Resources


Below I've copied my Resources Page because I've grown aware that a lot of folks don't know I've got one and/or don't know where to turn for a go-to destination on the web related to food gardening and food movement resources.  Take a quick (or long) look through.  In the short or long-term future, you can come back and find them by clicking the "resources" link just over to the right under the google search box.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that jazz...

Tallahassee Food Gardens Quick Reference Guides
What Can You Grow in a Square
- Square Foot Gardening (in raised beds), plant spacing, seasonal varieties
Food Gardening 101
- The Basics: local planting dates, how to prep beds, plant, water, etc
Cover Up that Soil
- Primer on the what, why, when, and best practices of growing cover crops
Types of Community Gardens
-Outlines the three major models of community gardens with local examples

Additional Quick References
Just Fruits and Exotics' Vegetable Planting Guide
- Planting dates, depths, yields, days to harvest, row spacing
Just Fruits and Exotics' "Just the Facts" about N FL Fruit Trees
- Locally adapted fruit trees, berries, grapes, kiwis and more
Native Nurseries' Pest Solutions
- A table that lists pests on one axis and available pest products on the other.
Just Fruits and Exotics' Beneficial Insect Guide
- Most insects are on your team.  How to bring the good ones in.
Cornell's "Home Composting"
- Composting Essentials, How to compost yard waste, food scraps, etc

Community Garden Resources

Local Sources (From which I secure 90% or more of my supplies)
Lumber/Hardware:
Capital City Lumber (2501 Lonnbladh Rd, (850) 385-0315)
J H Dowling (705 W. Madison Street, (850) 222-2616)
Capital Cash and Carry (1021 Railroad Avenue, (850) 224-2131)

Vegetable and herb plants, Seeds, and Soil Amendments:
Gramlings Seed Store (1010 S. Adams Street, (850) 222-4812)
Native Nurseries
Tallahassee Nurseries
Esposito
Heinz Nurseries
Natural Matters (local Fertrell -organic- Fertilizer distributor)

Fruit Trees, Berries and Grape Vines:
Just Fruits and Exotics

I Also occasionally Order Seeds, Tools, Extra Supplies, etc from
Bountiful Gardens
Seed Savers Exchange
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
A M Leonard


My Top Three "Go-To" Food Gardening Books
1)Down to Earth Gardening Down South (Tallahassee native, Lacy Bullard)
2)How to Grow More Vegetables (John Jevons)
3)Square Foot Gardening (Mel Bartholomew)


For Aspiring Community Food System (Food Movement) Facilitators
On Community Organizing and Facilitating:
The Long Haul (Myles Horton)
     - the best book I've read about building and sustaining social movements
Growing Communities Curriculum (from the ACGA)
    - "How to" on Community Garden Facilitation and Com. Organizing
Ripples from the Zambezi: Passion, Entrepreneurship...
     - Great stories about facilitating vs doing thing "for" others
Change by Design
    - use design-thinking in your efforts to grow a new food system

Understanding the Food Movement
"The Food Movement, Rising" (Michael Pollan)
"A Good Food Manifesto" (Will Allen)

Urban Agriculture
CFSC Urban Ag Primer
City Farmer (Urban Ag News Blog)
"Start an Urban Farm" (ATTRA/NCAT publication)
Beginning Farmer's Amazing resource of Urban Ag Links

To Understand the Current Industrialized Food System
Food, Inc. (movie)
King Corn (movie)
Fresh (the movie)

Addressing Privilege and Oppression amidst the movement
"White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" (Peggy McIntosh)
History of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network
Growing Food and Justice for all Initiative on Race and the Food System

Organizations to Track and/or Join, which offer great conferences
American Community Gardening Association (ACGA)
Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC)
Growing Power
Seed Savers Exchange

Urban Ag; Micro Ag Educational Opportunities and Resources
Georgia Organics Urban Ag Training (Atlanta, GA)
Growing Growers (Kansas City)
Michigan State University Student Organic Farm
San Diego City College Urban Agriculture Certificate Program
SPIN (Small Plot INtensive) Farming
Grow Biointensive/ Ecology Action
Beginning Farmers Blog
"Start a Farm in the City" (joint effort between ATTRA and NCAT)
Also See SARE publications (below)

Additional Books and Resources on Sustainable Food Production
  Weedless Gardening (Lee Reich)
  The Organic Manual (Howard Garrett)
  How to Grow World Record Tomatoes (Charles Wilber)
  Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening (Bradley, Ellis, and Phillips)
 
  Permaculture: Principles and Pathways (David Holmgren)
  Introduction to Permaculture (Bill Mollison)
  Edible Forest Gardens (Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier)

  National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA)
  Sustainable Agriculture Research Education (SARE)
 
SARE Publications-- free to download
  Building Soils for Better Crops (Magdoff and Vanes)
  Managing Cover Crops Profitably
  Manage Insects on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies
  Crop Rotation on Organic Farms: A Planning Manual
  Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms...
  How to Direct-Market Your Beef

  Land and Power: Sustainable Agriculture and African Americans

Our Very Own Local Food Raising Experts
FAMU's CESTA (agricultural extension)
UF's IFAS (agricultural extension)
Farmer Pam at Backyard Farm in Monticello, FL
Damayan Garden Project
Front-Yard Farmer in Niceville, FL
FSU's Tallahassee Sustainability Group (a student organization)