Allegheny Front: Jennifer Szweda Jordan Bio

Jennifer Szweda Jordan

Jennifer Szweda Jordan's thrilled to be working as host and managing editor as of January 2010, after seven years of reporting for The Allegheny Front. This follows about a dozen years of work as a journalist that were preceded, and often supported, by stints in restaurants and catering businesses. She's written about the environment in the Finger Lakes region, as well as restaurant reviews and a food column for newspapers. While working at The Associated Press, she wrote about food trends, Hilary Clinton's first Senate bid, and, to the constant puzzlement of her family, college sports. Contact her at jennifer@alleghenyfront.org and visit her blog.

Stories by Jennifer Szweda Jordan:

Extreme and Obscure? The Next Generation of Conservationists - The Allegheny Front's been reporting on the decline in kids getting outside and exploring nature. We've wondered if this trend will mean fewer young people will grow up to be adults who want jobs in outdoors fields. Nationally, many people in federal outdoors agencies and those at the forefront of private conservation groups, are nearing retirement. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan talked with some experts about the history and future of conservationists and checked out the efforts of a young man who's getting his peers outdoors. Aired week of 09/01/2010.

Harvard 'Mediatrician' Prescribes Dose of Outdoors for Kids - All summer, we've been looking at the vanishing connection between children and nature. The National Wildlife Federation has released a report collecting studies on this topic and one of the reviewers is Dr. Michael Rich, Director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital in Boston. He talks with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan about inviting pediatricians to get involved in encouraging unstructured outdoor activity for kids. Aired week of 08/25/2010.

Music and Money Connect Minority Youth with Green Movement - Outdoors groups are trying to guide minority urban youth past the barriers that keep them from enjoying, and conserving, the natural world. Earlier this summer, the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit in New York's Central Park brought together 500 young people, about a third of whom were under age 20. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan was there. She found that some organizations are using music and jobs to get teens and young adults to go green. Aired week of 08/18/2010.

Franktuary Is Taking It To The Streets - Aired week of 08/06/2010.

Is Sunscreen Safe? And Is Safe Sunscreen Affordable? - Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, executive director of Women for a Healthy Environment talks about potential dangers of sunscreen ingredients and pending federal regulation with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan. Then, Estelle Tran reports on her visit to Pittsburgh-area stores to check out the accessibility and cost of the Environmental Working Group's recommended sunscreens. She found that, often, you get what you pay for. (Check out link below for more data from Estelle's shopping trip.) Aired week of 07/28/2010.

Dad, Daughter, and Dogs Spend Time Outdoors - The last time The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited her dad, Pete, at his home in Florida, they packed up the dogs, Feetz and Sukie, for a walk in a nature preserve. Jennifer took a recorder, and they reminisced about their individual and shared nature experiences, comparing notes about growing up in the Pittsburgh area, visiting beaches, and how things have changed. Aired week of 07/21/2010.

E. O. Wilson's First Novel Tells Tale of Conservation Through Boy and Ants - E.O. Wilson won Pulitzers for the books The Ants, and The Naturalist. He's a Harvard scientist, and has just written his first novel, a semi-autobiographical tale called The Anthill. The book's hero is a Southern boy who grows up with a love for the natural world, which pushes him on to a career as an environmental lawyer. In this interview with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan, Wilson reads a passage from his new book. Aired week of 06/30/2010.

The Environment Report Signs Off - The economy took its toll on environmental news and information this week. The award-winning Environment Report is closing up shop. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan says goodbye to the organization whose work regularly appeared on The Allegheny Front. Aired week of 06/02/2010.

Pittsburgh WED Organizer Talks Up Global Water Conference - The finale of World Environment Day in Pittsburgh is the Water Matters Global Water Conference on Thursday, June 3. Organizers expect 700 attendees at the event, being held at the David Lawrence Convention Center. Court Gould, executive director of Sustainable Pittsburgh, is one of the organizers with the World Environment Day Partnership. He speaks with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan about the water conference. Aired week of 05/26/2010.

Pittsburgh is World Environment Day North American Host - The Pittsburgh is this year's North American host city for the UN World Environment Day on June 5th. With the local theme of Water Matters, there are many events around the region. Go to the link below for the full listing. And listen here for The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan conversation with Press Deputy Director Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox about the event's history, why it's being held in Pittsburgh, and how it could help prompt environmental improvements. Aired week of 05/26/2010.

Army Corps Floats $2 Billion Plan to Upgrade Locks - The Army Corps of Engineers is planning what could be a $2 billion dollar upgrade of three locks on the upper Ohio River. Pittsburgh-area Corps officials made their case to the media, marina owners, politicos, and others by offering a riverboat tour of the upper Ohio and showing visitors the oldest of the three locks they'd like to overhaul. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan was there. Aired week of 05/19/2010.

Small-Town Water Treatment Faces Funding, Labor Shortfalls - Small-town water and sewage treatment plant operators may have many roles--from painting storage tanks to community dog catcher. National Environmental Services Center Training Specialist Sandra Fallon works with small-town water operators. She says they're often underpaid and we should recognize the vital public service and environmental protection work they do. Fallon speaks with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan as part of our coverage of water issues. Aired week of 05/12/2010.

Townhouse Gives Back to Energy Grid - A green townhouse development now includes a model that uses net zero--and on sunny days--negative amounts of energy. Builder Ernie Sota says that like other similar homes around the country, stimulus dollars have helped make possible building with cutting edge green technologies. But zero still isn't necessarily affordable. The model home in Pittsburgh's South Side costs upwards of $425,000. Aired week of 05/12/2010.

Bike Advocate Wants Two-Wheeled Transit Front and Center of Policy - As the weather warms, more cyclists are on the road. Although our region is not as bike-friendly as some communities, Scott Bricker, Executive Director of Bike Pittsburgh, says city, state and federal initiatives are underway to encourage cycling. He spoke with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan. Aired week of 04/28/2010.

Water in Climate Change, Energy, and Infrastructure - Pittsburgh will be the North American host of World Environment Day on June 5, and leading up to that day is a series of events focused on the theme "Water Matters." Steven Solomon wrote the book on water--literally. It's called Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power and Civilization. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan speaks with Solomon about water and climate change. The Allegheny Front will be airing more interviews and features on water issues leading up to the UN World Environment Day on June 5. Aired week of 04/21/2010.

County Park Serves As Farm, Possibly Garden, Too - In a move harkening back to wartime Victory Gardens, food pantries around Pittsburgh could soon get fresh produce from an Allegheny County Park. County Executive Dan Onorato has proposed a program called Allegheny FarmCorps that would employ a couple part-time workers to cultivate two acres at Round Hill Park in the southeast corner of the county. The park is already well-prepared for this kind of endeavor. It's the site of an old working farm donated to the county and opened for visitors in 1968. County workers now tend cows, pigs, and retired police horses. Aired week of 04/07/2010.

Women's Health And Environment Conference Scheduled - In the last few years, one of the big environmental events of the spring in Pittsburgh has been the conference on Women's Health and The Environment: New Science, New Solutions. Caren Glotfelty directs the Heinz Endowment's Environment Program, which hosts the conference. She joins The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan to discuss the event, scheduled for April 21. Aired week of 03/31/2010.

Zoo Tigers Are Ambassadors for Dwindling Wild Population - This is what the Chinese call the Year of the Tiger, but there's not much to celebrate among those who care for the big cats. There are only about 3,000 tigers remaining in the wild, largely because Chinese people use parts from poached animals to treat minor medical problems. It's gotten to the point that when the next Year of the Tiger comes around in 12 years, there may be NO more tigers roaming the wilds. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan speaks with Pittsburgh Zoo curator Ken Kaemmerer about the disappearing tigers. Aired week of 03/24/2010.

Developments Evolve in Sprawl's Poster Child Township - Changes are underway in a community that's been considered a poster child of suburban sprawl for many years. In Cranberry Township north of Pittsburgh, housing developments have been largely zoned away from the highway strip malls, the churches and ballfields -- requiring people to drive in order to shop, worship and play. But what's known as Smart Growth is making in-roads here. Ken Chiacchia is a journalist who explored this issue for Pittsburgh's City Paper. He takes a drive around some of the community's new developments and talks about them with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan. Aired week of 03/03/2010.

Snow Gardens: What to Do About Plants, Shrubs, Trees After the Storm - Organic Gardener Doug Oster has dos and don'ts for handling trees, bushes, and other plants covered with ice and snow. He speaks with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan from his woodsy home in Pittsburgh's North Hills. Aired week of 02/10/2010.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Grower Wonders What Local Diners Want - Big Burrito Chef Bill Fuller and The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan are packing their bags for a road trip this weekend. They'll be at the nexus of food and the environment discussions at the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture Conference in State College. They'll be taking questions for the Earth's Bounty 2.0 segment. But you don't have to go to the conference to get your questions answered. Just call 412-25-ZESTY. Aired week of 02/03/2010.

Green Music Doesn't Have To Suck - On the heels of the Grammys, we conduct our own music picks -- of the environmental variety. The Allegheny Front's song savant Joey Spehar joins Jennifer Szweda Jordan to discuss some of his favorite, and not so favorite "green" tunes. Aired week of 02/03/2010.

Sipping Coffee, Considering Its Origin, Warms Up An Afternoon - Aired week of 01/28/2010.

Listen To Your Farmer, Author Says - Among a certain set, sustainable farmers have become kind of independent-spirited rock stars and this year's big show is about to begin. The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture's annual conference brings together farmers and farm groupies as well as Amish and others to learn about things like cheesemaking. One of the keynote speakers will be Lisa M. Hamilton. She's written Deeply Rooted: Unconventional Farmers in the Age of Agribusiness. She speaks with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan. Aired week of 01/27/2010.

Haitian Food Offers At Least A Little Comfort at my Home and a Restaurant - Aired week of 01/23/2010.

Local Haitian Advocate Speaks of Earthquake's Environmental Fallout - A number of organizations in western Pennsylvania have worked with Haitians for years. They've funded sustainable agriculture projects and worked with a microlending program with an emphasis on environmental education. In recent days, they've lost friends, and started to plan how they will help with the years and decades of rebuilding that will follow. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan spoke with the Haiti Solidarity Committee's Michael Drohan about the environmental problems that preceded the disaster, and his concerns for the future. Aired week of 01/20/2010.

Haitian Swine Reintroduction May Be Delayed By Quake - Aired week of 01/19/2010.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Is Local Beef Safer? - With stories in the news about beef tainted with E. coli bacteria, you may wonder whether you'd be better off buying local meats. Big Burrito Chef Bill Fuller addresses that question in this week's Earth's Bounty 2.0, our call-in segment on food and the environment. Don't forget to call us any time with your questions at 412-25-ZESTY. Aired week of 01/06/2010.

Big Conservancy Helps Smaller Groups With New Fund - Almost a third of all land preserved in Pennsylvania is the work of small-scale land trust organizations. But those groups often struggle for funding when preservation sales arise, and they can lose key conservation opportunities because of shortfalls. A new revolving loan fund administered by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, aims to close the gaps. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan speaks with WPC President and CEO Tom Saunders about the new loan program. Aired week of 01/06/2010.

Saving Pennsylvania's Forests While Curbing Climate Change - A conservation group announced a program to get Pennsylvania private forests into the carbon trading market. The Nature Conservancy will work with landowners to get their forests certified as sustainable, and then market and sell the carbon credits. Nels Johnson, the Conservancy's Pennsylvania Director of Conservation Programs joins The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan to talk about the program called Working Woodlands. Aired week of 12/23/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Taste, Quality, and Sustainability of Seafood - If you're Italian, Christmas Eve tradition might dictate having seven types of seafood on the dinner table. Big Burrito Corporate Chef Bill Fuller chats with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan and a young fishmonger about what constitutes sustainable seafood. Don't forget to call with your questions on food and the environment, at 412-25-ZESTY. This week's underwriter for Earth's Bounty 2.0 is Chatham University, offering a new master's degree in food studies. To underwrite, email info@alleghenyfront.org. Aired week of 12/09/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Holiday Party Preview and a Wine Question - Big Burrito Corporate Chef Bill Fuller again joins The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan to discuss food and the environment. They take a call about organic wine. We welcome your questions by calling 412-25-ZESTY or e-mailing jennifer@alleghenyfront.org, with "Earth's Bounty 2.0" in the subject line. This week's underwriter is Chatham University, offering a new master's degree in food studies (see link below). To underwrite, contact info@alleghenyfront.org. Aired week of 12/02/2009.

PSU Climate Professor at Center of Leaked E-mail Dustup - While all this talk of climate change is happening in advance of the Copenhagen meeting, there's also a public dustup among prominent climate change scientists, including one at Penn State University. The Allegheny Front's Katelyn Malongowski has the story. Aired week of 12/02/2009.

