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...."
Great posting, Gail! The video was educational and quite inspirational. We could sure learn something from the Cubans with regard to urban gardening.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gail! And I love Wendell Berry.
ReplyDeleteI believe that we should/could be using every square inch of our "landscaping" to grow produce & fruit & nuts. This would be good for families, good for passers-by, good for our eyes and all of our senses. It would also encourage us all to share...
Thank you, Gail, for your post.
ReplyDeleteWe've added as much urban garden to our in-town yard this year as we can, when taking into consideration the drought and responsible water use. I love the idea of producing much more of our own food, fresh picked and full of flavor and solar health.
We'll be adding more vegetables as time goes on and we're preparing to plant fruit trees where once a scruffy lawn existed. There is so much LIFE in a garden.
Just like swallowtail, I love Wendell Berry.