Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS)’s Post

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While walking through New York recently, I came across a community garden lively with activity on a beautiful day. The scene reminded me of the impactful role urban gardens play in bringing communities together and promoting sustainability, especially in light of Earth Day earlier this month. Lisa M. Herrington, in "Hungry for Change," discusses the challenges faced by millions of Americans living in food deserts, where access to fresh, healthy food is limited. Factors contributing to these deserts include low incomes, lack of transportation, and the high cost of fresh foods. 🌎 Urban farming initiatives, like those blossoming in states like New York and Illinois, play a crucial role in addressing this issue. By growing fruits and vegetables locally, these programs provide access to fresh produce and educate communities about healthy eating habits. Access to fresh, healthy food is vital in all communities, contributing to better health outcomes and overall well-being. We need to continue cultivating these sustainable and flourishing gardens. 🏡 🥕 Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/dwda9Yk4 & https://lnkd.in/dmMkdGEF

Sorry sir the goat ate my homework.. Strutt & Parker couldn’t have chosen a better venue than Cogges Manor Farm near Witney this morning. Home of the Cogges Heritage Trust, a charity that aims to provide a positive impact in its community by offering beautiful historic surroundings for people to enjoy and learn about the history of farming and the future of food production The presentations were wide ranging and, as usual, of excellent quality. But it was the section on Social Value assessment that was particularly thought provoking Social value is all about commitment to communities and in a rural context this would be looking at the ways in which land owners provide value to their communities This could be via permissive paths, provision of dog walking areas, benches, subsidised village hall leases or simply hosting the village fete As we all progress along our sustainability journey it seems likely that stakeholders and counterparties may soon start looking for evidence of social value, just like we have all become used to looking at emissions Like Carbon, its important to make some early progress- perhaps this could be in the form of establishing a baseline just like we are used to seeing with biodiversity or carbon The first step could be an attempt to quantify that value in pounds and pence. Like carbon and biodiversity is the next step monetisation? So what’s with the goat then? Well I have been to Cogges before on a university field trip, when my field notebook was eaten by a goat. Yes you read that right. I lost all of my notes to a curious and hungry goat. That’s a mistake you only make once I am pleased to say no notebooks were eaten in the making of this post unlike that day 34 years ago- I do all my notes on the phone these days! #sustainability #farming

„Thanks for your presentation yesterday, it was informative & beautifully put together.” -attendee review on The Schumacher Institute session on 'Walkability & Community Agriculture' that I presented at last week. Last week I presented for my 1st time on learnings around walkability with narrative building & momentum for issues of community & urban agriculture. I’m very comfortable & used to talking about issues of #walkability in front of groups but this was my first time presenting on issues of community agriculture, which I only formally began pulling into my wheelhouse at Pedestrian Space with my media, advocacy & research activities this year. My presentation was, as is typical for me, loaded with many slides, visuals, storytelling & bits of info about the work I’m beginning to do on the ground. The discussion session was very thoughtful, with many attendees raising multiple points that added food for thought & the chat board was also very busy place. I am really grateful for an interesting & positive presentation & discussion experience & also thoughtful comments from attendees about their experience at the session. Some other comments from attendees included: "Here to learn. I'm writing a novel set in Bristol c. 2050 & am thinking about how we'll feed ourselves as part of that." "This topic is close to my heart as an advocate for urban ag in my city." "I help run two allotments to grow food to give away through community pantries - we're struggling to find enough volunteers!" "Interested in how community agriculture can be better integrated into community development."   "Food growing & distribution hence transport are intimately connected." "I haven’t shopped in supermarkets for around seven years. Unfortunately, the already rare organic food markets are reducing & disappearing." "The lockdown resulted in general improvements in most gardens in the town - positively prize-winning." "We are growing carrots this year so will have a go at using carrot tops!"   "Zoning in my neighborhood allows for farm stands to be in front of people's homes. Just need to get a neighborhood movement to happen. I think establishing a school garden could ignite this movement." „Education is what matters most. A local school garden gave excess produce to families, many didn’t know how to use it.” „How about having urban gardening integrated into community homes development - along with SUDS, roof top solar, actual community centres, etc..?” „Really interesting discussion & session, thanks a million.” „Loved this presentation & talk. Thank you so much.” Thank you to all who attended & I look forward to continuing the work -Annika Watch & listen to the session here: https://lnkd.in/d5Q7_qEj #communityagriculture #urbanagriculture #foodandcities

