It's an end-of-season mini-episode, with Joe & Holly sharing some great news and some surprises to come.

But while we're cooking up some new episodes of the podcast, be on the lookout for fresh ideas and even some cutting-room floor exclusives from the past season at our StoryHub, GrowAbilityPod.com.

Make sure to sign up for all our exclusive subscriber-only content at GrowAbilityPod.com or follow us on your favourite social platform at bio.site/GrowAbilityPod and we'll see you for Season 2 coming soon!

GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley.

Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley.

This episode's extra special production support from Oliver Gansevles and Paul Rodgers.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great. Thanks to Heeman's for helping us find the perfect greenery.

Audience strategy by Doruntina Uka and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walther and can be found on Soundstripe.

Adam Caplan, that's me, is web.isod.es Executive Producer and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.

The tables turn!

GrowAbility Co-host Joe flips the script and interviews his colleague Holly Pugsley. Holly shares her journey from a background in fashion and styling to discovering her passion for urban agriculture during COVID-19, which became a sanctuary for her mental health. She explains how her home grow room project evolved into her company "Just Keep Growing."

While initially focusing on microgreens, Holly describes her pivotal discovery of edible flowers, which transformed her approach by adding an aesthetic dimension to her work. She details how growing pansies indoors created a visually stunning experience with multicolored blooms and amazing aromas, connecting her background in fashion with food production. Holly discusses her work overseeing indoor farms at The PATCH, an organization addressing food insecurity, and how their accessible growing systems benefit people with disabilities.

Throughout the conversation, Holly returns to her personal mantra "just keep growing," which represents both her business philosophy and her approach to life's challenges. The episode highlights Holly's mission to create an "ecosystem of positivity" through urban agriculture, edible flowers, and community support, while changing perspectives on food insecurity.

It's a not-to-be-missed opportunity to get to know both our hosts in a whole new way!

• Just Keep Growing (Instagram)
• The PATCH London
• Follow or Subscribe to GrowAbility on your favourite platform

GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley.

Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley.

This episode's extra special production support from Oliver Gansevles and Paul Rodgers.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great. Thanks to Heeman's for helping us find the perfect greenery.

Audience strategy by Dorrentina Ucke and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walther and can be found on Soundstripe.

Adam Caplan, that's me, is web.isod.es Executive Producer and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.

Kim Parker, President and CEO of Food Security Structures Canada joins hosts Joe and Holly to talk about new technologies helping to mitigate food insecurity both here in Canada and around the world (both literally and figuratively).

Food Security Structures Canada, established six years ago, specializes in controlled environment agricultural structures that enable year-round food production regardless of location or climate challenges.

Kim describes their innovative agri-tunnels, which combine vertical farming with aeroponic and hydroponic systems. These systems can grow a wide variety of crops, from traditional leafy greens to more experimental crops like root vegetables, including radishes, carrots, and beets. The company's technology allows for growing in extreme conditions and has proven particularly resilient to climate change impacts.

The discussion also highlights Canada's significant dependence on imported fresh produce (60-80%), emphasizing the need for local food production solutions. Kim shares how their systems are price-competitive with traditional produce while offering fresher, longer-lasting products with zero waste. The company's commitment to accessibility extends to making their technology affordable and adaptable for various communities.

Kim's personal background, including her corporate sales experience and Indigenous heritage, influences the company's approach to community engagement and food security solutions. She emphasizes the importance of listening to communities' needs before implementing solutions, whether in Canada or internationally.

The conversation explores future developments, including partnerships with nuclear energy companies for power solutions and potential applications in space farming through collaborations with NASA. Throughout the interview, Kim maintains that their primary focus remains on Earth-based food security, driven by the mission to make fresh, nutritious food accessible to all.

• FSSC Website: https://www.foodsecuritystructures.ca/
• FSSC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fssccanada/
• FSSC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSSCCanada/
• FSSC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/food-security-structures-canada/

Find our storyhub, instagram and other info at https://bio.site/growabilitypod

GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley.

Special thanks to this week's guest, Kim Parker.

Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley.

