Harvesting Wisdom is more than just a podcast; it's a platform where thought leaders, industry innovators, and policy shapers come together to share their insights and experiences. From exploring urban farming initiatives to understanding the complexities of hemp breeding and its global impact, each episode is a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of agriculture and sustainability.
In this transformative episode of "Harvesting Wisdom," host Mike McMahon speaks with Chris Macy, founder of the Phoenix Food Forest Initiative, a grassroots movement transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant food-producing ecosystems. Starting from a barren backyard during the pandemic, Chris shares his journey of building parkway food forests that now stretch across neighborhoods, aligning with the ethos of climate-smart agriculture, sustainability, and community resilience.Chris reflects on his inspiration from food justice pioneers like Ron Finley and Jake Mace, his battles and collaborations with the City of Phoenix, and how foodscapes can serve as practical, spiritual, and social anchors in low-income, underserved areas. As the largest urban food forest initiative in the U.S., this project is building not just gardens—but a blueprint for equitable, edible cities.Listeners will discover how to get involved, from volunteering and donating trees to supporting the broader movement that aligns with the UN’s sustainability goals. This episode is a call to "Leave a Social Footprint" and help rebuild Phoenix from the ground up—literally.
Tune in to learn, be inspired, and join the conversation as we delve into the minds of those shaping our world's agricultural and environmental future.
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