„Thanks for your presentation yesterday, it was informative & beautifully put together.” -attendee review on The Schumacher Institute session on 'Walkability & Community Agriculture' that I presented at last week. Last week I presented for my 1st time on learnings around walkability with narrative building & momentum for issues of community & urban agriculture. I’m very comfortable & used to talking about issues of #walkability in front of groups but this was my first time presenting on issues of community agriculture, which I only formally began pulling into my wheelhouse at Pedestrian Space with my media, advocacy & research activities this year. My presentation was, as is typical for me, loaded with many slides, visuals, storytelling & bits of info about the work I’m beginning to do on the ground. The discussion session was very thoughtful, with many attendees raising multiple points that added food for thought & the chat board was also very busy place. I am really grateful for an interesting & positive presentation & discussion experience & also thoughtful comments from attendees about their experience at the session. Some other comments from attendees included: "Here to learn. I'm writing a novel set in Bristol c. 2050 & am thinking about how we'll feed ourselves as part of that." "This topic is close to my heart as an advocate for urban ag in my city." "I help run two allotments to grow food to give away through community pantries - we're struggling to find enough volunteers!" "Interested in how community agriculture can be better integrated into community development."   "Food growing & distribution hence transport are intimately connected." "I haven’t shopped in supermarkets for around seven years. Unfortunately, the already rare organic food markets are reducing & disappearing." "The lockdown resulted in general improvements in most gardens in the town - positively prize-winning." "We are growing carrots this year so will have a go at using carrot tops!"   "Zoning in my neighborhood allows for farm stands to be in front of people's homes. Just need to get a neighborhood movement to happen. I think establishing a school garden could ignite this movement." „Education is what matters most. A local school garden gave excess produce to families, many didn’t know how to use it.” „How about having urban gardening integrated into community homes development - along with SUDS, roof top solar, actual community centres, etc..?” „Really interesting discussion & session, thanks a million.” „Loved this presentation & talk. Thank you so much.” Thank you to all who attended & I look forward to continuing the work -Annika Watch & listen to the session here: https://lnkd.in/dKFR_Uiu -Annika #communityagriculture #urbanagriculture #foodandcities

Last week, our Hatcher Station Training Farm welcomed a diverse group of visitors, including high-level executives from a prominent Dallas institution exploring potential partnership opportunities, a journalist from a local media outlet working on a story about food insecurity in Dallas, and a few other interested individuals. During farm tours, visitors often engage with our team members, inquiring about everything from production methods to the personal impact of their work.  A common question asked is how growing food for the community affects our farmers' sense of purpose and their vision for the future. This week, our young farmers, who are being trained to become the next generation of urban farmers, shared their thoughts and their ambitious goals with visitors. As one of our future urban farmers explained, they aspire to one day establish their own farms, take charge of their own destinies, and continue to serve the community while pursuing a fulfilling and financially sustainable career. With all the many details of running a financially sustainable professional urban farm, it's easy to get sidetracked. However, after 7 years of continued growth at Restorative Farms, we've come to appreciate the importance of taking a step back and re-examining our core purpose from time to time. These moments of reflection help us reconnect with our original mission and remind us that, while it's amazing and truly fulfilling to make a positive impact on individual lives, our ultimate goal is to achieve a replicable model for sustainable urban farming that benefits the larger community and the city. Our Mission:  “To foster a vibrant and viable community-based urban farm system in South Dallas, TX, a community that deserves access to healthy fresh food and local employment.” Owen Lynch Doric Earle, PhD MBA #professionalurbanfarming #GrowABetterDallas #DallasUrbanFarming #HatcherStationTrainingFarm #communityimpact #economicimpact #CommunityEmpowerment #HealthyCommunities #foodjustice #fooddesertsolutions 

Community food forests are a form of urban agriculture that can provide multiple benefits for people and the planet. They can improve food access, nutrition, education, social cohesion, and ecological services. https://lnkd.in/gXDWMcZg via @cbcnews #urbanagriculture