Pittsburgh Company Helps Amazon Tribe Save Rainforest and Trap Carbon - While an international treaty on carbon dioxide will probably be delayed, some groups say that there are ways to cut down on global emissions right now. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan spoke with Josh Knauer about working with indigenous people in Brazil to keep forests intact. He's CEO of Rhiza Labs, a Pittsburgh-based software company, which has been brought in by the Amazon Conservation Team and Google. And he's not just a tech guy -- Josh has worked on environmental projects for over 18 years. Aired week of 12/02/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Now Taking Your Calls - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 11/17/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Milk Maid Comes to Town - Northeastern Ohio goat's milk producer Abbe Turner visits in the studio with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan and Big Burrito Corporate Chef Bill Fuller. Then the three respond to a listener's request for an all-star menu for food and musical luminaries. Call anytime with your questions on food and the environment at 412-25-ZESTY. Thanks to this week's underwriter -- Chatham University, which has a new Master's Degree program in food studies. To underwrite Earth's Bounty and The Allegheny Front, contact info@alleghenyfront.org. Aired week of 11/11/2009.

Mothus Interrupus and Other Ways to Grow Fruit Organically - Many shoppers will pay a premium for apples, peaches, and grapes that are grown locally and organically. But there just aren't many fruits that fit these requirements in our markets. So Pennsylvania is funding research to help fruit growers in the region move away from using chemical weed and pest killers. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan reports. And click "read transcript" for a tarte tatin recipe recently served to G20 world leaders that included local, organic apples. Finally, don't forget you can call with questions about food and the environment. Phone anytime at 412-25-ZESTY to contact Jennifer and Chef Bill Fuller for their interactive Earth's Bounty 2.0 call-in segment. Aired week of 11/04/2009.

News Analysis: Reports Say Pennsylvania Still Plagued With Pollution - According to the US EPA and a statewide environmental group, Pennsylvania continues to struggle with air and water pollution. Jennifer Szweda Jordan joins host Matthew Craig to talk about new reports that put the state at the top of the list for particulate pollution and chemical-laden rivers. Aired week of 10/28/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Testicles, Tongues, and Texas Sheet Cake - The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan and Big Burrito Chef Bill Fuller talk about lamb testicles, tongues, and Texas sheet cake. Notice how all these words start with "T?" What comes next? "U" -- er, you. Figuratively that is -- we know none of these words has a second letter of "u." We want YOUR calls on food and the environment. Phone any time and leave a message at 412-697-2936 or e-mail jennifer@alleghenyfront.org with "Earth's Bounty 2.0" in the subject line and we'll consider your query for the next episode. We look forward to hearing from you. This week's underwriter is the East End Food Co-op, Pittsburgh's only Consumer-Owned Natural Foods Store open to everyone, everyday 8am to 9pm. To underwrite this segment, contact kathy@alleghenyfront.org Aired week of 10/28/2009.

Earth's Bounty: PA Apples Make Fine Pies - Many lifetimes after Johnny Appleseed traversed Penn's Woods, fresh regional aples remain a treat this time of year. In this installment of Earth's Bounty, Jennifer Szweda Jordan visits a farm market brimming with Jonagold, Staymen, and many other apple varieties. And she stops by Slow Food Pittsburgh's First Favorite Apple Pie bakeoff. Click on "read the transcript" for one of the winning recipes. Aired week of 10/21/2009.

Upcoming Environmental Events Feature Food Activists, Nader, Eco-Heroes - Food activist Raj Patel will be visiting Pittsburgh October 21 for a dinner benefiting the anti-hunger and anti-poverty group Just Harvest. The Allegheny Front�s Jennifer Szweda Jordan speaks with Patel about his reflections on food policy after the G-20 and his belief that climate change and hunger can be fought together. Listen to the WEB EXCLUSIVE full interview. Food writer Michael Pollan will be speaking at the Three Rivers Bioneers Conference on Friday, Oct. 16 Ralph Nader will speak at Point Park University on Monday, Oct. 19, and the Group Against Smog and Pollution Celebrates its 40th anniversary with a recognition of 40 local Environmental Heroes on Friday, Oct. 23. See below for links. Aired week of 10/14/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Seasonal Foods and Tunes - Big Burrito Chef Bill Fuller and The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan are joined by a radio deejay to discuss songs and dishes to go with foods at your local farmers market right now. Bill and Jennifer really want to hear from you for their call-in segment on food and the environment, Earth's Bounty 2.0. Please phone 412-697-2936 or e-mail jennifer@alleghenyfront.org with "Earth's Bounty 2.0" in the subject line. This week's underwriter is the East End Food Co-op in Pittsburgh. Please contact info@alleghenyfront.org for underwriting opportunities. Aired week of 10/14/2009.

Toxic Chemicals Legislation, Minorities and the Environment Discussed At Conference - The impact of toxic chemicals on the most vulnerable individuals -- fetuses, children, and people living in poor communities -- was highlighted at last week's Rachel Carson Legacy Conference. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan reports. Aired week of 09/30/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Oktoberfest And A Call from Frank Lloyd Wright Resort - Jennifer and Bill try to figure out the evolutionary connection between food and health and passion and personality. Then they take a call from the Edible Allegheny editor Victoria Bradley and the accomplished sous chef from TreeTops Restaurant at the Frank Lloyd Wright resort in the Laurel Highlands. Thanks to the East End Food Co-op for underwriting this week's segment. To call in with questions on food and the environment, phone 412-697-2933 or e-mail jennifer@alleghenyfront.org with "Earth's Bounty 2.0" in the subject line. To underwrite, contact kathy@alleghenyfront.org Aired week of 09/30/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Local Foods Get Religion and Too Many Tomatillos - The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan and Big Burrito Chef Bill Fuller advise a call-in guest on what to do with too many tomatillos. But first, they get word of a surprisingly creative local foods menu at a place that has become the bastion of bad food -- a church hall. WEB ONLY BONUS: CLICK 'READ THE TRANSCRIPT' FOR TOMATILLO SALSA RECIPE. And keep those food calls coming: 412-697-2936 or jennifer@alleghenyfront.org. To underwrite, contact kathy@alleghenyfront.org. This week's segment is underwritten by Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, now celebrating Local Foods Month. Aired week of 09/16/2009.

News Analysis: Justice Dept Looks at Agri-Businesses - For years, many environmentalists, independent farmers and organic consumers have looked at large agribusinesses as the un-jolly anti-green giants. While not using such terms, of course, the Obama administration is taking a critical look at whether companies like Monsanto have violated monopoly laws in an increasingly concentrated business sector. This week I'm joined by Jennifer Szweda Jordan, who follows food and the environment issues in our Earth's Bounty series. Aired week of 09/09/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Peaches and What's Up With Colors in Foods? - In our second call-in segment, Big Burrito Chef Bill Fuller and The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan take questions on colors in foods from a chemist. And Amy McConnell Schaarsmith, from the historic local peach farming family, talks about varieties of the fruit. Jennifer and Bill want to hear food questions from you. Call 412-697-2936. This week's segment is underwritten by Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. To underwrite this segment, contact Kathy Knauer at 412-697-2933. Aired week of 09/09/2009.

