The Usable Past with Marie Nahikian

Many of today's ventures grow out of Philadelphia's rich history of community gardens that were started in a "formal" way in 1974. This conversation, hosted by Marie Nahikian, highlights the growth of gardening ventures in Philadelphia, particularly with entrepreneurs who are growing food, supporting gainful employment in gardens and creating unique community open spaces. Is there is a distinct possibility of building a strong, inclusive and more equitable ecosystem.

Show Notes

In this episode, The Usable Past with Marie Nahikian connects the 2022 explosion of young bipoc, lgbt, Black and Latino women who are gardeners, food producers, investors & entrepreneurs to the rich history of Philadelphia, “America’s Garden Capital.” Hear a conversation with Blaine Bonham who created Philadelphia Green with the Philadelphia Horticultural Society in 1974;  Kylin Mettler, CEO of  Kylin Arts LLC, a 15 year old landscaping firm, asserts "The landscaping industry was dominated by cis-men, so I take every opportunity to work with and train teams that represent the wider Philadelphia demographic." The Philadelphia Urban Farm Network website lists daily job ads paying $20-$25 an hour. The Philadelphia Horticultural Society's annual flower show grosses millions, and is supporting community leaders like Greg Thompson who directs the Work Same Day Pay initiative, paying formerly incarcerated persons $100 a day to work in gardens. transforming not just vacant lots but lives. Ashley Gripper, a Harvard PHD candidate, helping to write Philly’s first Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan, created Land Based Jawns, a spiritually-rooted organization,  educating and training Black women on agriculture, building, land based living, and safety with a focus on self and community healing. 

What is The Usable Past with Marie Nahikian?

Veteran community organizer Marie Nahikian hosts The Usable Past, where activists share their stories of past and present organizing for better housing, food, banks, jobs, environmental and social justice. A Brooklyn resident, Marie most recently worked with U.S. Housing & Urban Development under President Obama and has participated in building 5,000 affordable homes in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York. Marie has been a neighborhood, civil rights, housing and labor organizer, a community journalist, and in 1977 was a founder of WPFW-FM Pacifica radio in Washington, DC.