Born
into a mid-west farming tradition, David King's life has always been
rooted in growing food. His work concentrates on the concepts of
growing wholesome fruit and vegetables and creating communities to
find answers for our turbulent times. Whether it is working with
the American Community Gardening Association, or the Seed Library of
Los Angeles (SLOLA), his focus is always on growing organic food,
saving open-pollinated seeds and creating food independence for
everyone. King is author of the soon to be released book, Growing
Food In Southern California*. Passionate about fresh food for
everyone, his message is always engaging and insightful, delivered
with affable wit and sagacity.
An instructor for UCLA Extension's Gardening and Horticulture Program for the past ten years and about fifty years of gardening experience under his fingernails, King as been down a row or two in the garden. But that isn't enough to make a good speaker. With his off-the-wall sense of humor and his passion for the topics, King is a talented and engaging speaker with not only the data, but the experience to support his reasoning and the ability to formulate a vision that works. While he is entertaining , it's not a fluff. There is real dirt here.
In teaching situations, King is often given the 'after-lunch shift' most instructors abhor because that is the most difficult time to maintain interest with sleepy students. One liners and provocative questions leading to the heart of the subject are stock in trade. As students laugh, they are led to understanding complicated topics like soils and soil ecology, seed saving, plant breeding, grafting and other gardening topics that are more often approached with fear and loathing. King brings a reverence for history and the knowledge of agriculture that spans generations - calling often on what he learned from his grandfather and keeping the past relevant. What works? What can we do today - now? How do you grow the food you want and need?
He has taught rose propagation to pre-schoolers (they asked, so why not?) and seed starting at a senior center. He has the gift of knowing his audience. One of UCLA Extension's most loved gardening instructors, students vote with their class selection often choosing to take every class he offers knowing they'll get the data in an atmosphere that will make the learning stick.
He is the exceptional combination of all things that make a speaker memorable.
2012 - Teleseminar with Ardenwood's Nursery (Fundamentals of Seed Saving)
Keynote at Cooportunity's Annual Members meeting
Panelist for Proposition 37's presentation of 'Genetic Roulette,' Santa Monica Public ........Library
Debate participant for Proposition 37, Labeling Genetic Food (King's portion starts ........at 3:11 in and continues for ten minutes.
American Community Gardening Association: Starting a seed library in your ........community
King comes highly recommended by Great Garden Speakers.
* Publication date is still undetermined. When it happens, this page will inform you without fail.
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