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This episode dives deep into the mission of Nutrition Inside, focusing on enhancing nutrition for incarcerated individuals. We explore the systemic barriers in prison food systems and the transformative power of fresh produce.

• Introduction to the Radical Root podcast and Nutrition Inside mission
• Insights from Aiden O'Connor about challenges and solutions in prison nutrition
• Value of connecting local farms with correctional facilities to promote food justice
• The role of community volunteers in supporting nutritional initiatives

If you're interested in getting involved with Nutrition Inside, visit nutritioninside.org to find out how you can help make a difference.

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What if you could revolutionize your gardening approach without a traditional garden space? Join us on the Radical Root podcast as we explore this intriguing concept with Isabel Cruz and Antonio Rodriguez from the Home Gardens program. Isabel shares her compelling journey, revealing how her initial desire to support her family financially turned into a passion for community engagement through gardening. Antonio, drawing from his farming roots in Mexico, discusses his expanded knowledge and enthusiasm for growing a diverse array of plants. Together, they illustrate how their personal stories are woven into a larger tapestry of community-driven gardening initiatives, including the innovative decentralized community seed libraries in Portland.

This episode uncovers the holistic benefits that community gardening brings, enhancing wellness, promoting healthy eating, and strengthening bonds with both nature and neighbors. Antonio speaks to the pride and communal spirit that comes from cultivating one's own vegetables, while Isabel elaborates on her experience transitioning from a participant to a key player in community seed libraries. By sharing garlic seeds and stories, they foster a thriving network of local growers. We also look ahead to future plans for these seed libraries, with an emphasis on organization and encouraging family participation, highlighting the joy and sustainability found in shared resources. Celebrate the power of collaboration and the innovative spirit that defines radical gardening with us!

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What if nurturing a garden could also nurture social change? Join me on the Radical Root podcast as we explore the profound influence of radical gardening, especially during the winter solstice—a time synonymous with new beginnings. Discover how gardening stretches far beyond cultivating food; it mirrors our societal systems, unearthing issues of equity and control within the food industry. With startling statistics that one in six US households grapples with food insecurity amid widespread food waste, we show how gardening becomes an act of independence and defiance against these disparities. Sharing personal stories and transformative experiences from Growing Gardens' initiatives like Home Gardens and Let Us Grow, we demonstrate how these programs empower individuals to reclaim their food systems and nurture their communities.

Inspired by Alice Walker's empowering message, we delve into the idea that many relinquish their power simply by believing they have none. By embracing the power within, we can transform not only our gardens but our lives. We invite you to plant a seed—whether literal or metaphorical—and join our journey towards building equitable food systems. Explore resources at growing-gardens.org, including our free Radical Gardening Resource Guide, which provides a step-by-step blueprint for a more sustainable future. Thank you for tuning into the Radical Root podcast. Remember, even the smallest actions can spark significant change. Keep nurturing those seeds and help us create a more equitable and sustainable world.

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Discover the transformative potential of school gardens with us as Amarina Guerrero, program director of the Youth Grow program at Growing Gardens, shares her inspiring journey with our listeners. From her early days in Oregon, where she developed a deep bond with nature, to her college years that unveiled her passion for school gardens, Amarina’s story is both a personal journey and a professional mission. She recounts a pivotal moment in a school garden that sparked her dedication to bringing these green spaces to all schools. Through innovative activities like wheelbarrow relays, Amarina has seen how school gardens cultivate not only plants but team spirit, problem-solving skills, and inclusive learning environments.

Witness the evolution of the Youth Grow program as it adapts to meet the diverse needs of students and educators. Amarina discusses the creation of a dynamic 72-lesson curriculum tailored for K-5 students, emphasizing life skills and cultural relevance. The pandemic era posed challenges that reshaped their approach, prompting a focus on social-emotional learning and the power of adaptability. Learn about engaging initiatives like classroom baby chicks, and discover the resources available for those eager to start their own programs, including the School Garden Coordinator Certificate Training. Together, we emphasize the essential role of community collaboration in transforming gardens into vibrant educational landscapes. Join us and be inspired to cultivate change, one garden at a time.

