Something Beautiful AND Informative.
From Jezebel: The Smithsonian Libraries and Smithsonian Gardens has created a #mustsee exhibit: “Cultivating America’s Gardens.” The exhibit explores the nation’s history of gardening from various aspects: business, hobby and as part of household economy. Gardens are also considered as a location for innovation.
“It is exciting to be able to share the wealth of written and visual materials we have here at the Smithsonian to tell the story of how and why Americans have cultivated gardens,” said Kelly Crawford, the exhibition’s lead curator and a museum specialist at Smithsonian Gardens.”
I am incredibly excited to be visiting the exhibit later this month. If you can’t make it to Washington, D.C., catch the online exhibit here. H/T Joe Crawford; his sister is the exhibit’s lead curator.
Editor’s Note: Garden history is one of my favorite topics; you can learn more by reading my book, which explores America’s gardening culture during World War I. Learn more about the history of our nation’s school gardens here. And learn how some women pressed for suffrage through their work in horticulture here. Want assistance with your home garden? Learn more about the ways in which UC ANR’s Master Gardener Program can help. #WeAreUCANR
Are You an Urban Farmer in Los Angeles? Do You Want To Be?
Learn the basics of urban farming from University of California experts and local partners at this upcoming series that focuses on building success in California’s urban agriculture by managing risk and leveraging opportunities! Take one or take all four of these low-cost workshops. Each workshop is $20 for a full day of expert speakers, which includes lunch and refreshments. Register here. #GlobalFood
Editor’s Note: Learn more about the history of agriculture in Los Angeles County here. You can also learn more about the history of urban ag in our nation by reading this post, from our archives. Read this UC Food Observer guest blog post by urban agriculture expert Rachel Surls.
This Farmer Wants to Give Animals a Better Life…and Death.
Jon McConaughy’s is a producer in Hopewell, N.J.. He has “one of only two U.S. Department of Agriculture certified on-premises slaughter facilities in the country.” McConaughy says:
“I happen to think that the slaughter process is something that most people should watch if they’re going to eat animals, and if it turns them away from animals, then that’s probably a good thing…”
A thoughtful read by Paige Pfleger for NPR Food.
Editor’s Note: UC Food Observer Assistant Editor Teresa O’Connor has penned a couple of #goodreads on animals and working landscapes in California. Learn about raising pigs on California’s small farms here. Learn more about the environmental benefits of cattle ranching here.
Have a great week!