Thursday, September 18, 2008

Anna Lappe and the Science Barge



Our last day in New York City and two of our most anticipated stops remained. We headed out to Brooklyn to visit the residence of Ms. Anna Lappe', co-founder of the Small Planet Fund as well as a best-selling author. Anna had asked for her questions in advance, so I knew she was going to bring the thunder in her responses - and did she. Gracious as can be when she welcomed us, she started out the interview by serving us fresh carrot juice in her delightful abode. Bright and lively, both she and her home were a perfect start to the day.

Anna and her mother have traveled around the world documenting the plight of rural, local farmers and her passion and experience came across from the moment we met. Providing us with scientific facts and research she has studied as well as conducted herself, she provided us with the exact info we were needing. While we think this project is most certainly about what "everyman" is doing to live more sustainably, it is when you get people, such as Anna, living and breathing the local, sustainable, organic food movement that give you the insight as to why this mission is so very important. Thank you for a glorious interview and visit - best to you in all you do!

Scott and I headed back to the west side for a visit to the Science Barge - a creation of NY York Sun Works. The barge is a floating educational center, growing food within its greenhouse without so much as one step of a carbon footprint. They use solar panels and windmills for their energy, rain for the water and even have tilapia in a tank creating plenty of fertilizer from its waste. Sarah Hanna, the educational coordinator there, took us on a tour of the behemoth vines of tomatoes and cucumbers that were hidden within the glass structure.

Everything, including the strawberries and basil are all grown organically and hydroponically - which we learned can grow plants much faster than traditional soils! The barge serves to educate the public of New York about what can be done, without any waste, to create more green spaces in the city. With so many rooftops unused (except by our bee friends), Sarah estimated that if all of the rooftops were utilized with gardens, it would create enough food to feed all of New York. It would also help cut down on the heat in the city. The barge travels up and down the west side aiming to educate as many people as possible. It was amazing to see what can be done with zero-waste. The strawberries and tomatoes were DELISH too!!

* Anna'a photo is from treehugger.com

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