bees

This Thursday at 7:30 PM, the EventGallery 910Arts and Transition Denver are presenting a public screening of the fascinating documentary “The Vanishing of the Bees“. This film explores the importance of bees in our food systems and reveals unsettling truths about the significance of their steadily decreasing numbers, highlighting the unsung hero beekeepers who fight to keep them (and us, in turn) alive.

In other bee news, a recent NPR broadcast interviewed several beekeepers and examined the new-found (or perhaps rediscovered) fascination with bees, including the purported healing properties of their honey. The article notes that, while honey may be a sweet side-deal, the primary benefit of bees is how they enable our food to grow:

If the sole purpose of a bee was to make honey, perhaps the decline of bees wouldn’t be so troubling. But these tiny workers are hugely important to our food supply. They pollinate billions of dollars worth of fruits and vegetables every year.

Think about your own diet today. Have you eaten an apple, a cucumber, some blueberries or almonds? These foods wouldn’t end up on our tables if it weren’t for the work of bees.

DUG is also a big fan of bees. We have a bee policy for our gardens to encourage and maintain healthy hives for those community gardens that are interested in hosting bees. Check it out in our Resources page.

They have a great post on honey harvesting. Check it out. DeLaney bees on the comb.

Posted by Emery Donovan, Programs and Events Intern

Brooklyn skyline. Photo by Breaking Through Concrete.

As awareness of sustainability-related issues continues to permeate the national consciousness, authors are responding with a flurry of books about the topic. Earlier this summer, Michael Pollan reviewed five of the newest additions to the growing library of books about food, environment and community. “Food Movement, Rising,” published in the New York Review of Books, traces the evolution of the contemporary food movement. Ever an articulate and engaging writer, Pollan provides incisive and poignant commentary on the intersectionality of the various branches of the food movement – from animal welfare to farm legislation – as well as the gradual shift in the national political climate toward food reform. An excellent and informative read for anyone interested in food, politics, community, and the way we live now.

Orion magazine also reviewed two recent books about urban agriculture in their September/October 2009 issue. Farm City chronicles one woman’s quest to turn a vacant Oakland lot into an urban farm, while Coop is an entertaining account of raising chickens, starting a garden and having a family. Be sure to explore the rest of Orion’s website, as they are an excellent source for high-quality, thoughtful, and multi-dimensional journalism about environmental issues.

After their short stop in Denver earlier this summer, the Breaking Through Concrete team continued east on their transcontinental journey. Since May, they have been driving across the country and documenting urban agriculture projects. At each stop along their way (including Denver!), they blogged about the experience with beautiful prose and striking photographs. They just finished up their two-month tour in Chicago. Be sure to check out all of their blog posts, as they provide vast insight into the nuances and joys of urban agriculture in the U.S. today! Keep an eye out for their upcoming book, which use text and photos from their blog.

Common Good City Farm, Washington D.C. Photo by Breaking Through Concrete

In recent urban agriculture news, the Urban Ton Project – one couple’s quest to grow 1 ton of produce from their garden in the course of a year – has reached 278 pounds…. Only 1822 more pounds to go!

Closer to home, another entrepreneurial urban agriculture venture has been undertaken by two graduate students in the University of Colorado Denver Landscape Architecture program. Rather than their garden’s output, they have chosen to experiment with it’s mobility. The Denver Urban Truck Farm is the brain child of Ashleigh Quillen and Ryan Sotirakis. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a garden in the back of a pickup truck. You can meet them in person at the South Pearl Street Farmer’s Market every Sunday, or follow them on their blog!

Finally, Hmong gardeners in North Carolina are infusing their culture and history into their community gardens and yielding delicious results! DUG has its own contingent of Hmong gardeners at the Pecos and Arvada Community Gardens. The Arvada Community Garden was highlighted on the recent Multiculturalism in the Garden tour – be sure to check both gardens out if you have a chance!

That’s all for this week! We hope to see everyone at the Reading the Hive workshop at DeLaney this Saturday. Happy gardening!

Barn and flower bed at DUG’s DeLaney Community Farm. Interested in beekeeping? Learn to understand the language and signs inside the hive at DeLaney Community Farm’s next training, “Reading the Hive,” which will also feature hive splits and queen rearing. The workshop, led by DeLaney Beekeeper Marty Hardison, is free for DeLaney shareholders, and there is a $5 suggested donation for non-shareholders.

When: July 24th at 9am
Where: DeLaney Community Farm (click for directions)

Learn about Good Bugs vs Bad Bugs at DeLaney Community Farm this Thursday evening from 5:30-6:30! This is a great activity for kids. Explore DeLaney and learn the difference between the bugs we love and the bugs we love to hate.

This class will be led by DUG’s Judy Elliott. There is a $5 suggested donation for this and all trainings at DeLaney.

Click here for directions to DUG’s DeLaney Community Farm.