A story short with Sandra and Miguel Pittman owners of Sandra's Next Generation Soul Food Restaurant in New Haven, CT. They share on their 32+ year journey as restaurateurs, being pillars in their community, and the family legacy they have fostered. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

A story short with Sandra and Miguel Pittman owners of Sandra's Next Generation Soul Food Restaurant in New Haven, CT. They share on their 32+ year journey as restaurateurs, being pillars in their community, and the family legacy they have fostered. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a> - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

Sandra's Next Generation Soul Food - Telling Their Story

A story short with Ms. Kim, owner of the oldest Asian market in New Haven, CT where she's been running this neighborhood institution with her personal touch for cooking and community since 1985. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

A story short with Ms. Kim, owner of the oldest Asian market in New Haven, CT where she's been running this neighborhood institution with her personal touch for cooking and community since 1985. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a> - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

Oriental Pantry - Telling Their Story 

A story short with husband and wife team Shilmat &amp; Wub Tessema on serving up traditional Ethiopian food and culture at their restaurant since 1999 plus the 24/7 demands of the kitchen and raising a family of three now grown children. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

A story short with husband and wife team Shilmat &amp; Wub Tessema on serving up traditional Ethiopian food and culture at their restaurant since 1999 plus the 24/7 demands of the kitchen and raising a family of three now grown children. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a>  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant - Telling Their Story 

A story short with Cositas Deliciosas owners Miguel Xicohtencatl &amp; Cecilia Serrano - Speaking on their business and personal journey to establish this delicious Mexican fruit, juice, and take-out shop in the Fair Haven neighborhood of New Haven, CT. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

A story short with Cositas Deliciosas owners Miguel Xicohtencatl &amp; Cecilia Serrano - Speaking on their business and personal journey to establish this delicious Mexican fruit, juice, and take-out shop in the Fair Haven neighborhood of New Haven, CT. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at <a href="https://thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a> - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

Cositas Deliciosas - Telling Their Story 

A story short with Elisha Hazel &amp; Qulen Wright, owners of Caribbean Style Vegan restaurant in New Haven, CT. Sharing their passion for serving up life-giving Ital food with local ingredients, and learning the business ropes along the way. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

A story short with Elisha Hazel &amp; Qulen Wright, owners of Caribbean Style Vegan restaurant in New Haven, CT. Sharing their passion for serving up life-giving Ital food with local ingredients, and learning the business ropes along the way. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a>  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

Caribbean Style Vegan - Telling Their Story

A story short with Francisco Mendez and Zenaida Muñoz on their experiences running their much loved food carts together with brother Carlos Mendez. They share on their evolution from cooks to cart owners, the Colombian style arepas they’re famous for, and what it’s like working out in the elements. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

A story short with Francisco Mendez and Zenaida Muñoz on their experiences running their much loved food carts together with brother Carlos Mendez. They share on their evolution from cooks to cart owners, the Colombian style arepas they’re famous for, and what it’s like working out in the elements. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a>  - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography

Portabello Latin Food Cart - Telling Their Story

Digging into farm and food worker led organizing that’s, multi-sector, multi-racial and has the power to transform our food system by prioritizing people and the planet. With guest Navina Khanna. Episode hosted through the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale.

Digging into farm and food worker led organizing that’s, multi-sector, multi-racial and has the power to transform our food system by prioritizing people and the planet. With guest Navina Khanna. Episode hosted through the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale.

Building Power for Change w/ HEAL Food Alliance

Reparations in practice with this emerging investment fund collectively led by Black food ecosystem experts. Guest Melanie Allen, Program Director for the fund speaks on their work to build transformative supports for Black farmers and food entrepreneurs. This interview was hosted through the Center for Business at Yale. For more info go to www.thetableunderground.com

Reparations in practice with this emerging investment fund collectively led by Black food ecosystem experts. Guest Melanie Allen, Program Director for the fund speaks on their work to build transformative supports for Black farmers and food entrepreneurs. This interview was hosted through the Center for Business at Yale. For more info go to <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a>

The Black Farmer Fund & Reparative Investing 

Digging a little deeper into this Jewish festival of lights with rabbi in training May Ye; Illuminating injustices, sparking change, creating ritual with connections for Jews of Color, her journey and identity from secular Chinese American Jew into the rabbinate, and there's a little food talk too....More info + recipes at www.thetableunderground.com 

Digging a little deeper into this Jewish festival of lights with rabbi in training May Ye; Illuminating injustices, sparking change, creating ritual with connections for Jews of Color, her journey and identity from secular Chinese American Jew into the rabbinate, and there's a little food talk too....More info + recipes at <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a>

Shining a Light on Hanukkah with May Ye 

Youth leaders Jeremy Cajigas and Jamila Washington of the Citywide Youth Coalition in New Haven, CT share their perspectives on organizing protests for liberation and black lives; their groups demands for removing police and security guards from schools; divestment from police and investment in Black and Brown lives and communities; Bomba music and dance for resistance and celebrating #BlackJoy, and much more. Editing and Engineering by Jon Oliver Music. 

