The Road to Local Food Systems With Richie Bloomfield

In the first episode ever of Vistas & Voices, I sit down with Richie Bloomfield, an assistant professor and PhD student focusing on agro-food systems and farm policy. We engage in a profound discussion about the complexities of small-scale farming, agricultural policies, urban farming, and the importance of developing local food systems. Richie shares his work with Urban Roots and discusses his journey in agriculture, as well as the challenges of navigating the complexities of soil contamination and land usage policies. This episode explores how Urban Roots makes fresh produce more accessible to all and improves the quality of life for local communities. Richie also delves into the importance of exploring farm policy and promoting change within the agricultural industry, touching on topics including corporate dominance, the scarcity of young farmers, and the potential for urban farming to encourage greater diversity in farming. 

 

I am so excited to be releasing my first podcast episode and I hope that you enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it. I appreciate you listening, enjoy the conversation...

 

01:30 The Journey into Agriculture

04:27 The Birth of Urban Roots

07:22 Challenges and Successes of Urban Farming

10:08 Expanding Urban Agriculture

15:44 Future of Urban Farming

27:32 Predominant Trend in Agriculture

28:00 Struggles of Modern Farmers

28:34 Resilience of Small Scale Farms

29:30 Role of Technology in Agriculture

30:20 Impact of Industrial Farming

32:28 Future of Hydroponic Growing

33:13 Challenges of Scaling in Agriculture

33:33 Future of Urban Farming

34:01 Focus of PhD Research in Agriculture

34:40 Importance of Land Use Policies

35:00 Future of Young Farmers

39:56 Impact of Globalization on Agriculture

46:47 Challenges of Defining Regenerative Practices

57:13 Importance of Local Governance in Agriculture

01:01:17 The Hope for a More Resilient Agriculture Industry

01:06:20 Conclusion: The Future of Agriculture