GrowAbility

Season Wrap-Up: Joe & Holly Dig In

It's an end-of-season mini-episode, with Joe & Holly sharing some great news and some surprises to come. But while we're cooking up some new episodes of the podcast, be on the lookout for fresh ideas and even some cutting-room floor exclusives from the past season at our StoryHub, GrowAbilityPod.com [https://www.growabilitypod.com/]. Make sure to sign up for all our exclusive subscriber-only content at GrowAbilityPod.com [https://www.GrowAbilityPod.com] or follow us on your favourite social platform at bio.site/GrowAbilityPod [https://bio.site/growabilitypod] and we'll see you for Season 2 coming soon! EPISODE CREDITS GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley. Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley. This episode's extra special production support from Oliver Gansevles and Paul Rodgers. Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great. Thanks to Heeman's for helping us find the perfect greenery. Audience strategy by Doruntina Uka and Tess Alcock. Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walther and can be found on Soundstripe. Adam Caplan, that's me, is web.isod.es Executive Producer and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator. GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH [https://www.patchlondon.ca/]and Hutton House [https://www.huttonhouse.com/].

Holly Pugsley Just Keeps Growing

The tables turn! GrowAbility Co-host Joe [https://www.growabilitypod.com/meet-joe-gansevles/] flips the script and interviews his colleague Holly Pugsley [https://www.growabilitypod.com/meet-holly-pugsley/]. Holly shares her journey from a background in fashion and styling to discovering her passion for urban agriculture during COVID-19, which became a sanctuary for her mental health. She explains how her home grow room project evolved into her company "Just Keep Growing [https://www.instagram.com/justkeepgrowingcompany/]." While initially focusing on microgreens, Holly describes her pivotal discovery of edible flowers, which transformed her approach by adding an aesthetic dimension to her work. She details how growing pansies indoors created a visually stunning experience with multicolored blooms and amazing aromas, connecting her background in fashion with food production. Holly discusses her work overseeing indoor farms at The PATCH, an organization addressing food insecurity, and how their accessible growing systems benefit people with disabilities. Throughout the conversation, Holly returns to her personal mantra "just keep growing," which represents both her business philosophy and her approach to life's challenges. The episode highlights Holly's mission to create an "ecosystem of positivity" through urban agriculture, edible flowers, and community support, while changing perspectives on food insecurity. It's a not-to-be-missed opportunity to get to know both our hosts in a whole new way! LINKS MENTIONED * Just Keep Growing [https://www.instagram.com/justkeepgrowingcompany/] (Instagram) * The PATCH London [https://patchlondon.ca/] * Follow or Subscribe to GrowAbility [https://bio.site/growabilitypod] on your favourite platform EPISODE CREDITS GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley. Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley. This episode's extra special production support from Oliver Gansevles and Paul Rodgers. Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great. Thanks to Heeman's for helping us find the perfect greenery. Audience strategy by Dorrentina Ucke and Tess Alcock. Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walther and can be found on Soundstripe. Adam Caplan, that's me, is web.isod.es Executive Producer and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator. GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH [https://www.patchlondon.ca/]and Hutton House [https://www.huttonhouse.com/].

