Sundance Channel

Farming Chicago’s rooftops: The Urban Canopy

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:46:18 +0000

Back in August when I wrote about The Plant, a former meatpacking warehouse turned urban farm in Chicago, I made only the briefest of mentions of the business incubation plans the founding organization envisioned for the space. The brewery planned for the space has received the most attention thus far, but if you head up to the rooftop of the building, you'll find another sustainable business at work: The Urban Canopy. As you might imagine, they're in the rooftop farming business, though they're taking a quite different approach from most with their rooftop hydroponics system.

Green tech finds: Wildlife goes virtual, Farmville gets real

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:09:28 +0000

Assembly lines rolling out the Focus Electric: Think Nissan's the only game in town for a true electric vehicle? Not anymore: Ford's started production of its 2012 Focus Electric in Michigan. (via @edbegleyjr) Ranger Rick comes to the iPhone: Your kids bug you to play games on your smartphone? The National Wildlife Federation has created a way to make sure they're learning something. The new Ranger Rick mobile apps provide games for kids as young as 2 (yes, 2!) to sharpen their knowledge about wild animals.

The 30 Project: Three decades to a more sustainable food system

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:13:45 +0000

Remember 1980? The Miracle on Ice? Voodoo economics? "Funkytown" at the top of the charts? Seems like eons ago, doesn't it? You may not remember (or even realize) that 1980 was also a seminal year (or, the round-about time for big changes) in our food system. Consolidation of agriculture? That's when we started to see it. High-fructose corn syrup? It started showing up in, well, everything right about then. A decrease in US agricultural aid to other countries? That, too. So, is any of this important to us now, or just a little food history trivia?

Freight Farms: Turning used shipping containers into gardens

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:50:51 +0000

Is there anything you can't do with a used shipping container? Designers have intrepidly redesigned these metal boxes that pile up at ports as everything from office buildings to portable commercial space to prison cells. Industrial designer Jon Friedman and environmental scientist Brad McNamara have found yet another potential use for shipping containers: small, self-contained urban farms. Combining hydroponics, solar power and rainwater harvesting, their Freight Farms concept recycles containers into "modular, expandable, portable crop production units."

The African land grab continues in Mali

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:30:58 +0000

Last month, I dug into a relatively new phenomenon: the purchase of arable land in the developing world by countries that have largely exhausted their own farm lands and/or aquifers. Done in the name of food security, these wealthier countries are often cordoning off, if not outright displacing, small subsistence farmers from land they could use to meet their own needs...

Africa’s farm land: a new source of exploitation

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:30:51 +0000

Quick: think of something that Africa has in abundance. Given the tenor of most of the news we get from the continent, answers like poverty, disease, and social unrest may pop into your head. All of those answers are correct, unfortunately, but governments around the world, as well as investors, are seeing something else: land, particularly farmland. With aquifers falling beyond their refresh rates and soil fertility eaten up by erosion, over-farming, and/or deforestation, many governments are looking for new places to grow food. And Africa, as it has for centuries, is looking ripe for exploitation. According to the World Bank, "approximately 56 million hectares of arable land has been purchased or leased worldwide, 70% of which took place in Africa...

Organic farming in Uganda: can pineapples lead to prosperity?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:35:42 +0000

I admit that I know very little about Uganda: Idi Amin (gathered largely from THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND) and news reports of the bizarre "Kill the Gays" bill pretty much sums it up. I learned a bit in January about efforts to protect their coffee crop from the effects of climate change, but still wouldn't want take a test on the country. So perhaps my pleasant surprise at news of a growing organic agricultural movement in the country is just a sign of my ignorance, but it strikes me as a really positive development in a nation that has been torn by by political and social unrest for decades.

Certify it: the Clean Green Certified standard for organic marijuana

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:00:32 +0000

If you're a good treehugger, you always look for USDA Organic certification on food and personal care products, the FSC label on paper and wood products, and the Green Seal on cleaning products. But if you happen to enjoy recreational medicinal horticultural products, caveat emptor dictates your purchases. There's no way to know the growing practices that produced that dimebag, right?

VOICES OF THE TRANSITION: the transition movement comes to film

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:33:29 +0000

Voices of the Transition - english Trailer from les jardins on Vimeo.

Feeling paralyzed by news of environmental challenges like climate change, water shortages, and biodiversity loss? Fed up with political inaction and posturing on these issues? Groups of people around the world have decided to take matters into their own hands, and the transition movement represents efforts to by towns, villages, and even countries to adapt to changing environmental circumstances, to lighten their impact, and to even create more meaningful ways of life.

The Acacia Project: Agroforestry as a weapon again desertification, poverty

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:11:30 +0000

The growth of deserts, mainly through deforestation, increased animal grazing, and climate change, has created greater food insecurity for some of the world's most impoverished people. In Senegal, an innovative program funded by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is using native acacia trees as a weapon against expanding deserts and drylands... while also creating agricultural and economic opportunities.

