Posts

Welcome to my chalk board. Many projects begin with a sketch, a string of words, or a niche unfulfilled in the marketplace of ideas. This is where I try out ideas, start conversations, and map the course.

Audio version of Kuni released

Available 27 February 2024 in audio format, listen to narrator Kym Miller read the book. Available from wherever you purchase audio books. 

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A six-month roadmap for new markets begins in Tricase

The Mediterranean and African Markets Initiative kicked off its intensive peer-to-peer training for market leaders in Albania, Egypt, Kenya, Lebanon, and Tunisia at the CIHEAM-Bari's Tricase campus. I am very excited about how this model is emerging as relevant to other places on the map where a farmers market strategy can elevate grassroots leadership and family agriculture into a force. 

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Wheels falling off

In August, I traveled to Egypt with colleague Carmelo Troccoli to investigate the potential for new farmers markets in the very place that developed so much of what we know today in agriculture: crop varieties, wheat, irrigation, for starters. Modern Egypt is a dynamic and complicated place.  

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Interview with Tsuyoshi Sekihara

Read Dirk Bischof, CEO and Founder, Hatch Enterprise in the UK interview Kuni co-author Tsuyoshi Sekihara with the able translation help of Fumiko Miyamoto. Online

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Kuni, as heard on Louisiana Eats!

Agriculture and innovation from the ground up. Louisiana Eats is an essential part of the acoustic landscape in the Bayou State. So happy to join Poppy Tooker for an episode. 

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Taking stock, taking action

Farmers markets on the move at the 2023 UN Food Systems Summit +2 in Rome

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All roads lead to Rome

The World Farmers Markets Coalition (or WorldFMC) hosted its first General Assembly in Rome of more than 75 market leaders, farmers, and partner organizations from over 50 countries on World Biodiversity Day 2023, and named me its President. 

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Kuni tour, rural conversations

With spring, Kuni hit the road with the first two in-person book events in Louisiana and Massachusetts

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Pirate Enlightenment on Everyday Anarchism podcast

Influential author David Graeber's posthumous book, Pirate Enlightenment, or the Real Libertalia, discussed on Graham Culbertson's podcast, Everyday Anarchism. Listen here. 

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Be Bold America interview on KSQD FM

This may have been the most thorough interview thus far for Kuni. Listen to the 60 minute podcast hosted by Christine Barrington. 

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WWNO interview on

Book enthusiasts in the New Orleans region have come to trust Susan Larson's literary lead for ages. For this reason, I was so happy to sit down with Susan to discuss Kuni for her WWNO weekly show, "The Reading Life." Listen here

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Listen to the podcast interview about Kuni

Earth911 publisher Mitch Ratcliffe interview Richard McCarthy about the Japanese approach to reconnecting urban to rural communities. Listen here. 

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Kuni makes the Civil Eats Holiday Book Gift Guide

As a longtime fan of Civil Eats, it is especially meaningful to be included in its recommendations of nearly two dozen books ideal for gift-giving at the holidays. 

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Read news from the World Farmers Markets Coalition

The emergence of this global community of practice is assembling important partners, en route to its first General Assembly in 2023. Read more from the 3-Minute Read newsletter. 

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The Literary Hub Interview

Andrew Keen's daily show about books, writers, and big ideas, Keen On, interviewed me about Kuni. Listen to the podcast and/or watch the streaming conversation here

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Matt Crawford interviews Richard McCarthy

The podcast about books and ideas features Kuni in its 3 November 2022 episode. Listen here by clicking the link to podcast

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The case for multifunctional agriculture

In 2001, the Italian government introduced legislation that has set the nation's farmers on a bold new path. The rest of Europe could learn from this experience that has 20 years to mature. So, too, can we. Agriculture that is multifunctional values more than productivity and scale. It procures rural resilience. 

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Urbanistica podcast

Don't miss this edition of the Urbanistica podcast. Hosted by charismatic placemaking leader based in Stockholm, Mustafa Sherif, we dive into food, farming and the future. 

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Can beans change the world?

Working with Meatless Monday and the Slow Beans network in Italy, come see what's cooking.

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The unraveling of the industrial food system must be a key goal of a lasting food movement

On this particular #TBT (with mischief in the air — April Fools), I am reminded of this delicious assignment from Karen Karp.

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A market city is ...

Consider these 7 indicators for a healthy municipal ecosystem of markets.

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I guess we're all pirates now

Red skies at night, sailors delight. Will the pandemic ask us all to hold on tight for dear life? Or, will we reconfigure our lives for the better?

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How are you gonna keep ‘em on the farm?

Demographics matter. The world has a lot to learn from the Japanese I-Turn, J-Turn and U-Turn.

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Hello Europe! Goodbye Europe!

A swan song for British youth's love affair with Europe (under Thatcher)

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