Come on People, Michael Pollan's Not the Only Eco-Food Hero - Aired week of 09/03/2009.

Earth's Bounty 2.0: Call In About Food and the Environment - Big Burrito Restaurant Group's corporate chef Bill Fuller and The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan are taking your calls. On the first episode of Earth's Bounty 2.0, Jennifer learns about Fuller's personal food history. Then Jennifer challenges Bill to a vegetable association game with Carla Baccelli of Clarion River Organics. To ask Bill and Jennifer a question, call 412-697-2936 or e-mail jennifer@alleghenyfront.org with Earth's Bounty 2.0 in the subject line. This week's underwriter is Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. For underwriting opportunities, contact kathy@alleghenyfront.org. Aired week of 09/02/2009.

Unearthing Rubies in the Front Yard - Aired week of 08/18/2009.

Woodrats: A Disappearing Sign of Healthy Forests - We've come to the last feature about a creature in our series on endangered and threatened Pennsylvania wildlife. It may be an unlikely critter for you to care about, but the Allegheny Woodrat is an important indicator of forest health. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan reports. Aired week of 08/12/2009.

Earth's Bounty: A Rare and Sacred Rest on the Farm - Modern day farming is often all about maximizing yields, working from dusk til dawn, spring til fall. But The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan spoke with one farmer who gives his land -- and himself -- a break once a week -- because God says so. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 07/15/2009.

USDA, Not EPA, Would Oversee Carbon Credits on Farms Under Federal Compromise - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 06/26/2009.

News Analysis: No-Till Farming Oversight A Sticking Point in Climate Bill - In last week's show, we looked at farming that involves not tilling -- a.k.a., for us ag novices -- not plowing the land. Pennsylvania rewards farmers for what's called conservation tillage by some and "chemical no-till" by its critics. The climate change and energy bill federal legislators are considering could also reward farmers for not tilling. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan joins Host Matthew Craig to discuss these issues. Aired week of 06/24/2009.

'If we can grow crops with less energy and less fertilizer, the world wins' - How can farmers keep sediment and pollutants from running into waterways, save money so they can stay in business, and sequester the potent greenhouse gas carbon all in one shot? Not tilling -- or plowing -- soil accomplishes all these goals. But it has potential drawbacks, too. This week, The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan heads out into the field to see what no-till farming looks like when it's married with organic ag. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 06/17/2009.

Some Homeowners Think Tinier Is Better: CORRECTION - Tiny homes have a history. Henry David Thoreau experimented with pared-down living in his famously economical cabin at Walden. Thomas Jefferson built a tiny house to live in while building Monticello. Now an entrepreneur is driving a tiny house across the country and stopping to provide tours of his energy-efficient living space. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has the details. CORRECTION in transcript. Aired week of 06/03/2009.

Cyclists Face Dangerous Roadblocks on Trails - Now that summer's upon us, many people are taking their bicycles out of storage and saddling up for a ride. And some of the best places to ride are the area's trails. Trails are free from cars and obstacles - or are they? The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan took her own bike on a Memorial Day spin to check out the trail scene in Pittsburgh. Aired week of 05/27/2009.

What Tastes Like a Banana But Grows Here? The Paw Paw - The Paw Paw tree is a plant native to this region that produces a fruit that tastes like something out of the tropics. Some say Thomas Jefferson and George Washington planted Paw Paw orchards at Monticello and Mt. Vernon. Our Earth's Bounty producer Jennifer Szweda Jordan wanted to try growing Paw Paws in her own yard. So she recently visited our Organic Gardener, Doug Oster, who donated several budding young trees. Aired week of 05/20/2009.

Green Building Alliance Counters Critics of LEED - In this second part of our discussion on the LEED standards for green buildings, Aurora Sharrard of the Green Building Alliance tells The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Jordan, that energy efficiency is only one part of a sustainable building. But how do green buildings measure up to their claims? Her group is working on the answer. Aired week of 05/13/2009.

Global Links Wants Your Home Medical Supplies - Say you've just gotten over an illness or injury and you don't need your crutches or wheelchair anymore. Now there's an alternative to throwing away home medical supplies. A Pittsburgh-based organization is collecting these items to ship to countries in need. Global Links Executive Director Kathleen Hower joins Host Jennifer Szweda Jordan. Aired week of 05/13/2009.

Food Issues On Podcast And In Film - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 05/07/2009.

Pittsburgh Cook/Podcaster Turns Microphone on Our Reporter - This week, the producer of our our Earth's Bounty series got the word out on food and the environment on a podcast. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan joined Tom Totin, who produces a web-based program called Cookspeak on the Talkshoe Network. This is a taste of their chat. Aired week of 05/06/2009.

I've Finally Cleaned Up All the Sustainacake Crumbs in the Kitchen - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 05/05/2009.

In Search of the Elusive Paw Paw - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 04/24/2009.

Spring Busy Month for Foodies - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 04/02/2009.

Sewage Sludge on Farms: Dangerous or Just Recycling? - Fifteen years ago, the federal government set standards to regulate using sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants on farmland. But some have questioned whether the standards are good enough. The Environmental Protection Agency's begun taking another look at what's in sewage sludge - but will anything change - and when? The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has this report. It's part of our Earth's Bounty coverage on food and the environment. Aired week of 04/01/2009.

Eat the View? Yes they Will - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 03/20/2009.

Earth's Bounty: Contest Pits Our Baker Against Vegan - "Going green is a piece of cake." That's the environmental theme for this year's cake decorating fundraiser for the Pittsburgh Midwife Center. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visits with vegan baker Deanna Hitchcock, who's entering the contest. Then Jennifer talks about her own cake entry with host Matthew Craig. Aired week of 03/18/2009.

Administration Insider Says There Will Be a White House Garden - Aired week of 02/26/2009.

Earth's Bounty: A Kitchen Garden in Every Plot! - Maine gardener Roger Doiron founded Kitchen Gardens International, a coalition of gardeners around the world who favor food over flowers in their yard landscapes. In his latest effort, he lobbies the new Presidential administration to plant a garden on the White House lawn. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan spoke with Doiron about a garden that's being created on federal grounds. Aired week of 02/25/2009.

Earth's Bounty: Farm Census Released - The US Agriculture Department just released its five-year agriculture census. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has more. It's part of our Earth's Bounty coverage on food and the environment. Aired week of 02/11/2009.

Earth's Bounty: World Money Crisis Hits State Ag Budget - The state of Pennsylvania is cutting $975 million dollars from its budget. One of the programs getting axed helps farmers transition into growing organically. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has more. Aired week of 02/11/2009.

