Get the Dirt on Dirt

I have believe I have posted links to Dirt The movie before. I wanted to post a new link so any one wanting to watch the film online can do so. If you have not seen this film I strongly recommend watching it. Dirt is where we came from and it is when we will return. It is so important to a existence. We need to make sure we protect it.

Soil and Health Library.

I ran across this free resource The Online Soil and Health Library. . A good reference to have listed in your bookmarks. Happy Earth Day...Save our soil.

A Place in the Sun.

I have been thinking a lot about the challenging times we live in, and Mahatma Gandhi's concept of Swadeshi, or “localized economics,” keeps coming into my thoughts.

I had heard that in Russia, over 90 percent of vegetables are grown locally on allotments or Dachas . It seems that in certain parts of Russia, a family is awarded a small parcel of land outside of the city in which to grow food. The family will leave the City on weekends and go out to the county side and work in their gardens. They often will build some sort of shelter or camp on it. Families who were unable to gain access to a parcel will often join families who do have a parcel and work together in a communal effort.

I am saddened when I see just how far the United States has demonized community efforts and security in the name of Objectivism or Selfishness. It seems the more you oppress people the great a person you are. It use to be and should be the other way around.

When the United States was first occupied by the English, land was set aside for the common use. We still hear this custom in the use of village commons or greens in place names. The Native Americans had a custom of holding all land in common for the use of the Tribe. It was not until the 1950s suburbia automobile society did we disconnect with the custom of providing a place for people to grow food. aka: Community Gardens or Victory Gardens.

As with Gandhi we are starting to reach a point where we have to start re-localizing our world. It is going to be the only way we can guarantee our survival as the global economy leaves more of us behind.

Requiem for Detroit

I watched this BBC documentary last night. Very good insight into the rise and fall of American's fourth largest city, and the collapse of the industrial world as well. It ends with the Urban homesteaders raising food on empty lots. I loved the guy talking about he makes $500.00 a week growing food in Detroit, and the other guy exclaiming "That is about the same that I make working at Chrysler. You can watch it online. If you have a slow Internet connection, press play, let it connect and buffer, then hit pause till it downloads.

Food Deserts

I hear the term "Food Desert" and I wonder what is the cause? Is it Walmart forcing shopping to move from a neighborhood store to a more regional shopping center. Or is it a choice made by the consumer as to this is where I prefer to shop. My shopping choices tend to be places that have the brands I prefer in stock so I know I can get everything on my list in one trip. I am not a person who goes to the store more than once a week, and I hate it when I have to make a second trip just for one item that was out of stock.

For the past three or so years, North Tulsa's shopping issues have been in the news. When you have the Mayor driving across town for a shopping photo op, then you know its all politics. But is it worth the cost of 2.2 million going to one place or one entrepreneur? All your eggs in one basket so to speak.

I ran across the article about how New York City is trying to combat health issues and food deserts and the same time. I came to the conclusion that 2.2 million would fund a lot of vegetable carts, entrepreneurs, and community gardens.

Honey Report for December.

We had a very interesting NEOBA meeting last week. The December meeting is a time to reflect on the previous year and share your accomplishments or disasters. I didn't feel when about half the beekeepers complained about little or no Honey this year. I ended the year with one hive (hopefully) having enough honey stored to survive the winter and one in chaos. Not sure if they will make it or not. The big topic at the meeting was a desire to built up the bee industry here in Northeastern Oklahoma. So with that in mind, if you want to start keeping Honey Bees now is the time you place your orders. I limited experience has me to recommend buying Okie survivor stock. Usually you can find bees for sale on Craigslist, or you can hookup with someone on the NEOBA Group. Here is the USDA Honey Report for December

Welcome new contributor.

I have invited urbanfarmersorg to contribute to Secure Food. I hope they accept.

"They finally get it -- why buying from a local, family-scale farm is important,"

I think it might be the fact that I grew up on a farm that I am so connected to the seasons. I think I am the only one in my neighborhood that actually cans Tomatoes, Jams, and Jellies during the season. There are several things I will not buy out of season because they are very expensive and taste like crap. Reuters has a good article about community supported agriculture and people getting reconnected to the seasons.