Fit To Eat S3E3 Jonas Roberts by Ivan Emke

Here’s a question for you: “what can you do with about three-quarters of an acre in St. Phillips?” As it turns out, quite a bit. There is this perception that not much grows on “the Rock” (as the island of Newfoundland is often referred to – by people who haven’t travelled inland very much). But as you know, most of the island is absolutely teeming with life – plant and otherwise. Things clearly grow here. Maybe not the kinds of things we always perceive as being useful. But can we learn some of the principles of nature that make this persistent growth possible, and apply them to food-related production? Can we use them to set up systems, even in our own backyards, that are more self-sustaining?

Today we head to the Foggy Food Forest, and learn that the answer to such questions is “yes, I thought you’d never ask!”

Jonas Roberts is one of those curious and observant folks who drive innovation forward. He is humble, quick to laugh at strategies he took that ended up being detours, rather than a path forward. Thirsty for knowledge, and eager to share what he is learning. He and his family have worked with nature to create a backyard that offers delights at every glance. Their overall strategy could be referred to as “permaculture,” but that doesn’t quite capture all that is taking place here. And don’t worry, I won’t test you on the 7 layers of the food forest or the 6 zones of a permaculture garden. But you'll learn all of that.

It is an unseasonably warm Saturday morning in October. We visit Jonas in his backyard. We’ll be tramping around. Put on your rubber boots and join us.

Season 3 of "Fit to Eat" is supported by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.