Special Podcast
Food Forest Gardening
Wendy Nadherny Fachon speaks with Green Teacher host, Ian Shanahan, about Food Forest Gardening. What is a food forest? How can teachers present an ecosystems approach to gardening for impactful learning? How might teachers integrate corporative learning opportunities enrich the process? Wendy has her own food forest garden, and she sees great potential for food forest gardening in environmental education. She also shares her insights about nature drawing as a powerful pedagogical tool and tells a story about a serendipitous discovery of Red Mulberry trees.
Soil Science & Bionutrition
Guest Dan Kittredge, Bionutrient Food Association
Organic Farmer and Executive Director of the Bionutrient Food Association, Dan focuses on understanding the nutrient density in food, how to support it, and how to incorporate it into the food supply chain. Through global engagement, he has become one of the leading proponents of “nutrient density,” working to demonstrate the connections between soil health, plant health, and human health.
In this episode we discuss the biology of soil and how to improve soil quality, the engineering of a hand-held consumer Bionutrient Meter and how it is used to test nutrient density at the point of purchase, citizen science that empowers consumers to choose their foods based on nutrient quality and how use this information to drive full system regeneration within the food industry.
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Growing a Community Food System
Guest Bevan Linsley, Aquidneck Community Table (ACT)
The Executive Director of a registered nonprofit, Bevan has brought together partners in the Aquidneck Island community to explore and enact solutions that strengthen the local food system, support the local economy and expand access to fresh healthy food. Bevan has helped build a vibrant network - organizing local farmers markets, delivering education in school and community gardens, and creating programs that inspire young people to love healthy foods. ACT's managed properties include a food forest that is celebrating its tenth year with a harvest of paw paws and persimmons.
Voice of the Forest
Guest Matthew "Twig" Largess, Largess Forestry, Inc.
Nationally renowned Matthew “Twig” Largess founded his business in 1986. His company is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and education of the Earth’s forests while enhancing awareness and knowledge of the natural world. A Rhode Island native, Matt studied forestry at Paul Smith’s College, and spent his younger years as a logger, cutting down some of the biggest trees on the earth in the Pacific Northwest, before discovering his calling to become the “Voice of the Forest” and preserve and protect our magnificent trees. He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist and a full time environmentalist. Forest preservation and restoration is the most natural solution to addressing the climate challenges. Matt talks about his many project, including a community food forest planted by students in the City of Central Falls.
The Enchanted Edible Garden
Guest Dani Baker, Cross Island Farms
Guest Dani is the author of The Home-Based Forest Garden and teaches forest gardening, a method of agriculture which “requires careful planning and a strong understanding of beneficial inter-species relationships.” Her “Enchanted Edible Forest” garden is located at Cross Island Farms on Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River between New York and Canada. Dani conducts workshops and tours in her edible forest garden as well as giving presentations at organic farming conferences and other venues. A food forest, or forest garden, incorporates multiple layers of plants to maximize natural resources (sun, shade, water, etc) and minimize the manual work (planting, weeding, watering, etc).
Food Forest Abundance
Jim Gale, Food Forest Abundance
Chief Storyteller Jim Gale promotes sovereignty, entrepreneurship, freedom, and lots and lots of really delicious, nutritious food! His organization is leading the food forest movement. A food forest is a diverse, perennial garden that mimics a forest ecosystem. Through layers of horticultural design, life extends in all directions producing food, medicine, sanctuary, and habitat. A well-designed permaculture food forest incorporates seven layers of edible plants, including fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, rhizomes, mushrooms, and perennial vegetables.
About the Platform
Dreamvisions 7 Radio Network
The Story Walking Radio Hour is an Environmental Education program airing on syndicated Dreamvisions 7 Radio Network (D7RN), every Monday at 9am and 9pm ET.
It is listed under the "Sustainable Living" tab of the network website. D7RN seeks more environmentally-focused hosts to help raise consciousness. Learn more at https://dreamvisions7radio.com/about-us/
If you would like to be a Guest or Sponsor with the Story Walking Radio Hour, call of text Wendy at 401 529-6830.
About the Host
Author & Educator
Wendy is the author of The Difference Maker and The Angel Heart. She is Rhode Island's regional editor for Green Teacher and writes articles for Natural Awakenings Magazine Boston edition and D7RN's Sustainable Living News. As an environmental educator, she currently develops and teaches Nature Drawing curriculum for The Empowerment Factory, based in Pawtucket, RI. She is also an Abundance Ambassador for Food Forest Abundance.