Highway Medians: Wasted Space or Untapped Resource?

Highway Medians are a pet peeve of mine. Every time I drive down the highway, and especially when they are in the process of being mowed, I think, "What a waste!"

Is it just me? Doesn't it seem like a lot of acreage to just plant it in grass? I understand the mentality in planting the medians. The vegetation helps to hold the soil and, to some degree, slows the rate of runoff. Also, there is some carbon fixing going on due to the lack of tillage of the soil. In my home state, they have a very successful and beautiful program for planting wildflowers along the highway. Oh, that's right.....I can't eat most wildflowers. In fact, most of the wildflowers being planted aren't wild (native) in western NC.

So, my initial thought is that the medians could be used in a number of ways. One idea is for each county to rent out parts of highway medians to local CSAs (community supported agriculture programs). Another idea is to use the medians to grow "commodity crops," such as wheat, dryland rice, etc. This option would mean minimal farm labor presence in the medians, which would seem to be safer. The harvest would require only a few swipes of the combine. I wrestle with that whole idea, because I don't want to be a fan of monoculture. However, it might have a place in making something useful out of these otherwise unused areas.

As I've said, I don't have all the answers. So, here is one of my questions/concerns in converting the medians into growing space. Primarily, runoff pollution would have to be addressed. Soil is a decent filter, but that's not it's intended purpose. What level of pollution would be acceptable for the given crop? Or, would it be better not to grow food crops, but rather ornamental crops for the landscaping industry?

What are your thoughts?

My Road to Permaculture

Well, there are a couple of things I’m hoping for if you’re reading this blog. First of all, I hope you are an advocate of permaculture (PC), or are at least open minded enough to be consider its benefits and challenges. Secondly, I really hope you don’t read blogs without considering the credibility of the author. That said, let me give you an idea of where I’ve come from as I write.

It wasn’t until recently that I pursued getting my certification in permaculture design (PDC). I came to a point in my life and my career where I was really contemplating what I could do with my skills that would make a difference in the world. Call me optimistic, because I believe I can and will impact the world by initiating PC projects in developing nations.

The plan at this point involves me moving to Central Asia next year. If you’re reading this because you know me and where I’ll be working and you want to comment, please realize and respect the need for security. There are many places in the world where foreign aid workers are targeted. I fully realize this risk, and will take all reasonable security measures to protect my family. “Central Asia” suffices for us to discuss PC in the developing nations of that region.

So, what led me to the point of pursing permaculture? I grew up spending summers on my uncle’s dairy farm in southeastern PA. I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back I can see that much of his progressive thinking would fall under the principles of PC. I would say that those months on the farm had more to do with spawning my interest in working the land than anything.

I went to school to study ornamental horticulture. I finished my associate’s degree and immediately started back for a second one in business administration when life happened. I owned and ran my family’s landscaping business at that point, and my wife was smart enough to tell me straight-up that something had to give. She was right, so I sold put school on hold, sold the business, and went to work at a nationally known estate in western NC.

I learned a lot there, earning my stripes growing perennials and assisting with a large rose garden. From there, it was on the Charlotte working in a greenhouse and eventually launching a landscape install crew for that company. Finally, I landed a great job at the state university, supervising a handful of good guys and working together to maintain a good chunk of campus. That’s where I started to question what I was doing that made a difference in the grand scheme of things.

I tell you all that so you will realize that I’ve been on “the other side” of growing things. I’ve sprayed my share of nasty chemicals. I’ve tilled many acres of ground. I’ve put many tons of incredible compost material at the curb. All of those experiences led me to this place where I believe wholeheartedly that PC is a route to real, long term change.

O.K., so now you know where I’m coming from. You should know that I’m not afraid to say, “I don’t know.” In fact, I find great comfort in not trying to know everything nor claim that I do. I’ve found that permaculture and horticulture are similar in many ways. Most notably, only half the battle is what you know. The other half is building your resources so you know where to look for the things you don’t know.

My goal with this blog is not to just have a monologue. I don’t think I’ll learn anything new by reading my own writing. Please respond, ask questions, offer feedback and suggestions. A dialogue is the only thing that will benefit any of us.

Thanks. Happy world changing…