CitizenReporter.org

While many focus on the global food price and the fate of food exports, in many places around the world, groups of people are growing and selling food locally.  Mill Creek urban farm in Philadelphia is one of these places. My guests, farm founders Jade and Johanna explain how Mill Creek works, and how they relate to their community, the city, and even the global picture.

They also recommended the following article about small farmers and their role in feeding the world.

We Discuss:

• - The activities of the farm
• - Relations with the community
• - Funding of the project
• - Reflection on the global food crisis
• - Changes in demand and interest in Urban Farming over the past years
• - Access to green spaces in cities
• - Gentrification and the survival of the urban farm
• - Other forms of Urban agriculture

Music:

Pinback - Blue Harvest

The Roots - Criminal (feat. Truck North & Saigon)

 Standard Podcast [20:06m]: Play Now | Download

Soy is often looked at as the alternative bean, beloved ingredient for vegetarians and concerned citizens worldwide. Yet what do we know about the soy industry? How is soy being produced, by who, for who, and to what effect? My guest, Nina Holland of the Corporate European Observatory, sat down with me to explain how it all works, and what we should know about our soy.

Discussed:

Soy as food/feed/fuel

Genetically Modified Soy

Who Owns the Farms

Situations in different parts of South America

Comparison to Europe

GM Soy Lobby in the EU

Labeling

So-called responsible soy

Independent farmers

Solutions/Advice for People

Links:

• ASeed.net
• corporateeurope.org
• The Report on Responsible Soy put out, co-authored by Nina

Music:

• Vinicious Cantuaria - Corre Campo
• Tom Brosseau - In My Time of Dyin

 Standard Podcast [31:16m]: Play Now | Download

Following the recent podcast on licences, filesharing, and the pirate bay, I received alot of strong feedback with both opinions that were similar and also very different from those that Peter brought forth.  This podcast features musician and podcaster Michael Harren aka Mikeypod, who talks about things like licenses and artist rights according to his experience and opinions.

We Discuss:

• Creative Commons
• The Artist’s Choice and Empowerment
• Money, making it, deserving it, expecting it
• Filesharing in terms of music
• Arists Using CC

Music:

Lou Rhodes - Greatness in a Speck of Dust

Spreepark - A Trampoline I am Not

 Standard Podcast [25:32m]: Play Now | Download

The German minister who famously believes in law and order and high security and knowing as much about citizens as possible, has now - himself- been fingerprinted. Whats more, the fingerprints are being distributed all over the world as part of a very strong statement and critique of what is supposed to be such a safe and secure method of identification.

This podcast is recorded at the CCCB in Berlin, and it features the participation of some very kind and socially conscious hackers. As we sat around assembling the magazines, finger prints and all, I took out the recorder and asked them to explain how it is they got hold of the German interior minister’s finger prints and what the larger meaning of this action, will be.

By the end of the recording they realized we hadn’t spoken in detail about many of the OTHER examples of what the German government is trying to do when it comes to data retention and privacy. Below is a list of links they recommended I include for better details about what is going on.

EU-Wide implementation of the data retention

German minister defends ‘Trojan horse’ spy tactic as needed to fight terror

Schäuble: Facts Obtained Through Torture Should be Used

Oh and as a bonus, the Finger Print story in Wired.

Music:

Tom Waits - Everything You Can Think

Utah Phillips - All Used Up

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Download

As the producer of one of the best information sources coming out of Iraq, BaghdadBrian is passionate about raising awareness about what life is really like for regular Iraqi’s living under occupation. While attending the Republica Conference last week, he and I had a chance to walk around Berlin and even do some tourism. Just as you’ll hear us comparing in this podcast, we often found ourselves comparing the divided post war Germany days to the situation in Iraq today.. specifically when it comes to dividing a city with walls.

• His site: Alive in Baghdad
• The Stasi Headquarters Museum
• Alive in Mexico

Music:

• Henri DiKongué - Wen Te Mba Wenge
• Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War

 Standard Podcast [34:36m]: Play Now | Download

In some parts of the world people still use the term “steal” to describe getting music through bittorent or other systems. At the same time, many people use the term filesharing or downloading to describe that same process. Laws might get passed and moral judgements might be imposed, but how logical are such views when it comes to the sharing or copying of digital material.

My guest today is Peter of the Pirate Bay, one of the most popular sites on the internet, period. Moreover, someone who has a strong commitment to struggle and educate people when it comes to the nature of filesharing. Looking beyond scare tactics and the manipulation of governments by large corporate interests, Peter has alot to say when it comes to how we think or could think about the world reknowned practice of downloading things from the internet.

I also recommend the most recent Yeast Radio, which features Peter in a debate on intellectual property. And a previous edition of Chaos Radio International which provides alot of essential information about pirate bay, why and how it does what it does.

Music:

Common - They Say

Rilo Kiley - Breakin Up

 Standard Podcast [34:26m]: Play Now | Download