In this episode we speak with Orlane Panet, co-founder of Microhabitat, an urban farming company creating roof top gardens in cities all around the world. We discuss urban population growth and why we need to re-imagine the cities' unused spaces and how rooftop gardens can be a gateway for city dwellers to learn about sustainability, ecological agriculture, healthy eating and more. Orlane shares her belief in business as a way to make positive change in the world and how the urban farms of Microhabitat have much greater impact than meets the eye.

To learn more about Microhabitat visit: https://microhabitat.com/ 

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Timestamps

[3:56 ] Microhabitat model and origin story

[10:05 ] Re-thinking the urban environment

[16:28 ] Importance of living soil in urban farming

[18:13 ] Standardization v. improvisation for success in farming and business

[21:54 ] Social and community impact of urban farms

[29:09 ] Container growing v. green roofs

[32:48 ] Alternative career opportunities for farmers

[35:30 ] Environmental reporting - pollinator tracking with sound and air DNA

[42:41 ] Covid's effect on urban farming

[49:29 ] Importance of education in creating change

[53:35 ] How a grower or property owner can get involved

[1:01:30 ] How urban gardens help small farms outside the city

[1:05:02 ] Orlane's personal journey from health issues to organic farming

[1:10:47 ] Why hydroponics is not the answer

[1:14:10 ] The meaning of "sustainability"

[1:15:16 ] Why for-profit business can be more impactful than non-profit

[1:20:30 ] Why collaborating with the "bad guys" may be the best way to change them

[1:28:47 ] The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

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Guest Social Media Links

Microhabitat:

Website: https://microhabitat.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/microhabitat.ca/ 

Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/microhabitat 

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/microhabitat_ca 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/microhabitat.ca 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2b2oLw3wSmH5azWjALI7Ig/videos 

JM:

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