Here, Dr. Mark Vorderbruggen (aka “Merriwether the Adventurer“) leads a workshop on foraging for wild edibles. Literally dozens of apparent weeds lurking about the corners of the property, as it turns out, are as edible as the lush greens we cultivate at the farm. Here’s one of his finest innovations: an iPod field guide.

Farmer Joe Icet led discussions of food security – a concept many hadn’t given much thought to, but after chatting with Joe, we began to think about it some more. With just three days’ food supply on local supermarket shelves, it’s an idea that does bear some serious consideration as we prepare for emergencies. Looking ahead, he points out, it makes sense to prepare for times when cheap oil for transport is history. His answer: “Guerilla gardening!”

Farmer Marcella Icet is an organic gourmet – no matter what the vegetable, she’s got a trick for turning it into something divine.

Mona Metzger, Houston Green Scene founder, is a frequent farmer, a community networker and an organizer of excellent events. Landowner Ken Crimmins, self-described “taxpayer in residence.”

Radical Eats provided some truly original tamales – eggplant, mushroom and spinach, and a variety of other delectable concotions.

Snow Dogg Ice Cream provided the dessert.

Lisa Lin, left, of Emerging Green Builders is one of the main organizers of the local 350 movement, aimed at reducing global greenhouse gases to a safe level – 350 parts per million. Our atmosphere is currently at nearly 380, and scientific consensus says that the results are just beginning.

Learn more about the Last Organic Outpost’s new “Living Off the Land” dining and learning series at the Last Concert Cafe on their Facebook page.

Learn more about what’s happening on the Green side of Houston at the Houston Green Scene.

More of Mona Metzger’s Farm Party pix here:
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Channel 39’s Going Green With Yolanda Green caught a great slice of celebratory life in a two-part video tour, now available on their website – and here. Enjoy!

Channel 39’s Going Green With Yolanda Green, Houston’s only TV program dedicated to sustainability, is now featuring my blog on its website, www.39online.com. Going Green is an exciting initiative in itself, with Yolanda bringing conservation initiatives to a whole new audience. From the new smart grid technology to invasive species, Yolanda is on it, and all her episodes and a whole lot more can be viewed on the website. Since my focus is sustainable travel – including attractions here at home in Houston – it seemed a perfect fit. Scroll down to the area next to Going Green Highlights to find Roads Less Traveled.

I’ll also be collaborating with Houston Green Scene, which will feature a weekly column from my blog pertaining to sustainability at home and sustainable travel elsewhere. Houston Green Scene is an innovative new website and forum founded by local entrepreneur Mona Metzger covering green initiatives in the Houston area.

Especially if you live in the Houston area, but even if you don’t, take a minute to check out Going Green With Yolanda Green and the Houston Green Scene. You can also follow them on Twitter – @HoustonGreenScn and @YolandaGreen39 – and on Facebook.

Other environmental initiatives I’ve become involved in are the Last Organic Outpost, an urban farm in the inner city that’s currently planning a knockout Harvest Festival and the Transition Houston group, part of a rapidly growing global movement preparing for a sustainable transition to a less petroleum-dependent future. More on both of these later — but meanwhile, it’s good to know that there’s a whole lot going on in Houston’s green scene, and I’m proud to be a part of it.