North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[akmanty <akmanty@sbcglobal.net>]

        

Foremost,
don't loose those people we now have!
Many groups. are striving to get more members, including churches,
"bring in the young".  Well, I know several older folks
that are attending less frequently partly because of all the new
changes.  Overall, total membership seems to be declining in
many areas.  The number of home gardens is way low, from many years
ago.  Except for the up and coming community gardens, that seem to
draw minorities, as Hmong, where we live.

        

In the
60's PTA meetings had a "full house".  As I approached
retirement, principal, teachers, and maybe a handful of parents
attended.

        

The number
of small farms is declining, in favor of a few huge operations.  Is
it possible there just isn't the number of new interested people
available and with all the books, magazines, and "googling" on
the Internet to get information.  There is so much more out there
vying for our time and attention.  A job, TV, children, VCR, DVDs,
the library, and especially when retired, volunteer, volunteer.