Local food Archives

Monarch Butterflies: Yet Another Species on the Brink

May 28, 2022May 30, 2022 Mike Nowak Bob Benenson, Dolly Foster, gardening, Local Food Forum, monarch butterflies, monarch population 2022, Peggy Malecki, summer farmers markets, The Green Dispatch, The Mike Nowak Show, types of milkweed

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:07:12 — 61.2MB)

The monarch numbers from Mexico were just released and they’re…okay. Which means that the iconic species is still threatened. Horticulturist Dolly Foster returns to the show to talk about choosing plants–including milkweed–to attract monarchs and other pollinators to your yard. Bob Benenson of Local Food Forum reports on the start of summer farmers market season and some developments for small farms and growers.

Climate change Composting Food justice Gardening Local food Native plants Organics soil health

How to Go Beyond Organic Growing

March 26, 2022March 29, 2022 Mike Nowak beyond organic growing, Bob Benenson, Chicago's Green City Market, Emily Murphy, fighting climate change in your garden, GROW NOW, Local Food Forum, opening farmers markets in April, Peggy Malecki, regenerative gardening, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:57:23 — 55.6MB)

If it’s spring, it’s time to talk once again to Bob Benenson from Local Food Forum. He reports on as many issues as he can get to in about 20 minutes, They include the reasoning behind Chicago’s Green City Market’s decision to open a month earlier. Author Emily Murphy returns to the show to talk about her new book, GROW NOW. In it, she shares the gospel of regenerative gardening, no-till, and what it means to go beyond organic.

Climate change Composting Environment Gardening Information from Past Shows Insects Lawn Care Local food Monarch butterflies Native plants Natural sciences Recycling soil health

How to Create The Healthy Garden

January 8, 2022January 11, 2022 Mike Nowak environment, gardening, Gathering of Gardeners, green living, healthy world, healthy you, Kathleen Norris Brenzel, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Sunset Magazine, sustainability, The Healthy Garden, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:03:32 — 58.8MB)

We start a brand new year with a brand new book. The Healthy Garden: Simple Steps for a Greener World is written by a couple of gardening pros–Kathleen Norris Brenzel and Mary-Kate Mackey. We’ll talk about how and especially why you should become a friend of the earth. Then Mike and Peggy talk about some of the environmental stories making headlines. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio has his first report of the year, following Chicago’s first snow of the year.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:10:50 — 62.8MB)

This Sunday we explore how different groups work to provide healthy, local food to the Chicago region, while sometimes improving the lives of the people who grow that food. We talk to Bob Kopach from the Eco-Friendly Farm Stand Project and Tucker Kelly, lead grower at Growing Solutions Farm, which is part of Urban Autism Solutions. Mike and Peggy will have some advice giving during the holiday season. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio follows up on the devastating tornadoes in the middle part of our country.

Biology Composting Conservation Environment Gardening Insects Local food Native plants Natural sciences soil health

Exploring Sustainability Myths and Solutions

December 4, 2021December 7, 2021 Mike Nowak edible landscaping, gardening, gardening myths, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Robert Kourik, root myths, Save Bell Bowl Prairie, sustainability, Sustainable Food Gardens, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:11:47 — 63.8MB)

On Sunday’s show, we look at how to grow food sustainably. Is that permaculture? Or regenerative gardening? How about appropriate horticulture? We’ll ask Robert Kourik, author of the just-released Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions. Then Mike and Peggy dip into the grab bag of environmental news. Also, meteorologist Rick DiMaio is back and we’ll talk about why it won’t snow in Colarado but it will in Hawaii.

Conservation Environment Insects Local food

Can One Bee Rescue a Valuable Remnant Prairie?

October 2, 2021October 5, 2021 Mike Nowak Bell Bowl Prairie, Bob Benenson, Chicago Rockford International Airport, endangered species, fall farmers markets, Kerry Leigh, Local Food Forum, Natural Land Institute, Peggy Malecki, remnant prairie, Robb Telfer, rusty patched bumble bee, The Mike Nowak Show

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An expansion at Chicago Rockford International Airport threatens a valued prairie remnant. Thanks to the sighting of an endangered rusty patched bumble bee, the construction is on hold…for the moment. We talk to Kerry Leigh from the Natural Land Institute and naturalist/artist Robb Telfer about what this means for natural areas across the state. Bob Benenson from Local Food Forum returns to preview the remainder of the farmers market season.

Local food

Monarch Butterflies: Yet Another Species on the Brink

How to Go Beyond Organic Growing

Green School Farms on the Front Line of Sustainability

Expect Great Growing in 2022

How to Create The Healthy Garden

How to Provide Good Food Through Growing Solutions

Exploring Sustainability Myths and Solutions

And Now for Something Completely Different

I Know What You Did in the Garden this Year

Can One Bee Rescue a Valuable Remnant Prairie?