Can FoodBasket program. Now, thanks to Canadian Geographic we all are.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Green roofs and Devens, Mass.
As someone involved in living architecture and green roofs in particular for some time now, it is great that more and more cities are recognizing the value of having a green roof professional as part of the design team. Joining Calgary and DC Devens, Massachusetts now requires an accredited green roof professional (ahhm, you know how to contact me) on the job.
-Pee Wee the red wriggler is back. If your kids loved the previous books on composting, this is bound to be a treat as well.
-If you're in Roanoke, Virginia and have an opinion about the proposed
urban farm scheduled to be built where Countryside Golf Course used to be, you...umm...missed a chance to talk about it on Thursday, September 22. If you still want to share your thoughts, it looks like you can talk to the Planning Administrator.
-For all of the entrepreneurs out there, this list of the biggest food deserts means while citizens do not have equal access to fresh fruit and vegetables and there are folks waiting for your business!
-This article makes me so, so, nervous for a few reasons:
1) Folks are growing vegetables in tyres American translation: tires).
2) The numerous citations of Wikipedia as their main source of information.
But I wish them all the best and hope those tire planters are lined!!!
-To round out this my most eclectic blog post yet, we get a peak inside why Japan is embracing urban agriculture.
-Pee Wee the red wriggler is back. If your kids loved the previous books on composting, this is bound to be a treat as well.
-If you're in Roanoke, Virginia and have an opinion about the proposed
urban farm scheduled to be built where Countryside Golf Course used to be, you...umm...missed a chance to talk about it on Thursday, September 22. If you still want to share your thoughts, it looks like you can talk to the Planning Administrator.
-For all of the entrepreneurs out there, this list of the biggest food deserts means while citizens do not have equal access to fresh fruit and vegetables and there are folks waiting for your business!
-This article makes me so, so, nervous for a few reasons:
1) Folks are growing vegetables in tyres American translation: tires).
2) The numerous citations of Wikipedia as their main source of information.
But I wish them all the best and hope those tire planters are lined!!!
-To round out this my most eclectic blog post yet, we get a peak inside why Japan is embracing urban agriculture.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Click to plant a living wall
Still a few hours left to visit Woolworth's living wall for world food day. That's Woolworth's...in South Africa. I can't quite tell if this is a spinoff from the Woolworth's that once ruled the U.S.A.
-Singapore is coming on strong with living architecture, so it makes sense that they would host the International Skyrise Greenery Conference in just a few weeks.
-After big hail storms (an inch in some neighborhoods!!!) last week, many urban farms in Brooklyn are picking up the pieces.
-Check out the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and
Community Development (JAFSCD) from way back in August 2010. Great columns include "Rethinking Government Policies for Growing Farmers" and ways to" Let Food Systems Emerge".
-Singapore is coming on strong with living architecture, so it makes sense that they would host the International Skyrise Greenery Conference in just a few weeks.
-After big hail storms (an inch in some neighborhoods!!!) last week, many urban farms in Brooklyn are picking up the pieces.
-Check out the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and
Community Development (JAFSCD) from way back in August 2010. Great columns include "Rethinking Government Policies for Growing Farmers" and ways to" Let Food Systems Emerge".
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Urban agriculture...the global, the local, the wacky
My computer goes down and all of a sudden a million great things are happening around the world. But I'm back like Hawaii 5-0, so here are a few things that I've spied...
-On the global front, in South Africa , Argentina, China, and Brazil lots of news about how urban agriculture programs and projects can provide jobs and food for thousands of people.
Speaking of Brazil, that article was the most sarcastic one I've read in a while!!!
-Stateside, some investors have begun to favor farmland over stocks as an investment vehicle. Following the money thread, Forbes has an article where Weeden & Co.'s Charles Maxwell tells us how we can "profit" from peak oil.
And in a sign of things to come...let me stop there, because I couldn't keep a straight face. As we discovered last year, we know farmers sometimes destroy their crops, rather than bringing them to market. Has anyone ever heard of a farmer being sued for producing too much food?
-On the global front, in South Africa , Argentina, China, and Brazil lots of news about how urban agriculture programs and projects can provide jobs and food for thousands of people.
Speaking of Brazil, that article was the most sarcastic one I've read in a while!!!
-Stateside, some investors have begun to favor farmland over stocks as an investment vehicle. Following the money thread, Forbes has an article where Weeden & Co.'s Charles Maxwell tells us how we can "profit" from peak oil.
And in a sign of things to come...let me stop there, because I couldn't keep a straight face. As we discovered last year, we know farmers sometimes destroy their crops, rather than bringing them to market. Has anyone ever heard of a farmer being sued for producing too much food?
Monday, February 8, 2010
It's all about the visual + living architecture in Africa
I've had people ask before, what's the best permaculture website? Well, wouldn't you know it someone asked a similar question at permaculture tv, which, is a dynamite site in it's own right. The truth is, there's so much good information out there, aren't the interwebs wonderful?
Speaking of good websites, for those more visually inclined try Spezify, you can do a visual web search on your favorite living architecture topics.
For some great videos, check out Urban Omnibus on how the East New York Farmers market got up and running, a great primer for anyone interested in starting their own. And over at How Stuff Works to spy Stephen Brooks as he makes a nice salad from his urban foraging wanderings...in LA.
Seriously, there's rosemary growing between the sidewalk cracks?
Now we'll jet over to the Africa. A story from Zimbabwe which puts struggle in perspective.
The City of Johannesburg is putting it's weight behind a permaculture training institute to help combat the socio-economic impact of HIV.
Rwanda is starting an urban agriculture program to ensure food security. I'll do my best to keep up to date on all of these new projects, so many wonderful things happening all around the world.
Speaking of good websites, for those more visually inclined try Spezify, you can do a visual web search on your favorite living architecture topics.
For some great videos, check out Urban Omnibus on how the East New York Farmers market got up and running, a great primer for anyone interested in starting their own. And over at How Stuff Works to spy Stephen Brooks as he makes a nice salad from his urban foraging wanderings...in LA.
Seriously, there's rosemary growing between the sidewalk cracks?
Now we'll jet over to the Africa. A story from Zimbabwe which puts struggle in perspective.
The City of Johannesburg is putting it's weight behind a permaculture training institute to help combat the socio-economic impact of HIV.
Rwanda is starting an urban agriculture program to ensure food security. I'll do my best to keep up to date on all of these new projects, so many wonderful things happening all around the world.
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