"Partly what you don't want to do is too much amending, because the tree might get too comfortable in its hole. You want the tree to be able to want to sort of go out and spread it's roots out." Ross Gay, on planting a Serviceberry bush
On our show this week we drop in on a community Food Day celebration at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard in Southern Indiana where Ross Gay demonstrates the planting of a Serviceberry bush. Ross Gay is an acclaimed poet at Indiana University. His most recent book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, was a finalist for the 2015 National Book Award.*
But it's in his capacity as an orchardist that he leads this planting demonstration. Gay has been active with the Bloomington Community Orchard since its founding in twenty-10. He's planted his fair share of trees.
Kendra Brewer walks us through the making and canning of apple pie filling, and Stephanie Solomon talks about the importance of pie in building community connections, and tackling the root causes of food insecurity.
We've also got news about SNAP benefits and the farm bill, and a coalition of farmers and food activists organizing to make sure Senator Joe Donnelly hears their concerns about the farm bill.
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*Correction: In the the podcast Kayte Young states that Ross Gay's book Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude was a finalist for the the 2017 National Book Award. It was a Finalist for the 2015 National Book Award, and winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Apologies for the mistake and any confusion it may have caused.
Stories On This Episode
Apple Pie Filling for Canning
Preserve the taste of autumn, and enjoy homemade apple pie any time of the year.
Food Stamp Fate Murky In 2018 Farm Bill
As Congress prepares to reauthorize the federal farm bill later this year, watchdogs and voters are bracing for possible cuts to the SNAP program.
Food and Farms Coalition Builds Collective Power
Small-scale farmers and food security activists join forces on the 2018 farm bill.