Youth leaders Jeremy Cajigas and Jamila Washington of the Citywide Youth Coalition in New Haven, CT share their perspectives on organizing protests for liberation and black lives; their groups demands for removing police and security guards from schools; divestment from police and investment in Black and Brown lives and communities; Bomba music and dance for resistance and celebrating #BlackJoy, and much more. Editing and Engineering by Jon Oliver Music.

Youth Leading Protests for Black Lives & Police Abolition

Digging deep into stories of food, race, radical love and creative social justice. Broadcast on WNHH 103.5fm community radio - New Haven, CT. Hosted by chef, activist, artist Tagan Engel

This podcast combines the best aspects of storytelling, land cultivation, community, and a big old dose of love! I enjoy how it offers ways to cultivate all parts of my life through food and land.

Compassion made yummy

I love this podcast! I really appreciate the intersection of food and social justice that you bring and also your personal voice/opinions are always appreciated. I’ve been loving the gas you’ve been bringing on and how you bring out the relaxed and authentic expression of each person.
Thank you for sharing this work with all of us!

Yes!

The Table Underground w/Tagan Engel

Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm on her new book Farming While Black, the Afro/Indigenous roots of sustainable agriculture and the work of supporting people of color in finding liberation on land.

Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm on her new book Farming While Black, the Afro/Indigenous roots of sustainable agriculture and the work of supporting people of color in finding liberation on land.

Farming While Black 

Teachers Tai Olasanoye and Rebecca Harmon with Dr. Jessica PowellOur conversation about improving schools rarely focuses enough attention on the importance of creating a classroom culture that equitably supports all students. Data shows that outcomes for students in US schools is largely determined by gender, race, class, ethnicity and special needs. It is no surprise that the systems that fail and disadvantage people in society also fail our students in schools. The racial divide between a mostly white teaching population and mostly brown and black student population in our cities and many towns across the country is real, and problematic for everyone. To truly transform our schools and outcomes for all students, especially black and brown students who are most failed by our schools, we must transform how our teachers are educated. On today’s show we will discuss an approach to transforming teacher education to address racial equity in schools. Teachers carry their passions and also their biases into the classroom. Despite the best of intentions, implicit biases such as racism can show up without teachers even realizing it. They may have lower expectations for black and brown students, choose books that prioritize white history, or see an upset student of color as a threat, rather than as a student that needs support. The cumulative effects of these types of incidents on students of color over months and years, can and does have a massive negative impact on their success in schools and in society.      ““I don’t even like to use the language ‘classroom management’ because that really is about just controlling bodies, and what we really want is to be creating relationships and community in the classroom.””      — Dr. Jessica Powell, Professor of Education, SCSU       There is overwhelming data demonstrating the extremely high rates of suspensions for Black and Latinx students and how this can start children of color on a path into the school to prison pipeline.  This study clearly shows how white teacher's low expectations of Black students have a direct impact on student's long term success.  It is evidence like this, along with the lived experiences of today's guests that motivate them to work on transforming Teacher Education as a first step in addressing these issues and improving outcomes for children of color in schools, and hopefully in society as well.       ““I live in the city, in the community where my students live...you might just see me, I might just see you...you’ve got some explaining to do, you’ve got eyes on you.., so I think that’s really powerful, kids know their gonna be held accountable, their gonna have to answer to that.” ”      — Tai Olasanoye, High School Teacher       Over the past few years Dr. Jessica Powell has been working within the Southern Connecticut State University's Education School's Department of Curriculum and Learning to establish an anti-racism teacher education curriculum. This new training helps future teachers to understand the systemic racial oppression and implicit bias that exist in our society as well as in the actions of individuals. This framework is then used as a basis for learning new skills for building relationships and an equitable classroom community. Dr. Powell states: “I’m very clear with my students that what they see in (most) schools is about controlling bodies. It’s about controlling bodies to get to the curriculum...we have to flip that, we have to unlearn that completely and see supporting children’s social emotional growth as part of your curriculum... We are teaching children a very horrible and important message when we shame them. We’re teaching them it’s ok for people to treat you this way, for people who are more powerful than you to treat you this way, and for children watching this, that it’s ok to treat other people this way...We want to respond to the challenging behaviors in a way that maintains dignity, and that looks different for different children... Some children going back to their seat wouldn’t bring upon shame, especially in a classroom where you have developed relationships. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's about how do we repair the harm... when you are responding (to a child) if you are doing it with love, and students know you are doing it with love, it has a different impact.”Rebecca Harmon is a recent graduate of this program, and shares her experience of learning anti-racism teaching skills as a white teacher who grew up in a predominantly white town.  Tai Olasanoye is a Black teacher who also graduated SCSU, and now teaches at Whitney High North, an Aces Regional School for students with social, emotional, and behavioral issues. Tai is also a professor of Education at SCSU, teaching the intro to Education course to New Haven high school students of color being recruited as future teachers.       “ “ The true history of the destruction of the black community...is the true history of this country, and a lot of educators may not be comfortable with presenting this information, but it is the history of this country, and kids need to know that.” ”      — Tai Olasanoye, High School Teacher       The topic of transforming teacher education is vast and this conversation is only the tip of the ice burg.  Anti-racist education and skill building are important, and so are learning skills for non-punative classroom management, developing culturally relevant and engaging curriculum, recruiting teachers of color from within the school district, and creating supports for teachers, students, and families to create meaningful transformation of school culture and practices to undo racial and other biases.  The solutions to undoing these inequities are complex, but they are possible. Tai Olasanoye, Rebecca Harmon, and Dr. Jessica Powell recording at Baobob Tree Studio in New Haven Today's Guests:Dr. Jessica Powell is an Assistant Professor of Education in the department of curriculum and learning at Southern Connecticut State University and Co-Director of the Urban Education Fellows Program. Her teaching and researches focuses on issues of social justice, inequity, and teacher preparation.Tai Olasanoye Is a 9th and 10th grade English and History teacher at Whitney High North, an Aces Regional School for students with social, emotional, and behavioral issues. He graduated with the masters in Education from SCSU in May 2017. He also teaches an intro to education course at SCSU for high school students enrolled in the Gear Up teacher recruitment program.Rebecca Harmon Is a 1st grade teacher at Nathan Hale school in New Haven. She graduated from SCSU only less than 2 months ago, in December 2017.  Today’s show is part of The Education Project is a special series of stories addressing Equity in Education, both in the community and in schools. This work is supported through an Inspiring Equity in Education Fellowship with the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund.

