Science Friday as a great video piece in which Will Allen, CEO of urban agriculture project Growing Power introduces some of the techniques used in Milwaukee
I’m particularly impressed by the decomposition methods used to heat the greenhouses as the temperature drops in winter, making use of the heat released from a combination of coffee grinds, brewery waste and wood chips. One of the regular criticisms of local foods advocates is that to argue that growing produce locally - say tomatoes in the UK in winter - uses more energy and is more environmentally damaging than freighting them in from a location where the heat input isn’t necessary.
Beyond the obvious argument that most local foods enthusiasts also advocate eating seasonally, these innovative techniques from growing power demonstrate that growing out of season produce in a cold climate doesn’t have to waste energy.
When I hear biotech researchers talking about genetic modification as the type of innovation which will save the world from food shortages and reduce environmental damage, and then compare it to the type of innovation on display at Growing Power, I know which one I’d choose. Yep, the one which uses existing waste products available locally, and which has no risk of causing unknown damage in already stressed ecosystems.
Anyway, go check out the video story at Science Friday or click the image below. There are 6 videos to watch detailing the methods they use, and a click-and-drag 360 degree tour of one of the growing houses.
Posted in Food Activism, GM crops, Local Food Politics, Urban Farming, agriculture, food, food politics, local food, media, seasonal | Tags: biotech, growing power, local food, milwaukee, seasonal, Urban Agriculture