Kim Parker Grows Hope

Kim Parker, President and CEO of Food Security Structures Canada joins hosts Joe and Holly to talk about new technologies helping to mitigate food insecurity both here in Canada and around the world (both literally and figuratively). Food Security Structures Canada, established six years ago, specializes in controlled environment agricultural structures that enable year-round food production regardless of location or climate challenges. Kim describes their innovative agri-tunnels, which combine vertical farming with aeroponic and hydroponic systems. These systems can grow a wide variety of crops, from traditional leafy greens to more experimental crops like root vegetables, including radishes, carrots, and beets. The company's technology allows for growing in extreme conditions and has proven particularly resilient to climate change impacts. The discussion also highlights Canada's significant dependence on imported fresh produce (60-80%), emphasizing the need for local food production solutions. Kim shares how their systems are price-competitive with traditional produce while offering fresher, longer-lasting products with zero waste. The company's commitment to accessibility extends to making their technology affordable and adaptable for various communities. Kim's personal background, including her corporate sales experience and Indigenous heritage, influences the company's approach to community engagement and food security solutions. She emphasizes the importance of listening to communities' needs before implementing solutions, whether in Canada or internationally. The conversation explores future developments, including partnerships with nuclear energy companies for power solutions and potential applications in space farming through collaborations with NASA. Throughout the interview, Kim maintains that their primary focus remains on Earth-based food security, driven by the mission to make fresh, nutritious food accessible to all. LINKS MENTIONED * FSSC Website: https://www.foodsecuritystructures.ca/ * FSSC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fssccanada/ * FSSC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSSCCanada/ * FSSC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/food-security-structures-canada/ FOR GROWABILITY Find our storyhub, instagram and other info at https://bio.site/growabilitypod EPISODE CREDITS GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley. Special thanks to this week's guest, Kim Parker. Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley. Production support from Oliver Gansevles, Evan Gansevles, Scott Hohn, Kevin Labonte, Paul Rodgers, Doruntina Uka and Alan Williamson. Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great. Audience strategy by Doruntina Uka and Tess Alcock. Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrienne Walther and can be found on Soundstripe. Adam Caplan is web.isod.es Executive Producer and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator. Thanks to TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, including Farida Abdelnabi and Sarah Edmondson for letting us shoot at their beautiful offices. Special thanks to Leigh Ann Gansevles for the support and yummy food, Hubert Orlowski for helping our podcast sound great, and Gabor Sass for making some great introductions. GrowAbility is a web.isod.es Production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.

Lia Babitch Will Seed You Now

Joe and Holly have a virtual hangout with Lia Babitch [https://www.growabilitypod.com/meet-lia-babitch/], co-manager of the Turtle Tree Seed Initiative at Camphill Village Copake, New York and discuss the ways in which seeds can nurture both plants and human potential . The Turtle Tree Seed Initiative, a non-profit operating within the Camphill community, grows and sells nearly 400 varieties of open-pollinated seeds using biodynamic practices. What makes them unique is their integration with Camphill's mission of creating meaningful work opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, who work alongside volunteers and long-term community members in the seed production process. Through their Safe Seed Pledge and commitment to "social agriculture" - working collaboratively rather than in isolation - Turtle Tree demonstrates how sustainable agriculture can simultaneously preserve plant diversity and foster human dignity. The initiative exemplifies Camphill's philosophy that everyone, regardless of ability, has valuable contributions to make. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Turtle Tree Seed Inititative [https://turtletreeseed.org/] (and store) * Camphill Village Copake [https://camphillvillage.org/] ABOUT LIA BABITCH Lia Babitch is co-manager of Turtle Tree Seed Initiative [https://turtletreeseed.org/] in Copake, New York, which has a mission "...to improve the quality, variety and availability of biodynamic seeds and to promote and provide a seed supply from diversified biodynamic farms and gardens." The seed company has an online e-commerce site offering a truly astonishingly wide variety (385+) of 100% open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Every single seed available for sale is grown using Demeter-certified Biodynamic and organic practices, is non-GMO, non-hybrid, never treated, and grown without the use of chemical inputs.. Turtle Tree is part of Camphill Village Copake [https://camphillvillage.org/], which is in turn part of the global Camphill Movement [https://www.camphill.org/]. Camphill Village is an integrated life-sharing community located on 750 acres of wooded hills, gardens and pastures in Copake, NY. Turtle Tree Seed’s 30-person team operates workspace directly on the Camphill Village site, and 20 members of that team have some sort of developmental difference. These individuals are involved in every aspect of helping to grow, select, and clean each seed with great care. Early adopters of so-called "seed transparency", the Turtle Tree Seed Initiative grows most varieties in thier own gardens. The remainder of the inventory is sourced from other committed biodynamic farmers. In addition to direct sales, Turtle Tree actively encourages and educates people who want to grow and save open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. SHOW CREDITS GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley. Special thanks to this week's guest, Lia Babitch. Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley. Production support from Oliver Gansevles, Evan Gansevles, Scott Hohn, Kevin Labonte, Paul Rogers, Dorentina Ucke and Alan Williamson. Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great. Audience strategy by Dorentina Ucke and Tess Alcock. Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrienne Walther and can be found on Soundstripe. Adam Caplan is web.iso.des [https://web.isod.es] executive producer and Sammy Orlowski is our senior creator. Thanks to TechAlliance [https://www.techalliance.ca] of Southwestern Ontario, including Farida Abdelnabi and Sarah Edmondson for letting us shoot at their beautiful offices. Special thanks to Leigh Ann Gansevles for the support and yummy food, Hubert Orlowski for helping our podcast sound great and Gabor Sass for making some great introductions. GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.