Teachers Tai Olasanoye and Rebecca Harmon with Dr. Jessica PowellOur conversation about improving schools rarely focuses enough attention on the importance of creating a classroom culture that equitably supports all students. Data shows that outcomes for students in US schools is largely determined by gender, race, class, ethnicity and special needs. It is no surprise that the systems that fail and disadvantage people in society also fail our students in schools. The racial divide between a mostly white teaching population and mostly brown and black student population in our cities and many towns across the country is real, and problematic for everyone. To truly transform our schools and outcomes for all students, especially black and brown students who are most failed by our schools, we must transform how our teachers are educated. On today’s show we will discuss an approach to transforming teacher education to address racial equity in schools. Teachers carry their passions and also their biases into the classroom. Despite the best of intentions, implicit biases such as racism can show up without teachers even realizing it. They may have <a href="https://hub.jhu.edu/2016/03/30/racial-bias-teacher-expectations-black-white/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lower expectations</a> for black and brown students, choose books that prioritize white history, or see an upset student of color as a threat, rather than as a student that needs support. The cumulative effects of these types of incidents on students of color over months and years, can and does have a massive negative impact on their success in schools and in society. <blockquote> ““I don’t even like to use the language ‘classroom management’ because that really is about just controlling bodies, and what we really want is to be creating relationships and community in the classroom.”” </blockquote> — Dr. Jessica Powell, Professor of Education, SCSU There is overwhelming data demonstrating the <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2017/03/24/racial-disparities-in-school-suspensions/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">extremely high rates of suspensions for Black and Latinx students</a> and how this can start children of color on a path into the <a href="http://www.childrensdefense.org/campaigns/cradle-to-prison-pipeline/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">school to prison pipeline</a>.  This study clearly shows how <a href="http://educationnext.org/power-of-teacher-expectations-racial-bias-hinders-student-attainment/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">white teacher's low expectations of Black students have a direct impact on student's long term success</a>.  It is evidence like this, along with the lived experiences of today's guests that motivate them to work on transforming Teacher Education as a first step in addressing these issues and improving outcomes for children of color in schools, and hopefully in society as well.  <blockquote> ““I live in the city, in the community where my students live...you might just see me, I might just see you...you’ve got some explaining to do, you’ve got eyes on you.., so I think that’s really powerful, kids know their gonna be held accountable, their gonna have to answer to that.” ” </blockquote> — Tai Olasanoye, High School Teacher Over the past few years Dr. Jessica Powell has been working within the Southern Connecticut State University's Education School's Department of Curriculum and Learning to establish an anti-racism teacher education curriculum. This new training helps future teachers to understand the systemic racial oppression and implicit bias that exist in our society as well as in the actions of individuals. This framework is then used as a basis for learning new skills for building relationships and an equitable classroom community. Dr. Powell states: “I’m very clear with my students that what they see in (most) schools is about controlling bodies. It’s about controlling bodies to get to the curriculum...we have to flip that, we have to unlearn that completely and see supporting children’s social emotional growth as part of your curriculum... We are teaching children a very horrible and important message when we shame them. We’re teaching them it’s ok for people to treat you this way, for people who are more powerful than you to treat you this way, and for children watching this, that it’s ok to treat other people this way...We want to respond to the challenging behaviors in a way that maintains dignity, and that looks different for different children... Some children going back to their seat wouldn’t bring upon shame, especially in a classroom where you have developed relationships. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's about how do we repair the harm... when you are responding (to a child) if you are doing it with love, and students know you are doing it with love, it has a different impact.”Rebecca Harmon is a recent graduate of this program, and shares her experience of learning anti-racism teaching skills as a white teacher who grew up in a predominantly white town.  Tai Olasanoye is a Black teacher who also graduated SCSU, and now teaches at Whitney High North, an Aces Regional School for students with social, emotional, and behavioral issues. Tai is also a professor of Education at SCSU, teaching the intro to Education course to New Haven high school students of color being recruited as future teachers.  <blockquote> “ “ The true history of the destruction of the black community...is the true history of this country, and a lot of educators may not be comfortable with presenting this information, but it is the history of this country, and kids need to know that.” ” </blockquote> — Tai Olasanoye, High School Teacher The topic of transforming teacher education is vast and this conversation is only the tip of the ice burg.  Anti-racist education and skill building are important, and so are learning skills for non-punative classroom management, developing culturally relevant and engaging curriculum, recruiting teachers of color from within the school district, and creating supports for teachers, students, and families to create meaningful transformation of school culture and practices to undo racial and other biases.  The solutions to undoing these inequities are complex, but they are possible. Tai Olasanoye, Rebecca Harmon, and Dr. Jessica Powell recording at Baobob Tree Studio in New Haven Today's Guests: Dr. Jessica Powell is an Assistant Professor of Education in the department of curriculum and learning at Southern Connecticut State University and Co-Director of the Urban Education Fellows Program. Her teaching and researches focuses on issues of social justice, inequity, and teacher preparation.Tai Olasanoye Is a 9th and 10th grade English and History teacher at Whitney High North, an Aces Regional School for students with social, emotional, and behavioral issues. He graduated with the masters in Education from SCSU in May 2017. He also teaches an intro to education course at SCSU for high school students enrolled in the Gear Up teacher recruitment program.Rebecca Harmon Is a 1st grade teacher at Nathan Hale school in New Haven. She graduated from SCSU only less than 2 months ago, in December 2017. Today’s show is part of The Education Project is a special series of stories addressing Equity in Education, both in the community and in schools. This work is supported through an Inspiring Equity in Education Fellowship with the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund.

