Seeds and the City

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joins Elyssa + Alina to discuss urban agriculture through the lens of health and nutrition. In his new book, "Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses," Eric talks about his personal journey to a plant based diet and how to eat cheap, healthy, and local. He also shares his policies and vision for NYC, for his Mayoral run in 2021!

Reach Eric Adams & BK Borough Hall at: www.brooklyn-usa.org ; @bkborohall

Reach Elyssa + Alina at: www.seedsandthecity.com ; [email protected] ; @seedsandthecitypodcast

What is blockchain, and how does it apply to the future of farming and a more sustainable food system? The brilliant Dr. Daniel Beckmann explains all you ever wanted to know about traceability, and how Foodshed uses agtech to reduce friction in the food supply chain. His technology makes logistics more efficient to impact food safety, food waste, competitive pricing, and bring people and food closer together. (Episode recorded pre-pandemic.)

Reach Dr. Dan & Foodshed at: www.foodshed.io ; @foodshed.io Reach Elyssa + Alina at: www.seedsandthecity.com ; [email protected] ; @seedsandthecitypodcast

Thanks to Horti for sponsoring this episode. Get your indoor plant subscription at heyhorti.com and use code seedsandthecity for 10% off your first month.

Harlem Grown uses urban farming as a powerful medium for education, support and mentorship to community members in upper Manhattan. Tony Hillery, Executive Director, describes the impacts of  generational poverty, and why Harlem Grown’s approach encompasses students, teachers, workforce development, and community engagement to provide reliable and consistent programming. Tune in to learn how to go beyond the headlines, and become part of Harlem Grown’s “farm-ily” through curiosity, action, and your own skill set. (Episode recorded pre-pandemic.)Reach Tony & Harlem Grown at: www.harlemgrown.org ; @harlemgrown  Reach Elyssa + Alina at: www.seedsandthecity.com ; [email protected] ; @seedsandthecitypodcast Thanks to Horti for sponsoring this episode. Get your indoor plant subscription at heyhorti.com and use code seedsandthecity for 10% off your first month

Join Elyssa + Alina on a visit to the worlds first commercially viable rooftop vineyard! The 15K sq ft Brooklyn rooftop of Rooftop Reds is demystifying wine by providing access to anyone who wants to enjoy a non-presumptuous glass and check out the 168 growing grape vines. Learn about low intervention winemaking, the true essence of terroir, and why Clara is hearing voices. (Episode recorded pre-pandemic.)

Reach Clara & Rooftop Reds at: http://www.rooftopreds.com ; @rooftopreds

Reach Elyssa + Alina at: www.seedsandthecity.com ; [email protected] ; @seedsandthecitypodcast

Thanks to Horti for sponsoring this episode. Get your indoor plant subscription at heyhorti.com and use code "seedsandthecity" for 10% off your first month

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Order NY state grown and produced wine from www.rooftopreds.com during your quarantine. Stay in, stay sane, and enjoy locally grown beverages delivered right to your door. Now shipping to 38 states.

Horti is a plant subscription service designed to build confidence in caring for houseplants. Horti Founder and full time #plantfluencer, Puneet, explains why Horti doesn’t just want to sell plants, he wants to inspire a community of gardeners that connect with nature and live cleaner, happier lives. We discuss mental health benefits of greenery, house plant supply chains, and how a curated kit of hardy plants with instructions for repotting and propagation may change your approach to urban living.

Reach Horti at: www.heyhorti.com ; @heyhorti

Reach Elyssa + Alina at: www.seedsandthecity.com ; [email protected] ; @seedsandthecitypodcast

Get your indoor plant subscription at heyhorti.com and use code “seedsandthecity” for 10% off your first month.

NY Sun Works is a nonprofit that transforms classroom science labs into fully functioning hydroponic farms that educate students and teachers about local food. Executive Director, Manuela Zamora, and her team have revamped science class for grades K-12 to cover everything from photosynthesis and pollination, to community impact and global sustainability. Regardless of zip code, every single student gets a chance to bring home delicious, local produce they’ve grown and harvested, to share with friends and family.  

Reach NY Sun Works at: www.nysunworks.org  @nysunworks

Elyssa + Alina at: www.seedsandthecity.com [email protected]   @seedsandthecitypodcast

Charley St is a quick and casual cafe serving up local food recipes from celebrity chef, Dan Churchill. Dan’s expertise in wellness highlights the importance of food for body + mind, promoting soil health for taste and nutrition, eating seasonally, and the magic of the microbiome. Plus, learn about The Art of Toasting, and why you should never whisper to avocados.

Reach Dan at:  www.danchurchill.com  www.charleyst.com  @dan_churchill  @charleyst

Reach Elyssa + Alina at: www.seedsandthecity.com [email protected] @seedsandthecitypodcast

Thanks to Horti for sponsoring this episode. Get your indoor plant subscription at heyhorti.com and use code seedsandthecity for 10% off your first month.

Today Elyssa + Alina have the honor of speaking with NYC farmer, advocate, and icon, Karen Washington. Karen is a fierce and compassionate leader, who gives a powerful voice to the fight for justice, resilience, and the end of food apartheid in communities of color. Sitting at Karen’s kitchen table (each with a cat on her lap) gave us a peek inside the warmth and humor of Karen’s character, that isn’t always divulged in her mighty public speaking. We visit The Garden of Happiness, a Bronx community garden, and listen to Karen (literally) sing her praises for Rise and Root farm. Don’t miss this one! 

Reach Karen at : www.karenthefarmer.com   [email protected]  @karwasher

Reach Elyssa + Alina at : www.seedsandthecity.com [email protected]  @seedsandthecitypodcast

Thanks to Horti for sponsoring this episode. Get your indoor plant subscription at heyhorti.com and use code seedsandthecity for 10% off your first month.

This week we visit 10 hydroponic farms in Brooklyn, all thriving within individual shipping containers, permanently stationed in a parking lot. Square Roots started this operation as an urban agriculture training program for the next generation of farmers, and is bringing fresh local herbs and greens to grocery stores year round in NYC. We sit down with fashion icon and Farm Manager, Sarah Ann Horton, to learn how it all works, how to get involved, and the real deal with the Olsen Twins.

www.squarerootsgrow.com

@squarerootsgrow

www.seedsandthecity.com

[email protected]

@seedsandthecitypodcast

Thanks to Horti for sponsoring this episode. Get your indoor plant subscription at heyhorti.com and use code seedsandthecity for 10% off your first month.

Chair of NYC Council's Environmental Protection Committee, Costa Constantinides, invites Alina + Elyssa to his Astoria headquarters for a crash course on the Climate Mobilization Act. Learn the top 3 things everyone should know about this landmark legislation for the Green New Deal. Plus, hear why EVERY school in Astoria will have a hydroponic science lab by 2021, and the unknown impact that KB Toys has had on all of us.