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An Interview with Michael Veracka, Chairman of the Department of Urban Horticulture & Design at Farmingdale State College

Hi All,

This past Friday, I had the good fortune of attending the event, “Nature as Measure” at the Great Hall in Cooper Union. It was a moment in history, where Wendell Berry, author, poet and farmer, and Wes Jackson, Founder of The Screen Shot 2014-04-08 at 5.15.49 PMLand Institute, and a leader in the Sustainable Agricultural Movement, got to discuss the future of farming and agriculture, moderated by Mark Bittman. All of these men, in their own way, have changed the landscape of food and agriculture in this country and around the world, and continue to do so with their work. I felt honored to be in the room with them and to witness the sweet interactions and friendships among these men, and to take part in the thought provoking dialogue that took place.

Right now, there is a group of dedicated people working within Suffolk County to improve access to local food and higher quality ingredients at beaches and county buildings, as well as community gardens. Please check out the Suffolk County Food Policy Council’s Facebook page, and The Long Island Community Garden website, and please like them! We want to get the word out!

This week, my guest on the Progressive Radio Network is Michael Veracka, an Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Department of Urban Horticulture and Design at Farmingdale State College. Along with his students, he?designed in 2011, a one half acre Sustainable Garden on the campus grounds. Now in its second year of construction, the garden?s major components will demonstrate sustainable landscape design and horticultural principles thatMichael Veracka promote environmental stewardship. SUNY Farmingdale used to be an agricultural school, but closed that portion of the school when farming didn’t seem like a viable career. Now, with a renewed interest in sustainable agriculture, maybe this department will continue to grow to fill the need for a sustainable agricultural program on Long Island. This Saturday, the Department of Urban Horticulture and Design, will host an all day event with speakers and presentations, called, “Waste Not Want Not.” The event is open to the public and will benefit the Sustainable Garden. This event will coincide with the Long Island’s CSA Fair (10:00 am ? 2:00 pm), where community members can meet and talk with farmers who offer shares into their Community Supported Agricultural programs, and have an opportunity to sign up for the CSA program that is best suited to their needs. The CSA Fair is free, and the “Waste Not Want Not” event is $10.00.? I hope you can listen in on Thursday to my interview with Michael, and if you haven’t joined a CSA yet, please come down to the fair on Saturday.

Remember, my show is recorded live, every Thursday, from 10-11 am, EST.? To tune in, navigate to?PRN.fm?and click the ?Listen Live? button on the left. Also try downloading the?PRN mobile app, and take the station with you wherever you go! If you want to call in during the show with any questions for me or my guest, the call in number is 888-874-4888.

If you can?t tune in at that time, you can listen to the show in the?PRN archives,?or on my website, or through iTunes. You can also access the show by calling in to?The Progressive Radio Network?at 619-550-0869. Please ?like??iEat Green?s Facebook page?and feel free to?rate the show and leave comments on iTunes and on my website.

With love and gratitude,
Bhavani

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