Production support from Oliver Gansevles, Evan Gansevles, Scott Hohn, Kevin Labonte, Paul Rodgers, Doruntina Uka and Alan Williamson.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great.

Audience strategy by Doruntina Uka and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrienne Walther and can be found on Soundstripe.

Adam Caplan is web.isod.es Executive Producer and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator.

Thanks to TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, including Farida Abdelnabi and Sarah Edmondson for letting us shoot at their beautiful offices.

Special thanks to Leigh Ann Gansevles for the support and yummy food, Hubert Orlowski for helping our podcast sound great, and Gabor Sass for making some great introductions.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es Production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.

Joe and Holly have a virtual hangout with Lia Babitch, co-manager of the Turtle Tree Seed Initiative at Camphill Village Copake, New York and discuss the ways in which seeds can nurture both plants and human potential .

The Turtle Tree Seed Initiative, a non-profit operating within the Camphill community, grows and sells nearly 400 varieties of open-pollinated seeds using biodynamic practices. What makes them unique is their integration with Camphill's mission of creating meaningful work opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, who work alongside volunteers and long-term community members in the seed production process.

Through their Safe Seed Pledge and commitment to "social agriculture" - working collaboratively rather than in isolation - Turtle Tree demonstrates how sustainable agriculture can simultaneously preserve plant diversity and foster human dignity. The initiative exemplifies Camphill's philosophy that everyone, regardless of ability, has valuable contributions to make.

• Turtle Tree Seed Inititative (and store)
• Camphill Village Copake

Lia Babitch is co-manager of Turtle Tree Seed Initiative in Copake, New York, which has a mission "...to improve the quality, variety and availability of biodynamic seeds and to promote and provide a seed supply from diversified biodynamic farms and gardens."

The seed company has an online e-commerce site offering a truly astonishingly wide variety (385+) of 100% open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Every single seed available for sale is grown using Demeter-certified Biodynamic and organic practices, is non-GMO, non-hybrid, never treated, and grown without the use of chemical inputs..

Turtle Tree is part of Camphill Village Copake, which is in turn part of the global Camphill Movement. Camphill Village is an integrated life-sharing community located on 750 acres of wooded hills, gardens and pastures in Copake, NY.

Turtle Tree Seed’s 30-person team operates workspace directly on the Camphill Village site, and 20 members of that team have some sort of developmental difference. These individuals are involved in every aspect of helping to grow, select, and clean each seed with great care. Early adopters of so-called "seed transparency", the Turtle Tree Seed Initiative grows most varieties in thier own gardens. The remainder of the inventory is sourced from other committed biodynamic farmers.

In addition to direct sales, Turtle Tree actively encourages and educates people who want to grow and save open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds.

GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley. Special thanks to this week's guest, Lia Babitch.

Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley.

Production support from Oliver Gansevles, Evan Gansevles, Scott Hohn, Kevin Labonte, Paul Rogers, Dorentina Ucke and Alan Williamson.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great.

Audience strategy by Dorentina Ucke and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrienne Walther and can be found on Soundstripe.

Adam Caplan is web.iso.des executive producer and Sammy Orlowski is our senior creator.

Thanks to TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, including Farida Abdelnabi and Sarah Edmondson for letting us shoot at their beautiful offices.

Special thanks to Leigh Ann Gansevles for the support and yummy food, Hubert Orlowski for helping our podcast sound great and Gabor Sass for making some great introductions.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.

Holly and Joe welcome Keisha Joseph, a food systems coordinator at Indwell, a nonprofit providing supportive housing across Ontario. With her background in nutrition and dietetics, Keisha shares insights into food security, food literacy, and community building. She explains how Indwell helps residents transition from homelessness to stable housing while addressing food insecurity through meal programs, cooking classes, and grocery shopping support. Keisha discusses how food deserts, rising prices, and inadequate social benefits contribute to systemic food insecurity. She advocates for a practical approach to nutrition, emphasizing the importance of regular meals over strict dietary rules. The conversation explores urban planning's role in food accessibility, the potential of indoor farming, and how stable housing creates a foundation for food security. Keisha's passion for community nutrition and empowering others shines through as she describes her fulfilling work at Indwell. 