Keisha Joseph Makes Food Deserts Bloom

Holly and Joe welcome Keisha Joseph, a food systems coordinator at Indwell, a nonprofit providing supportive housing across Ontario. With her background in nutrition and dietetics, Keisha shares insights into food security, food literacy, and community building. She explains how Indwell helps residents transition from homelessness to stable housing while addressing food insecurity through meal programs, cooking classes, and grocery shopping support. Keisha discusses how food deserts, rising prices, and inadequate social benefits contribute to systemic food insecurity. She advocates for a practical approach to nutrition, emphasizing the importance of regular meals over strict dietary rules. The conversation explores urban planning's role in food accessibility, the potential of indoor farming, and how stable housing creates a foundation for food security. Keisha's passion for community nutrition and empowering others shines through as she describes her fulfilling work at Indwell.  LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: * Indwell's Website: https://indwell.ca/ * Indwell's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indwell.ca * The Middlesex London Food Policy Council: https://mlfpc.ca FOR GROWABILITY * Follow GrowAbility at https://gapod.me/links * Sign up for our Fresh & Nutritious Newsletter at https://gapod.me/newsletter ABOUT KEISHA JOSEPH Keisha Joseph is a food systems coordinator at Indwell, a nonprofit organization providing supportive housing across Ontario. With a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Brescia University College, she found her calling in community nutrition rather than clinical practice. At Indwell, Keisha works to improve food security and literacy among residents who have experienced homelessness or face housing instability. She started as a Food Program Facilitator, teaching cooking skills, grocery shopping, and food literacy while coordinating meal programs. Now in a coordination role, she oversees food programs throughout London's Indwell communities. As a member of the Middlesex London Food Policy Council, Keisha advocates for systemic changes to address food insecurity. She takes a practical approach to nutrition education, emphasizing regular meals and basic food groups over strict dietary rules. Her passion lies in empowering individuals to regain agency over their food choices while building stronger, more food-secure communities. SHOW CREDITS GrowAbility is hosted by Joe Gansevles and Holly Pugsley. Special thanks to this week's guest, Keisha Joseph. Our show is produced by Adam Caplan, Joe Gansevles, and Holly Pugsley. Production support from Oliver Gansevles, Evan Gansevles, Scott Hohn, Kevin Labont, Paul Rogers, Dorentina Uka, and Alan Williamson. Holly Pugsley of Just Keep Growing art directed this episode and made sure the plants looked great. Audience strategy by Dorentina Uka and Tess Alcock. Our theme music is Wandering William by Adrian Walther and can be found on Soundstripe. Adam Caplan, that's me, is web.isod.es Executive Producer, and Sammy Orlowski is our Senior Creator. Thanks to TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, including Farida Abdelnabi and Sarah Edmondson, for letting us shoot at their beautiful offices. Special thanks to Leigh Ann Gansevles for the support and yummy food, Hubert Orlowski for helping our podcast sound great, and Gabor Sass for making some great introductions. GrowAbility is a web.isod.es production and is produced with the support and participation of the team at The PATCH and Hutton House.