Hydroponic farms on grocery store roofs: does it get any more local?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:26:42 +0000

The Story Of Lettuce from BrightFarms on Vimeo.

What's the maximum distance "local" produce can travel? 100 miles? 500 miles? How about 20-30 feet? That's the kind of "food mileage" startup Brightfarms is shooting for with its concept of onsite hydroponic greenhouses at grocery stores.

Riding a bamboo bike across America

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:30:00 +0000

Bamboo's been touted as the ultimate green material, both because of its quick ability to renew itself, and its durability. While the environmental aspects are complex, the tropical grass has become a favorite material for everything from building materials to fabric to bicycles. A team of riders set off on a cross-country journey yesterday to tout the material itself, as well as the economic potential of growing it in the United States... specifically, in Alabama.

Earth Week art: Matthew Moore’s Digital Farm Collective

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:55:46 +0000

Digital Farm Collective from Digital Farm Collective on Vimeo.

Matthew Moore work was featured at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival... but not on a traditional movie screen. Rather, Moore's "seed to market" videos of specific types of produce were shown at the Park City Fresh Market grocery store... directly above the bins of that produce. As with so much other recent food activism, the idea was to connect people with their food... and the journey it takes from farm to table.

Energy, water efficient vertical farming: PlantLab

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:52:09 +0000

While proponents of conventional and organic farming continue to debate the agricultural methods that can feed a world of six to nine billion people, they have one thing in common: both generally focus on land-based farming. While that seems like a no-brainer, indoor agriculture is as old as the greenhouse... and has become significantly more sexy with the concept of the vertical farm. To date, many of the ideas about growing food and plants in skyscraper-like buildings are just that: concepts. Dutch research company PlantLab is a step beyond that: they've been experimenting with a completely controlled environment for growing food, and found that not only could it help meet growing food demand, but do so with significantly lower energy, chemical, and water inputs.

Our lives are spent trying to pixellate a fractal planet

Matthew Rodriguez — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:34:19 +0000

I love the caption one Tumblr wrote to accompany this picture from a breathtaking Guardian series of NASA satellite images that “reveal the diversity of agricultural patterns as seen from space.” It’ll be your moment of meaningfulness today. As this photograph of a Dubai golf course being reclaimed by the dessert demonstrates: despite or in [...]

Iowa organic farmer plans cohousing community

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:57:25 +0000

You might argue that the "community" in community-supported agriculture (or CSA) can be a bit misleading. Sure, CSA arrangements, in which consumers buy shares in a local farm's crops, cut down tremendously on food miles, give us more insight into the cultivation of the things we eat, and often give us the opportunity to get to know the farmers involved in growing what goes on our plate... but does that always result in community?

Green tech finds (12/23/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:19:26 +0000

Because green tech never takes a holiday... your finds for the week.

Biodegradable Styrofoam: Styrofoam is a great insulating material... but is made from a nasty chemical mix that doesn't break down. AeroClay blends milk proteins and clay to create the insulation benefits of Styrofoam (along with strength and light weight) without the waste impact. (via Springwise)
Are wind turbines good for crops? Preliminary research from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory suggest that might be the case... see the video above. (via GreenTech Pastures)

Chinese urban professionals going back to the land

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:31:52 +0000

A young couple decides that the urban corporate rat race is no longer their scene, and chooses to buy a piece of land in the country to start their own organic farm. Heard this story before? Probably... with the young couple in question coming from LA, Chicago, or New York. Turns out this lifestyle choice is no longer uniquely American, though: Chongming Island, China is turning into a destination for disaffected Chinese yuppies looking to get back to the land.

Farm Aid short film delivers “A Message from Earth” on organic cotton

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 18:57:23 +0000

This past weekend, Farm Aid celebrated its 25th anniversary with its annual concert... this time in Milwaukee. The brainchild of Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp, Farm Aid's mission has always focused on the plight of the family farmer in the United States; in recent years, the organization has also added a healthy dose of sustainability to its message. Some might be tempted to accuse the organization of jumping on the green bandwagon, but Farm Aid recognizes that family farmers are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for safer, healthier, and more environmentally benign agricultural products.

Kids protest farmed frog legs in Virginia

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:55:13 +0000

You probably associate frog legs with French cuisine and its offshoots (they're pretty popular in Southern Louisiana where I grew up)... but the United States is challenging France as the world's leader in frog eating. That's happening, in large part, because some restaurant chains now carry frog legs... which they generally import from farms in China.

The state fair goes green

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:53:42 +0000

Rickety carnival rides. Animal and agricultural exhibits. And fried... well, just about anything. State fair season is coming up, and future farmers, midway operators, and bands past their prime are ready to roll. At a few fairs around the country, you can add renewable energy vendors, green builders, and organic foodies to the mix: the greening of the state fair is slowly but surely underway.

