Homestead mailing list

[<eureka AT hctc.net>]

> > I wonder if most of you do have a close community or are 
> > you islands  
> > unto yourselves?

In our area most people live on large ranches and their 
only community is their church. We are trying to build 
community and just started a local group called Healthy 
Harvest to focus on food issues.

We held our first meeting a couple of weeks ago and 
discussed rising food costs, food scares, loss of the old 
timer's knowlege of farming and storing food, 
environmental impact, nutrition for the elderly and school 
children. We also spoke of seed saving and sharing, 
growing organic, cooking healthy, community gardening, 
finding local sources for food, raising food awareness, 
etc. Eleven people showed up and the local newspaper 
covered it. We expect more this month.

A historic ditch irrigated 800 acres of local river bottom 
croplands here from 1860-1960. We know these former 
residents had to provide food for the community because 
there were no grocery stores in those days. The grain mill 
was across the street from us. Food is a subject that cuts 
across all party lines, and pride in the pioneer ancestors 
who farmed this area runs deep around here. If it was once 
accomplished, it can be again.

--Sage
Way Out in Texas