Back in the 60’s, Healdsburg was known as the buckle on the prune belt. All those beautiful white blossoms in the spring and the smell of prunes drying in the fall are no longer with us.Are we still a “hub” for agricultural activities? In my opinion, catering to wine-tasting tourists isn’t exactly what I have in mind, though the wine industry is an important contribution to our agricultural base.
In order to shine our buckle, I hope there will be more focus on community, neighborhood, and individual gardens. The community garden (see photo) near Badger Park is a great example. How about “urban gardens” in neighborhoods on vacant lots? Or neighbors collectively gardening the best patch on the block?
Thinking about this reminded me of a video of urban gardening in Havana, Cuba. Although we don’t have the Havanan’s problem not having enough to eat, I found their efforts inspiring.
Update: Last night I read The Agrarian Standard, a wonderful essay by Wendell Berry. His closing comments: "The agrarian population among us is growing, and by no means is it made up of merely some farmers and some country people. It includes urban gardeners, urban consumers who are buying food from local farmers, consumers who have grown doubtful of the healthfulness, the trustworthiness, and the dependability of the corporate food system...."
