ABOUT EARTH & FOOD
Based on 20+ years of experience in the agricultural industry
For two decades, Che Axum worked for the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Sciences Institute (USDA-ARS-PSI) as a successful farmer and sustainable farming consultant. Today, Che is the Director of the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education in the College of Agriculture Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington, DC.
In 2010, Che Founded Earth & Food to increase the accessibility of fresh, delicious, nutritious, immune boosting super-foods to urban areas.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BUILD A MICRO-GARDEN?
Today, around 15% of the world’s food is grown in urban areas such as as backyards, roof-tops, balconies, vacant lots, parks, and many other small yet available spaces. Individuals in urban areas have began growing food in their homes to maximize their access to nutritious, cost-effective, and immune boosting super foods.
At home, micro-gardening can work for just about anyone with a small space and a passion to learn a new skill. Research by the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization shows that a well-tended 11-square foot micro garden can produce as much as 200 tomatoes a year, 36 heads of lettuce every 60 days, 10 cabbages every 90 days and a whopping 100 onions every 120 days!
Additionally, with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing safe access to immune boosting vegetables and herbs is important now more than ever. Growing a micro-garden in your home creates a safer environment for your household and provides a safe, immune boosting alternative to grocery store produce.