Episode 102

S8E102: Qiana Mickie / NYC Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture - The Heartbeat of the City: A Tale of Urban Agriculture in NYC

Can you imagine the metropolis of New York City as a thriving urban farm? Qiana Mickie, a passionate advocate for urban agriculture and food justice, joins us to share her experience of growing up in the vibrant city and how it has shaped her commitment to feeding New York's communities. We journey through the city's pulsating neighborhoods, reminiscing about the birth of hip hop, our shared experiences of Catholic schools, and the explorative thrills of the 80s.

As we stroll down memory lane, we pivot to a more poignant topic; Qiana’s journey as a single mother amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Her experiences spur a deep conversation about the power of empathy, stepping out of comfort zones, and utilizing privilege to create meaningful impact. We delve into Qiana’s work with the Urban Ag Innovation Program and its efforts to connect urban ag growers, bringing fresh perspectives to complex problems like food scarcity, community support, and policy- making.

In our final lap, we examine the intersection of food justice and urban agriculture. We delve into the crucial role of hyper-local production and distribution of healthy food, with Qiana shedding light on innovative initiatives like the Harvest Project. As we round up the conversation, Qiana imparts the importance of harnessing the power of social media to expand the reach of her work and the overall urban agriculture movement. Tune in, and let’s unravel the tapestry of a city-turned-farm and the people that make it possible.

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Key Takeaways

0:02:08 - Growing Up in NYC
0:05:39 - Music, Food, and Urban Agriculture
0:12:04 - Connecting Communities Through Resources
0:19:33 - Building Feasible Solutions for Communities
0:26:09 - Urban Agriculture and Equity in NYC
0:31:45 - Innovating Hyper-Local Food Production
0:37:51 - Food Sovereignty and Climate Crisis

Tweetable Quotes

"With my work, I've been also afforded the opportunity to learn the history, the struggle, and the successes of Urban Ag leaders, land stewards who were in those same neighborhoods that people were saying, don't look, don't stop."

"I always kind of felt like New York was a place for everybody, but you definitely had to be open to being open."

"I think growing up at that time and being able to have that experience of seeing, music emerge and the mixing of culture, the vibe that people would come with in terms of they brought to the table in terms of food, what they brought to the table in terms of music... it really kind of helped inform what was that unique vibrancy of New York City."