The YB2C Live! Podcast

Jerry Hebron started Oakland Avenue Farm in the North End of Detroit Michigan in 2008 after a career in real estate. In this episode, Jerry talks about how she got into farming and how the growth of the Oakland Avenue Farm is the catalyst for positive expansion of the North End, including additional entrepreneurial ventures and employment opportunities.

For the month of August, YB2C Live! will be focusing on entrepreneurs whose businesses promote health and wellness. For this episode, Pamela Hilliard Owens and Keith Owens sit down with Dr. Jesse Brown of Detroit Wholistic Center and Wholistic Training Institute.

Detroit Wholistic Center provides, natural solutions for common concerns. They focus on prevention and utilize herbs, cleansing, diet, and lifestyle change to help their customers. They believe that most of the problems people experience, including illnesses and even death, are directly related to diet and lifestyle.

Wholistic Training Institute is the only state-licensed naturopathic school in Detroit, and the only African American owned state-licensed naturopathic school in the country. At the institute, it is their goal to train a healer in every home, institution, and community.

• Dr. Jesse Brown highlights the mission of Detroit Wholistic Center (DWC) and Wholistic Training Institute (WTI) as being focused on promoting understanding of health and wellness, and providing natural remedies for ailments of all kinds.
• Noting his “87-year-young” mother, Dr. Brown explains how since he was a child he had a holistic upbringing, including remedies that utilized castor oil, cod liver oil, and enemas.
• Dr. Brown emphasizes the importance of the early influences of parents on their children. Just as having a parent who smokes greatly increases a child’s chances of adopting the habit, so does having an active parent that has a balanced diet.
• Dr. Brown explores a phenomenon called “Diet Delinquency,” which correlates diet to how people feel and how they respond and interact with others.
• DWC will be celebrating it’s 30th anniversary on October 22nd, something that has never happened in the city of Detroit.
• The 30th anniversary celebrations will feature three main events: a keynote speaker, Dr. Cass Ingram, a section on hair and health, and a conversation about food and behavior.

 

For more information on Dr. Jesse Brown, Detroit Wholistic Center, and Wholistic Training Institute:

 

 

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YB2C Live! is recorded at Green Garage in Midtown Detroit: Green Garage Detroit

For the months of September and October, YB2C Live! Is focusing on urban farmers and agribusinesses.  In this episode, Pam and Keith sit down with Malik Yakini of D-Town Farm.

D-Town Farm was founded by a collective of people all with a mission to create a comprehensive food policy in the city.

D-Town has a total of 7 acres, making it the largest urban farm in the city of Detroit, with solar energy, three coop houses, and 30 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs currently growing on the farm.

• Malik did not start in the farming world, but he has always been food minded.

• Malik describes his journey from running a school in Detroit to becoming executive director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, all leading up to his work with D-Town.

• Negotiation with City Council played a huge role in founding D-Town, says Malik.

• Malik talks expansion since founding D-Town, including the addition of solar energy stations, internships, rain water collection, and the addition of a number of crops and coop houses.

• Malik believes everyone relates to food somehow, even if they aren’t sticking their hands in the soil.

• D-Town participates in "agri-tourism" and holds tours and a harvest festival to keep everyone in the community involved.

• Malik talks food politics and policy in Detroit, and why it’s important that something is finally being done about it.

• Malik and D-Town are a part of the ever growing agriculture movement in Detroit.

• D-Town is helping return balance to the community through food, activities, and jobs for the people of Detroit.

 

For more information about D-Town Farm and Malik Yakini:

Give them a call!

313-345-3663

Visit their website!

www.d-townfarm.com

Volunteer with D-Town!

www.d-townfarm.com/contact-us

Read their blog!

d-townfarm.blogspot.com

Find out about Detroit Community Black Food Security Network!

313-345-3663

www.detroitblackfoodsecurity.org

 

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Leave a review on iTunes: YB2C Live! on iTunes

YB2C Live! is recorded at Green Garage in Midtown Detroit: Green Garage Detroit

 

 

 

Dr. Jesse Brown discusses the upcoming 30th anniversary of the only holistic clinic and training center in Detroit. Dr. Brown tells our listening community how he came to be a doctor of naturopathy and how important it is to promote healthy living practices within the community and his ultimate goal of training a healer for every home.