Transforming Teacher Education for Racial Justice | An Education Project Story

Four New Haven, CT Public School students share their experiences and insights on how race shows up in schools and how it impacts their lives and learning, including: the importance of curriculum that centers people of color, overcoming internalized racism, the need for teachers of color, metal detectors and security guards in schools and so much more.

Four New Haven, CT Public School students share their experiences and insights on how race shows up in schools and how it impacts their lives and learning, including: the importance of curriculum that centers people of color, overcoming internalized racism, the need for teachers of color, metal detectors and security guards in schools and so much more.

4 Teens on Race & Education in Schools

Owen Taylor

Owen Taylor with broccoli rabe plants plump with seeds.Owen Taylor exudes love. One look at him embracing a bunch of broccoli rabe plants like they are his children, or leading a workshop for farmers and activists, and you can see that the love he has for seeds and people runs deep. Owen is a long time community gardener, seed saver and food justice activist who's passion for seed keeping led him to found Truelove Seed Company in 2017. Their seeds, "are grown by more than 20 small-scale urban and rural farmers committed to community food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and sustainable agriculture. This collaboration is an opportunity for growers to share their own seeds and stories and to bring in extra financial support for their food sovereignty and agroecological projects."                   "Keeping SEEDS is an act of TRUELOVE for our ANCESTORS and our collective FUTURE!"Digging into his own ancestry and that of the other farmers he works with has led the growers at Truelove to tend and keep many special seed varieties, as well as the amazing stories that go with them. These seeds and their stories reach back into many cultures including Italian, British, West African, and Syrian food ways, and are keeping alive and sometimes reviving crops that have important cultural significance, but go far beyond the basic seed selection you can find at most garden stores.  You may often hear Owen say "The story is in the seed", and all you have to do is peek at the descriptions on the Truelove website to get a glimpse into this world and why the stories and rare variety seeds are so important. PIPPIN'S GOLDEN HONEY PEPPER for example, has a long legacy in the black catering community in the Baltimore/Philadelphia area in the early 20th century, "it is one of the many peppers traded by Philly area folk artist Horace Pippin for bee sting (treatments) from H Ralph Weaver's hives in West Chester in the early 1940s. In a deep freezer, nearly half a century ago, William Woys Weaver found these seeds (as well as those of the Fish Pepper and many others) in labeled baby food jars." Pippin's Golden Honey Pepper, grown from seeds found in the freezer of African American folk artist Horace Pippin, more than 15 years after his passing. Another beautiful example is the Speckled Brown Butterbean featured in the logo for the company. They are held by Chris Bolden Newsome,  Owen's partner and the farmer at The Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden, and are one of the crops most important to him from his youth, growing up as a fourth generation free Black farmer in Mississippi. These butterbeans "have been grown and eaten in Mississippi since before God remembers. We received the seed stock earlier this year from Duck and Earl of Shaw, MS. Duck is the sister of Sankofa Farm friend and community elder Ms. Pearl Trotter." The Speckled Brown Butterbean, held by Owen's partner and farmer, Chris Bolden Newsome, at his African focused, Sankofa Farm at Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia. This work goes so much deeper than just saving seeds to grow food. "Keeping SEEDS is an act of TRUELOVE for our ANCESTORS and our collective FUTURE!" The importance of learning the stories of people in different communities, and listening to elders are part of the meaningful community building and anti-oppression work that Owen, and many of the growers are carrying out. In addition to farming, and seed keeping, Owen works as a freelance facilitator, where he trains farmers, cooks, educators, and other community leaders in how to effectively share their knowledge and skills using popular education, dialogue, and a participatory, hands-on approach. Find out more on the workshops page.The use of popular education techniques (such as in the train the trainer program at Farm School NYC in the video below) gives the same respect to the people, that the Truelove growers give to the seeds; shifting the power and who is considered the "expert". In popular education, the wisdom is in the participants, and the process of learning is in collectively drawing that wisdom out of them, much the way the farmers are growing out the seeds and learning from them how best to help them thrive. This wholistic thinking about how to repair our food system and our human relationships embodies the deep and joyful work we need to do to heal much of what is broken in our society.  To hear Owen geek out on seeds, gush over seed stories and speak truth about vibrant community building and undoing racism in non-profits, listen in to our interview at the top of this post, or on most podcasting sites. You can find seeds and their stories at TRUELOVE SEED COMPANY,  and tons more info about seed keeping and Owen's work on the SEED KEEPING tumblr site.  For more seed inspiration, check out the Turelove seed collections:  African Diaspora Collection, Ark of Taste Collection, Italian Collection, Roughwood Seed Collection, Syrian Collection.  And, as if that isn't enough, Owen is also a musician, and half of the duo My Gay Banjo. For ongoing inspiration and gorgeous seed and community love follow Truelove Seed Co. at seedkeeping on twitter and  instagram.  From Owen's instagram: "My friends Mason and Wiley from Bear Bottom Farm in Dillwyn, Virginia grew White Velvet Okra from seeds we shared with them. They sent back this fresh seed with a note from Mason: 'They did great and tasted wonderful. I got a 3rd place ribbon for them at the Abermarle County Fair behind two entries of Clemson Spineless, the most generic okra. Wiley cleaned up in the oddball veggies category'."