How to raise backyard chickens

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:49:27 +0000

It's been almost two years since Newsweek took note of the "the craze for urban poultry farming," and the trend doesn't seem to be abating... more localities are amending livestock laws to allow for raising backyard chickens, and more people are discovering that eggs from chickens living only feet away are far superior to just about anything that comes out of the grocery store. Thinking about bringing some chicks home to raise? A ton of educational resources have sprung up as this practice becomes more mainstream.

Saving the family dairy with grass-fed meat

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:15:28 +0000

You likely haven't seen much news about the impact the economic decline has had on family owned and operated dairies, but Farm Aid notes that the recession has hit these small businesses particularly hard: the prices of milk paid by processors has dropped 50% since July, 2008. Add this to decades of decline in the small farm and ranch, and you've got a recipe for bankruptcy... or creativity.

Great green vacations: volunteer on an organic farm

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:33:16 +0000

About this time last year, I took note of sustainable agriculture tours that provided great learning and getaway experiences. Want to go a step further, and actually get your hands dirty? Turns out there are lots of opportunities all over the world to exchange your labor for meals, sleeping quarters, and a great hands-on education in organic farming.

Earth Week action: join a crop mob

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:15:49 +0000

Got plans for Earth Day? No doubt there's a celebration or two nearby... if you're not sure about what's going on your area, check out the Earth Day Network's events search. You'll likely find events featuring educational demonstrations, product and service displays, or even activism opportunities. But what about a chance to get your hands dirty... you know, with earth.

The Sustainable Chicken Project: turning trash into eggs

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:47:05 +0000

If you've ever eaten eggs that comes straight from the farm (especially one that allows its chickens to range somewhat freely), you know that nothing from the grocery store comes close in terms of flavor. Master Composter Tom Shelley and farmer Christianne White, of Ithaca, New York, are trying out a new model for getting local residents hooked on such eggs while lightening their environment footprints: exchanging compostable "trash" for a regular supply of such eggs.

Five organizations fighting food poverty with organic farming

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:58:27 +0000

You may take access to fresh, organic produce for granted: if there's a nearby farmers' market or high-end grocery store, you likely have you pick of fruits and vegetables grown by organic standards. However, if you live in a food desert, or have a tight budget, such items likely strike you as luxuries. Farmers and food activists around the US not only recognize the presence of regions where fresh food is scarce; they're also building organizations and even working farms to address unequal access to high-quality produce in these neighborhoods and communities. Here are a handful of groups not only growing produce, but also working to ensure it gets to those suffering from food poverty.

Planting hemp seeds on DEA front lawn gets farmers arrested

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:26:04 +0000

Industrial hemp may be one of the most versatile and environmentally benign crops out there, but because of its relationship to marijuana, the cultivation of this crop has been banned in the United States since the late thirties. Last week, a group of farmers, along with David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, staged a protest in front of the Drug Enforcement Agency in Washington, DC, and were promptly arrested for planting hemp seeds on the agency's front lawn.

Fight climate change: eat more meat

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:30:26 +0000

Huh? Isn't meat production one of the major causes of global warming? Well, yes... but according to Lisa Hamilton, author of Deeply Rooted: Unconventional Farmers in the Age of Agribusiness, eating meat raised under the right conditions can actually help mitigate climate change.

Spices that kill

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:23:39 +0000

Killer spices: Rosemary, Mint, and Thyme

If you like to cook, or just enjoy a good meal, than you're probably a fan of spices such as rosemary, thyme, clove, and mint. Turns out these seasonings can be deadly... to bugs. A group of Canadian scientists are researching the insecticidal value of these spices, and that could be good news for farmers looking to meet growing demand for organic fruits and vegetables.

FOOD, INC. gets a plug from fast food… really!

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:37:54 +0000

If you've already seen the documentary FOOD, INC., you know that film reiterates the argument that the industrialization of our food supply resulted largely from the rise of fast food: the business model requires a large supply of cheap, consistent meat and produce. If you haven't seen the film, it turns out you may be able to do so for free... and that fast food Tex-Mex chain Chipotle will pay for your ticket. Huh?

Mayor Gavin Newsom announces sustainable, regional food policies

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:56:49 +0000

You likely associate food policy with the federal government, but on July 8th, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom demonstrated what local governments can do to promote local, sustainable, and healthy food initiatives. Speaking at the West Oakland Woods Urban Garden (one of several farms operated by City Slicker Farms), Newsom outlined new policies aimed at "...form[ing] a comprehensive and strategic approach to addressing pressing needs in all sectors of the food system."

Summer activities for the green at heart: sustainable agriculture tours

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:36:34 +0000

Got a big trip planned to the beach, mountains, or lake this summer? Maybe not: with our current economic doldrums, you may well have cut back on summer travel plans. If you're looking for activities closer to home this year that won't cost big bucks, it just so happens that summer is also the season for sustainable farm tours... and there's likely one near you coming up. Here are just a few upcoming events that will allow you to see more sustainable agriculture in action, as well as provide you with an education on where your food comes from...