Embracing the role of stewards of the land means looking out for both ourselves and future generations. Whether you're experimenting with new practices or simply creating a cosy spot to unwind, the journey is all about care. 🤔 So, how do we responsibly care for our habitat and step into the shoes of land stewards? 🌱 One path is adopting regenerative farming practices. Be it in your garden or on a farm, these practices bring about tangible changes in the landscape and foster healthier soil. 👨🌾 Another way is to champion land stewardship and join local gardening movements. These initiatives offer communal gardening spaces, turning land care into a collective act of kindness towards both people and the planet. As psychiatrist Marchelle Farrell notes, our connection with our habitat plays a crucial role in our development. Our external landscape shapes our internal ones significantly. 🌷 At RHG, we're committed to land care. For instance, we've set aside a wildflower area around the Scion Fruits’ orchard in Kent, attracting insects and bees. Plus, we skip herbicide in empty rows, allowing extra wildflowers to flourish. Discover more about becoming a better land steward in the full article: https://lnkd.in/dk-JJqZu. #stewardsoftheland #industrynews #growingfreshfruit

I spotted a Curlew on the farm last weekend. It rose up out of our grassland and its long curved beak was pretty unmistakable. Perhaps I should have been looking out for one. Two of our wetter grassland fields have been ear marked as within the target area for Curlew, but learning to identify bird species is new to me. An area near us called the Braydon Forest; a landscape consisting mostly of small cattle farms and meadows interspersed with ancient woodland, was once a stronghold for Curlew. However in the last 30 years, numbers have crashed by almost 90% with just five pairs remaining in the area. When the population is a small as it is in Wiltshire, locating and protecting every pair is vital. Curlews are considered to be the most pressing bird conservation priority in the Country. The UK holds a quarter of the world’s population but in our changing landscapes they are increasingly unable to rear chicks, so their population is rapidly declining. It is estimated that by 2025 Curlew will not be found on lowland grassland in the UK like ours. That is next year. I have to be honest, a lump caught in my throat when I read those statistics and I feel the responsibility to protect our habitat for these birds keenly. I think I was also overcome by my anger, once again, at the rejection of our Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship Application. Those fields had been allocated by Natural England as a target for Curlew habitat protection and our application scheme embraced that. We were amongst a swath of small farms who were rejected purely because Natural England didn't have the staff to read the applications, so they just cut out the smaller schemes. By managing for Curlew there is a financial impact for us. We will lose at least one graze in those fields for both the cows and the sheep and might have to tighten our stocking numbers. As always, ecologically minded farmers are faced with difficult decisions and despite claims of schemes that help farmers to do best by food production and nature, the funding and support isn't there when it's needed. It falls to charities, volunteers, farmers who care and most vitally our customers - valuing that we are producing food with every will to try and regenerate our landscapes and support nature recovery. Photo from the Curlew Action website Photo credit Tim Melling

Five lessons from our partnership with The Sustainability Alliance on how collective action can make an impact this Endangered Species Day: 🦋 Get Familiar with Local Wildlife: In Oklahoma, the migration path of endangered Monarch butterflies is directly affected by habitat loss, pesticide misuse, and climate change. Awareness is the first step towards change. 🤝 Collaborate with Local Organizations: By partnering with the Monarch Initiative of Tulsa, The Sustainability Alliance has mobilized educational efforts to empower Oklahomans to become protectors of these crucial pollinators. 📱 Use Technology to Expand Reach: The TerraScore app, powered by JouleBug, facilitates the planting of pollinator gardens by providing easy-to-follow guidelines and tracking progress, turning local commitments into widespread conservation actions. 🎁 Incentivize Actions with Competition and Prizes: The custom Pollinator Preservation Celebration challenge not only educates but also excites participants by offering rewards like native plants and gardening supplies from local businesses. 💼 Activate the Business Community: The Sustainability Alliance extends its impact by equipping businesses with the tools and knowledge needed for effective sustainability practices, enhancing both environmental and community well-being. Every action counts, from planting a single flower to transforming business practices. Let's continue to grow, learn, and act, not just on Endangered Species Day but every day. Join us in making a lasting impact. #EndangeredSpeciesDay #ActForNature