Earth's Bounty: PA Foods Shine in Iron Chef Competition - One of the ways people have tried to make meals more environmentally friendly is to buy ingredients grown near home. The Pennsylvania Farm Show takes what's known as the locavore concept to a new level in a professional cooking competition modeled after TV's Iron Chef. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan checked out the event. Aired week of 02/04/2009.

GPS Offers Environmental Benefits on Farms - You might count on a GPS - or global positioning system - in your car to direct you through unknown territory. But for farmers, GPS software has environmental benefits. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan learns more about the technology at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Aired week of 01/28/2009.

Earth's Bounty: Teams Shear Sheep, Weave Shawl in Farm Show Contest - You've heard of extreme sports, but how about extreme crafts? One of the most popular events in recent years at eastern U.S. and European farm shows has been the sheep to shawl competition. It's just what it sounds like. Teams of people shear a sheep, spin the wool, and weave it into a long cozy garment in a few hours. Jennifer Szweda Jordan attended the 30th anniversary event at this week's Pennsylvania State Farm Show. Aired week of 01/28/2009.

A Foodie's Fantasy Trip to Turkey - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 01/23/2009.

Farm Show Butter Sculpture To Become Biodiesel - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 01/22/2009.

Western Pennsylvania Chefs, Sheep Handlers, Score Well - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 01/15/2009.

Preserving Farmland for Future Generations - Between 1997 and 2007, two percent of all Pennsylvania farmland became sites for new homes or businesses. That may not sound like much, but that's a big loss in a state where agriculture is the largest employer. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan looks at how one farmer in Cranberry Township, north of Pittsburgh, is making sure his land won't be lost to sprawl. Aired week of 01/07/2009.

Enviro Groups Oppose Killing Predators to Save Livestock - 115 environmental organizations have a message for the incoming head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture� Stop killing wildlife to save livestock. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has more. Aired week of 01/07/2009.

Environmentalists Seeing Red Over Cabinet Picks - Environmentalists are not happy with some of President-elect Barack Obama's latest cabinet picks. Obama wants former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to lead the Agriculture Department. And rancher, and former environmental lawyer Colorado Senator Ken Salazar is being tapped for Interior Secretary. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan reports. Aired week of 12/17/2008.

Some Won't Be Cooking Turkey, or Cooking at All, this Holiday Season - The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan recently stopped into Maggie's Mercantile restaurant in the Laurel Highlands. At its main location and one in Pittsburgh, Maggie's offers vegan and raw foods. Naturally there's no turkey on the menu. But Maggie's chefs are whipping up fun holiday and seasonal dishes. Owner Margaret Raphael guides Jennifer around the kitchen. This piece is part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 11/26/2008.

What to Expect from President-Elect Obama's Agricultural Policy - The economy was the big issue many voters cited when casting ballots in November. But President-elect Obama will also have to consider agricultural policy. The Lancaster Farming newspaper followed the presidential candidates' positions on agriculture during the election and is keeping an eye on the new Obama Adminstration. Lancaster Farming's editor Dave Lefever spoke with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 11/19/2008.

PASA Classifieds Tempt Those with Farm Dreams - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 11/13/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Vacationing on the Farm - If you've always dreamed of life on a farm, a vacation among barns and billy goats may be for you. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited a farm where chores are part of the fun for guests. It's one piece of the agritourism movement. This story is part of our Earth's Bounty coverage on food and the environment. Aired week of 11/12/2008.

Nature Imposes Food Safety Lessons - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 10/14/2008.

Holy Ground -- Environmental Oral History Project Continues - Recently The Allegheny Front aired a story about a religious sister of St. Joseph bringing new life to a farm. Now we hear from one of her mentors. Frank Romeo farmed at Villa Maria Community Center, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Humility of Mary. Cattle from the farm has fed the sisters and their guests over the years, and much produce is donated to the poor and to shelters annually. Romeo was interviewed by Jennifer Szweda Jordan for our series celebrating the region's 250th anniversary. Aired week of 10/01/2008.

New Country of Origin Labels on Food - Where does your food come from? It's a question more people seem to be asking following food contamination outbreaks in recent years. New federal labeling requirements could make it easier to learn where certain foods are produced. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan reports. Aired week of 10/01/2008.

Slowly Produced Notes From Slow Food Nation - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 09/26/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Religious Sister Plays Role of Farmer, Beekeeper, Vineyard Worker - You may be used to seeing Catholic nuns without their long dark habits by now. But we recently came across another breed of sister: one who rides a tractor or a truck as often as a car and frequently wields a chainsaw. She wears work boots and is as deeply tanned as a farmer, which is pretty much what she is. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has this story as part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 09/24/2008.

Victory Gardens: Wartime Vestige Blooms Again - In World Wars One and Two, the government urged citizens to plant what were known as Victory Gardens to supplement the tight food supply. In 1943, there were about 300,000 Victory Gardens. Grassroots groups are reviving the concept. But these new gardens are more than wartime food supplies and morale boosters. Now, planting and sowing in private and public spaces has become a way to respond to what some call social and ecological crises. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited the Victory Garden at San Francisco's City Hall as part of our Slow Food Nation coverage. She tagged along as landscape architect John Bela and gardener Kelsey Siegel gave a tour to area foreign consuls. Aired week of 09/03/2008.

Hungry Planet: What The World Eats - One of the events at Slow Food Nation is what photographers Faith D'Alusio and Peter Menzel call a "culinary atlas of the planet at a time of extraordinary change." They traveled to 24 countries and visited 30 families to document exactly what the families ate. Each family posed around a week's worth of food. The photos are on exhibit here at the World Affairs Council. Many are also in a book called Hungry Planet: What the World Eats. The Allegheny Front spoke with D'Alusio about their work. Aired week of 09/03/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Slow Food Nation Director Shares Group's History - The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan speaks with Slow Food Nation Executive Director Anya Fernald. Slow Food Nation was a sort of coming out party for an organization that was started by Italian journalists and activists. Aired week of 09/03/2008.

Climate Change And Food on the Plate at Slow Food Nation - Some believe that we are talking a lot about climate change affecting polar ice caps and penguins, and not enough about how it could affect our food supply. Here at Slow Food Nation, people are considering how policymakers and the rest of us can affect climate change through how and what we eat. Projections for the food supply are dire due to climate change. Scientists estimate that developing countries could lose 330 million acres of prime farm land in the next 50 years. Here in the U.S., unprecedented storms have eroded prime Midwest soil. That could reduce the food supply for future generations. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has more. Aired week of 09/03/2008.

Slow Food Nation Overview: Serving Up Politics - While Jennifer Szweda Jordan's in San Francisco coverering Slow Food Nation, Ann Murray, The Allegheny Front's news analyst,has been following the event online. Jennifer and Ann swap observations about the gathering and its political implications. Aired week of 09/03/2008.

