Ed Dowding

Category: Agriculture & Food

First petrol, then energy – now food prices skyrocket

Growing populations, rising affluence in Brazil, Russia, India and China, and crop failures caused by extreme weather have pushed up the prices of wheat, sugar, cotton and many other household staples. So far, bread, breakfast cereals and clothing have become more expensive – but the full effects of the cost of raw materials have not ...

Round of good things this week

A rather lovely looking place called Old Hall Community which is looking for residents and volunteers, and a sustainability centre based at Llanfyllin Workhouse. A few interesting things in citizen reporting and community action: Help Me Investigate is a place where you can collaborate with other people to investigate things. Who’s Lobbying answers questions for ...

Vision 2050. From here to there.

Zoom.it – Image foTF.

FARM:shop

A wonderful approach to urban farming as Something & Son ask the question, “How much food can we grow in this shop?” Quite a lot it turns out. – ‘Aquaponic’ micro fish farming – High tech Indoor allotment – Rooftop chicken coop – Polytunnel It all looks rather cool. I must go visit. If you ...

Nature's gift: How much is the ecosystem worth?

A great series of articles from the BBC. 1. The full impact of the degradation of the natural world on the global economy – both on business and consumers. 2. The direct costs to businesses, both large and small. 3. The economic benefits of preserving the natural world.

3 minute spelt bread

Top Ten Constituents of New Commons Economy

I’ve just come across a fantastic list at the Steady State Revolution blog. I’ve reproduced it in its entirety here since I know lots of people get this feed in RSS readers and email and don’t click links, and because it’s useful for my reference. This would break most copyright laws, were it not very ...

Turn over a New Leaf

Change the System, Not the Climate

I came across a marvellous speech as part of a course I’m doing on the Commons. Every now and then in history, the human race takes a collective step forward in its evolution. Such a time is upon us now. […] From the perspective of the environmental movement, I see two problems that hinder us in ...

Copy and clone

Copy and clone on Vimeo Thanks to DEFRA’s own Lucy Gilliam for putting me on to this.

Urban Farming

I’ve just started listening to Stewart Brand’s new book, An Ecopragmatist Manifesto (audio version | book version) whilst I was out getting the very last of the blackberries and doing some planting, weeding, apple picking, peeling, and making crab apple jelly. (It’s astonishing what one can get done in two hours.) So far, it’s brilliant. ...

Prince Charles' new film, Harmony

HRH (who I’d LOVE to work with, if anyone knows anyone) has a new book & film coming out. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWJtS2VpYm0

The one that got away

There have been lots of coincidences, serendipity, and small-world moments during these last few weeks. Exactly a week, almost to the hour, after the end of our experience chez Jimmy’s Farm, I was helping a farmer friend with a little challenge: There is a field with some cows in it. We have some hurdles. We ...

Bottled water is the answer to global warming

The world is melting. Guess what you need: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z2z2k4LoYQ The only words I can think of which would fully express my disappointment would be a hex to melt all consumers of bottled water within 2 miles of a tap. Alas, I don’t know any. Maybe the benzene will get them.

3 neat business ideas

British high-end chocolate maker and retailer Hotel Chocolat, wants to expand even further. But rather than turning to banks or big investors for money, they’re inviting customer to buy bonds. Bonds that will pay chocolate returns.  Two values of Chocolate Bond will be issued: both with the return paid in monthly Tasting Boxes. Holders of a ...

French farmers turn Champs-Elysees into huge farm

The Champs-Elysees, has been covered in earth and turned into a huge green space in an event staged by young French farmers. Plants, trees and flowers were brought in by lorry overnight to transform the avenue into a long green strip. More than a million people are expected to visit over the next two days. ...

How to Grow More Vegetables (than you ever thought possible on less land that you can imagine)

Notes from the book, taken 10-12 Feb 2010. Bed Preparation Good structure and balanced / plentiful nutrients allow for uninterrupted growth First year you do it, allow 1 hour per 1m2 Second year onwards, allow 30 mins per 1m2 Ongoing maintenance is about 1.5 mins per 1m2 Initial Preparation Perform a soil test Soak with ...

Is permaculture economically viable?

There are approx 2.2 million people in Havana and 85% of all food comes from within the city grown on plots, roofs and in community spaces. via Is permaculture economically viable?

World War III – And so it begins…

I remember my geography teacher saying that the next world war would be about water. There have been a few issues already, but as Egypt rejects Nile water agreement I think we can probably see this a key moment in history. Switzerland, which has the largest reserves of fresh water, must be getting nervous. And it ...

Farm life

I’ve just applied to go on a programme called “Farm Life”. I figured the answers were quite interesting (especially if contrasted with Ali’s). EXPLAIN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CO-APPLICANT. Ali and I have been going out for about a year now. She’s lovely. Such a great friend and ally to have in this adventure. We compliment ...