• Indwell's Website: https://indwell.ca/
• Indwell's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indwell.ca
• The Middlesex London Food Policy Council: https://mlfpc.ca

• Follow GrowAbility at https://gapod.me/links
• Sign up for our Fresh & Nutritious Newsletter at https://gapod.me/newsletter

Keisha Joseph is a food systems coordinator at Indwell, a nonprofit organization providing supportive housing across Ontario. With a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Brescia University College, she found her calling in community nutrition rather than clinical practice.

At Indwell, Keisha works to improve food security and literacy among residents who have experienced homelessness or face housing instability. She started as a Food Program Facilitator, teaching cooking skills, grocery shopping, and food literacy while coordinating meal programs. Now in a coordination role, she oversees food programs throughout London's Indwell communities.

As a member of the Middlesex London Food Policy Council, Keisha advocates for systemic changes to address food insecurity. She takes a practical approach to nutrition education, emphasizing regular meals and basic food groups over strict dietary rules. Her passion lies in empowering individuals to regain agency over their food choices while building stronger, more food-secure communities.

GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley.

Special thanks to this week's guest, Keisha Joseph.

Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley.

Production support from Oliver Gansevles, Evan Gansevles, Scott Hohn, Kevin Labont, Paul Rogers, Dorentina Uka, and Alan Williamson.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great.

Audience strategy by Dorentina Uka and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walther and can be found on Soundstripe.

Adam Caplan, that's me, is web.isod.es Executive Producer, and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator.

Thanks to TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, including Farida Abdelnabi and Sarah Edmondson, for letting us shoot at their beautiful offices.

Special thanks to Leigh Ann Gansevles for the support and yummy food, Hubert Orlowski for helping our podcast sound great, and Gabor Sass for making some great introductions.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.

Holly and Joe speak via the Internet with Ian Armour, founder of Green Circle Gardens. Ian shares how his company developed accessible raised garden beds inspired by his grandmother's experience in a care home. The innovative design features a wheelchair recess and a 42-gallon water reservoir, making gardening possible for people with mobility challenges and in arid environments. While initially designed for seniors, the gardens are now used in schools, hospitals, and healing gardens. The beds are particularly effective for growing seedlings and above-ground plants, and Ian shares a preview of some new products in development for other applications. Ian emphasizes how the gardens promote socialization, education, and well-being, particularly in care facilities where residents may feel isolated. The circular arrangement of multiple beds creates a protective barrier, beneficial for users with dementia or Alzheimer's, while enabling both standing and seated individuals to garden together.

• Green Circle Gardens Website | https://greencirclegarden.com
• Follow Green Circle Gardens on Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/GreenCircleGarden
• Follow Green Circle Gardens on Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/accessible_gardens

• Follow GrowAbility at https://gapod.me/links
• Sign up for our Fresh & Nutritious Newsletter at https://gapod.me/newsletter

A product designer by training, Ian Armour founded Green Circle Gardens Ltd after being challenged by a university professor to create a leisure product for seniors over 60. Inspired by a nursing home visit with his own Grandmother, Ian designed an accessible garden bed and Green Circle Gardens Ltd was born.

Green Circle Garden Ltd's mission is to create beautiful and functional outdoor spaces that everyone can enjoy, regardless of physical ability.recognizing the importance of accessible outdoor spaces for schools, senior living homes, hospitals, and other public areas, the Green Circle Accessible Garden is designed to make outdoor spaces inclusive and safe for everyone from children to Seniors.

Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley. Production support from Oliver Gansevles, Evan Gansevles, Scott Hohn, Kevin LeBont, Paul Rogers, Doruntina Uka, and Alan Williamson.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing Art Directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great.

Audience strategy by Doruntina Uka and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrienne Walther and can be found on Soundstripe.

Adam caplan, that's me, is web.isod.es Executive Producer and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator. Thanks to TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, including Farida Abdelnabi and Sarah Edmondson for letting us shoot at their beautiful offices.

Special thanks to Leanne Gansevles for the support and yummy food, hubert Orlowski for helping our podcast sound great and Gabor Sass for making some great introductions.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.