After the Meal: Trimming Waste In Slow Food Nation - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 08/31/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Latest Table Magazine Offers Ways to Preserve Harvest - Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and brightly colored beets are all in season. And the newest issue of Pittsburgh-based Table magazine includes all kinds of tips for what to do with these foods. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan chats with Table Publisher Christina French about what's in the magazine's pages. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 08/27/2008.

Donora Residents Remember the Deadliest Air Pollution Disaster - Sixty years ago, the nation's worst air pollution disaster occurred in the Monongahela River valley town of Donora. What was described as a killer fog blanketed this small company town in 1948. When it was over, the local funeral home ran out of caskets. In this story from our archives, The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited the town to talk with survivors. Aired week of 08/20/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Yes, We Can - Food prices are high, but one way to save money is to buy when local fruits and vegies are plentiful. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan followed one author's advice for preserving the harvest. She has this story as part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 08/13/2008.

News Analysis: The Food Crisis - Food prices keep rising here and abroad. It's an inconvenience for many of us, but it's leading to political instability and famine elsewhere. The Allegheny Front�s news analyst Ann Murray talks with Jennifer Szweda Jordan about the latest on the food crisis. Jennifer�s producing our Earth�s Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 08/13/2008.

Mark Your Calendars: Local and Slow Food Events Abound - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 08/05/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Meet Greg Boulos, New Sustainable Ag Leader - Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture works to make small farms prosper in an environmentally friendly way. The organization recently hired a new Western Regional Director, who's also a farmer. Greg Boulos is based in Pittsburgh. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan talked with Boulos about what led up to his new job, and his plans for the organization. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. PASA is holding a farm tour Saturday, July 26. Check their link for more details. Aired week of 07/23/2008.

Pressure Cooking: A Cool Kitchen's Best Friend - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 07/10/2008.

Food and Faith: Justice, Joy and Daily Bread - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 06/26/2008.

Pork Necks and German Chamomile - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 06/05/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Young Couple Gets a Hand from Experienced Farmers - The average age of the U.S. farmer is about 55 years old. And a dwindling number of farmers are entering the field. But some say that�s beginning to shift -- that there�s a growing interest in getting back to the land. The Allegheny Front�s Jennifer Szweda Jordan visits one young couple who traded city life for the countryside. Aired week of 05/28/2008.

Network Aims to Give Life to Local Economy - A network to connect small green businesses and local nonprofits is forming in Pittsburgh. Its goals include getting businesses to pay living wages, helping them to save energy, and to have a greater voice in government. The Allegheny Front�s Jennifer Szweda Jordan has this story. Aired week of 05/21/2008.

Earth's Bounty: At Long Last 2008 Farm Bill Passes Congress - The US Senate just teamed up with the House to get the nearly $300 billion 2008 Farm Bill through both chambers. Legislators expect President Bush to veto the bill but project there�s enough support in the House and Senate to override his veto. The Allegheny Front�s news analyst Ann Murray and Earth�s Bounty producer Jennifer Szweda Jordan have been following the creation of this year�s bill. They talk about its final incarnation and what it means for sustainable agriculture and the environment.
Aired week of 05/21/2008.

The Lazy Gardeners Journal: Volunteers and Perennial Goodies - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 05/20/2008.

It's All In The Tea AND King Corn - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 05/13/2008.

What's Sprouting in the South Side - Aired week of 05/06/2008.

'Tis the Season for Wild Edibles - Aired week of 04/29/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Rhubarb, Ramps, and Ferns On Spring Table - Table Magazine's Editor and Publisher Christina French chats with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan about springtime food and restaurant news. They talk about rhubarb, ramps, and fiddlehead ferns. And a new chef in town chimes in to discuss sustainably raised meats, or, pigs in zen. Aired week of 04/23/2008.

Yes, We Have Bananas, But at What Cost? - Aired week of 04/10/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Going on a Low-Carbon Diet - Companies that operate cafeterias in colleges, workplaces, and museums are beginning to offer more sustainable foods. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited Grove City College to see what students think. This report is part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 04/09/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Is Eating Locally the Best Way to Reduce Greenhouse Gases? - We hear from two experts on the environmental impacts of food purchases, and why the movement to buy local might not be taking into account transportation and other factors. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan interviews Brian Snyder, Executive Director of PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture, and Rich Pirog, with the Iowa State University Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. This extended version of the interview, only available online, features our speakers discussing why low-income people may find sustainable foods affordable, and the challenges in calculating the carbon impact of food. Aired week of 04/09/2008.

Oh Happy Day! An Organic Farmer Is Born! - Aired week of 04/03/2008.

The First Greens of Spring - This blog entry appears here. Aired week of 03/31/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Fermenting Food for Fun and Flavor - When we think about interacting with nature, we may not consider exploring the living microorganisms all around us wild yeasts, molds, and bacteria. Through fermentation, they can turn grape juice into wine, vegetables into pickles, and milk into delicious cheese. Sandor Ellix Katz writes that by inviting microorganisms to ferment our food, and then by eating it, we become one with the natural world. And we start to break free of an industrial food system that Katz argues has devastating environmental consequences. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan interviewed Katz as part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 03/19/2008.

FTC Looks at Carbon Offset Sales - If you think you've done the environment wrong by driving, flying, or keeping your house too toasty in the winter, some businesses have a product to sell you. It's called an offset. And for prices ranging from five to a hundred dollars, you too can make up for sending climate changing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Or can you? The Federal Trade Commission is looking at whether offset consumers are getting what they pay for. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has this report. Aired week of 03/12/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Federal Agriculture Research Lab Slated to Be Cut - Grass-fed beef and meats from other animals raised on pastures are becoming more popular. But a U-S Department of Agriculture research lab focused on pasture farming has been left out of President Bush�s proposed budget. The Allegheny Front�s Jennifer Szweda Jordan has more. Aired week of 03/05/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Food Glorious Food? What to Eat Causes Confusion - In recent years, Michael Pollan's books and articles have become as essential as a well-stocked pantry to people who care deeply about food. Pollan's out with a new book, called In Defense of Food. In it, the writer offers a simple prescription for health: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan interviewed Pollan in 2007. This special encore presentation is part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 02/27/2008.

Earth's Bounty: No Whey! And Other Standards for Naturally Raised Meats - Sometimes walking through a grocery store�s meat aisle can make a conscientious consumer�s head spin. Labels offer claims such as grass fed, natural, organic and myriad other descriptions. It�s hard to know which is best for the environment, for human health and animal welfare. News analyst Ann Murray and Jennifer Szweda Jordan discuss the latest labeling news. Jennifer�s working on a series of stories called Earth�s Bounty, on food and the environment. Aired week of 02/13/2008.

