The Environmental Media Association (EMA), is an incredible organization that strives to promote environmental awareness through various forms of media, and in partnership with the entertainment industry. Their projects range from the “greening” of production sets for television and film, (including the “greening” of the HOUSE set, in progress!), to handing out awards to those creative individuals whose artistic work attempts to raise environmental consciousness.
The EMA also supports organic urban gardens in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Currently, the EMA works with 10 different elementary and high schools in LAUSD. The students and teachers are directly involved in every aspect of the garden–from the fertilization and planting, to the daily upkeeping (weeding and watering), to the harvesting, and most importantly–feasting!
I visited the 60,000 square foot garden plot at Venice High school in the end of February and was amazed by the diversity of edible delights. The students introduced me to the Wasabi plant. I’ve been eating it in my salads all week! Amazing for clearing up your sinuses! We planted carrots together, and I saw the most beautiful artichoke I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to return for the harvest in May! To learn more about the EMA, and to find out how you can get involved in the Organic Garden project, go to, http://www.ema-online.org/.