Owen Taylor with broccoli rabe plants plump with seeds.Owen Taylor exudes love. One look at him embracing a bunch of broccoli rabe plants like they are his children, or leading a workshop for farmers and activists, and you can see that the love he has for seeds and people runs deep. Owen is a long time community gardener, seed saver and food justice activist who's passion for seed keeping led him to found Truelove Seed Company in 2017. Their seeds, "are grown by more than 20 small-scale urban and rural farmers committed to community food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and sustainable agriculture. This collaboration is an opportunity for growers to share their own seeds and stories and to bring in extra financial support for their food sovereignty and agroecological projects." <a> </a><a> </a><a> </a><a> </a><a> </a><a> </a><a> </a><a> </a><a> </a>"Keeping SEEDS is an act of TRUELOVE for our ANCESTORS and our collective FUTURE!"Digging into his own ancestry and that of the other farmers he works with has led the growers at Truelove to tend and keep many special seed varieties, as well as the amazing stories that go with them. These seeds and their stories reach back into many cultures including Italian, British, West African, and Syrian food ways, and are keeping alive and sometimes reviving crops that have important cultural significance, but go far beyond the basic seed selection you can find at most garden stores.  You may often hear Owen say "The story is in the seed", and all you have to do is peek at the descriptions on the Truelove website to get a glimpse into this world and why the stories and rare variety seeds are so important. PIPPIN'S GOLDEN HONEY PEPPER for example, has a long legacy in the black catering community in the Baltimore/Philadelphia area in the early 20th century, "it is one of the many peppers traded by Philly area folk artist Horace Pippin for bee sting (treatments) from H Ralph Weaver's hives in West Chester in the early 1940s. In a deep freezer, nearly half a century ago, William Woys Weaver found these seeds (as well as those of the Fish Pepper and many others) in labeled baby food jars." Pippin's Golden Honey Pepper, grown from seeds found in the freezer of African American folk artist Horace Pippin, more than 15 years after his passing. Another beautiful example is the Speckled Brown Butterbean featured in the logo for the company. They are held by Chris Bolden Newsome,  Owen's partner and the farmer at The Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden, and are one of the crops most important to him from his youth, growing up as a fourth generation free Black farmer in Mississippi. These butterbeans "have been grown and eaten in Mississippi since before God remembers. We received the seed stock earlier this year from Duck and Earl of Shaw, MS. Duck is the sister of Sankofa Farm friend and community elder Ms. Pearl Trotter." The Speckled Brown Butterbean, held by Owen's partner and farmer, Chris Bolden Newsome, at his African focused, <a href="https://bartramsgarden.org/explore-bartrams/the-farm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sankofa Farm at Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia</a>. This work goes so much deeper than just saving seeds to grow food. "Keeping SEEDS is an act of TRUELOVE for our ANCESTORS and our collective FUTURE!" The importance of learning the stories of people in different communities, and listening to elders are part of the meaningful community building and anti-oppression work that Owen, and many of the growers are carrying out. In addition to farming, and seed keeping, Owen works as a freelance facilitator, where he trains farmers, cooks, educators, and other community leaders in how to effectively share their knowledge and skills using popular education, dialogue, and a participatory, hands-on approach. Find out more on <a href="https://seedkeeping.tumblr.com/requestaworkshop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the workshops page</a>.The use of popular education techniques (such as in the train the trainer program at Farm School NYC in the video below) gives the same respect to the people, that the Truelove growers give to the seeds; shifting the power and who is considered the "expert". In popular education, the wisdom is in the participants, and the process of learning is in collectively drawing that wisdom out of them, much the way the farmers are growing out the seeds and learning from them how best to help them thrive. This wholistic thinking about how to repair our food system and our human relationships embodies the deep and joyful work we need to do to heal much of what is broken in our society.  To hear Owen geek out on seeds, gush over seed stories and speak truth about vibrant community building and undoing racism in non-profits, listen in to our interview at the top of this post, or on most podcasting sites. You can find seeds and their stories at <a href="https://trueloveseeds.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TRUELOVE SEED COMPANY,</a>  and tons more info about seed keeping and Owen's work on the <a href="https://seedkeeping.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SEED KEEPING tumblr site.</a>  For more seed inspiration, check out the Turelove seed collections:  <a href="https://trueloveseeds.com/collections/african-diaspora-collection" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">African Diaspora Collection</a>, <a href="https://trueloveseeds.com/collections/ark-of-taste" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ark of Taste Collection</a>, <a href="https://trueloveseeds.com/collections/italian-collection-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Italian Collection</a>, <a href="https://trueloveseeds.com/collections/roughwood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roughwood Seed Collection</a>, <a href="https://trueloveseeds.com/collections/syrian-collection-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Syrian Collection</a>.  And, as if that isn't enough, Owen is also a musician, and half of the duo <a href="https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=https%3A%2F%2Fmygaybanjo.bandcamp.com%2F&amp;t=MGMxN2ZiMGYzMzA5ZmY5MTYzYzhiMWMwZDBjM2Y2ZjQ3ZTk3N2YwNixUbU4zdWpESg%3D%3D&amp;p=&amp;m=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Gay Banjo</a>. For ongoing inspiration and gorgeous seed and community love follow Truelove Seed Co. at seedkeeping on <a href="https://twitter.com/seedkeeping" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">twitter</a> and  <a href="https://www.instagram.com/seedkeeping/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">instagram</a>.  From Owen's instagram: "My friends Mason and Wiley from Bear Bottom Farm in Dillwyn, Virginia grew White Velvet Okra from seeds we shared with them. They sent back this fresh seed with a note from Mason: 'They did great and tasted wonderful. I got a 3rd place ribbon for them at the Abermarle County Fair behind two entries of Clemson Spineless, the most generic okra. Wiley cleaned up in the oddball veggies category'."

Truelove Seeds & Owen Taylor

Sean Sherman

Oglala Lakota Chef Sean Sherman speaks on his journey in revitalizing Native American Cuisine through his company The Sioux Chef, a new cookbook, indigenous food hubs, foraging wild ingredients and re-identifying what North American Cuisine is.

Oglala Lakota Chef Sean Sherman speaks on his journey in revitalizing Native American Cuisine through his company The Sioux Chef, a new cookbook, indigenous food hubs, foraging wild ingredients and re-identifying what North American Cuisine is.

