Brad Boa’s Post

***. WHAT'S YOUR TAKE? I recently engaged in a thought-provoking exchange with Joseph Farmer about the impact of gardens & urban forests on human health, specifically in relation to dementia and alzeimer's. This sparked my interest to delve deeper into the research and uncover evidence-based insights on the topic. I found a few instances of such research such as this study that investigated the relationship between urban tree canopy and dementia risk in a large sample of 109,688 adults over an 11-year period. The study found that individuals living in areas with a higher urban tree canopy had a lower risk of developing dementia. The researchers suggest that this protective effect may be attributed to various environmental factors, including improved air quality, reduced heat exposure, and increased opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. These environmental benefits may play a mediating role in the association between living near urban trees and a lower likelihood of developing dementia. I'm curious to hear from other folks on their perspective or what research they've encountered regarding these issues.

The 2024 Dallas InnerCity Growers' (DIG) Summit promises to be even better than last year. Applause, please for Rabekha Siebert and Ashley Hutto for doing such an amazing job AGAIN...! And a big thank you should go to Carlos Evans , Director of Dallas' Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability under which the Dallas Comprehensive Agriculture Plan is empowered, for providing key funding to make this seminal event happen. Our urban and regional food system needs events such as this… To “locate, educate, motivate and activate” the people who can really bring change to our N. Texas food system… to realistically and pragmatically address our food system challenges.

“What can I do? I’m only one person.” I do hear this often… and now I link that protest to the life of my late, dear friend, Richard Marcus. Richard is proof positive of what one person can do… Richard passed away a week ago today. I met Richard in 2017. This isn’t meant to be a political statement but the fact that I met him during the Dallas Women’s March inevitability, of course, carries with it some political connotations. A mutual friend said, “Brad, you need to meet this guy, Richard Marcus”. We met. We connected, as on rare occasions that one does. Richard expressed his concern, his dismay with the growing divides in our country. He expressed concern that civics were no longer being taught in our schools. He was shocked at the low voter turnout. He decided to do something about that. Later in 2017, he founded March to the Polls (MTTP), a non-partisan, non-profit organization with the mission of helping people register to vote and get to the polls. The Latino Voter Empowerment Coalition grew from MTTP and then the Student Voter Empowerment Clubs. Hugely successful in Dallas and Tarrant County, the SVEC establishes and sponsors non-partisan dynamic student-led civic engagement clubs in high schools, open to grades 9-12. SVEC clubs fill the gap from a lack of civics education in school curricula, increase student voter turnout, and cultivate a lifelong commitment to voting and civic engagement. Through his energy and commitment, and belief in the American dream, Richard was instrumental in helping over 50,000 people register to vote, and undoubtedly sparked a different and more empowered future for many of our young community members. Battling cancer for some time, Richard had hoped to live to vote one more time. That was not to be. But even in death, he continued to exhort participation in this most American of rights, privileges & responsibilities … VOTE. Camila Correa Bourdeau Eric Cedillo

Climate Resilient Cities Ranked: Dallas comes in at # 68 A friend recently returned from a two-week trip to the East Coast (North Carolina and Virginia) and was struck by the stark contrast between the two regions. As he Uber'd from the airport to his home in N Dallas, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the scorching heat, which had reached a sweltering 104 degrees. That drive is a monotonous stretch of strip centers, apartment buildings and warehouses. As he gazed out the window, he couldn't help but wonder, "Why do I live here?" The thought was fueled by the growing concern about the region's increasingly extreme heatwaves and what the future would hold. This experience sparked a desire to reevaluate his living situation and consider a move to a more desirable location. The question lingered, "Is it time to leave the heat behind and find a new home?" Like many who believe in the science of climate change, the idea of moving to a more climate-resilient city can be a compelling prospect. As extreme weather events become more frequent, the appeal of living in a place that is better equipped to handle these challenges is undeniable. Climate-resilient cities are often designed with infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, have policies that prioritize sustainability, and offer a higher quality of life with access to clean energy, efficient public transportation, and green spaces. Moving to such a city represents not only a chance to live in a better environment but also an opportunity to be part of a community that is ACTIVELY working to mitigate the effects of climate change. USA Today ranks the more climate-resilient cities....

Want to make your garden more sustainable and reduce waste? Researchers at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are exploring the potential of using crushed recycled glass as a soil additive suggesting that the unique chemical properties of glass that may enhance plant nutrition. While there are challenges to overcome, such as the high cost of setting up glass recycling centers and community acceptance, early findings suggest that the potential benefits of glass-based soils are significant: *Reduction of landfill waste by recycling glass. *Improvement in plant growth and water retention. *Natural pest and disease control with reduced need for fungicides. *Nutrient-rich soil due to the chemical properties of glass. *Sustainable agriculture and reduced use of chemical additives. *Contribution to a circular economy by repurposing waste materials. *Erosion control.