Malik Yakini co-founded the largest urban farm in Detroit. In this episode, Malik tells our listening community the story about how he pivoted from being an educator to social entrepreneurship through urban farming. He also gives us insights to how he integrates farming with his other entrepreneurial ventures throughout the year, especially during the winter when the farm is closed.

Ryan Anderson describes his entrepreneurial path to urban farming, and how he chose Detroit as THE place to start his farm. Ryan tells our listeners about the crops he grows and how the farm operates on a year-round basis.

For the month of September, YB2C Live! has been focusing on entrepreneurs who plant, grow, and harvest food, flowers and other live, natural items. In this episode, Pam and Keith sit down with Ryan Anderson of Acre Detroit.

Acre Detroit is an urban farm that was founded in 2012 by Ryan Anderson and Anna Clarke.

Acre grows a wide variety of crops. To name a few, Acre grows hot crops such as tomatoes, hot peppers, eggplant, and root crops like carrots, beets, and radishes, as well as Asian greens and herbs.

• Ryan explains his journey from the desk to the farm, talks how Acre came to be, and how it has grown since its founding.
• Ryan wants to make a positive effect on the world, and urban agriculture through Acre is his way of doing so.

• Ryan talks wholesale and distribution of Acre goods.
• Hyperlocal sensibility is something that is important in Detroit, says Ryan, buying local, selling local.
• Ryan explains what it takes to operate a farm, specifically an urban farm, and talks about his weekly schedule.
• Michigan has the second highest number of agricultural products in the country, says Ryan, which makes Detroit an ideal urban agriculture setting.
• Ryan talks organic vs. certified organic, and what it takes to get organic certification.
• Ryan hopes to see Acre, along with the urban agriculture movement as a whole, grow even more for many years to come.

 

For more information on Ryan Anderson and ACRE Detroit:

202-378-3474

[email protected]

“Like” ACRE on Facebook: @ACREDetroit

Follow them on Instagram: @ACREDetroit

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Be sure to visit us at www.yb2csystem.com

"Like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/YB2CLive/

Leave a review on iTunes: YB2C Live! on iTunes

YB2C Live! is recorded at Green Garage in Midtown Detroit: Green Garage Detroit

In this episode of YB2C Live! is keeping with the fall harvest theme of the month that focuses on entrepreneurs who plant, grow, and harvest food, flowers, and other natural items. Pam and Keith sit down with Jerry Hebron of Oakland Avenue Urban Farm.

Oakland Avenue Urban Farm is a non-profit, community-based organization that is focused on cultivating healthy foods and culture, as well as sustainability and engagement in the community.

• Originally in the real estate business, Jerry moved on to other endeavours after the economic crash in 2008. Soon enough, the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm was in the works.
• Oakland Avenue Urban Farm sprouted from Jerry and her mother’s concern for the community, which was riddled with drug and crime activity.

• Oakland Avenue, says Jerry, was depressing, and was the perfect location for an urban farming project.
• Jerry explains that with the help of organizations like the Greening of Detroit and Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative among others, and along with a lot of help from friends in the community, Oakland Avenue Urban Farm was able to become a reality.
• Jerry talks bringing healthy products to a community with access to little beyond gas stations and liquor stores.
• There is a need for community development in the north end, says Jerry, as she gives a little historical background on the area.
• Oakland Avenue Urban Farm is a group of cultivators, they cultivate food, they cultivate people and they cultivate community.
• Jerry explains their newest project called “The North End Storytellers” that will work toward creating a conversation of future development and cultural cultivation in the north end.

 

For more information on Jerry Hebron and Oakland Avenue Urban Farm:

Visit their website! www.oaklandurbanfarm.org

Email Jerry Hebron! [email protected]

Give them a call! (313) 649-7756

9227 Goodwin St Detroit 48211

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Be sure to visit us at www.yb2csystem.com

"Like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/YB2CLive/

Leave a review on iTunes: YB2C Live! on iTunes

YB2C Live! is recorded at Green Garage in Midtown Detroit: Green Garage Detroit

In this episode of YB2C Live! the fall harvest season is upon us. We are focusing on entrepreneurs who plant, grow, and harvest food, flowers and other live, natural items. Pam and Keith sat down with Sarah Pappas of Fresh Cut Flower Farm.