Reviving the Original American Cuisine w/ Sean Sherman of The Sioux Chef

Insights on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic from a wholesale produce distributor, an urban farmer / food justice educator, and tips on cooking in quarantine. Hear about massive shifts in the produce industry, mutual aid efforts to get free farm fresh food to families in need, and some recipe-free ways to prep food for the week, including what to do with dry beans, roasting veggies and more.  With guests Maria Desarbo of Carbonella &amp; Desarbo’s , Disha Patel of Common Ground High School &amp; Urban Farm , and host Tagan Engel.

Insights on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic from a wholesale produce distributor, an urban farmer / food justice educator, and tips on cooking in quarantine. Hear about massive shifts in the produce industry, mutual aid efforts to get free farm fresh food to families in need, and some recipe-free ways to prep food for the week, including what to do with dry beans, roasting veggies and more. With guests Maria Desarbo of Carbonella &amp; Desarbo’s , Disha Patel of Common Ground High School &amp; Urban Farm , and host Tagan Engel.

Our Food in the Time of Quarantine: 3 Perspectives 

Three women speak on the realities of hunger and poverty and their inspiring advocacy work through the group Witnesses To Hunger. With guests Susan Harris, Junie Cullum, and Wanda Perez. 

Three women speak on the realities of hunger and poverty and their inspiring advocacy work through the group Witnesses To Hunger. With guests Susan Harris, Junie Cullum, and Wanda Perez.

Witnesses To Hunger 2019

Entrepreneur Ariana Yuen shares the successes and challenges of starting her new single origin honey business based in the Gera Forest in Ethiopia.

Entrepreneur Ariana Yuen shares the successes and challenges of starting her new single origin honey business based in the Gera Forest in Ethiopia.

Forest Honey - supporting beekeepers & the environment in Ethiopia

Guests Kay Holness and Nadine Nelson dig into delicious food from restaurants featured in the first ever New Haven, CT Caribbean Restaurant Week. We talk flavors, culinary history and food as a great connector for overcoming an anti-immigrant climate.

Guests Kay Holness and Nadine Nelson dig into delicious food from restaurants featured in the first ever New Haven, CT Caribbean Restaurant Week. We talk flavors, culinary history and food as a great connector for overcoming an anti-immigrant climate.

Caribbean Restaurant Week 2018 | New Haven, CT June 17-23

Part #1 Water Harvesting: Julianne Kaphar shares water wisdom as we travel with her to a natural spring where she collects 33 gallons of pure water for her family each month.Part #2 Black Art Jazz Collective: All-star band founders Wayne Escoffery and Jeremy Pelt on the importance of celebrating Jazz as Black music, being positive role models and fantastic compositions inspired by African American icons. (Starts at minute 20:17)

Part #1 Water Harvesting: Julianne Kaphar shares water wisdom as we travel with her to a natural spring where she collects 33 gallons of pure water for her family each month.Part #2 Black Art Jazz Collective: All-star band founders Wayne Escoffery and Jeremy Pelt on the importance of celebrating Jazz as Black music, being positive role models and fantastic compositions inspired by African American icons. (Starts at minute 20:17)

Water Harvesting

Giselle Cando &amp; Anajja Stevenson talk about starting their own businesses, working in community gardens, and life as teens in the world today. Feat. the Growing Entrepreneurs Program of the New Haven Land Trust.

Giselle Cando &amp; Anajja Stevenson talk about starting their own businesses, working in community gardens, and life as teens in the world today. Feat. the Growing Entrepreneurs Program of the New Haven Land Trust.

Teen Entrepreneurs Inspired by Gardens 

A two part show. Second half features The Black Art jazz Colective,  with All-star band founders Wayne Escoffery and Jeremy Pelt on the importance of celebrating Jazz as Black music, being positive role models and fantastic compositions inspired by African American icons. First Half of show, a story on Water Harvesting. 

A two part show. Second half features The Black Art jazz Colective, with All-star band founders Wayne Escoffery and Jeremy Pelt on the importance of celebrating Jazz as Black music, being positive role models and fantastic compositions inspired by African American icons. First Half of show, a story on Water Harvesting.

Black Art Jazz Collective

A collection of short stories on the lives and work of twelve people who explore the landscape of race, change making, education &amp; community around Connecticut. Host Tagan Engel recorded these stories and more as part of a larger multi media project in 2018 to mark the 25th anniversary year of the Graustein Memorial Fund. To learn more go to www.thetableunderground.com

A collection of short stories on the lives and work of twelve people who explore the landscape of race, change making, education &amp; community around Connecticut. Host Tagan Engel recorded these stories and more as part of a larger multi media project in 2018 to mark the 25th anniversary year of the Graustein Memorial Fund. To learn more go to <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a>

STORYSCAPE 

Atticus Bakery &amp; Bookstore manager Charlie Negaro Jr and baker Josh Kanter talk about their glorious infatuation with sourdough bread making &amp; grain growing - two exceptional new ventures for this 2nd generation establishment in New Haven, CT.