Heat Wave Alert: As Temperatures Soar, Growers and Breeders Scramble to Adapt As climate change intensifies and summer temperatures continue to soar, growers worldwide are rethinking what they cultivate. Seed breeders are racing to develop heat-tolerant varieties that can withstand extreme temperatures. For companies like Heinz, which depends on a specific type of tomato for its ketchup, this reality is particularly critical. Heinz has spent over 150 years perfecting its tomato variety through its HeinzSeed research center in CA, where all of the tomatoes for U.S. Heinz ketchup are grown. However, the region recently experienced its hottest July ever, with temperatures frequently surpassing 100°F, raising concerns about the potential impact on this year's tomato harvest. The tomatoes used for Heinz ketchup differ significantly from grocery store varieties, with a higher pulp concentration and deeper red color, making the threat of climate change a serious challenge to both yield and quality. In response, Heinz has invested millions of dollars in research focused on developing varieties that can survive hotter, drier growing conditions. While the outcome of this summer's harvest remains uncertain, with experts estimating yield losses as high as 20%, the situation underscores the growing need for agricultural innovation in the face of an increasingly extreme climate.

An interesting article that compares how a potential Kamala Harris or Donald Trump presidency could influence American agriculture, food security, and the broader landscape for farmers, workers, and consumers. Under a Harris administration, agricultural policies are expected to change little from those of the Biden administration. Harris has a history of focusing on food security, humane farming practices, and support for low-income families. Her past actions suggest she might be more active on consumer issues than Biden. During COVID-19, she advocated for thing such as expanding SNAP benefits & supporting food assistance programs, indicating a commitment to improving food security and aiding vulnerable populations. Harris is also supported by farm workers, with endorsements from unions appreciating her advocacy for worker protections and fair labor practices. In contrast, a Trump presidency could bring significant economic and policy shifts. His proposed tariffs on imported goods, particularly from China, may spark retaliatory measures, driving up costs and causing uncertainty in the agricultural sector. To make up for export revenue lost to American farmers, Trump’s previous administration provided substantial bailouts ($32 billion) to offset the negative impacts of his trade war. Close examination suggests that these actions primarily benefited large agricultural conglomerates. His immigration policies, which could lead to labor shortages, and attempts to cut SNAP benefits, signal a potential for higher food prices and decreased support for low-income families. Trump's proposed changes to the farm bill, aiming to divide it and reduce spending on farm-friendly programs, could further strain the agricultural sector, especially smaller farmers. The potential wild cards in both scenarios include the selection of the Secretary of Agriculture, which could significantly influence the direction of agricultural policy. Harris might choose candidates with a balanced approach to business and farming interests, while Trump's picks could lean more towards aggressive, conservative policies. The article suggest that overall, a Harris presidency promises continuity and a focus on consumer and worker protections, while a Trump presidency could bring economic volatility, with policies that may benefit larger players at the expense of smaller farmers and vulnerable populations.

Transforming the North Texas Food System: Call for Proposals Having shared many thoughts and insights with so many folks on this platform, I know that there are more than a few very interesting and insightful perspectives that some of you would love to share. This is a great opportunity to do so in front of a friendly and receptive audience of food system practitioners who are working hard for change & a more regenerative and restorative approach to growing our food and creating a more just food system. Submit your proposal. Brian V. Guse Owen Lynch Jaclyn Albin, MD, CCMS, DipABLM Christopher Higgins Erin W. Martin Steve Brazeel Daphne Miller

A gathering storm… The Crisis of Survival for Small-Scale Farmers Food prices are soaring... hitting the poorest Americans the hardest. From January 2020 to January 2024, food costs for an average family of four on a "thrifty" budget rose by 50%, increasing from $654 to $976 per month. But the poor are not alone in their suffering. Companies like Pepsico, General Mills and Tyson have cited “difficult” times as a reason for raising prices. However, while publicly citing "difficult times," they are in fact spending billions from their record profits to buy back their own shares to inflate stock value and distribute generous dividends. And while at one end consumers are being hit…at the other end of the supply chain, the farmers are not faring any better. The USDA is predicting a whopping 25.5% drop in net farm income for 2024, falling from $151.1 billion in 2023 to $116.1 billion—a staggering $43 billion decrease in just one year. And this is on the heels of a 16% decline from 2022 to 2023. This forecast would represent the largest two-year decline in U.S. farm income ever, with a total decrease of over 40%. Ben Brown, an agricultural economist with the University of Missouri observed, “The $90-billion drop over a two-year period is certainly the largest dollar value drop, adjusted for inflation, that we've seen in our history. It exceeds the previous record set in the mid-1970s. When it comes to percentage changes, we've seen larger percentage changes. But you'd have to go all the way back to the Great Depression era and the early 1930s to find bigger percentage declines.” Obviously, this doesn’t bode well for our already challenged national food system. #SustainableLiving #LocalProduce #HealthyCommunities #foodjustice #fooddesertsolutions #buylocal

Dr. Jay Famiglietti, a professor at Arizona State University and director of science for the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative, describes the groundwater depletion in California's Central Valley as "kicking the can down the road." He warns that this severe issue threatens the nation's food supply, highlighting the urgent need for addressing the looming food system crisis. He contends that without a unified national strategy for groundwater management and conservation, the US faces the risk of significant disruptions to food production, soaring food prices, and the substantial environmental and economic costs associated with large-scale multi-billion dollar water transfer projects. The current state-level efforts are not enough…. a national water policy is essential to systematically evaluate groundwater resources and implement sustainable practices to preserve this vital resource for future generations.