Local Food Town Crier Edition
As summer progresses and the heat sets in, let’s give thanks for all the glorious bounty in our gardens and lives. We are pretty darn lucky to live in such a beautiful world at this moment in time. We are cherishing it.
In the midst of so much going on “out there,” there is so much going on right in our own communities that is good and unifying. Let’s look at reality but then keep focused on that, while planning ahead.
Since it’s, almost July, it’s time to start planning for our winter gardens. Here’s a handy, concise list of what grows well in Zone 9. FYI- The Valley is Zone 9B, Concow and Paradise are 9A and the higher elevations are 8B.
Our very favorite and most recommended source of seeds is our local heroes Redwood Seeds . They grow many of their seeds so are locally adapted to our area. You can order online or find a local location to purchase them here. And if you still have room in your summer garden still a chance to plant a few more things before it gets too late. Be sure and stop on by our partners’ nursery Harvests and Habitats around back 1720 Park Ave. to find out what might still be harvested this season or any of the other independently owned nurseries around town.
Yes. Grow food. Now. Because:
Town Crier Alert: Food prices are rising quickly
We doubt anyone has missed the rise in food prices this last year. Folks, it’s only starting. Even the government and mainstream media are talking about it now. If that’s happening, you know it’s real, but they aren’t sharing everything. Yet.
We have been Town Criers for this for years now (due to the fragility of the global industrial food system) and now it’s here, so our message will be stronger this time to convey our sense of urgency. The fact is that we still have time to prepare our community and lessen the impacts if we act in the next coming months (see discussion below).
The thing is, much of the price increase roots started last year and before as, in general, things that impact food prices don’t begin to be felt until 18 months to two years later. The war is being blamed for it. While it has definitely exacerbated an already precarious situation and amped up the timeline, it is not the primary cause. If the war ended tomorrow it would still continue to get worse. Trust us: the situation is going to be much, MUCH worse in the coming two years because of what’s happening today.
Maria Giovanni and Pamm Larry presented some of the findings of the Local Food Assessment (Executive Summary here ). Pamm’s part was more of an update on what’s happening globally now, how it is and will impact us, and what we can do to correct it. We urge all to listen to it to understand more. It’s only about 20 minutes. The presentation should be cued to start when the LFA presentation starts, but if not, it starts around minute 56. Here is a link to Appendix P, which is also mentioned.
But enough of the Debbie Downer stuff!
Did you know that we can DO this? Our findings in the Local Food Assessment told us that we only need a total of 1500 acres to feed enough produce to every person in Butte County if we came together, focused on it and grew more food that feeds us here. We already have about 500 of those acres going now, so that means we only need around 1000 more.
According to Wikipedia, we have 66.89 square miles of land just in Chico, Paradise, Oroville and Thermalito. According to this converter , that means we have 42, 809 acres of land JUST in the main cities, much of which is open land.
Much of that open land is owned by us and sits around our houses. We have more than enough of those 1000 acres in our control, right here, right now.
Our community has the power in OUR hands. We don’t have to wait for the government at any level to start our personal food insurance policies today.
So what can we do? It’s easier than you think and a lot of fun.
Grow food.
Grow some for your family and some for your neighbors.
Tell others the importance of growing food.
Put up Free The Food Stands in your front yard to share the excess.
Help us get seeds out in Tiny Libraries by volunteering for our Save Our Seeds project. Just reply to this email and we’ll get you packing and delivering seeds.
Get to know your neighbors, invite them over and/or have a block party to talk about growing food together.
Start now, start today. It’s a great insurance policy. It’s the ultimate Homeland Security. It’s fun. It’s tasty. It’s about Community and it’s about Love.
Community Food Connections
Did you miss our first installment of the Community Food Connections project? Our first speakers were Ali Meders-Knight and Mel Figueroa from TEK Chico. (Traditional Ecological Knowledge). Don’t worry if you missed it! We got yer back. Watch here and celebrate these two wonderful Gifts in our community. Then join them on June 26 (see below) and every Friday morning at Verbena Fields, 1550 E. First Ave. in Chico. Check out Ali’s amazing art, soak in the knowledge and connect to the land. You’ll be happier for it.
Events To Create A Stronger Local Food System
Every Saturday from 9am to noon join Wendy McCall at Kentfield Garden, 1125 Kentfield Dr. in Chico for the Kentfield Kids program. Wendy always has something fun, educational and tasty to share with kids. Contact her at rootswendy@gmail.com for more information.
Sunday, June 26, 10:30AM. Vecino garden: Navigating Conflict in Relationship. In this powerful 90-minute workshop, Certified Relationship Coach Anika Hillin teaches partners that conflict is to be expected, rather than avoided. And when done well, it’s an incredible opportunity to increase intimacy and connection in a way that is not possible without it. In this workshop you will learn how to do it well! Come join us for a powerful event this Sunday, June 26th from 10:30am-12pm at 1535 Laburnum ave, Chico Ca. Click here to to RSVP Have questions? Call/text Anika 530-360-2112
September 30- Join us at the Thursday Night Farmers Market , downtown Chico.Bring the kids, stop on by and say hi to Amy and Wendy and enjoy some fun plant-y stuff and be a part of this annual event. (And bring a sarong to wet to keep cool. It matters.)
June 28, 6-8 TEK Wildtending Plant Walk Join us each month at Verbena Fields to learn about keystone native plants and how to help restore them to revive native ecosystem habitats. Find out more here.
Paradise Community Compost every Thursday from 9 AM to noon at Sol Sanctuary, 4791 Round Valley Ranch Rd. in Paradise. Questions? Contact paradisecommunitycompost@gmail.com
Social Media Help Wanted
We seek a Social Media volunteer who wants to post things on Facebook and Instagram that are happening around the county, research articles to share, schedule posts, etc. Just a couple hours a week. Could turn into a paying job soon. Please reply to this email to find out more.
Take good care, enjoy the summer, be happy and connect. We humans rock it when we come together in community. We have the solutions, the brain trust, the love in our community to create the world we want to live in. Join us!
Donna, Amy, Toni, Maria and Pamm
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