Fresh Cut Flower Farm is a flower farm in the Woodbridge neighborhood that grows and sells flowers of all types, providing services to customers, florists, and the community.

• Sarah describes her involvement in the farming business for the past ten years, including work with non-profits.
• Sarah talks the difference between gardeners of flowers, and gardeners of food.
• Diversity is key in Sarah's flower farm, she says.
• Fresh Cut is not the only flower farm in Detroit, Sarah says, noting her competition in the city, as well as the other growers at a state level.
• Sarah explains how she lives her life by the seasons, working harder in the summer so she can work less in the winter.
• It's not all fun and flowers, says Sarah, as she explains the business and administrative tasks she must handle for Fresh Cut.
• Sarah outlines the services Fresh Cut provides, including services for weddings.
• Sarah explains what it's like to farm in the city, and how she gets the best of both worlds: her lovely farm life, and close proximity to the wonders of the city.
• Sarah talks marketing strategies, and how she has utilized the visual aspect of her work to her advantage.
• It is Sarah's goal that Fresh Cut will help Detroit continue to get involved in the urban agricultural movement.
• Sarah reminds the listeners that Fresh Cut Flower Farm is at the corner of Forest and Rosa Parks in Detroit, and they are open to the public every Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm during the season, May through October. No appointment necessary. No purchase necessary.

 

For more information on Sarah Pappas and Fresh Cut Flower Farm:

[email protected]

313-731-2882

1764 W. Forest Ave. Detroit, MI 48208

Visit their website! www.freshcutdetroit.com

Find them on Instagram and Facebook!

@FreshCutDetroit

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Be sure to visit us at www.yb2csystem.com

"Like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/YB2CLive/

Leave a review on iTunes: YB2C Live! on iTunes

YB2C Live! is recorded at Green Garage in Midtown Detroit: Green Garage Detroit

For the month of September, as the fall harvest season approaches, YB2C Live! will be focusing on entrepreneurs who plant, grow, and harvest food, flowers, and other live natural items. This episode's special guest is Susan McCabe of Ribbon Farm Hops.

Ribbon Farm Hops is a business in residence at Green Garage in Midtown, Detroit — where YB2C Live! does its recording!

Ribbon Farm Hops grows and sells hops for beer making purposes, among other uses.

• Susan gives a brief history of hops, which dates back centuries; historically, hops has been used in beer, and for medicinal and calming purposes.
• Susan didn't start out working in the hops business, she was actually a history museum curator for over 30 years. This experience, while seemingly unrelated, was very helpful in naming and forming her later business.
• Her love for gardening, explained Susan, is what drove her into the hops business; she soon found that the business was starting to boom in Michigan.
• Susan explains the process she took to get into the business, and how her friends were a great help through the operation.
• The Michigan Women's Foundation Entrepreneur YOU contest played a huge role in helping Susan write her business plan and get things started, says Susan.
• Susan outlines the technical process of the hops business, and the cooperation of Batch Brewery in Corktown.
• Ribbon Farm Hops has worked with Motor City Brewing, with Downey, in Detroit and in Dearborn, and Fort Street Brewery in Lincoln Park. They are now on their fifth season, and they continue to grow and teach Susan and the other Ribbon Farms Hops family new things constantly.
• Ribbon Farm Hops is just one of many hops growers that helps make Michigan the fifth largest hops grower in the country.

 

For more information on Susan McCabe and Ribbon Farm Hops:

Visit their website! Ribbon Farm Hops

"Like" them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/RibbonFarmHops/

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Be sure to visit us at:

www.yb2csystem.com

"Like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/YB2CLive/

Leave a review on iTunes: YB2C Live! on iTunes

YB2C Live! is recorded at Green Garage in Midtown Detroit: Green Garage Detroit