Addressing Hunger with Local Food- December 17, 2010

GUESTS

• Ann Acheson, Research Associate at the University of Maine Margaret Chase Smith Center, Editor of Maine Policy Review, and author of the 2010 Poverty in Maine Update
• Jennifer Gunderman-King, co-administrator and co-founder of the Davistown Community Farm Share Program
• Barbara Murphy, Extension Educator for the Oxford County Cooperative Extension and Coordinator, Maine Plant-a-Row program.  Call in guest
• Sara Trunzo, Food and Farms Coordinator at Unity College.

TOPICS

Who is hungry in Maine?

How is local agriculture being used to respond to local hunger?

How do local food distribution systems work and who is taking advantage of them?

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Maine Poverty Update 2010: http://mcspolicycenter.umaine.edu/files/PovertyinMaine2010.pdf
• Maine Harvest for Hunger (formerly Plant-A-Row) program: http://umaine.edu/gardening/programs/plant-a-row/
• Unity College Sustainability Monitor (Veggies for All): http://sustainabilitymonitor.wordpress.com/
• Bangor Daily News Article on Veggies for All: http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Midcoast/Unity-area-gardeners-donate-tons-of-food,158473
• Republican Journal Article on this Installment of Mid-Coast Currents: http://waldo.villagesoup.com/business/brief/community/mid-coast-currents-radio-show-to-explore-local-agriculture-and-hunger-on-december-17/367521
• Republican Journal Article on Volunteer Regional Food Pantry, John's class, and Mid-Coast Currents: http://waldo.villagesoup.com/business/brief/community/unity-students-make-lasting-impact-on-surrounding-communities/368888

GET INVOLVED

Harvest for Hunger | Mid-coast:  Liz Stanley at the Knox/Lincoln Extension office at 1-800-244-2104 or elizabeth.stanley@maine.edu.  Other parts of Maine: 1-800-287-1482 or barbara.murphy@maine.edu
Davistown Farmshare | Jennifer Gunderman-King
Veggies for All and Volunteer Regional Food Pantry | strunzo@unity.edu or 207.948.3131

One in the Books

The inaugural episode of Mid-Coast Currents is now in the books. Maybe more accurately, I should say that it is on the web.

Rob Constantine at Unity did me right by recommending such energetic, informed, and EASY guests for my first show.  Roxanne Eflin, Larraine Brown, Mike Hurley, and Lorain Francis made me look (almost) like I knew what I was doing.  "A natural" my eye, these people are the pros.  Thanks all!

There was certainly a lot to think about for my first time hosting: 5 guests, a box of coffee, 2 tickets, 2 t-shirts, 1 book, 7 or 8 pledgers, 2 callers, and one-hundred-eighty-seven dollars.  Whew.  I'd have never made it without the great WERU staff.

You can stream the first episode (and any subsequent episodes) by clicking on the links on the right -->

Main Street Hits the Maine Coast, November 19, 2010, Inaugural Show

The topic for our first show will be "Main Street Reaches the Maine Coast: Impacts of the Maine Street Maine Program on Knox and Waldo Counties ."

From the Maine Development Foundation web site Main Street Maine page:

While commercial district revitalization can be addressed in many ways, the underlying premise of the Main Street approach is to encourage economic development, within the context of historic preservation that is appropriate to today’s market place. This approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, empowerment, and the rebuilding of commercial districts based on its traditional assets: unique architecture, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.

Guests include...

• Larraine Brown, program lead for Our Town Belfast
• Lorain Francis, Executive Director of Main Street Rockland
• Roxanne Eflin, from the Maine Development Foundation

For more information:

• Maine Street Maine
• Rockland Maine Street
• Making Maine Work Report

WERU CommUnity Radio!

Well...  First, let me say how incredibly helpful EVERYONE has been/is being with the training, proposal, and production process for this new show.  Amy, Matt, Joel, Chris, Adam, the Program Advisory Committee and everyone at WERU are so knowledgable, helpful, and fun.  Why am I surprised?  Why would I expect anything else?

At Unity College my administration (Amy, Mitch, Rob, Alisa, Chris) received the proposal to do a joint venture with WERU with such enthusiasm.  I guess that is predictable as well.  I mean, what's not to like?   Two great counties, two great Maine institutions, a whole bunch of lovely people, and plenty of CommUnity!

I've even talked to friends at MOFGA who have given me some pointers about being a newbie radio producer.  Some people are so helpful it makes me mad!

WERU's Program Advisory Committee voted to give Mid-Coast Currnets the thumbs up at their meeting on November 8.  Of course, every new show is approved with probationary status.  Thanks to the PAC!
Here we go, "Live and Lively on third Friday!"

You Are Here!

Welcome to Mid-Coast Currents, the online extension of WERU's public affairs talk show for Knox and Waldo Counties.

Here you'll find links, resources, contact info, thoughts, etc. etc. regarding the topics up for discussion on the WERU Community Radio show.

You'll also find the opportunity here to continue (or begin) on-air discussion.