Earth's Bounty: Holiday Table Celebrates Traditions - This is a time of celebrating sacred traditions and the Holiday issue of Table magazine is about traditions as well. The publication centers around family rituals. To learn more, we invited publisher Christina French back to The Allegheny Front. Here's her conversation with our Earth's Bounty producer Jennifer Szweda Jordan. Aired week of 12/19/2007.

Milk Labeling Causes a Stir - The Pennsylvania Agriculture Department is considering whether dairy products can be labeled as free of artificial growth hormones. Fans and foes of hormone-free labeling are stirring up a big debate. News Analyst, Ann Murray, and Jennifer Szweda Jordan, producer of our Earth's Bounty Series on food and the environment, talk about the implications of this dairy controversy. Aired week of 12/05/2007.

Earth's Bounty: What's For Dinner? And the New Book, Food - What's For Dinner? An exhibit of photographs of trucks with gigantic food images explores that question. The photographer spoke with Jennifer Szweda Jordan, producer of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. And we also hear from the editor of a new book called Food. It includes photos, poetry, fiction and more about what we put in our mouths. Aired week of 11/14/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Edible Schoolyards - In some schools, raking soil and raising vegetables have been added to the traditional three Rs of learning. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan stopped in to see one schoolyard garden. Her report's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Volunteer Nicole Henninger contributed to this story. Aired week of 10/31/2007.

Earth's Bounty: The Splendid Table's Lynne Rossetto Kasper - The Splendid Table is American Public Media's Show for People Who Love to Eat. Splendid Table Host Lynne Rossetto Kasper will be in Pittsburgh Oct. 20-21 to benefit the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan recently talked with Kasper about buying and preparing delicious organic food on a budget. Their chat is part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Click LISTEN to hear an extended version of Jennifer's talk with Lynne. Aired week of 10/10/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Touring Ligonier, Rural Art, and Good Eating in Fall Table - Autumn is just about here and that means the Fall Issue of Table Magazine is available. This issue covers a great western Pennsylvania roadtrip, art featuring the region's rural beauty, and information on cancer-fighting seasonal foods. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan invited Publisher Christina French in to talk about what's new in the pages of the latest Table. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 09/19/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Who Knew Milk Was So Controversial? - For most of us, the only thought we give to milk is whether to drink skim or whole, or something in between. It turns out that for a growing number of people, the choice is a lot more complicated. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has been drinking in the debate over raw versus pasteurized milk. She brings us this report as part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 08/22/2007.

Earth's Bounty: America's Water Crisis and Agriculture - Meat, watermelon, rice, and other foods require a lot of water to grow. And water is becoming scarce in major growing areas. That could increase demand for foods grown in our region. These ideas are explored in the new book Not A Drop to Drink: America's Water Crisis [And What You Can Do]. The author, Ken Midkiff, is on the Board of Directors of Concerned Citizens for Clean Water and is co-chair of the National Clean Water Network. He recently spoke with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 08/08/2007.

Drought Watch Issued for Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania has issued a Drought Watch and asks residents to voluntarily limit their water usage by five percent. Aired week of 08/08/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Rare Breeds on Farms - Most farm animals are destined for the slaughterhouse and are, in that sense, "endangered.� But in the past 15 years, 1700 livestock breeds in the world have gone extinct or are at risk of extinction worldwide. And that puts the food supply at risk. The Allegheny Front�s Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited one family near State College trying to counter this trend. It�s part of our Earth�s Bounty series on food and the environment.
Aired week of 07/25/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Summer Table Includes Flowers, Heirlooms, and More - Fresh local vegetables, berries and flowers are hitting the pinnacles of their perfection this time of year. Table Magazine's summer issue is a guide to where to find these fruits of the earth in western Pennsylvania. Magazine publisher and editor Christina French returns to The Allegheny Front to talk with Jennifer Szweda Jordan. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 07/11/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Conservation Groups Want Piece of Farm Bill Pie - The Farm Bill is moving through Congress this summer. Conservation groups want more money spent on land conservation and other environmental programs. Aired week of 06/13/2007.

High Waters, Price of Development? - Pennsylvania's never seen a Katrina, but big storms have devastated communities here. Nearly two years after Hurricane Ivan hit, some businesses and residents still hurt. Environmental officials say flooding has worsened statewide in the last century because of development. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan looks at flooding and ways to prevent it. Aired week of 05/30/2007.

Audio Postcard: Rachel Carson's Birthday - Rachel Carson would have been 100 on May 27. The Rachel Carson Homestead threw a celebration that attracted hundreds of people. The Allegheny Front staff talked with partygoers. Jennifer Jordan produced this audio postcard that includes Josh LaFace, Mary Whitney, and Earl McCabe, Jr. Aired week of 05/30/2007.

Should Trees, Rivers, All of Nature Have Legal Standing? - A group of lawyers wants to speak for the trees. And the birds and lakes, and all of nature. They're not reading from a children's book, either. They're trying to put into practice a theory called earth jurisprudence. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has the story. Aired week of 05/16/2007.

Earth's Bounty: PB and J Campaign - What could be more American, more humble than a PB and J? And yet one Pennsylvanian suggests eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich will help slow global warming. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan recently talked with Bernard Brown, of Philadelphia, about his PB and J Campaign. They digress about humor in environmental causes, and wine to serve with a PB and J. It's part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 05/02/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Our Daily Bread - Our Daily Bread is the provocative name of a documentary showing soon in Pittsburgh. It depicts where most of our meals originate - in a system of industrial agriculture. This wordless film offers stark images inside chicken coops, slaughterhouses, and farmlands. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan brings us this review as part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment.

Our Daily Bread begins showing on April 16th at Regents Square Theatre. The Sierra Club is showing another food-related film on April 21. Bull----, about the industrial agriculture system caps off an evening of environmental films at Botany Hall, Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. This second annual environmental film festival runs 6 to 10 pm. Aired week of 04/11/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Eating Locally for Good Health - Diabetes is a prevalent and expensive problem in Pennsylvania. Seven percent of adults in the state say they're diabetic. One big company in the state spends a fifth of its employee drug costs on diabetes medication. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited a woman who has diabetes and who's reaping HEALTH benefits by eating locally. This report is part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 03/28/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Western PA Food, Culture On Glossy New Table - Table Magazine has the look of a glamorous Conde' Nast publication. But it's born and bred right here in Pittsburgh. Table focuses on western Pennsylvania food and lifestyle. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan invited editor and publisher Christina French to our table at WYEP's Community Broadcast Center. Their conversation is part of our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 03/21/2007.

