Agroecology World Rob Kluson (aka, Dr K)

This episode #18 examines examples of sustainable Agrotourism and a conversation with Cipriano Ramos in the seashore town of El Morche on the Costa del Sol in the state of Malaga, Spain. Cipriano is the co-founder, along with Maria Tome', of the travel company Oletrips which provides small scale tours and experiences in sustainable Agrotourism within the Province of Andalucia and, specifically, the area known as Axarquia . Both Ciriano and Maria are native Axarquians and their activities focus on the many stories of the agriculture, the human and natural history, and the food culture of the rural white villages and grand cities of Andalucia. Their activities in Agrotourism, for example, include excursions to the seasonal events of the mountain white villages and of regional Ag, of cooking traditional foods, of wine tasting, and of fishing in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, their complementary company Olefruits offers online direct marketing to local farmers of organic fruits, such as oranges, olives, avocado and mango.

 This podcast continues an exploration of the concept of a Community Food System begun in Episode #16 via conversations with the grassroots groups of the Quay Community Garden and the Edible Landscape Project in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, who, along with other local community groups, are leading the development of a community food system and Climate Action for their region. In this Episode #17 we will learn about the group Edible Landscape Project. I was so lucky to live in this progressive community for 10 months in 2021 and become involved in several of their projects. Through a diversity of stakeholders and activities, this community is an excellent example of how the "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" in terms of growing a sustainable food system.

This podcast offers an introduction to the concept of a Community Food System and to the grassroots groups of the Quay Community Garden and the Edible Landscape Project in Westport, Ireland, who, along with other local community groups, are leading the development of a community food system and Climate Action for their region.In this Episode #16 you will learn about the Quay Community Garden. I was so lucky to live in this progressive community for 10 months in 2021 and become involved in several of their projects. Through a diversity of stakeholders and activities, this community is an excellent example of how the "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" in terms of growing a sustainable food system.

This episode was made during a site visit to the Market Garden micro-farm known as The Gnomes which is located in Dublin, Ireland.  It is an inspiring example of the urban Ag movement in Europe that is attracting young farmers to respond to the needs and growing awareness of the consumers and communities for sustainable food systems.

This episode visits Darina Allen of the Balleymaloe Cookery School, Organic Farm and Gardens in Ballymaloe, Ireland. She describes her personal and family's journey from being an organic farmer to chef to a world class cookery school to a food system leader which supports the diverse community of their Irish food culture and local food economy.

This episode returns to the island of Crete, Greece where we have an encore conversation in greater depth with Nikki Rose of Crete Culinary Sanctuaries, an advocate for community-based tourism that preserves organic agriculture, food culture, and traditional lifestyles.