Peteh Muhammad Haroon, affectionally known as Brotha’ P, is an inspirational Spoken Word Performance and recording artist and native of New Orleans, LA. Brotha’ P has been performing his unique style of poetry since 1995 as a member of Nommo Literary Society. After leaving Louisiana in 2005, Brotha’ P moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he was reconnected to the world of agriculture--a world he was introduced to as a child. As a student of Arkansas State University, Brotha’ P, along with others who were interested in growing their own food, established a Student Garden Organization. The intentions of the organization were for the garden to grow into a place where students without an agricultural background could have a place to experience a hands-on food growing course and learn to start and maintain a home garden. After being elected and serving as the first President of the organization for a year, Brotha’ P decided to return to New Orleans to pursue his burning passion to establish gardens throughout local neighborhoods. Spending countless hours under the sun volunteering at the Village Ova da River and the Teche Street Garden, he was offered the opportunity to serve as a landscaper with Common Ground Health Care Clinic. Currently, Brotha’ P is working with New Orleans Food and Farm Network and others local organizations such as the Backyard Gardener's Network to create sustainable green spaces throughout the city of New Orleans. For more information, Brotha’ P can be reached by email at anotherfamilyproduction@yahoo.com. This episode is sponsored The Hearst Ranch.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into [New Orleans] and helping them, I grew up with those people . . .it is my full intent to help any backyard garden in the lower 9th Ward."

--Brotha' P on Greenhorn Radio

What are the differences between public and private gardening? This week on We Dig Plants, Carmen Devito and Alice Marcus Krieg are talking with Aly Fox, Head Gardener at Groundworks, Inc., and public garden designer, Ronda Brand. Hear about Aly and Ronda's backgrounds in horticulture, and how their training influenced their careers. Learn about the social impact of public landscape design, and the peculiarities of working for a private client. What elements are important for Ronda take into consideration when designing a public space? Hear about Aly's gardening pet peeves, and how Japanese gardens taught Aly about sanctuary. Thanks to our sponsor, Hearst Ranch.

"Plants are so sensitive. At the same time they can be very durable, but you have to stay on top of it." [11:20] -- Aly Fox on We Dig Plants

"In the public sphere, you have to create immediate impact in those spaces. Those spaces are being used all of the time... it needs to look good the day you put it in." [17:50] -- Ronda Brand on We Dig Plants

This week on Why We Cook Chef Erica delved into the world of summer stews and slow cooking. Since vegetables are mostly water, slow cooking helps get the water out of veggies and caramelize the sugars inside them. Tune in for an enormous amount of tips and tricks (punch holes in eggs to poach them in the pot, use pomegranate molasses for a sharp sweetener) to making the best summer stew you've ever eaten; patience is key! Ratatouille, Turkish stews, Italian summer stews, and every combination therein is covered--tomato, eggplant, and lentil based stews abound. This episode was sponsored by Whole Foods: proud to support independent farmers and small business in our community.