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Keone Young's remarkable journey from the Columbia River Correctional Institution to becoming the Black Outreach Coordinator at Growing Gardens showcases the transformative power of gardening in fostering community and social justice. Tune into this episode of the Radical Root podcast as Keone shares his inspiring transition, emphasizing how the Let Us Grow program offers meaningful educational opportunities that help reduce recidivism and open doors for formerly incarcerated individuals. Through our engaging conversation, Keone sheds light on how collaborative efforts and resource allocation can effectively engage black Americans and people of color in Oregon's agricultural initiatives.

We explore the critical role of connecting communities with agricultural opportunities, highlighting initiatives like Black Futures and Lettuce Grow. Keone discusses the vision of creating a "spider web" community hub that bridges the gap between black Americans and agricultural resources, despite the challenges of institutional barriers. Celebrate the progress made in nurturing interest and participation, and hear Keone's aspirations for expanding educational programs for those transitioning out of incarceration. By emphasizing perseverance, adaptability, and systemic advocacy, this episode encourages listeners to pursue their passion for agriculture and community building, overcoming obstacles with determination and collective effort.

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Curious how a simple idea can spark community transformation? In this episode, our Lettuce Grow Program Director, Rima Green, reveals the magic behind our Community Garden Initiative—a program offering free 30-minute gardening consultations to help people grow more than just plants.

What does it take to turn gardening advice into something bigger—like food sovereignty and lasting connections? Rima shares how this initiative began, how easy it is to start and maintain, and some unexpected perks—including the powerful relationships and surprising partnerships that have bloomed along the way.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or dreaming of launching your own community project, this episode offers insider tips on starting small, building collaborations, and keeping the process simple. Tune in to discover how gardening can empower people and grow leadership, all while cultivating something much deeper than a harvest. 🌱

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Host: Jason Skipton

Guests: Antonio Rodriguez and Isabel Cruz

Language: English/ Spanish

Overview:

Join Executive Director Jason Skipton for a bilingual interview with our Home Gardens team members Antonio and Isabel who discuss our unique approach to seed sharing through our community seed libraries.

Episode Highlights:

- Learn about our Home Gardens program
- Hear how Antonio and Isabel brought their lived experience to the workplace
- Hear about the unique challenge we faced as an organization to meet the needs of our program participants and cultivate an abundance of culturally relevant produce in Portland neighborhoods
-Hear how we came up with the idea for a decentralized seed library initiative
-Learn how you can start a similar initiative in your own neighborhood

Resources Mentioned:

- The Home Gardens Program

How to Connect:

- Contact Antonio at Antonio@Growing-Gardens.Org

- Email our Podcast Producer, Bee at Bee@Growing-Gardens.Org

About the Podcast:
The Radical Root is a podcast produced by the 501c3 nonprofit Growing Gardens. It tells the amazing stories of our team while providing valuable examples of Radical Gardening and grassroots food system advocacy in action. Follow along for inspiring ideas and actionable advice for your first - or next - community gardening project.

About Growing Gardens:
Growing Gardens is a Portland, Oregon-based 501c3 nonprofit on a mission to cultivate healthy and equitable communities one garden at a time. Our three programs, Home Gardens, Youth Grow, and Lettuce Grow, build and maintain gardens at homes, schools, and correctional facilities across the state of Oregon while inspiring the next generation of food system leaders.

Here’s How You Can Help

Like and Rate Our Podcast:
Leave a review or share your thoughts wherever you listen to podcasts. Better yet, email our producer at Bee@Growing-Gardens.Org to submit a listener testimonial!

Follow Growing Gardens:
Find us online at Growing-Gardens.Org or on social media @GrowingGardensPDX

Join Our Newsletter:
Join our newsletter The Radical Root, for a step-by-step masterclass in radical gardening delivered straight to your inbox.

Donate to Growing Gardens:

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Welcome to the Radical Root episode "Cultivating Freedom," exploring the transformative power of correctional facility gardens and reentry programs. I'm your host, Bee, and in this episode, we are joined by Kate Bildsten, Education Manager of our Lettuce Grow program. Kate shares her inspiring journey to Lettuce Grow and provides insight into our correctional facility garden program. Kate discusses the unique challenges of working in this field, highlighting the importance of providing meaningful opportunities for incarcerated individuals to connect with nature and learn valuable skills. She also shares her initiative to create a resource guide to help program participants find employment and reintegrate into society upon release. Join us as we delve into the incredible impact of correctional facility gardens on rehabilitation and reentry, and discover how these programs are cultivating freedom for individuals both behind bars and beyond.

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