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Video Details

Urban Conversion

Website: http://www.urbanconversion.com
Next Airing: Sat, Apr 6th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV

Availability information for this program

URBAN CONVERSION follows fiscally conservative businessman and host Rodman Schley as he seeks to learn more about the sustainability movement. It is all in an effort to get on the same page as his wife Gina, who wants their family to lead an eco-friendly, environmentally conscious lifestyle. While Rodman enjoys living with all the modern conveniences of the city, Gina would rather move the family to a simple, low impact life in a rural setting. In the spirit of compromise, Rodman and Gina begin to seek ways to bring the country to the city and begin their own "Urban Conversion". Each episode goes beyond the buzzword to find out first-hand what the "green scene" is all about. Cultivating an urban farm, understanding backyard beekeeping, and learning about alternative fuels are just a few of the issues Rodman explores. Schley lends his common sense (and often humorous) perspective to the viewer through hands-on learning experiences, interviews with experts, and profiles of eco-leaders who have built their lives around living more sustainably. The series is set in Colorado, but takes the Schley family across the nation to cities like Detroit, where urban farming is helping to heal a community, and Washington D.C., where White House chef Sam Kass gives them an educational tour of First Lady Michelle Obama's vegetable garden.

Episodes:

  • We Bought A Farm

    The Schley's find the remaining 2.7 acres of an original wheat farm in Arvada, that allows them to remodel an old estate to meet modern day high performance building standards, and try their hand at small-scale lavender and cut flower farming. In this episode, viewers follow Rodman and Gina as they work with their architect to design a USGBC LEED Certified Home as well as learn about the history of the property, and develop plans to honor the past while designing for the future.

    Next Airing: Sat, Apr 6th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV
    Length: 00:26:46
    Usage rights: 5/5/2019 to 5/4/2027
  • Let It Rot!

    The Schley's get grounded as they explore the composition of soil, starting with hunting for wild mushrooms with experts from the Denver Botanic Gardens. They learn how mushrooms are the fertilizers of the forest, and take these lessons back to their farm where they try to use mother nature to prep their new fields for planting. Whether they are getting dirty while building a compost pile, learning about tractors from retired farmers, or dredging through pits of mud at the Snowmass Tough Mudder this episode is downright dirty.

    Next Airing: Sat, Apr 13th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV
    Length: 00:26:46
    Usage rights: 5/5/2019 to 5/4/2027
  • Whose Water Is It, Anyways?

    After experiencing the heat and dryness of the desert sun, the Schley's have a whole new appreciation for water, and with help from the City of Arvada, they explore the question of where exactly their water comes from. From the continental divide to their faucets and fields, they follow the Colorado watershed and learn that water is something to be deeply thankful for, and should be used wisely in their new endeavors.

    Next Airing: Sat, Apr 20th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV
    Length: 00:26:46
    Usage rights: 5/5/2019 to 5/4/2027
  • Harvesting The Sun

    The Schley's consider all the ways the sun affects their home, farm and life. From orienting the house to capture the most sunlight, to the size and placement of windows, roof, and even flower fields. They learn that paying more attention to the sun could have everlasting benefits. Rodman and Gina learn about window efficiencies, roofing options, and work through home solar option versus community solar options.

    Next Airing: Sat, Apr 27th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV
    Length: 00:26:46
    Usage rights: 5/5/2019 to 5/4/2027
  • Across The Desert Sand

    The Schley's take a road trip and immerse themselves in the heat of the sun by visiting the Colorado Sand Dunes. They discover the natural properties of sand, and learn how it is a critical component of the insulation that is used to keep the heat inside of homes in the winter, or outside of home in the summer. Rodman and Gina dive into energy usage in the home building process and design creative solutions for their modern farmhouse renovation.

    Next Airing: Sat, May 4th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV
    Length: 00:26:46
    Usage rights: 5/5/2019 to 5/4/2027
  • Rocky Mountain Air

    The Schley's explore the importance of clean air and how their living habits contribute to the quality of air in their lives from cleaning up their old fireplace to starting a local farm air is something that is everywhere, and they hope everyone can see it a little clearer. In this episode the Schley's attend the Telluride Hot Air Balloon Festival as a family, explore radiant floor heating and fresh air ventilation for their home, take a ride on Denver's new light rail system, and exhale their first season of locally grown flowers.

    Next Airing: Sat, May 11th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV
    Length: 00:26:46
    Usage rights: 5/5/2019 to 5/4/2027
  • Seeing The Forest Through The Trees (Wood, Floors/Cabinets)

    The Schley's go into the forest in this episode of Urban Conversion to examine the relationship between man and trees from eating their fruit, using them as shelter, and burning them for warmth and light they gain a better appreciation for sustainably harvesting trees that they use in their home and on their farm. Rodman and Gina explore ways to reuse trees that were taken down on the property, specifically as they design their new kitchen, as well as planting trees in their community and on their property.

    Next Airing: Sat, May 18th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV
    Length: 00:26:46
    Usage rights: 5/5/2019 to 5/4/2027
  • It Takes A Village

    The Schley's wrap up the season with a new appreciation for the many essential community relationships they've built through the project and the importance of building a local sense of place. From selling their locally grown flowers to cultivate more beauty in their community, to supporting other local businesses in the construction process, to throwing community gatherings back at the farm they are putting the "culture" back into agriculture every step of the way.

    Next Airing: Sat, May 25th, 2024 at 10:00 AM on UEN-TV
    Length: 00:26:46
    Usage rights: 5/5/2019 to 5/4/2027

Availability: