Growing Beyond the System
The current food systems on which we all depend: our farmers, laborers, global and local connections are experiencing a collapse like dominoes falling, will have cumulative effects that will continue to wreak havoc on our food systems for years to come. The reality of this is already hitting us hard in the pocket, where skyrocketing prices are forcing many people already experiencing food insecurity into more dire situations; and many of those who may have never experienced it before, are feeling it now as well. Our dependence on food conveniently boxed and packaged in markets, our disconnection with the food that’s meant to nourish us and the lands which sustain us has left many feeling hopeless as the pressure continues. We’ve become so dependent on large corporations which dominate the food industry, that we’ve forgotten that small local farmers and backyard gardens at one time fed most people and communities helping get many generations through hard times. We’ve forgotten that the land we stand on can also sustain us, that the Indigenous people of these lands thrived and lived off the local abundance of foods produced right here. We need to recognize and honor the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) that’s being shared by those who are still here and possess thousands of years of knowledge. It’s time we return to connecting with one another, and developing a relationship, a reconnection with the land around us.
Butte County Local Food Network (BCLFN) a local nonprofit, partnered with our county and multiple agencies and individual leaders to help conduct the first baseline Food Security Assessment (FSA) for our area. It showed that we would only need 1500 acres to feed everyone in Butte County. The FSA showed that there are already nearly 500 acres of food grown that stays locally, we just need 1000 acres more. In response BCLFN has set out to help reach that goal by finding 1000 Acres More to grow local fresh produce which could potentially sustain a whole county.
Kids Planting a Raised Bed
Butte County Local Food Network has been working diligently to raise awareness of this impending food crisis, providing viable solutions, resources and connections in which the ultimate goal is develop a local, resilient, regenerative and healthy food system for all. Recently I was hired by Pamm Larry, the Director of the Butte County Local Food Network to work as the Director for a new youth program BCLFN is developing called GROWN, which is an acronym for “Growing Resilient Optimism With Nature”. This program is free, inclusive, exciting and fun. It connects our youth (especially at-risk students) to their food, teaches food literacy skills, gardening, wellness, and builds community connections.
The GROWN program will uplift each child’s social and emotional needs, build confidence, provide employment skills, develop mentorship opportunities and create opportunities for our youth to learn about the current crises we are facing, while providing them the skills they’ll need to face the challenges ahead.
I’ve been managing a similar program for over a year and have stepped in to teach,, over the years for the Kentfield Kids Program at Kentfield Garden, for From the Ground Up Farms, Inc., another wonderful nonprofit organization which shares BCLFN’s goals. From the Ground Up is making positive changes in our communities daily, while advocating for the needs of many who are still reeling from the devastating effects of climate-fueled wildfires in our area. This program was at the heart of From the Ground Up Farm, Inc., when it was established in 2013, and I’m so honored to help keep it alive and able to now partner with BCLFN to bring our kids the GROWN program.
Families are welcome – we have something for everyone. I merge my love for arts and science into each program, creating a fun and educational time for kids, in a space where they feel safe to explore and learn to grow together. This is the first of our GROWN programs to be offered to the community. A new “Teen Group” beginning in August will meet at Vecino Victory Gardens, with more community gardens to follow.
In addition to these Community Garden programs, GROWN will begin being implemented in schools throughout Butte County, and be offered similar to how music and art classes are taught, with students managing, maintaining and enjoying the rewards from their own school gardens, while earning school credits. We worked hard through the summer along with the kids I worked with in the summer program offered through Achieve Charter School in Paradise.
Paradise, recognized as the largest town of California’s most deadly climate fueled wildfire, 2018’s Camp Fire, sparked by faulty PG&E equipment, is also home to many fire survivors who are still trying to piece back together their lives. The youth on the ridge have experienced tremendous trauma, coupled with the struggles faced by the recent pandemic, yet still these kids astound me with their resilience, and inspire me to do more. I’m excited to have the opportunity to partner with Achieve Charter School, not just in Paradise where they recently have been able to finally reopen, but at the school in Chico which they established after the Camp Fire. It has since grown and become a wonderful school addition for our Chico community, and those who had to relocate to Chico as well. GROWN will also be working with Ridgeview High, whose campus was completely destroyed in the Camp Fire, as they begin their first year in their new school which will open in autumn. I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with them as they transition to their new home space.
The current food crisis we face is frightening. Climate change and catastrophic events set off by our recent pandemic is alarming. There’s so much at stake, our youth and future generations are depending on us to begin moving in new directions and we have a small window of time to do so. To find out more about the Local Food Security Assessment and ways you can get active, donate, volunteer, or ways you can become a 1000 Acres More Ambassador, please visit: bclocalfood.org.