Dr. Jessica Tullar Caroom returns to the podcast to discuss the evolution of her community food systems work and the importance of building meaningful connections through growing and sharing food.
• Growing Together Texas supports gardeners, growers, and cooks as three interconnected parts of a healthy food ecosystem
• Creating an online farmers market (LBK Grown) that helps local producers collaborate rather than compete
• Offering subscription produce boxes with seasonal vegetables and recipe guides that consistently sell out
• Starting small is key to garden success whether at home or in community settings
• Approaching plant growing by difficulty level - begin with herbs (easiest), then leafy greens, roots, and finally tomatoes/peppers
• Community gatherings like "Garden Guardians" provide vital support and knowledge sharing among garden leaders
• Finding meaning in the process of gardening and community building, not just in the harvest
• Building resilient local food systems by diversifying beyond the conventional market
Join Jessica's Garden Guardians events and learn more about subscribing to local produce boxes at growingtogetherTX.com or follow @GrowingTogetherTX on Facebook and Instagram.
As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!
Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey.