See larger image here. by Clive van Heerden, August 6, 2009 Looking into the economics and politics of rising food prices and theories about impending food shortages led us to create the “food farm” to test peoples sensitivity to the issue. We wanted to develop something initially that would supplement the nutritional needs of a family living in high rise accommodation, without drawing electricity or gas. The ‘’diagnostic kitchen’’ concept is a response to the global diet business and obsession … [Read more...]
Agroforestry Found On Nearly Half The World’s Farms
For centuries, farmers have placed trees among their crops to enhance soil health, raise marketable fruits or nuts, and protect row crops from damaging winds. Yet agroforestry, as the practice is known, is generally considered a rarity among mainstream farmers. New data suggests that more farmers practice agroforestry than previously appreciated. Nearly half of the world's farmlands have at least 10 percent tree cover, more than 10 million square kilometers in total, the Nairobi-based World … [Read more...]
The Case Against Organic Food Does Not Stand Up
By Peter Melchett There really are nutritional benefits, as research to be published next year will show Ben Goldacre says the Soil Association's criticism of the recent Food Standards Agency research on nutrients is "not about organic food" and that "the emotive commentary in favour of organic farming bundles together diverse and legitimate concerns about unchecked capitalism in our food supply" (Bad Science: Argument is about capitalism, not food, 1 August). In fact, our argument with the … [Read more...]
The revival of homegrown urban agriculture
Commentary from Sam Rose: “Not only is urban agriculture an emerging movement for individuals, it is also being pursued as part of a sustainable urban renewal strategy throughout the midwest. Some examples include: https://www.milwaukeerenaissance.com/SweetWaterFishFarming/HomePage Sweetwater organics Aquaponics fishfarming in Milwaukee WI self sustaining urban food production in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Detroit https://localfoodsystems.org/lfs-storytellers Efforts in Chicago and elsewhere … [Read more...]
Rooftop Farms, a 6,000 square foot organic vegetable farm in Brooklyn, New York.
From Brooklyn Supper blog. Photo by Elizabeth Stark ©2008-2009. All rights reserved. See larger image here at Brooklyn Supper. This is a roof of a warehouse in Greenpoint, which is now covered with 200,000 pounds of soil, 1,000 earthworms, and an abundance of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. By Wendy Goodman New York Magazine June 21, 2009 “There are 1,000 worms in here,” Annie Novak says, cracking the lid on a box filled with scraps of newspaper and small squirmy things. The earthworms are about … [Read more...]
Peak Water?
By Chris Mayer at The Daily Reckoning (Australian edition) The price of water is starting to rise in a big way, at least in China. I’ve expected this for a few years. To set the table, water rates in China have been so far below the global average it’s ridiculous. Especially when you consider the severe water problems in China. The graphic below is from The Wall Street Journal (”China Cities Raise Water Price in Bid to Conserve” by Andrew Batson): The Chinese are water-poor. They are sucking … [Read more...]
Squat Freeshop on Commercial Road
Swap shops, Freeshops, give away shops, they all aim to go against the capitalist framework, and often people can't quite get their heads around the idea, that, yes it is free and you can take it! Illustrations by Thereza Rowe When I dropped by the free shop near Brick Lane, I received firsthand experience of this when a woman asked the way to the ‘trendy’ Shoreditch area and when invited to look around the Freeshop declined with a shrug of the shoulders. It appears it just wasn’t hip enough, … [Read more...]
The man who planted trees
The power of one man to transform a desert into a lush and verdant land. Shepherd Elzard Bouffier lives alone with his sheep not far from a drought-stricken and windswept hamlet. After the death of his wife and child, he chooses to devote the rest of his life to a patient and anonymous endeavor, which ultimately adds beauty and sustenance to the human and animal communities in the mountains where he lives. … [Read more...]
200 Urban Farms in Havana
Havana relies on 200 urban farms known as organoponicos The vegetable gardeners of Havana By Sarah Murch BBC Two’s Future of Food August 2009 Climate change, drought, population growth - they could all threaten future food supplies. But global agriculture, with its dependence on fuel and fertilisers is also highly vulnerable to an oil shortage, as Cuba found out 20 years ago. Around Cuba’s capital Havana, it is quite remarkable how often you see a neatly tended plot of land right in the heart of … [Read more...]
Permaculture Principles
As part of the Sustainable Land Use course I recently completed we had to do a short piece of work on Permaculture Principles. I put together this little list of principles compiled from the following books (and website)... [asa]0731812719[/asa] Attitudinal Principles Work with nature not against it - results in minimum negative impact on long term sustainablilty Value Edges and Marginal and Small - small and different can be vital See solutions inherent in problems - overcomes blockages … [Read more...]