Atticus Bakery &amp; Bookstore manager Charlie Negaro Jr and baker Josh Kanter talk about their glorious infatuation with sourdough bread making &amp; grain growing - two exceptional new ventures for this 2nd generation establishment in New Haven, CT.

Sourdough Geek Out 

This homemade coconut milk based cocktail is the pride of the Puerto Rican holiday season. Guests Addys Castillo, and champion coquito maker Aida Casanova talk family recipes, parranda (caroling) traditions, and the complexities and joys of Puerto Rican history and heritage.

This homemade coconut milk based cocktail is the pride of the Puerto Rican holiday season. Guests Addys Castillo, and champion coquito maker Aida Casanova talk family recipes, parranda (caroling) traditions, and the complexities and joys of Puerto Rican history and heritage.

Coquito Season

Fab culinary duo Liz Alpern &amp; Jeffery Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria sit down (pre Covid-19 quarantine) to nosh and kibbitz about old family recipes, the wide spectrum of Jewish ethnic cuisines, Asha-normativity, producing tons of great gefilte fish each year, liberation stories, and passover traditions. 

Fab culinary duo Liz Alpern &amp; Jeffery Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria sit down (pre Covid-19 quarantine) to nosh and kibbitz about old family recipes, the wide spectrum of Jewish ethnic cuisines, Asha-normativity, producing tons of great gefilte fish each year, liberation stories, and passover traditions.

The Gefilteria Crew on Passover & Reimagining Ashkenazi Foods

4 fab folks dish their food adventures in CT. An incredible new Ice cream trail with Tagan Engel, vegan soft serve with Babz Rawls Ivy, pow wow foods with Mohegan food expert Rachel Sayet, and Acclaimed Chef Franco Comacho shares his favorite spots to eat with his daughters, french pastry, BBQ and a slammin new taco joint.

4 fab folks dish their food adventures in CT. An incredible new Ice cream trail with Tagan Engel, vegan soft serve with Babz Rawls Ivy, pow wow foods with Mohegan food expert Rachel Sayet, and Acclaimed Chef Franco Comacho shares his favorite spots to eat with his daughters, french pastry, BBQ and a slammin new taco joint.

Introducing THE FOOD SQUAD: Summer Food Finds (Live Show)

Babalawo, Priest of Ifa, and Clinical Social Worker Enroue Halfkenny, Onigbana Sangofemi (and husband of host Tagan Engel ;-) shares an overview of the traditional religion of the Yoruba people, and what it looks like in daily life. He speaks on this indigenous African tradition as a path towards personal and communal healing and a wholistic framework for healing our broken society.

Babalawo, Priest of Ifa, and Clinical Social Worker Enroue Halfkenny, Onigbana Sangofemi (and husband of host Tagan Engel ;-) shares an overview of the traditional religion of the Yoruba people, and what it looks like in daily life. He speaks on this indigenous African tradition as a path towards personal and communal healing and a wholistic framework for healing our broken society.

Yoruba Orisa Tradition in Practice 

Guests from A Pinch of Salt, Dave’s Angry Sauce, and Love Breakfast talk about their passions for food, supporting Black and Brown owned food businesses, and spreading  fresh food love in their communities. 

Guests from A Pinch of Salt, Dave’s Angry Sauce, and Love Breakfast talk about their passions for food, supporting Black and Brown owned food businesses, and spreading fresh food love in their communities.

A Community of Food Entrepreneurs Grows In Bridgeport with a Pinch Of Salt 

Ep. 55 When Women Chefs Run The KitchenRobin Bodak (co-owner and head chef) and Dignity Maille (cook) at the restaurant Next Door in New Haven, CT talk about their women-centric kitchen culture, outstanding and unpretentious food, Tanzanian hummus, popped sorghum, and salty caramel &amp; ash no-dairy ice cream. We also chat about cultural appropriation vs kitchen creativity, race, and the real challenges of running a restaurant that values both their workers and local farmers. More info at www.thetableunderground.com 

Ep. 55 When Women Chefs Run The KitchenRobin Bodak (co-owner and head chef) and Dignity Maille (cook) at the restaurant Next Door in New Haven, CT talk about their women-centric kitchen culture, outstanding and unpretentious food, Tanzanian hummus, popped sorghum, and salty caramel &amp; ash no-dairy ice cream. We also chat about cultural appropriation vs kitchen creativity, race, and the real challenges of running a restaurant that values both their workers and local farmers. More info at <a href="http://www.thetableunderground.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetableunderground.com</a>

When Women Chefs Run The Kitchen 

The best podcast episodes on physical health. Episodes talk about your diet, sleep, exercise and all the things that people do to improve their physical health and live a healthier life. This topic is for everyone, with applications in all of our everyday lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Physical Health & Your Body

The best self improvement podcast episodes. From improving productivity, to finding purpose in your life to what constitutes freedom, this topic is on anything and everything that can help people to improve their lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!