The Farmery, an update

It's been 10 months since I last wrote about the Farmery.  Here's an update on their development since then.
 
-Super huge news out of Vancouver. The parks board unveiled a local food action plan, which includes 55 strategic actions (like planting fruit trees and community gardens in parks) to implement over the next five years.

-Can anyone help me understand why this article uses the term "green roofing" at all?

-I wonder if the abandonment of chickens in Montreal by those who discover that they can't (or don't want to) take care of them is a continent wide trend? Sadly it looks like it may be.

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!

 

-An urban agriculture internship, with flexible starting times and lengths from 2-8 months, has 

opened up in South Africa.

-Even better is an urban agriculture scholarship to pursue a PhD co-sponsored by schools in Sweden and Ghana!

A closer look at vertical and rooftop farming leaders

Even if you're new to the vertical and rooftop farming industry you know the major players spend their time heads-down trying to produce food, not on the radio, TV or in the papers touting what they do. That's why it's nice to see, over the last 6 weeks or so, some longer articles and audio on some of the pioneers, Lufa Farms, Alterrus and FarmedHere.

-In general I believe the more green the better. But when it comes to a place like Abu Dhabi, I would love to see this proposed lush 19,000 square foot green roof become something more climate relevant, like a xerogarden. With deck chairs and umbrellas too, perhaps?

-In Uganda one enthusiast is trying the simplest materials possible to make an aquaponics system, included in his list of components are an old fridge, water and perfume bottles.

-Another innovator in Canada, this one 16 years old, has invented his own green wall system and turned it into a educational opportunity for children.

-Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been involved in some inspiring projects over the years, recently they've been involved in developing a curriculum to accompany the farm based at a suburban Vancouver school.

The Art of Fermentation - Sandor Katz

Sandor Katz is the godfather of Fermentation. As we slide into the summer with pickling season right around the corner, it's a good time to brush up.

Aquaponics for profit

Across the world those involved with aquaponics are trying to make it work. We've seen some failures recently and some will succeed, some won't. In Melbourne, Australia a local non-profit is giving it a go, while in New York State a two year old operation needs an influx of cash to keep things going.

-If you're in New York and want to provide some expertise to get their green infrastructure program off the ground,  don't dawdle...there's only 2 weeks left to apply. (See middle row, bottom of page 7).

-I forgot to post this a while ago but it's not too late to join a free course on the Sustainability of Food Systems.

-And lastly for today check out how Russians are proving small scale organic farming can feed a village and more!