In a GrowAbility first (but certainly not last), Holly joins Joe for an in-person interview with Dr. Jeff Preston, a disability studies professor, advocate, and self-proclaimed immortal who refuses to let ableism win. From his early days as a three-year-old fundraising speaker to his current role challenging systemic barriers, Jeff shares candid insights about disability rights, accessibility legislation, and why spite makes an excellent motivator. He unpacks why Ontario won't meet its 2025 accessibility goals, explores the connection between disability and poverty, and explains why inaccessible spaces are a form of censorship. Through thoughtful analogies—from farmers as natural innovators to disabled people as "ghosts in the cornfield"—Jeff illustrates how accessibility benefits everyone. Whether discussing urban agriculture, media representation, or the importance of inter-ability relationships, his message is clear: disability is everywhere, and it's time our world reflected that reality.

Follow GrowAbility at any of our socials via: https://gapod.me/links

Subscribe to the Fresh & Nutritious Newsletter at: https://gapod.me/newsletter

• Jeff Preston's Website: https://jeffpreston.ca/
• The Invalid Culture Podcast: https://invalidculture.com/
• Find Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjeffpreston/
• Find Jeff on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getmobilize
• Disability Studies at King's University College: https://www.kings.uwo.ca/academics/disability-studies/

Born and raised in Port Elgin, Jeffrey Preston, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Disability studies at King’s University College @ Western University in London, Ontario.

A long-time advocate and motivational speaker, Jeff started fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy research when he was 3 years old (at a beach volleyball tournament in Port Elgin) and was later a 2-time Ontario poster child and the first national campaign assistant for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. His annual golf tournament, the Jeff Preston Celebrity Golf Tournament, ran for over 20 years and raised over $1.4 million for MD research.

Jeff has previously served as vice-chair for Easter Seals Ontario, member of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Community and Social Services, board chair of Defeat Duchenne Canada, two-term member of the Committee of Adjustments at London City Hall, and vice-chair of the leadership table of the London For All anti-poverty initiative organized by the City of London and the United Way of Elgin Middlesex.

Jeff’s first book, The Fantasy of Disability, was just published internationally 2016 and reissued in paperback by Routledge in 2018.

GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley.

Special thanks to this week's guest, Jeff Preston.

Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley.

Production support from Oliver Gansevles, Evan Gansevles, Scott Hohn, Kevin Labonte, Paul Rogers, Dorantina Uka, and Allan Williamson.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great.

Audience strategy by Dorantina Uka and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walther and can be found on Soundstripe.

Adam Caplan is web.isod.es Executive Producer, and Sammy Orlowski is our senior creator.

Thanks to TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, including Farida Abdelnabi and Sarah Edmondson, for letting us shoot at their beautiful offices.

Special thanks to Leanne Gansevles for the support and yummy food, Hubert Orlowski for helping our podcast sound great, and Gabor Sass for making some great introductions.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es Production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The Patch and Hutton House.

Joe and Professor Peggy O'Neil discuss how growing up on a farm shaped her worldview and career path. She shares insights about the intersection of agriculture, literature, and education, drawing connections between farming, food systems, and the humanities. As a professor teaching courses on food, design, and philosophy, O'Neil emphasizes the importance of helping students develop their own worldviews and understanding of food systems. She discusses the challenges of modern farming, including land ownership issues and food security, while highlighting the potential of urban agriculture and community-based solutions. O'Neil also explores the role of food literacy, cultural connections to food, and the importance of building community through local food systems. Throughout the conversation, she maintains an optimistic outlook on addressing food insecurity and creating sustainable food systems through diverse approaches and community engagement.

Peggy O'Neil at Western University: https://www.uwo.ca/fhs/fns/about/faculty/oneil_p.html

Peggy's Podcast: https://globalnews.ca/national/program/food-for-the-future-hosted-by-peggy-oneil

Follow us! All our links are at https://gapod.me/links

Subscribe to the Fresh & Nutritious Newsletter at https://gapod.me/newsletter

Peggy was raised on a family farm in rural Ontario with ten siblings, where she discovered her love of home economics through the completion of eighteen 4-H Homemaking Clubs. After finishing college, she worked as an educator and leader in health care for twenty years; and during the past five years, she has worked as a business development consultant to leaders in residential real estate brokerages across North America. She has been faculty at Brescia University College in Food Administration since 2008. The focus of her doctoral work and on-going research is women entrepreneurs in fields related to home economics. Peggy is in the process of launching her arts and entertainment company, called The Song Inside, that produces radio and television programs for women and entrepreneurs, with the purpose of helping individuals have more of the life they want by understanding how economics and ethics fit together. 

GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley, and produced by Joe Gansevles and Adam Caplan.

Special thanks to this week's guest, Peggy O'Neil.

Lighting and camera designed by Kevin Labonte with production support from Oliver Gansevles.

GrowAbility’s production was made much easier with the help of Jesse Chen, Terry Fujioka, Zach Grossman, Zachary Meads, Leo Shin, and Deborah Camargo from Fanshawe College's Broadcasting, Television and Film Production Program. Thanks to Janice Robinson from Fanshawe for arranging for these students’ invaluable participation.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing provided the plants and made sure they looked great.

Audience and Marketing Strategy by Doruntina Uka and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walther and can be found on Soundstripe.

Thanks as well to Hubert Orlowski for providing technical and audio engineering advice to help our podcast sound great.

Adam Caplan is web.isod.es Executive Producer and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator.

Special thanks to Jennifer Routly from Siskinds The Law Firm, for arranging to host us at their beautiful head office in downtown London, Ontario.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PAtCH and Hutton House.

It's that special time of year, and GrowAbility is going on Hiatus until 2025!

We're cooking up some all new episodes and features, including some special blog posts and our very first newsletter.

Follow us on socials at https://gapod.me/links

Find out why you should subscribe to our free Fresh & Nutritious newsletter at https://gapod.me/newsletter

And last but not least, from Joe, Holly and the entire team at GrowAbility, have a great holiday season and an abundant 2025!

This episode was recorded before the Ontario government passed new bike lane legislation. We'll offer Luis an opportunity to weigh in on this legislation in a future episode or a blog post at GrowAbilityPod.com. Sign up for our free "Fresh & Nutritious Newsletter" to stay up to date on this and other issues.

One of Joe's favourite subjects is bicycles, and who better to discuss it with than Luis Patricio, a professor and PhD student specializing in urban studies. Joe and Luis explore the profound impacts of car-centric urban design and introduce concepts like "mobility poverty," "moto-normativity," and "car brain," highlighting how car-dominated infrastructure limits access to essential resources, fosters inequality, and disconnects communities. The conversation delves into the environmental, social, and economic benefits of shifting toward more sustainable transportation models, including protected bike lanes, public transit, and the 15-minute city concept. Luis shares personal insights on how cycling fosters community connections and discusses the transformative potential of reimagining urban spaces—like converting parking lots into community hubs or urban farms. This thought-provoking discussion challenges conventional ideas about transportation and invites listeners to envision cities designed for people, not just cars. Tune in for an inspiring look at building equitable, vibrant urban environments.

Links mentioned in this episode

https://luispatricio.ca/

GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley and produced by Joe Gansevles and Adam caplan. Special thanks to this week's guest, Luis Patricio.

Lighting and camera design by Kevin Labonte with production support from Oliver Gansevles.

GrowAbility’s production was made much easier with the help of Jesse Chen, Terry Fujikawa, Zach Grossman, Zachary Meads, Leo Shen, and Deborah Camargo from Fanshawe College's broadcasting, television and film production program. Thanks to Janice Robinson from Fanshawe for arranging for these students invaluable participation.

Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing provided the plants and made sure they looked great. Audience and Marketing Strategy by Japs Kaur Miglani with support from Doruntina Uka and Tess Alcock.

Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walter and can be found on Sound Stripe.

Thanks as well to Hubert Orlowski for providing technical and audio engineering advice to help our podcast sound great.

Adam Caplan - that's me - is web.isod.es executive producer and Sammy Orlowski is our senior creator.

Special thanks to Jennifer Routley from Siskinds The Law Firm for arranging to host us at their beautiful head office in downtown London, Ontario.

GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.