During World War II, 40% of the nations produce was grown on small local gardens called Victory Gardens. The gardens lowered the cost of fruits and vegetables, fed troops, and brought communities on the home-front together.

In a time where we as American’s are eating ourselves to death and where climate change could cause unprecedented food shortages, the Victory Garden might be an old idea worth reexamining. If you haven’t already heard, the incoming administration is asking for ideas and the victory garden has been proposed.

Submit your own idea for the Obama administration or vote for the victory gardens at Change.org

Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Field Guide has a nice news piece about an electric drag car that is breaking records and beating gas-powered cars. The more people see this, the more people will realize that electric cars can be rough and rugged too. Check it out:

Here are some of our favorite moments from our interviews this past year:

Dear St. Nick, or as I like to call you “The Claus”,

I know this might be a very late request, but I think you should check out this new alternative to plastic when you go out to deliver your gifts. The german company Tecnaro, has developed a “liquid-wood” that is bio-degradable and recyclable. It can be injection-molded to make toys and addresses concerns that people have about toxins in plastic toys. Arboform is made from the bi-products of paper-making and can be used to make everything from golf-tees to car parts to toys to the nativity scene below. If you can’t get some of these gifts made this holiday season, perhaps next year.

Peace,
The Green Rapper

With a 21 percent jobless rate in Motown, many people have taken advantage of empty lots to build community gardens. This AP article reports that within the city of Detroit, hundreds of urban vegetable gardens have popped up on abandoned properties. This kind of land grab has become common in the city where a house was famously purchased for 1 dollar.

In Los Angeles, a much more contentious story played out in the ashes of the 1992 Riots. The Garden Movie documents the story of an urban farm in South Central and the fight to preserve it from development. Here is a preview:

For our last episode of 2008, we head to Union Square in downtown San Francisco to check out the offices of the Green Dentist, Nammy Patel. In all aspects of their business, the Green Dentistry strives to be sustainable. From patient care, to interior design, to dental equipment, their common-sense approach to sustainability is a model for green businesses of all types.

In this TED talk, Paul Stamets makes the case for saving species of fungi whose mycelium may be able to create energy, sequester carbon, naturally kill pests, and protect us from global pandemics. This video is rich with insights on the power of mushrooms. Check out how you can get involved at www.fungi.com and if you haven’t watched free TED talks, get your world class education here.