Jason Fields of The Urban Farming Guys – Friday Flashbacks Epi-46
Sep 13, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Jason Fields, dedicated to transforming neighborhoods through sustainable agriculture, shares his experiences with the Urban Farming Guys. He recounts their impactful journey in revitalizing a struggling Kansas City neighborhood, highlighting successes in crime reduction and community engagement. Jason also dives into innovative practices like aquaponics and biogas production from food waste. Additionally, he emphasizes the vital role of grassroots support and proactive emergency preparation for building resilient communities.
The Urban Farming Guys illustrate how grassroots movements can transform blighted neighborhoods by fostering community engagement and reducing crime rates.
Through education and resourceful urban farming practices, they empower residents to achieve self-sufficiency and create sustainable local economies.
Deep dives
Community Transformation Through Urban Farming
A group of young families moved into a blighted neighborhood in Kansas City to establish the Urban Farming Guys, transforming a dysfunctional area into a thriving community. Their holistic approach to urban farming has significantly reduced local crime rates, showcasing the power of grassroots efforts in combating societal issues. By engaging with neighbors and focusing on sustainability, these families have not only improved their living conditions but have also sparked interest and involvement from long-time residents. The initiative serves as a model for community empowerment, highlighting that proactive engagement can yield substantial positive change.
Innovative Aquaponics Practices
The Urban Farming Guys employ aquaponics systems to sustainably grow fish and vegetables in limited urban spaces. They maximize efficiency by utilizing repurposed materials, such as IBC totes, allowing for the cultivation of a significant number of fish with a focus on nutrient recycling. This system demonstrates the principles of waste reduction and resourcefulness, essential for urban agriculture. By focusing on practical and cost-effective solutions, they aim to create a proof of concept that could scale to larger operations for greater community benefit.
A Focus on Education and Empowerment
The Urban Farming Guys emphasize education as a crucial component of community revitalization. Through initiatives such as community gardens and after-school programs, they impart valuable skills and knowledge to both children and adults, fostering a culture of self-sufficiency. Their efforts aim to cultivate responsibility and ownership within the community, resulting in increased pride and participation among residents. This educational focus not only addresses immediate food needs but also prepares future generations for ongoing community engagement.
Sustainable Solutions Beyond Charity
The Urban Farming Guys seek to create a self-sustaining ecosystem through various projects, including a biogas system to utilize organic waste for energy. They are committed to developing a model that does not rely solely on charity or grants but instead focuses on building economic resilience within the community. By pooling resources and collaborating on projects, they demonstrate how collective action can lead to sustainable job creation and local entrepreneurship. This approach aims to make community empowerment a lasting and replicable initiative worth emulating in other urban areas.
In this episode from 2011 I was joined by Jason Fields from The Urban Farming Guys to discuss transforming neighborhoods, sustainable agriculture and living well on smaller incomes. Their activity seems to have fizzled a bit in the past few years but there is still a huge wealth of knowledge on their YouTube Channel. Today’s episode of Friday Flashbacks was originally published on 8-9-11 and was originally Episode-720- An Interview with Jason Fields of The Urban Farming Guys The show notes for the original episode with all relevant resources can be found here. Welcome to Friday Flashbacks, after 16 years …Continue reading →
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