Wouldn't a grassroots farming movement be the main solution to our economic crisis?

[runningbird]

The main issue I see in response to the economy is access to affordable food, followed by retaining ownership of housing.

I think if enough people got involved we could have a tremendous shift in the availability of food. Something like this:

Across town, near Mount Elliott Cemetery, the Earth Works Garden has blossomed on about a half-acre that provides food to the Women, Infants and Children program and several soup kitchens.

Every Saturday until late April, about 35 agriculture buffs meet in southwest Detroit to learn how to mobilize residents, find available land and maximize vegetable and fruit production.

Detroit, experts say, has quietly become the nation's mecca for urban farming.
"What's going on is quite a phenomenon," said Kami Pothukuchi, a Wayne State University professor specializing in urban planning and food systems. "You have a community that needs access to fresh food, and you have open land. The two are coming together."

The number of community and family gardens and individuals raising crops for sale in the city has jumped from 80 in 2004 to 302 in 2006, according to The Greening of Detroit, a nonprofit group that creates public gardens and plants trees.

Fresh produce moves into 'food desert' of Detroit - Assata Shakur Speaks - Hands Off Assata - Let's Get Free - Revolutionary - Pan-Africanism - Black On Purpose - Liberation - Forum


Only a half acre and they provide to several soup kitchens?? Wow. I feel like I should stop trying to make money and just get to work. I don't know what you do in the winter though...

[schola]

I believe if everyone dug up part of their yard and grew a vegetable garden, a lot of this nation's problems would be solved; including the obesity and heart disease epidemics. And with the current economic climate, I think the victory garden days are coming back again.

There is a sort of local food movement that promotes organic and sustainable growing practices but it's not really organized under one banner, yet.

One organization I'm familiar with is called Slow Food. Slow Food International | good, clean and fair food

Michael Pollan describes the problem and some solutions in his book, In Defense of Food. That book is great.

[garentee]

. I don't know what you do in the winter though...[/QUOTE]
Grow root storage crops.. It is amazing how much food yolu can store over the winter in a root cellar.I have friends that put about 8000 pounds of potatoes, turnips, and carrots in a root cellar that is probably 20x20 with 10 foot high ceilings.
I grew salad greens in both heated and unheated greenhouses and did not have to work all winter for anyone else(it was a bit lean financially, but it can be done)There is a ton of information out there.. PM me if you like.

[Nourishing]

You can always grow indoors during the winter.

Even little things like green onions can grow on your window sill in the kitchen hardly taking any space....

change the water every few days...

[Nourishing]

The more local the food, the better!

[Inthon]

The main problem our nation is currently facing is monetary in nature. Problems with food scarcity will get worse, however, compounding wealth over time leads to an abundance of food due to a higher division of labor (specialization). As the economy contracts, standards of living will undoubtedly fall.

As more people become dependent on the government to provide pensions, food, medicine and living expenses; entrepreneurship, freedom, liberty, thrift, self-sufficiency and responsibility slowly die.

By all means grow your own food and reap the (delicious) benefits!

[schola]

Something going on in Springfield, Missouri:

Building A better future 1 step at a time
Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance encourages sustainability

With prices rising, jobs disappearing and the nation struggling with a sinking economy, some folks in Springfield have some good news.

The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance is providing opportunities for people to create a sustainable future for themselves and their neighbors.

The alliance is focused on food, jobs and environment, keeping everyone fed, employed and healthy.

"We are giving people a positive range of actions around their own vision of a sustainable future," says Galen Chadwick, founder of the alliance.

There is the "1000 Gardens Project" that aims to help urban and suburban dwellers grow their own food. The initial goal is to plant 1,000 gardens by Earth Day, April 22. Ultimately, the goal is to return the Ozarks to a major food supplier.

continues here:Building A better future 1 step at a time | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader