#4 196 Days of Travel
9000+ miles, 56 cities, 19 states, 2 countries, and 27 interviews.
Hi Friends,
Greetings from South Florida!
Yes, that's right, I'm back in Florida. The last six months flew by, full of interviews, tours, and ongoing work. I am now catching up with my writing and excited to share with you the journey I've taken and the lessons I've learned along the way.
It’s been 196 days of travel. In that time, I drove 9000+ miles, visited 56 cities in 19 states, 2 countries, and conducted 27 interviews.
Okeechobee, FL
Tampa, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Floral City, FL
Jacksonville, FL
Bluffton, GA
Chattahoochee Hills, GA
Atlanta, GA
Toccoa, GA
Hendersonville, NC
Weaverville, NC
Asheville, NC (Start of Blue Ridge Parkway)
Lineville, NC
Moorseville, NC
Winston-Salem, NC (End of Blue Ridge Parkway)
Hardy, VA
Crawford, VA
Richmond, VA
Fredericksburg, VA
Washington D.C.
Baltimore, MD
Philidelphia, PA
Wilmington, DE
Grasonville, MD
Rehoboth Beach, DE (Ferry to Cape May)
Cape May, NJ
New Rochelle, NY
Brooklyn, NY
Montauk, NY
Jamesport, NY (Ferry to Connecticut)
North Falmouth, MA
Boston, MA
Harwich, MA
Chatham, MA
Provincetown, MA
Portland, ME
Boothbay, ME
Camden, ME
Acadia National Park, ME
Kennebunkport, ME
Ogunquit, ME
Montpelier, VT
Stowe, VT
Burlington, VT
Ithaca, NY
Burdett, NY
Buffalo, NY
Fort Erie, Canada
Niagara Falls, Canada
Toronto, Canada
Detriot, MI
Ann Arbor, MI
South Bend, IN
Chicago, IL
Nashville, TN
Atlanta, GA
Boca Raton, FL
From Florida to Maine and back.
To every farmer, friend, and family member that hosted me along the way, thank you. This journey would not have been the same if it were not for your hospitality, generosity, and a hot shower.
With the year coming to a close, I will be writing, reading, and preparing for the next half of this adventure. As I reflect on these last few months, it still amazes me the sheer tenacity farmers have to choose a lifestyle that requires real resilience to work in a system that overwhelmingly undervalues the fruits of their labor.
After the new year, I’m headed west. The journey continues. There are more farms to see and more farmers to meet. What will be interesting to note is the differences between farms, produce, and farmers as I make my way west. The cities will be different, the density will be different, and the people will be different.
A few additional updates worth sharing:
My team at Agritecture won an extensive request for proposal (RFP) with the City of Dallas to develop a comprehensive urban agriculture plan.
This is a very exciting and challenging project and, personally, a significant milestone for me. A press release will go out soon.
Three interviews will air on FIELDS, a show on the Heritage Radio Network, a “nonprofit podcast network dedicated to creating a more equitable, sustainable, and delicious world by expanding the way eaters think about food.” This includes:
Exploring Farms Unknown with Jeffrey Landau
j olu baiyewu, on urban agriculture in Atlanta, GA.
Teniso Seanima, on urban agriculture in the City of East Point, GA
A few news stories to highlight as the year comes to a close:
NYC Council Votes to Create a Citywide Climate Resiliency Plan. This plan will:
Establish an Office of Urban Agriculture (“OUA”) within the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability
Establish a 13-member Urban Agriculture Advisory Board (“UAAB”) to advise the director of OUA, the Mayor and the Council on issues relating to urban agriculture
Require the OUA to prepare an urban agriculture report by October 1, 2023, and every five years thereafter in cooperation with several stakeholders, including relevant agencies, food policy educators, community gardens, and urban farming businesses
The USDA is hiring a Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. More and more cities are hiring for urban ag directors, but there is still a lack of leadership on the Federal level. This will change that.
The Fulton County Board of Commission passes resolution supporting small farm and urban agriculture,
A Resolution declaring the importance of local sustainable food sources by supporting the growth and development of urban agriculture, small farms, urban farming and the local food economy; directing the Director of Public Works to provide a recommendation for expanding the land use provision in unincorporated Fulton County to support urban agriculture more broadly; and a call to action for municipalities within Fulton County to support urban agriculture and remove obstacles or roadblocks that discourage or prevent this industry.
Slowly, but surely.
Wishing you all a happy holiday season and a healthy new year!
- Jeff
Great stuff Jeff. Such a cool adventure and project. See you for the second half.