Can a "problem child" tree help us rethink our entire food system? In this episode of the Poor Proles Almanac, we sit down with Dr. Samantha Bosco, a horticulture expert and researcher whose work spans the gap between quantitative science and the social practice of agroforestry. We explore the "rebellious" nature of the black walnut and how this often-overlooked native species offers a unique opportunity to slow down, connect with land, and build community.

Dr. Bosco shares her "two-eyed approach" to research, which pairs academic rigor with the wisdom of indigenous food systems to challenge the status quo of industrial agriculture. Beyond just planting trees, the conversation dives into the radical potential of food sovereignty, the importance of place-based culture, and Dr. Bosco’s new nonprofit, the Mycena Agroforestry Initiative, which seeks to organize social systems that support a tree-crop future. Join us as we discuss how "putting roots" into our food system can help us reclaim a more resilient and democratic way of living.

For sources, transcripts, and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org

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Key words:

Agroforestry, tree crops, Dr. Samantha Bosco, black walnut, food sovereignty, indigenous food systems, silvopasture, Mycena Agroforestry Initiative, two-eyed approach, sustainable agriculture, food systems transition, nut trees, horticulture, decolonization, land access, community organizing, solidarity economy, worker cooperatives, bioregionalism, climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, place-based food, soil science, nuciferous research, social agroforestry, perennial crops, land trusts, democratizing food systems, native nut species, hickory, food culture, agricultural reform

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Research is Nuts: Dr. Samantha Bosco’s Vision for a Tree Crop Future