Santa Cruz Hospital Enjoys Successful Organic Garden

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

The staff and volunteers at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, CA started an organic garden in 2003 on an unused section of the hospital’s grounds. The garden has grown to 7,350 square feet and produced over 2,300 pounds of fresh organic food in 2008, saving Food Service over $5000. Chef Deane Bussiere determines what will be grown and tends to focus on produce that when “grown conventionally contain the highest levels of pesticide residue”. He considers it “a real privilege to be able to offer organic fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria.”
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Free How-To Book “Chicago’s Green Rooftops”

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

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Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley has released a free book called “Chicago’s Green Rooftops, A Guide To Rooftop Gardening” to help residents understand the options and considerations when planning a rooftop garden. The book also provides basic procedures to help get you started. Thanks City of Chicago, this guide is great for anyone interested in rooftop gardens!
free download

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Urban Farming: Hydroponics In The City

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

The Science Barge demonstrates how hydropondics and vertical farming can effectively and efficiently grow substantial amounts of food in the city.

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OTA Opens First DC Office

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

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The Organic Trade Association opened an office in Washington DC on January 1, 2010. OTA’s Executive Director and CEO Christine Bushway announced the opening stating “OTA is very excited about achieving this milestone at the beginning of its 25th anniversary year. This office, located three blocks from Capitol Hill, will help the trade association increase its visibility and effectiveness in D.C. with Congress, the Executive Branch and all regulatory agencies including the National Organic Program housed at USDA.” OTA intends to increase their policy and advocacy staff and focus on issues ranging from “food safety to climate change, from National Organic Program (NOP) funding to emerging non-food standards”, all of which continue to be critical to the organic sector.
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Darrin Nordahl: “Public Produce”

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

In his new book “Public Produce: The New Urban Agriculture”, Darrin Nordahl, writes that public spaces can be used for growing produce within the city. Nordahl, City Designer for The Davenport Design Center, a division of the Community & Economic Development Department of the City of Davenport, Iowa is a proponent of growing food on any available land throughout the city, including medians and parkways.  Discussing local city efforts being made in other parts of the country are:
-Teva Dawson, Horticulture Inspector for the city of Des Moines, Iowa
-Ryan Hertz, Principal, Eco Zoic Detroit
-Sam Adams, Mayor, Portland Oregon
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Urban Farming Wins Drucker Award For Nonprofit Innovation

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Urban Farming, an organization based in Detroit, is the second place winner in the 2009 Drucker Award nonprofit innovation competition, receiving $7,500.  UF grows produce on unused land, rooftops and building walls in the inner-city.  Individuals in need are allowed to pick for free at any time day or night at Urban Farming’s fenceless gardens.

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Detroit Looks At Urban Farming Potential

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Detroit is currently faced with a rapidly shrinking population, one of the highest crime rates in the country and some of the highest unemployment.  One promising option for getting the city back on track is urban farming. Entrepreneurs and inner city activists alike see urban farming as a way of creating employment opportunities while providing healthy food to a population that has been deprived of both for some time. A large number of dilapidated structures are being demolished, increasing the amount of available farm land, and proposals for the utilization of that land are streaming into city hall.  All eyes are on Detroit as cities across the country facing similar challenges watch to see where they go from here.
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Farmers Challenge Michael Pollan’s Ideas

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

NPR’s Neal Conan discusses the challenges of agribusiness with author Michael Pollan and farmers Blake Hurst, Troy Roush and others.  The farmers address some of Pollan’s concepts and the challenges that they face trying to farm more sustainably.  While some of the farmers are inspired by Pollan’s ideas, others find them impractical.



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