The Poor Prole’s Almanac

The prole boys finally tackle the most divisive of nuts-- the black walnuts. Are they feety? How important have they been historically, anyway? Is juglone actually a problem-- and if so, what can be done about it? Lastly, what about the black walnut industry can we take away for other potential wild tree crops as potential food sources for our communities? This will be the first and (hopefully) last episode you'll ever need to understand the black walnut.

Check out the corresponding substack article for resources, citations, and more information! https://poorprolesalmanac.substack.com/p/black-walnuts

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

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To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/

Elliott & Matt are back to discuss the oak tree, acorns, whether or not Elliott works for the CIA, and the pecularities of processing acorns.

The Quercus genus is arguably the most important genus for all living things on earth, including humans. Spanning 55 million years, five continents, over six hundred species, including over ninety of which are here in North America, the oak tree is a central figure in folklore across the globe.

Found as both deciduous and evergreens, as massive keystone trees in forests, and as small shrubs, it’s no surprise that the ubiquitous oak is a foundational part of human existence. Oaks provide us with food, firewood, building materials, tannins for processing the leathers that shielded us from the elements, and feed for the animals and fungi we also consume. Our existence is predicated on their existence, and that’s clearly manifested in its cultural significance, from the names of places (such as Oakland) to its central role in religions (such as paganism).

Check out the substack article for sources cited and a more extensive review of the subjects discussed in this episode!

https://poorprolesalmanac.substack.com/p/oaks-and-acorns

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/

This episode of "The Poor Proles Almanac" features a conversation with Garrison Davis, a writer and podcaster from Cool Zone Media, a left-leaning media collective. They discuss the challenges of creating anarchist media within a capitalist framework, strategies for reaching a wider audience, and Cool Zone Media's vision for the future.

Cool Zone Media: An Anti-Collapse Collective

Garrison introduces Cool Zone Media as a collective of individuals working on projects related to societal collapse and potential responses to it. He clarifies that they use "collapse" as a marketing term and are more focused on exploring solutions and fostering a sense of agency in the face of societal challenges. He emphasizes that Cool Zone Media's content aims to offer alternatives to the "doomer" mentality that often accompanies discussions of collapse, encouraging individuals to see opportunities for social change amidst the unraveling.

Navigating the Media Ecosystem

The conversation explores Cool Zone Media's position within the larger media ecosystem. Garrison describes their work as a "fifth estate," existing outside of mainstream media but close enough to potentially draw in audiences accustomed to more traditional outlets. They acknowledge the challenge of balancing their radical politics with the need to reach a wider audience, recognizing that creating media solely for anarchists would limit their impact and financial sustainability.

The Financial Realities of Anarchist Media Production

The episode addresses the financial realities of producing anarchist media within a capitalist system. Garrison explains that Cool Zone Media accepts funding from corporations, viewing it as a way to support their team and create content critical of capitalism. They argue that taking money from corporations to produce anti-capitalist media is a "scam" they are comfortable with, especially given the limited financial viability of relying solely on support from other individuals with limited resources. They acknowledge the inherent contradictions of this approach but ultimately embrace the absurdity of the situation.

Strategies for Expanding Reach and Impact

Garrison outlines Cool Zone Media's approach to expanding their reach and impact. They aim to introduce radical ideas to a wider audience by connecting with popular culture and current events. They also emphasize the importance of making their content freely accessible, avoiding paywalls or subscriptions that could limit their audience. Cool Zone Media also seeks to support other creators with aligned political perspectives by offering them opportunities to contribute to their projects and receive compensation for their work.

Looking to the Future

Looking towards the future, Garrison expresses a desire to expand Cool Zone Media beyond podcasts into other mediums like documentary filmmaking. They acknowledge the financial constraints of pursuing these ambitions while also emphasizing their commitment to constantly creating new content and seeking out new collaborators. Garrison concludes by expressing optimism about the growing visibility of radical media and its potential to break into the mainstream in the coming years.

To check out Cool Zone Media, visit them on social media at @CoolZoneMedia

Support this podcast by becoming a Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/PoorProlesAlmanac

For sources, transcripts, and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early, commercial-free episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/

Can our suburban lawns become thriving ecosystems that support wildlife and biodiversity? This week, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Doug Tallamy, a renowned entomologist, ecologist, and conservationist, who shares his groundbreaking insights on the vital importance of native plants in our landscapes. Dr. Tallamy passionately argues against the notion that humanity is separate from nature, instead advocating for the integration of ecological principles into our everyday environments. We discuss the unsustainable nature of unchecked development and the crucial role biodiversity plays in maintaining the planet's life-support systems.

Delving into the significant ecological contributions of oak trees, Dr. Tallamy reveals how these keystone species support a vast array of caterpillars and other wildlife. He explains how oaks excel in carbon sequestration and watershed management, making them indispensable to healthy ecosystems. However, their survival is threatened by over-harvesting and the suppression of natural fire cycles. We also tackle the misconceptions about non-native plants and their detrimental impact on local biodiversity, focusing on the ecological advantages of native plants like goldenrod.

We wrap up by exploring the Homegrown National Park initiative, a grassroots movement aiming to reduce lawn areas and replace them with native plants to restore ecological functions. Dr. Tallamy highlights the importance of community involvement and policy engagement in promoting sustainable landscaping practices. This inspiring conversation offers practical ways for individuals to contribute to conservation efforts and underscores the collective impact we can achieve. Tune in to learn how you can be part of the solution and create a more sustainable, beautiful environment in your own backyard.

Dr. Doug Tallamy is an American entomologist, ecologist and conservationist. He is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He has written and co-authored several books, as well as many papers. Tallamy advocates for home gardens and landscaping that bridge the gaps between parks and preserves in providing habitat for native species

You can check out Dr. Tallamy's work at:

https://www.homegrownnationalpark.org/

https://www.udel.edu/canr/departments/entomology-and-wildlife-ecology/faculty-staff/doug-tallamy/

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/

Key words:

Conservation, Sustainable Landscapes, Native Plants, Biodiversity, Ecological Principles, Keystone Species, Oaks, Caterpillars, Wildlife, Carbon Sequestration, Watershed Management, Invasive Species, Goldenrod, Homegrown National Park, Grassroots Movement, Community Engagement, Policy Engagement, Industrial Agriculture, Urban Development, Traditional Ecological Knowledge

In this episode, we dive into the history and use of the American hazelnut. Often an afterthought in nut production, the American hazelnut offers significant potential as a food crop while also offering critical ecosystem services. We compare its production to other tree crops and discuss where breeding work for American hazelnuts should focus to bring this plant back into food crop discussions.

Check out the corresponding substack article for resources, citations, and more information! https://poorprolesalmanac.substack.com/p/the-american-hazelnut

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/