Meet Carol Burton | Director of Permaculture, Urban Harvest, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carol Burton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carol, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“A weed is a flower.” by George Washington Carver

This quote of inspiration has followed me in my work with Urban Harvest, from teaching children, to working in difficult situations, to actual weeds in the garden has served as a metaphor for the problem is also the solution. The lens which we view the world can can see a vision for the future and our youth or limit ourselves. It illustrates cultivating a relationship with the land and in our gardens. Each plant has a niche and what I once thought was a nuisance, has a place within the community and growing appreciation as food, medicine and restoration of the environment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am very fortunate with Urban Harvest, Inc, my interest and passions have been aligned with the mission in the evolution and growth of the organization to cultivate healthy communities through gardens and access to healthy local food, I have also been able to re-invent myself along in career development from after-school gardening, to supporting schools and communities with a holistic approach.

Kids, gardens, growing food, and restoring nature has been where I have honed my teaching and leadership skills and ability in creating outdoor classrooms and training teachers to Edible Academy Teachers professional development and Gardening and Nutrition Programs.

My role has now evolved to lead our Permaculture Design Certification program to meet the diverse needs in Houston to grow food ecologically, sustainably and to reconnect with indigenous knowledge and wisdom.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would visit the Urban Harvest Farmers Market to connect directly with local growers and stock up fresh produce and market goods, because we are foodies and like to cook.

This is a great opportunity to see what is in season in Houston, then it will be at the market from the small growers and also peruse the Texas Growers Association, a collection of backyard gardeners who bring their excess produce.

These are the restaurants on my bucket list. As far as sites to see in Houston and culture, it really depends on the weather and the season to determine cultural events, if it is theatre district, museum, park, or event.

Year ’round, these are my favorite restaurants:

Then, we would head over to Pondi Cheri Restaurant for a delicious brunch.

Also on the bucket list:
Vietnamese, Huynh or Roostar, and Thai, Little Kitchen

Kickin Kombucha, Cocina Local, Cochinita’s and Co in the Kitchen for as many local vendors and especially the locally grown, Lion’s Main Mushroom Tinga Tacos and other local delights in an authentic Texas-Mexican cuisine and delicious specialty kombucha on tap. https://kickinkombucha.com/local-market-eatery/

Xochi’s for their mole sampler plate and dessert with ants.

A visit to H-Mart for traditional hot pot dishes and perusing Korean and asian traditional foods from the huge produce section, seafood and noodles.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is a shoutout to my friends and colleagues who have supported me along the way!

Journey into motherhood, education and gardening, Jean Loftin, who has shared resources and signs along the way.

My mentor, who I found on Rice KTRU being interviewed about Urban Harvest and Community Gardens, Bob Randall, Ph.D and to this day, who has paved the way in supporting leadership and naturally organizing systems. Leading the way in developing a 25 year consistent program for Urban Harvest of Teaching Gardening and Permaculture.

The downtown community garden where my child could be free range among the fireflies at Last Organic Outpost with Joe Icet and at Japhet Creek and Community Jim Ohart and Brian Herod for stewarding Japhet Creek clean up and establishment as a permanent Greenspace in East Downtown.

Kellie Karavias, Doris Heard and Sally Hilliard in creating and supporting the Cultivated Classroom at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center.

Executive Director, of Urban Harvest, Janna Roberson and Libby Kennedy and Paula Balbotin, former Development Team, in sharing and creating a dynamic vision of healthy community through gardening!

Website: www.urbanharvest.org

Instagram: @urbanharvesthouston

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/urban-harvest/

Twitter: @urbanharvest

Facebook: @urbanharvesthouston

Youtube: @urbanharvesthouston

Image Credits
1. Urban Harvest 2. Kellie Karavias and 3. Urban Harvest