Jenna Kallestad
So, there’s this guy. He’s an urban kid from Detroit, looks a little a rough, in his late teens, and he stands up in front of the crowd of a few hundred people and says timidly and simply that he’s been asked to share his writing.
It’s a rap song that he’s written. In a poetic style that more often than not lends itself to violence and negativity he begins. As he speaks his voice grows stronger with power and passion. The room is completely silent. The subject of his work–his inspiration–is gardening.
Gardening; something that had largely been demoted to a hobby has become the keystone of a nationwide grassroots revolution. Led by a diverse group of people across the country, “The Good Food Revolution” seeks dramatic change in this country’s food system through urban gardening, sustainable agriculture and local food systems to create a healthy and accessible food supply for everyone.
The first weekend of September was the second annual national and international Growing Power Food conference. The event brought supporters of the movement together to share ideas, successes and failures, and in the process created an atmosphere of passion, innovation, creativity and diversity. The garden coordinator for Alamosa Community Gardens left the conference feeling both inspired and proud. Not only is this movement taking off across the country in the wake of dynamic individuals, it is happening right here in the San Luis Valley, in the hands and backyards of this community.
Growing Power, Inc.
The conference was organized and hosted by Growing Power, Inc. The last remaining farm in urban Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Growing Power sits on just three acres of land and yet provides thousands of pounds of fresh organic food to the local community. The farm has completely transformed what had formerly been a food desert.
“Everybody, regardless of their economic means, should have access to the same healthy, safe, affordable food that is grown naturally.” states Will Allen, the founder and CEO of Growing Power.
By integrating a variety of high-density, intensive urban farming methods, Growing Power proves that food can be grown sustainably at a relatively low cost.
For example, their large-scale compost operation, using primarily living biological worm systems and food waste from all corners of the city, creates highly fertile and nutritious soil that sustains their massive “micro-green /sprouting production.”
Another pioneering strategy Growing Power uses on-site to maximize production in an ecologically sustainable way is their Aquaponics system. Aquaponics refers to a closed-loop plant and fish growing system that uses minimal space, cost, and maintenance with absolutely no additives or chemicals. Using this method, Growing Power raises over 100,000 fish and produce, with only 10 percent of the water and a fraction of the space used in conventional practices.
The San Luis Valley Local Foods Movement
In the San Luis Valley the “Good Food Revolution” is not only alive, but flourishing.
What is happening in this community is rare and wonderful. This community is faced with many challenges brought on by the current food system. The health of the community is plagued by obesity, malnutrition, and chronic disease compounded by a food system that doesn’t value farmers as they deserve to be valued, shipping away their food for minimal profits, and sending both money and nutrients out of the Valley. On top of all that, as a rural community, the San Luis Valley lacks the resources that can be found and utilized in urban areas to combat these issues. As a result, despite a primarily agricultural economy, many in the Valley remain food insecure with little or no access to affordable, fresh and nutritious food.
Yet, in the face of these challenges a large band of determined people has united to create meaningful change. Farmers, ranchers, teachers, students, parents and community groups have engaged on different levels to grow food, talk food, teach food and of course eat food in a way that benefits the health of land, community and themselves.
In partnership with Alamosa Elementary School, La Puente’s Alamosa Community Gardens program has created a dynamic, cutting-edge garden program that engages all of the elementary aged children in the community. With garden lessons ranging from experiential science, to taste-based nutrition, to thought provoking environmental responsibility, this program is a blueprint for rural-based education across the country. Alamosa Community Gardens also offers everything from free educational summer garden camp to home gardening workshops, providing infrastructure and education to anyone in the community interested in growing their own food.
Alamosa Community Greenhouse models the potential of year-round organic food production and offers educational opportunities to Valley residents from ages one to 100. The Alamosa Farmers Market brings the community together with vibrant, musical, artistic seasonal markets overflowing with the bounty that this Valley and Region has to offer.
The San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition unites this multi-faceted movement through monthly focus meetings, and dozens of breakout groups focusing on everything from policy change to food preservation. And, of course, the wonderful farmers and ranchers ofthis Valley grow enough food to feed local residents and then some.
What is happening in this Valley is part of the revolution, yet it is also unique. Engage as a player in positive change and join the momentum of this movement, by getting involved. The challenges are real, but the Valley has the potential to transform its community by creating an economically viable and environmentally sustainable food system that provides everyone with access to healthy food options while honoring farmers.
There is always something going on, both in Alamosa and the greater SLV. Contact Jenna Kallestad or Meghan Ibach for more information or to get involved @ alamosacommunitygardens@gmail.com.
What’s Been Said…