Host Michelle Lewis talks with Sherryl Durrant, resident garden manager and community lead at Kelly Street Garden in the South Bronx, about her shift from corporate work to nearly 20 years in community gardening after the 2008 economic collapse and training at Farm School NYC. Sherryl describes Kelly Street Garden’s history tied to housing activism after the “decade of fire,” its small 8,000-square-foot footprint, and its programming around culturally relevant food, health, education, art, and mental wellness. She emphasizes learning from community knowledge, the politics of poverty, and practical advice for new growers—volunteer, learn from elders, and follow seasonal timing. They discuss youth transformation through gardening, collaborative growing that increased harvests from about 600 to nearly 1,800 pounds, a community apothecary of herbs, and Sherryl’s hope in collective community, plus her “climate wand” vision for greener, more livable cities.

01:28 From Corporate to Soil

04:23 Kelly Street Garden Origins

12:01 Advice for New Growers

15:28 Youth Transformation and STEM

20:02 Okra Love and Food Culture

20:50 Finding Hope in Community

23:21 Growing Together and Big Harvests

25:52 Climate Stick

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Host Michelle Lewis interviews Aisha Ellis on Finding Hope in the Climate Crisis about D-Town Farm, an extension of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network and a seven-acre urban farm in Detroit’s River Rouge Park operating on long-term city leases and farming about 2.5 acres since acquiring the former Meyers Nursery land in 2008. Ellis shares how concern about GMOs and feeding her young son led her to growing, and how she joined D-Town Farm through a 2013 internship after working as a dance teacher. She describes her start in the Food Warriors afterschool gardening program, teaching children to grow and taste fresh produce while learning how advertising shapes unhealthy food choices. Ellis frames farming as purpose, stewardship, and resistance, discusses challenges like pests, limited staff and reliance on volunteers, and highlights beehives, senior food distribution, a Harvest Festival around the equinox, and dbcfsn.org. She concludes with a “climate stick” vision of protecting a clean, healthy climate for everyone.

00:00 Welcome and Retreat Meet

01:16 D Town Farm Origins

02:49 Aisha Starts Growing

05:54 Food Warriors Kids Program

11:18 Why Farming Matters

13:13 Heat Waves and Harvest Joy

16:12 Favorite Crops and Pests

21:36 Volunteers and Farm Operations

23:37 Advice for New Growers

25:26 D Town Events and Support

27:27 Climate Stick Vision

28:57 Closing Thanks and Goodbye

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In this episode of 'Finding Hope in the Climate Crisis,' host Michelle Lewis interviews filmmaker Kristen Tièche about her film 'The Invisible Mammal,' which explores the lives of bats and the devastating impact of white nose syndrome. Kristen shares her journey from discovering bats as a graduate student to making a film aimed at raising awareness and love for these misunderstood creatures. The discussion covers the ecological importance of bats, the challenges they face from diseases and environmental changes, and the innovative conservation efforts like 'Operation Fat Bat.' Kristen also highlights the importance of individual actions in community conservation efforts and how people can support and screen her film. The episode ends with a thought-provoking discussion on using a hypothetical 'climate stick' to encourage sustainable transportation.

Be sure to visit www.obxeff.com for more information on the Outer Banks Environmental Film Festival.

00:36 Kristen's Journey to Filmmaking and Bats

02:38 The Impact of White Nose Syndrome

07:15 Raising Awareness and Love for Bats

09:26 Bats' Contributions to Ecosystems

13:41 Bat Rehabilitation and Conservation Efforts

25:14 Current and Future Projects

28:23 Finding Hope in the Climate Crisis

34:09 Conclusion and Where to Watch the Film

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