Ron Finley

Date: 2014-12-17 | Duration: 2h 40m

Category: Politics & Media, Nature & Outdoors

Episode Overview

Ron Finley, known as the “Gangster Gardener,” shares his journey of transforming urban food deserts into vibrant community gardens, challenging systemic barriers that keep healthy food out of underserved neighborhoods. He discusses the deliberate design behind food scarcity in poor areas, recounting how growing his own garden in South Central Los Angeles was initially met with legal pushback, including fines and arrests for simply planting vegetables or keeping chickens. Finley emphasizes the power of gardening as an act of defiance and self-empowerment, encouraging people to reclaim their health and environment by growing their own food. The conversation delves into the broader implications of industrial food systems, highlighting issues like genetically modified crops, government subsidies, and the health consequences of processed and nutrient-poor diets. Finley connects these topics to social justice, explaining how access to fresh, living food can combat chronic illnesses and build community resilience. He also shares vivid stories about hunting, composting, and the importance of soil health, illustrating a deep respect for nature’s cycles. Throughout, Finley critiques corporate influence and advocates for grassroots movements that prioritize sustainability, education, and local empowerment as tools to reshape how society approaches food and health.

About Ron Finley

Ron Finley is a pioneering guerrilla gardener from South Central Los Angeles, renowned for transforming neglected urban spaces into vibrant community gardens. His impactful TED Talk in 2012 catapulted him into the global spotlight, where he has inspired countless individuals with his vision of community gardening and urban rejuvenation. Finley firmly believes in the power of gardening to foster community, promote sustainability, and combat food deserts, making him a unique voice in the conversation around urban agriculture. His innovative approach and passion for empowering communities through gardening have garnered widespread recognition, making him a sought-after speaker and advocate for change in food systems worldwide.

Key Moments

– Urban Gardening
– Food Justice
– Community Activism
– Sustainable Agriculture
– Food Deserts
– Environmental Health
– Industrial Food Systems
– Hunting and Foraging
– Soil Health
– Composting
– Food Sovereignty
– Public Policy
– Drug Legalization
– Climate Change
– Water Quality
– Corporate Influence
– Food Education
– TED Talks
– Social Media Impact
– Wildlife Management
0:00:47 – Ron Finley discusses how he got started
0:03:37 – Questioning why everyone shouldn't grow their own food
0:04:49 – Story about people jailed for having chickens
0:06:55 – Beautifying neighborhoods through gardening
0:09:37 – Discussing dangers faced by communities
0:11:19 – Vegetation dying and need for action
0:13:26 – Concerns about water quality and fluoride
0:15:05 – Critique of industrial complexes affecting society
0:16:21 – Views on drug legalization and personal freedom
0:19:58 – Food as the only substance to heal the body
0:21:24 – Importance of living, healthy food
0:23:31 – Taking air for granted and pollution concerns
0:27:37 – Issues with food preservation and additives
0:31:12 – Impact of government subsidies on corn farming
0:33:22 – The phrase 'you are what you eat' explained
0:35:27 – Hunting wild animals and issuing tags
0:40:17 – Discussion about bear meat and diet
0:44:11 – Traditional food practices and natural animal health
0:48:07 – Raising chickens and their diet
0:53:30 – Urban gardens supplying local food
0:54:10 – Influence of lobbyists and corporations
0:58:44 – Eating snake and exotic foods
1:01:21 – Thoughts on chemtrails and cloud seeding
1:05:05 – Artificial clouds and flight patterns
1:07:25 – Living near freeways and pollution exposure
1:11:00 – Interaction with neighborhood kids and bees
1:15:29 – Environmental degradation over the last century
1:17:37 – Making compost and soil health
1:21:35 – Defiance and stepping away from the system
1:24:48 – Starting to grow more of his own food
1:26:01 – Receiving messages from supporters
1:28:43 – Importance of representing your community
1:36:11 – Challenges of exposure versus compensation
1:44:53 – Kids calling themselves gangster gardeners
1:46:47 – TED Talk impact and inspiring action
1:50:00 – Breaking cycles of inherited lifestyle
2:00:01 – Talking about hunting as a food source
2:01:06 – Cooking garden-grown food as a 'panty dropper'

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 All right. Starting point is 00:00:47 Tell me how you got started in this. Starting point is 00:01:11 Do you think it's by design where someone set out and said, Starting point is 00:01:38 It's not that they're poor. Starting point is 00:02:00 You can't tell me that's not by design. Starting point is 00:02:35 of people who are in a situation where there's no other options, Starting point is 00:03:11 That's how it works. Sometimes it just takes someone to do something and everybody goes, oh, yeah. Starting point is 00:03:37 Why shouldn't everybody grow their own food? Starting point is 00:03:52 Come on, dude. Starting point is 00:04:01 Tell me how illegal it is. Starting point is 00:04:39 Yeah. Starting point is 00:04:49 They went to fucking jail for having chickens. Starting point is 00:05:14 You know, take this out. Starting point is 00:05:25 Why do this? There's nothing to eat around here. And you and you're going to I'm going to get penalized. Starting point is 00:06:19 forget this moment man i was looking in the window looking out at the harvard and i you know so i Starting point is 00:06:55 You know, why are you this guy's beautifying his neighborhood? Starting point is 00:07:31 And my councilman, Herb Wesson, I love him dearly now. Starting point is 00:07:56 So essentially those two guys. Starting point is 00:08:12 No? Starting point is 00:08:19 Steve Lopez? Starting point is 00:08:46 it so yeah so that but now they see and it's beautiful because now herb has actually uh he Starting point is 00:09:37 but it's dangerous who's it dangerous for uh for the people don't live on your block Starting point is 00:10:05 You know, they need somebody to buy their shit. Starting point is 00:10:20 And why? Can't these dialysis Starting point is 00:10:47 if you've ever seen the statistics on... Starting point is 00:11:03 This is a place that I go to. Starting point is 00:11:19 All the vegetation died. Starting point is 00:11:42 And now all of a sud...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #587?

Ron Finley was the guest on JRE #587. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #587?

On Joe Rogan Experience #587 with Ron Finley, topics include Urban Gardening, Food Justice, Community Activism, and Sustainable Agriculture.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #587?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #587 with Ron Finley is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.