The cityfarmer project in Vancouver began as a small group of people concerned with energy costs and reducing waste. 30 years later, those concerns have been amplified throughout the world, and cityfarmer is still there in the trenches. My guest, Michael Levenston, executive direction of cityfarmer, has been there since the beginning; in this interview we talk about how it developed.
Besides the link above, further info and resources are available on cityfarmer.org
We Discuss:
- Starting it in 1978
- The concerns at that time
- Early source of funding
- Profile of who is involved
- The backyard
- Reducing waste
- Energy
- Global urban farming
- Being on the front page
- and more
Music:
- Aqueduct – The Suggestion Box
- Eddie Vedder – Long Nights
There is more to urban farming than just growing crops on empty lots in cities. In fact, there is a type of urban farming that involves growing alot more food in tall buildings, making use of the latest innovations of crop growing and energy usage. My guest, Professor Dickson Despommier of Columbia Universty explains what vertical farming is why it is so important for the future of human existance.
The site for all information on Vertical Farming
We Discuss:
- Types of crops that can be grown in vertical farms
- Where would they be located
- The costs
- The end of flood or disease damage
- Growing seasons in vertical farming
- Funding and who is interested
- Power and outside needs
- Problem with regular urban farming
Music:
- Tom Waits – Lost in the Harbor
- Okkervil River – A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene
Paula and Martin run a unique Urban Farm in Victoria, B.C., Canada. They don’t just manage one plot of land, their farm is scattered throughout various areas and its getting more and more popular. In this interview Paula explains how it got started, their specific method of farming, and the growing popularity in their community and beyond.
Cityharvest
Spin Farming
Music:
Roots -Rising Down
Mercedes Sosa – Es Sud America Mi Voz
Note: Im posting this podcast just as I leave for the airport en route to Thailand, so any errors or further details, will have to wait.
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)