May 30, 2024
In this episode we speak with Orlane Panet, co-founder of Microhabitat, an urban farming company creating roof top gardens in cities all around the world. We discuss urban population growth and why we need to re-imagine the cities' unused spaces and how rooftop gardens can be a gateway for city dwellers to learn about sustainability, ecological agriculture, healthy eating and more. Orlane shares her belief in business as a way to make positive change in the world and how the urban farms of Microhabitat have much greater impact than meets the eye.
To learn more about Microhabitat visit: https://microhabitat.com/
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Timestamps
[3:56] Microhabitat model and origin story
[10:05] Re-thinking the urban environment
[16:28] Importance of living soil in urban farming
[18:13] Standardization v. improvisation for success in farming and business
[21:54] Social and community impact of urban farms
[29:09] Container growing v. green roofs
[32:48] Alternative career opportunities for farmers
[35:30] Environmental reporting - pollinator tracking with sound and air DNA
[42:41] Covid's effect on urban farming
[49:29] Importance of education in creating change
[53:35] How a grower or property owner can get involved
[1:01:30] How urban gardens help small farms outside the city
[1:05:02] Orlane's personal journey from health issues to organic farming
[1:10:47] Why hydroponics is not the answer
[1:14:10] The meaning of "sustainability"
[1:15:16] Why for-profit business can be more impactful than non-profit
[1:20:30] Why collaborating with the "bad guys" may be the best way to change them
[1:28:47] The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/
Activevista https://www.activevista.com.au/
Links/Resources
Market Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com/
Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/
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Growers & Co: https://growers.co/
Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/
The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/
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Guest Social Media Links
Microhabitat:
Website: https://microhabitat.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/microhabitat.ca/
Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/microhabitat
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/microhabitat_ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/microhabitat.ca
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2b2oLw3wSmH5azWjALI7Ig/videos
JM:
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