Footprint toolkit v2.1

The Footprint Toolkit is a set of cards that represent elements in our agro-ecosystem. These include annual vegetables like zucchini or lettuce, but also perennials such as apples and plums. Each card has detailed information relating to the inputs required (eg. nitrogen and water), the micro-climates necessary to support it (eg. solar environment), the inherent characteristics (such as the micro-climates, plant spacing, and possible companion plants), and the outputs (including the food energy, protein, calcium and vitamin A that characterize each). Importantly, the toolkit recognizes the quantitative and spatial qualities of each with reference to what people typically eat. In this way, the toolkit can help students understand, and plan for an agro-ecosystem that is (more) self-sufficient.

Unlike a book this small deck of cards can be arranged on a map or chart in a way to help new or experienced farmers make planning decisions. In addition to the yield predictions noted on the cards, the scaled model on the cards can also be traced over on a map to help generate a clear vision of what the planting scheme could look like. The kit works well by itself or in-partnership with the Urban Agriculture Design Guide – a pocket book that provides more guidance on topics such as reading the landscape, companion planting, urban agriculture design processes, and seasonal food harvests.

Click the link below to purchase a printable digital version appropriate for temperate climates. You will be redirected to Paypal where you can purchase multiple copies if needed ( Eg. class sets)

$15 NZD/copy

Urban Agro-Ecology Design Guide v2.0

This guide is built to empower people living in cities to develop a deeper appreciation for their agro-ecosystem through urban agriculture. Through well-illustrated examples and interactive toolkits it will walk readers through the landscape assessment (soil, water, solar, wind, watershed), design and planning (zoning, biophilic design), and management strategies (crop rotations, pest management, guild design, etc.) invaluable for the urban farmer or Permaculture designer.

In this book, we also expose what levels of self-sufficiency are possible within a city. How much land would it take to grow all of your own fruit and vegetables, anyway? The answer is both scary and empowering and will hopefully challenge those that read on to develop a deeper relationship with their regional food system. In this regard, this guide is not just about garden design, nor just gardening in practice. It is a cook-book of sorts that explores the planning of a healthy food system: A system where we can all be designers, planners, farmers, and of course, consumers of the fine produce that comes from it.

Click the link below to purchase one printable digital version appropriate for temperate climates. The pdf book comes with excel toolkits for designing guilds, herb gardens, crop planning, cob oven building and beyond. You will be redirected to Paypal where you can purchase multiple copies if needed ( Eg. class sets).

$30 NZD/copy

Resilience by Design: Ecological Footprinting for Resilient Regional Planning

What might Wellington look and feel like if its citizens were to live within the limits of the region? This is perhaps an overly simplistic and even unrealistic question given the nature of global trade, yet clearly humanity must find some way of meeting fundamental provisions within planetary boundaries. Thus book is the culmination of a study exploring the question above. It first identifies the ecological footprint of those living in Wellington, NZ and then compares the footprint against available resources. Lastly, it explores what changes to urban form and behaviour interested citizens would be willing to accept to lessen their footprint.Whilst immediately applicable to Wellington, NZ, the analysis and planning methodologies presented in this book can be applied anywhere. The pdf book comes with the MS excel footprint model which can serve to support similar visioning sessions.

$40 NZD/copy

Foodshed Vancouver v1.0

What would it take to feed Vancouver, Canada? This analysis explores a hypothetical foodshed for Greater Vanvouver, proposing several changes to lifestyle and regional form to support the regions food needs. These include steps such as eating less meat, composting at a city scale (now recently come into policy in Vancouver). The implications may be hard to digest, but none the less important to unpack for our common future.

Click on viewable copy for FREE DOWNLOAD!

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PUBLICATIONS

Richardson, James (2010) The Garden for Aboriginal Nutrition and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. A design for UBC Farm, The Insitute for Aboriginal Health, Urban Aboriginal Community Kitchen Garden, Mayan Garden in Exile, and the Musqueam Garden.

Temple, Wayne, Tom Forge, Art Bomke, DeLisa Lewis and James Richardson (2010) Alternative Mulch & Fertilizer Inputs on Blueberry Production. A report for the BC Blueberry Council, UBC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Richardson, James (2010) Foodshed Vancouver: Envisioning a Sustainable Foodshed for Greater Vancouver. School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, CANADA.