Alice Ely Master Gardener and Composter

Gloria Frazee joins me as a regular monthly guest on Digging in the Dirt. Gloria is co-chair of the Social Media & Web Committee and co-leader of the ReWild/South Fork chapter and its Summer Program for high school students. She is also the founder of ReWild/East Hampton Compost…. in collaboration with the Town of East Hampton.

The latest from Gloria and Rewildlongisland.org

I want you to welcome back Gloria Frazee of ReWild Long Island. At ReWild, Gloria is co-chair of the Social Media & Web Committee and co-leader of the ReWild/South Fork chapter and now is a regular contributor to this program. Gloria will be joining me every 2nd Thursday of the month during the 12 noon hour.

My guest this episode of Digging in the Dirt is Gloria Frazee. Gloria is Secretary of the East Hampton Energy & Sustainability Committee. At ReWild, she is co-chair of the Social Media & Web Committee and co-leader of the ReWild/South Fork chapter and its Summer Program for high school students. She is also the founder of ReWild/East Hampton Compost…. in collaboration with the Town of East Hampton. You can find her talking with folks about turning food scraps into soil food at the ReWild table at Springs Farmers Market in East Hampton most Saturdays. ReWild Long Island is dedicated to collaborating with local communities across Long Island to protect and improve the biodiversity, resilience and health of regional ecosystems.

Diego Osses is an Agricultural engineer with an MBA and a Masters degree in Finance who has extensive experience in farm management, international business development, and diplomacy. He brings over 25 years of experience developed in both his home country of Chile and abroad in countries such as China and Thailand. During his first year working with GVI, Diego was responsible for coordinating the 3 main GVI programs: Reservoir Community Farm, Community Gardens, and Youth Leadership; contributing to the GVI mission of creating a more just food system in Bridgeport. Currently, Diego is actively planning the extension of GVI programs throughout 2024 and exploring innovative methods of community engagement through urban gardening and farming.

My guest on this show of “Digging in the Dirt” has been Chairman of the Westport Community Gardens for 20 years. He also has been Director of Long Lots Preserve for the last 2 years and a Sixth grade science teacher for 20 years. In the past he has run programs in New York City for recycling and alternative fuels for transit buses The first time Lou was here we discussed the existential threat to the Westport Community Garden and apparently the situation has gone from bad to worse. The garden has been targeted by the towns politicians for destruction. 

Up next on Digging in the Dirt is a local, guy Joe Gloria. Joe works for one of the gardening establishments just about everybody in the area has been to one time or another and that's Gilbertie's. They've always been at the forefront of organic from the beginning. Joe Gloria is a garden guru of plants, shrubs, and perennials alike. Joe Gloria has a passion for caring for plants and the people who love them! We going to learn about vermicompost teas.

My next guest is Alice Ely. Alice is a UConn Advanced Master Gardener & Master Composter, and the creator of multiple public and private butterfly gardens in Fairfield County. She speaks frequently on the importance of gardening for habitat, food and not least of all, joy. In addition to promoting native plants through the Pollinator Pathway, and educating on sustainable gardening at Westport’s Wakeman Town Farm, and Weston’s Town Farm, when she's not out digging in the dirt of her own garden, she coaches homeowners on how to garden sustainably, through her business, Gardenwithalice.com

My guest now is Raju Rajan. Raju describes himself as a technologist with a strong communitarian ethic. Raju is one of the founders of ReWild Long Island and currently serves as Board President. Raju is an avid gardener and amateur tree-enthusiast, he also owns and manages a small agroforest in India dedicated to rewilding and permaculture.ReWild Long Island is accepting applications from community groups to join their ReWild LI Gardens program.

My guest on DITD today is Ralph Baskin. Ralph is a Retired IT cost consultant turned photographer who moved to CT from NY over 40 years ago where he lives in, and has improved, a small 1890's Victorian farmhouse.Ralph and I have found common ground with our views on the environment and have had many conversations about solar which I have dabbled with and Ralph has had a lot of experience, having adding a solar system to his own home. Besides my intention to always feature local guests and listeners of WPKN, I thought we all could learn more about going solar by hearing about Ralph's experiences.