Dr. Z has recently released two new music videos on his YouTube channel. He wrote both songs, played all instruments and produced the videos. Click here to view- https://www.youtube.com/@johnzahina-ramos8913
Coming in 2024- “Just One Backyard”
A full-length documentary film based on Dr. Z’s award-winning book of the same name. Details to be released soon.
Dr. Z Releases new song and video
Dr. Z has released a new song and music video entitled “I Know A Place”, which he wrote in 1978 at the age of 17. Click on this link to view and please subscribe to be updated when new music…
Dr. Z completes 11th year of long-term study of the benefits of urban food gardens
With the arrival of winter weather in northern Illinois, Dr. Z completed data collection for the 2022 growing season- the 11th season of data collection for his study that measures the sustainability benefits of urban food growing. This year, he…
Dr. Z presents about the benefits of urban food gardens
Dr. Z will be giving a presentation to the Crystal Lake, IL Sustainability Committee on sustainability benefits on urban agriculture. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15th at 7:00 pm at the city’s offices in downtown Crystal Lake.
January 2022 Blog
Hello to you! It’s been a whirlwind of activity here. Weather-wise, this part of the country remains in a drought condition. Besides having a rainfall deficit over the spring-summer-fall seasons, we did not have our first measurable snowfall until after…
Dr. Z Joins Advisory Board for the M.A.P. New York City Project
New York City has ~1,500 farms and gardens growing food… In 2021, NYC released its Food Forward NYC plan. Central to this plan is urban agriculture. Urban Agriculture provides socio-economic benefits to communities, improving access to fresh local food while offering educational…
October 2021 Blog
Hello Friends! The gardens are almost finished. We are expecting overnight temperatures in the 20s in a few days and that will freeze out whatever is persisting in the garden. The last things I need to gather in are beets…
Sept. 11, 2021. Dr. Z Presents at Soil Health Seminar
On Saturday, September 11, 2021, Dr. Z presented at the Soil Health Seminar at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Dr. Zahina-Ramos provided an overview of soils that will be useful for practitioners of environmentally-friendly agriculture. Topics included: soil genesis (where…
Dr. Z Accepts the Position of Chair of the Horticulture Dept. at the College of Lake County
Beginning the Fall 2021 semester, Dr. Z has been installed as the Chair of the Horticulture Department at the College of Lake County, Illinois. The College of Lake County is in the Chicago suburbs and serves a diverse and vibrant…