Traditional Native American Farmers' Association | Native Harvest "Revitalizing traditional agriculture for spiritual and human need" Based in the indigenous communities in New Mexico, but with projects as far as Belize, the Traditional Native American Farming Association is a leading voice for food sovereignty, with many successes getting farmers back on the land, farming organically and with traditional methods. Brascoupé and other TNAFA members believe that family oriented farming is the best approach in developing a sound future in agriculture, which has always been at the heart of the community's economy. A fine show indeed. To revise the decline in traditional, family-scale farming among the community by developing educational programs that demonstrate sustainable agriculture. To demonstrate and train communities and youth in a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture based upon community ethics and traditions. The lessons learned through traditional/organic agriculture are used throughout the organizations' management. TNAFA Programs
Being An Urban Gardener: Creating A City Vegetable Garden - Gardening Know How By Nikki Phipps (Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden) Even if you’re an urban gardener with little space, you can still benefit from growing a city vegetable garden. A window, balcony, patio, deck or roof receiving six or more hours of sun is all you need, in addition to a few containers. City Vegetable Gardening Designs The urban gardener can enjoy a city vegetable garden in various ways. Growing vegetables is more versatile than one might think. City Vegetable Gardening in Containers Growing vegetables in containers is one of the easiest ways to create a city vegetable garden. Typically, smaller containers are used for more shallow-rooted crops like carrots, lettuce and radishes. In order to help improve drainage and airflow, it may be a good idea to raise your containers about an inch or two off the ground with blocks. Rooftop City Gardens Balcony or rooftop gardening is an excellent way for city dwellers to enjoy growing vegetables. Growing an Urban Vegetable Garden Vertically
UrbanFarmOnline.com - Sustainable city living at your fingertips www.asianfarmers.org Sustainable Urban Gardens URBAN FARM™ Online - Sustainable City Living It doesn’t take a farm to have the heart of a farmer. Now, due to a burgeoning sustainability movement, you don’t have to own acreage to fulfill your dream of raising your own food. The new Urban Farm™ magazine, from the editors of Hobby Farms, will walk you down the path to self sustainability. Urban Farm™ magazine’s mission is to promote the benefits of self sustainability and to provide the tools with which to do it on any size property. Urban farms are popping up all over America. Urban Farm™ is informational and inspirational, filled with how-to projects, profiles of urban farmers across America, “green” and innovative products, and of course, recipes for preparing your homegrown vegetables, eggs and other farm bounty. Read more at UrbanFarmOnline.com.
The Greenhorns 6 Strategies for Urban Vegetable Gardening Room to grow: With a little planning, even the smallest of spaces can hold a veggie or herb garden. City living has its ecobenefits: easy travel by foot and public transit, smaller homes that use less energy, and less living space in which to accumulate needless junk. But growing your own vegetables in an urban environment can be tricky when you don’t have a backyard. "Small-space gardening isn't simple," says Charlie Nardozzi, senior horticulturist for the National Gardening Association, "but it's not as difficult as some people might think." Nardozzi says that the introduction of miniature and dwarf vegetable varieties (you can find plants in most gardening-supply stores or order seeds from reputable companies) to your urban gardening program allows even the beginning gardener to grow tasty crops without the need for tons of space and soil. Ready to start a plot of your own?
City Farmer's Urban Agriculture Notes Just Food 12 Savvy Small-Space Urban Gardening Designs & Ideas Think you gotta have a farm or even a large yard to grow enough fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs to feed your family all summer? You’d be surprised how much food you can get out of the smallest of spaces – even when you live in an urban high-rise. From innovative vertical gardening systems to hanging pots and easy-access planters, these 12 small-space gardening solutions make homegrown produce possible no matter how tiny your outdoor space may be. Small but Expandable Step Garden (images via: urban garden) How do you squeeze every possible square inch of usable growing space out of a tiny balcony or deck? Pop Bottle Drip System (images via: you grow girl) Unless you’re really conscientious, it’s way too easy to accidentally kill plants growing in small pots under the brutal heat of the summer sun, especially in urban environments where reflected heat can dry out soil fast. Square Foot Gardening (image via: serene journal) How much food can you grow in a square foot? Self-Watering Grow Box
Sharing Knowlege... Feeding Nations Community Supported Agriculture Thinking about signing up for a CSA but want to learn more about the idea before you commit? Read on. For over 25 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. This arrangement creates several rewards for both the farmer and the consumer. Advantages for farmers: Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow Advantages for consumers: It's a simple enough idea, but its impact has been profound. Variations As you might expect with such a successful model, farmers have begun to introduce variations. CSAs aren't confined to produce. Shared Risk
the irresistible fleet of bicycles