Subject: Re: [Homestead] Community, the importance of
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:12:05 -0500
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.