Garden Variety

I’ve completed my videos, slideshow and podcast on the business of the green movement in NYC. Take a look and see what I’ve been working on this semester. Let me know what you think.

First, the video with a Union Square Greenmarket vendor.

A stroll around the Clinton Community Garden and how the organization is similar to a business.

Community supported agriculture is gaining popularity in New York City. Here’s a look at one produce pickup site on the Upper West Side.

Peer inside composting cans (hold your nose)…

Listen to the sounds of an urban garden.

From The New York Times: Is frozen food the way of the future?

From The San Francisco Chronicle: Quick man-on-the-street interviews with farmer’s market shoppers/vendors.

Looking for weekend plans? Go to the NYC Food & Climate Summit on Saturday.

Realized it a bit late, but today is Terra Madre Day, sponsored by Slow Food.

As I’ve followed the local food beat for the last couple months, I’ve been told numerous times that I simply must read Michael Pollan’s work. He’s a journalist who has covered the food industry, advocating for local and sustainable produce.

I’ve intended to pick up his most recent book, “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifestor,” for a while now. But in lieu of that, I’ve spent some time reading some of his articles, listed on his web site. Take a look at them — you may not always agree with his viewpoint, but it’s a stimulating topic.

From the San Francisco Bay Guardian: A thorough, well-reported piece on labor conditions on organic farms and how the people in lower economic classes are often left out of the local food movement.

From the Fair Food Project: A documentary by the California Institute for Rural Studies and Rick Nahmias Photography that explores farming labor conditions and how to improve them.

From Natural Resource Report: A quick post explaining a rule that sets a minimum farming revenue level Oregon farmers much reach in order to live on their farm land.