Urban Agriculture with Jared Tharp - Episode 008

Access to healthy food in urban areas can be difficult for some. For others a desire to have a more direct connection with the food they eat beyond just shopping in a grocery store has them getting creative and going as local as it gets. Urban agriculture has many benefits, including bringing a community together.  

In today's episode I talked with Jared Tharp. Jared served for two years in Senegal with the Peace Corps working as an Urban Agriculture Specialist. Now living in Oakland he continues to be involved with urban agriculture at local Funktown Farm. 

All photos by Loveridge Photography

Helpful resource mentioned: Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter

Peace Corps

Check back on Monday for a peek into Jared and Danny's Oakland, CA home!

Listen on iTunes

Not So Hot

Sorry for the radio silence lately. I've been sick and sleeping...or more honestly half watching Gilmore Girls while I dozed in and out of body aches. I'll be back on Friday with the podcast!

Zero Waste Home - Episode 007

The average American produces 4.5 pounds of trash everyday. However Bea Johnson can fit the amount of the trash she produces from an entire year into a glass jar. Her family has downsized to a home half the size of their previous one, and got rid of 80% of their belongings. It's been a gradual journey for the Johnson's and the result is truly inspiring. Living with less has made their life more full, and I'm excited to take Bea's tips and implement them in my own life. I hope that you are inspired as well!

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Show Notes

00:46 What sparked the start of Zero Waste Home for Bea
01:39 By living with less they had much more time to do things they enjoyed
02:00 Moved to a home half the size of their previous home and got rid of 80% of their items
02:25 The future of the world that their kids will live in spurs them on
02:52 Tackling the waste in their home slowly
03:22 Refusing things they don’t need: freebies, junk mail, sawg bags
03:40 Reduce what they do need: letting go of things they don’t really need
04:00 Reuse: shopping second hand, replacing disposables with reusables
04:28 Recycle
04:33 Compost 
04:48 On average Americans produce about 4.5 pounds of trash everyday
05:10 One step we can all take right now to move towards less waste
07:17 How zero waste has changed the lives of Bea and her family
08:00 Saving about 40% overall compared to their pre-zero waste life
08:50 Buying in bulk to save money and reduce waste
09:30 How Bea’s children have responded
11:08 What the skeptics think and common misconceptions
13:20 Bea’s app for finding bulk options

Galley Kitchen - A Layout Powerhouse

Galley kitchens include counters that run parrallel (and can include an island). They are popular in apartments because they work well in a small footprint. However, just because they are associated with apartments, doesn't mean they have to be low on style.

Contemporary Kitchen by Tucson Design-Build Firms Alta Constructors, Inc.

Pros

• No odd shaped and difficult to reach corner cabinets
• Can fit into a smaller footprint
• Efficient with a lot of counter space
• Makes planning the "work triangle" easy. 

Cons

• Not as great with multiple cooks
• Doesn't convey an open floor plan

Contemporary Kitchen by Berkeley Architects & Building Designers Charles Debbas Architecture

Contemporary Kitchen by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators Christina Karras

Traditional Kitchen by Victoria Architects & Building Designers Christopher Developments

Transitional Kitchen by Philadelphia Architects & Building Designers Rasmussen / Su Architects

Contemporary Kitchen

Farmhouse Kitchen by Sonoma Architects & Building Designers Amy A. Alper