Resistance Is Fertile: Growing a Progressive Movement

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Saira's Fellows Forum presentation from New Leaders Council Retreat 2012, Atlanta GA

Transcript of Resistance Is Fertile: Growing a Progressive Movement

RESISTANCE IS

FERTILE:

GROWING A PROGRESSIVE

MOVEMENTIN 2008, LOCAL FOOD SALES IN THE U.S. GROSSED $4.8 BILLION. OVER HALF OF THE FARMS WITH LOCAL FOOD SALES WERE LOCATED IN METROPOLITAN COUNTIES …

…THESE FARMS ACCOUNT FOR ONE THIRD OF ALL FARMS IN THE U.S.

(http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err-economic-research-report/err128.aspx)

“… FARMERS CAN NO LONGER CARRY THE BURDEN OF DEBT, WHICH IS INEVITABLE IN INDUSTRIAL FARMING WITH ITS HIGH COSTS OF PRODUCTION.

… INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE USES TEN TIMES MORE ENERGY THAN IT PRODUCES. IT IS THUS TEN TIMES LESS EFFICIENT.”

VANDANA SHIVA

IN MY FRIEND’S BACKYARD, I SET UP TWO RAISED BEDS AND PLANTED KALE, BROCOLLI RABE, CABBAGE, AND LETTUCE FOR THE WINTER SEASON.

THE HARVEST LASTED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS …

YUMMY!

BUT THE FOLLOWING SEASON …

DEVASTATED …

… SHE QUICKLY FORMULATED A PLAN B.

NO

M N

OM

NO

M

COMMUNITY SOURCED AGRIGULTURE (AKA COMMUNITY

SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE)

… SUPPORTS LOCAL FARMER ENTREPRENEURS.

… REDUCES UNNECCESARY INPUTS INTO THE FOOD SYSTEM.

… IS A FUN EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE!

GET INVOLVED!

… GROW A GARDEN

… JOIN A CSA

… JOIN OR START A COMMUNITY GARDEN

… SUPPORT SEED BANKS

… STAY INFORMED & ENGAGED

… SEEK OUT FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANTS

… JOIN THE LOCAL FOOD COOPERATIVE

… BUY LOCAL FOODS AT THE GROCERY STORE

ELIMINATE LEGAL BARRIERS & CREATE

MORE CONSUMER OPTIONS!

… ZONING FOR YARD GARDENS

… PROTECT RIGHTS TO GROW AND TRADE FOR SMALL FARMERS & HOUSEHOLD

FARMERS

… PROTECT “THE COMMONS,” INCLUDING WATER, LAND AND

OTHER RESOURCES

… REQUIRE GMO FOOD LABELING

… USE OF VACANT LAND FOR GROWING FOOD

DURING WWII, THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGED SELF-RELIANCE AMONG CITIZENS THROUGH A MASSIVE CAMPAIGN FOR “VICTORY GARDENS.”

REMEMBER …

HEALTH IS WEALTH!

THANK YOU!