Eco-Theologian, Cultural Historian, Prophet: Thomas Berry - During his 92 years of life, Thomas Berry's seen major changes in the world. Berry's a noted cultural historian and eco-theologian. He worries about the world's growing industrialization and its impact on the natural world. But some of his prescription for doing better by the planet IS being realized. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited Berry in North Carolina. She brings us this profile. Aired week of 02/21/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Local, Organic, Fair Foods Pioneer Frances Moore Lappe' - In 1971, Frances Moore Lappe wrote that eating a lot of meat was like driving a Cadillac. The words appeared in her book "Diet for A Small Planet" which sold three million copies. Her book was Lappe's entry into a lifetime of informing people about the economics, politics and environmental impacts of producing food. Jennifer Szweda Jordan sat down with Lappe for our Earth's Bounty series on food and the environment. Aired week of 01/10/2007.

Earth's Bounty: Restaurants Serve Up Local Foods - The National Restaurant Association has made its predictions for popular food trends in 2007. And number two on the 'hot' list is locally grown produce. From Maggie's Mercantile in the Laurel Highlands, to the Big Burrito group in Pittsburgh, a growing number of regional restaurants are offering all kinds of local foods. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan visited a fine dining restaurant just outside Pittsburgh that's focusing on fresh, local and organic fare. Aired week of 01/03/2007.

Senior Volunteers Tackle Environmental Problems - Environmental work isn�t just for young professionals anymore. Retired engineers, former biology teachers, and others with time on their hands are working on environmental problems as volunteers. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan reports on how senior citizens are keeping environmentally active. Aired week of 10/25/2006.

Introducing a NEW Feature: Earth's Bounty - Our new segment called Earth's Bounty focuses on the intersection between food and the environment. Jennifer Szweda Jordan, a trained culinarian, will bring listeners this new feature. In the kickoff interview, Host Matthew Craig speaks her, and samples a carnival creme brulee' in the office kitchen at WYEP's studios in Pittsburgh. For the recipe, go to this story's page, and click on 'Read the Transcript' button. Aired week of 10/11/2006.

Artist's Ohio River Odyssey - Carolyn Lambert�s a modern-day Huck Finn. She�s got freckles, fiery red hair, and a sense of adventure to match. Lambert, an artist and novice boater, is steering a pontoon boat down the length of the Ohio River this summer. Between Pittsburgh and Cairo, Illinois, she�s collecting stories of contemporary river life, and looking for clean swimming spots. The Allegheny Front�s Jennifer Szweda Jordan spent a few days on Lambert's pontoon. Aired week of 08/16/2006.

Peace Activists Turn Efforts Toward Environment - When Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement, met in Pittsburgh recently, the environment was on the agenda. Talks on mountaintop mining, the impact of government budgets on conservation, and reflections on U.S. atomic bombings of Japan were part of the mix. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan attended the national assembly as a Pax Christi member. She brings us this report. Aired week of 08/09/2006.

Green Engineers - Faculty at three engineering colleges are working together on a sustainability curriculum. They want to teach students how to design things like buildings and appliances that use fewer finite resources. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan talked with professors and federal regulators who kicked off their work at Carnegie Mellon University. Aired week of 08/02/2006.

High Waters -- Price of Development? - Pennsylvania's never seen a Katrina, but big storms have devastated communities here. Nearly two years after Hurricane Ivan hit, some businesses and residents still hurt. Environmental officials say flooding has worsened statewide in the last century because of development. In our continuing series, The Many Faces of Sprawl, The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan looks at flooding and ways to prevent it.

The series, The Many Faces of Sprawl, is funded by the Laurel Foundation and sponsored in part by Sustainable Pittsburgh. Aired week of 07/12/2006.

High Waters, Price of Development? - Pennsylvania's never seen a Katrina, but big storms have devastated communities here. Nearly two years after Hurricane Ivan hit, some businesses and residents still hurt. Environmental officials say flooding has worsened statewide in the last century because of development. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan looks at flooding and ways to prevent it. The story will air the week of July 12 as part of our special series "The Many Faces of Sprawl." Listen to the promo. Aired week of 07/05/2006.

Schiller Students Take on Trash - Preventing litter from contaminating watersheds is no small effort in one neighborhood on Pittsburgh's North Side. But an eager teacher, aided by an enthusiastic assistant, are nonetheless trying to teach seventh graders here about the impact of littering on watersheds. And about taking action to improve the community. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan helped the students document a series of environmental lessons. Our story is narrated by Phalonda Pollard and Tanazia Owens. The first student voice is Phalonda's. This story was made possible by a grant from the Dominion Educational Partnership. Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force worked with The Allegheny Front as well. Aired week of 06/07/2006.

Colleges Convert Students' Trash to Treasure - When Penn State students left their dorms this year, 66 tons of stuff like area rugs and vacuums didn't make the cut for the trip back home. One mini pool table decorated with fringe was also abandoned. At one time, it all would've ended up in a landfill. In recent years, the university's held a huge Memorial Day weekend sale of the students' goods. Other colleges around the country are starting to follow Penn State's lead. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan attended this year's event in State College, Pennsylvania. Aired week of 05/31/2006.

Remembering an Ethanol Pioneer - Ethanol is helping fuel some of the cars in this weekend's Indianapolis 500. That's part of the legacy of Paul Dana, a driver who died in a crash on a Florida track earlier this year. Dana got the ethanol industry to sponsor his Rahal-Letterman Racing team. By so doing, the Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol said no one did more to change the image of ethanol in the country than Dana. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has this remembrance of a pioneer. Aired week of 05/24/2006.

Environmental Links to Breast Cancer - More American women died of breast cancer in the last two decades than the number of Americans killed in World Wars I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. To turn the tide, athletes and concerned citizens run and walk the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation�s Race For the Cure. Race organizers, researchers and health professionals are teaming up, too. They�re searching for answers about environmental links to breast cancer. The Allegheny Front�s Jennifer Szweda Jordan has this report that first aired on May 4, 2005. (Golden Quill finalist for best enterprise/investigative reporting) Aired week of 05/10/2006.

Mount Washington Cleanup - Pittsburgh Explorers Club is holding its annual cleanup of the hillside below Grandview Avenue on Saturday, April First, 2006. Volunteers are needed to tie on ropes and rappel down the mountain. The work is especially significant because the area is expected to become the city's next big greenspace: Grand View Scenic Byways Park. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has more. Aired week of 03/29/2006.

Waste Coal Finds New Use - For several decades, vast, black mountains of low grade coal piled up all over Pennsylvania. Mining companies tossed it aside while digging for higher-grade coal. Improved technology made the coal useful and in recent years, Governor Ed Rendell's administration has promoted its use in power plants. But some activists wonder whether burning waste coal will cause as many problems as the piles themselves. The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan has more. Aired week of 03/15/2006.

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