Dear Subscriber,
I am often asked whether gardening in town is really a practical solution to the food crises that are likely to come with peak oil and climate change. The question gives me pause, because it is true that most of our potential local food supply will be the excellent ag land on the North Coast, in the Pajaro Valley, and elsewhere in the County and nearby, and not our small patches of urban soil.
However, to look only at the quantity of food supplied would be to miss the full potential of urban gardens to build local resilience. Here are some of their other benefits:
• Gardens, especially front-yard gardens and community gardens, bring people together and promote sharing.
• During hard times, gardening is one of the most beneficial activities for improving one's outlook and mental health. (The Homeless Garden Project is a good demonstration.)
• As the oil age ends, we are likely to need some 50 million new farmers nationwide, and organic farming will be the rule. Gardens are good places to start learning the relevant skills.
• Even if your garden doesn't supply most of your calories, it can be a real money-saver by providing key nutrition in the form of veggies and fruits.
This month is packed full of educational events about food gardening. Check it out in this newsletter. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go harvest the raspberries in my front yard...
—Michael Levy
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One day, two great gardening events
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How will you decide?...I know I can't. Take your pick and have a wonderful day of garden learning.
The Garden Faire
Saturday, June 25, 9 to 5
Skypark, Scotts Valley
Free
Speakers and expert demonstrations on aspects of sustainable gardening, a free Gardeners’ Exchange: exchange what you bring for something you want to take home, activities for children and families...all in all, a great day! For more information, go to the Garden Faire website.
Home Gardening Boot Camp
Saturday, June 25, 8:30 to 5
Cabrillo College Horticulture Department
6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos
$35
A day of basic and advanced gardening classes, from Landscape design to aquaponics, taught by expert horticultural instructors. Keynote Speaker: Cynthia Sandberg, Love Apple Farm. Pre-registration required; to register and purchase lunch, go to www.montereybaymastergardeners.org.
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A great step for urban agriculture
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 | | The Mayor signs |
San Francisco has just demonstrated (again) that it is a cutting-edge city when it comes to food resilience. According to the San Francisco Chronicle: "It's no longer illegal to grow Swiss chard in your backyard and sell it to the corner restaurant."
In April, the city passed new ordinances that allow for "urban agriculture" throughout the city, including the sale of garden produce. No other city has taken this simple, important step yet.
The city ordinance came about because of hard work by groups like the San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance. Here in Santa Cruz, the Transition Santa Cruz Food Group is working on getting us up to speed. If you would like to help, please contact Tereza Coraggio.
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Putting children before oil
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California is the only major oil producing state with no Oil Extraction Tax. That may be about to change. A coalition of students, professors, and other activists have begun the signature gathering campaign to place on the ballot a proposition that would mandate a 15% fee on the value of crude oil extracted from California. The tax, raising perhaps $3 billion a year, would be applied to both K-12 and college education funding.
We think that taxing a greenhouse-gas-producing industry to support education is the right idea. To learn more and sign on, go to rescueeducationcalifornia.org.
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A local Transition Story
| Back in the Fall, we asked folks on our mailing list to tell us stories about how the ideas of Transition have impacted their lives. Here's one response, from Susan in Soquel. If you would like to share yours, just hit "reply" and let us in on your story!
Buying local began for me in the 1980's and shifted to a deeper commitment in 1996 when I decided to avoid buying from all but a couple of national chain stores (Trader Joe's and gasoline). Ninety percent of produce I consume is bought at Aptos Farmers Market, the rest is organic from New Leaf or Nob Hill. I eat out only at local restaurants. Two years ago the garden was redesigned with native, drought-resistant plants. A year ago a gray water line to the back garden from my clothes washer was installed....
To read the rest of Susan's story, click here.
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Also worthy of attention...
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♦ California Native Garden Tour
Sunday, June 12, 10 to 5
Self-guided, with talks at some gardens
Free, but registration required
The FREE tour will feature 12 sustainable gardens that are 50% native or more. Register here. Volunteers are needed too: Contact Lindsay.
♦ Energy Upgrade California
Energy Upgrade California is a new program that provides rebates up to $4,000 for making energy efficient upgrades in your home. This statewide program is customized in each community, creating green jobs for local contractors and helping families and communities reach their greenhouse gas reduction goals.
To learn more about the rebate packages, or to find a contractor near you visit www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org.
♦ Hands Across The Sand - a demonstration against offshore oil drilling and for alternatives
Sat, June 25, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Join Save Our Shores, Surfrider, and your local community at Cowell Beach for the Hands Across the Sands demonstration. At this time, people will be joining hands up and down the coast for this very purpose. saveourshores.org
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Contact Details
831-427-9916
http://transitionsc.org
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Potluck with a Purpose
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♦ Wednesday, June 29,
6:30 to 9:00 pm
♦ Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. (map)
♦ Free/donation
♦ Family friendly
♦ Bring a dish to share, any items to swap, and community announcements
Farms and Gardens
Video Night
At January's potluck, we had a video night focusing on the money system. It was so engaging and fun, that we've decided to do video night again. It being June, with gardens in full swing, the topic will be Great Ideas about Growing Food.
Featuring excerpts from great films like "The Power of Community" and the new "Fresh" with Michael Pollan, Joel Salatin and Will Allen, plus some gems from the world of permaculture, the evening will also allow for meeting new folks and sharing your thoughts.
Bring a friend!
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