| Tonight's Ableman talk, Saturday's seed swap, and the big picture |
March 2010 |
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Dear friends of Gorge Grown,
I had the privilege today of having lunch in the company of several Gorge farmers, along with Michael Ableman. Many of you are likely already aware that Mr. Ableman, a farmer himself, is visiting the Gorge this week and speaking tonight to kick off the Hood River County History Museum's Farm Life exhibit.
We had a really great conversation over lunch, with fourth-generation farmers trading insights with vegetable growers much newer to the Gorge, and Mr. Ableman getting a great perspective on the breadth of Gorge agriculture, from pears and cherries to wheat to beef, lamb, pork to vegetables. We came to some shared conclusions: to rebuild our regional food system and see farmers succeeding and people eating healthy local produce is going to take everyone. Each of us has a role to play – as consumers, we get to choose three times each day what we eat, and where it comes from. For farmers and ranchers, there’s room for folks at all scales, be your market Tokyo, Portland, Hood River -- or just your own neighborhood. Right now, less than 2% of what we eat is produced within the Gorge. Surely we can do better – and Gorge Grown is here to help.
Gorge Grown cosponsored Michael Ableman’s visit because we believe it’s important to keep having conversations about about agriculture in the Gorge, the United States, and the world - how can farmers succeed and communities eat well, now and into the future?
I encourage anyone who cares about this question to come tonight and let your voice be heard. We welcome your questions, concerns, ideas, and input, as always. If you can’t make it tonight, please don’t hesitate to write or call instead. We are but one small part of a much, much larger effort. Let’s keep the conversation going. (Event details are below)
At today’s luncheon, we touched on another important piece: community. Connecting to the amazing local resources already in this region is a crucial first step to community building – and if you’re a home gardener, what better way to get connected than attending a seed swap? Pick up some fun new seeds to try, ask local experts how best to save your own seed, and admire those beautiful and unusual calypso beans that sometimes make an appearance! It’s this Saturday, in White Salmon – scroll down for more information. Do you have other ideas for how we can build community around food? Ways for farmers to connect and share resources? Home gardeners? Those interested in farm to school, community garden, or other efforts? Let us know!
You’ve probably noticed that this isn’t a typical Gorge Grown e-news – it’s not. We’re making a few changes around here, designed to give you some of the stories behind the work that Gorge Grown does. You’ll still see your bi-weekly e-news blast, with events and resources and articles; you’ll also now see, about once a month, a more personal note from the folks behind Gorge Grown – staff, Board, volunteers, farmers. We hope you’ll enjoy learning a little more about what we do -- and why we do it!
Yours in the garden,
Sarah Hackney
Executive Director, Gorge Grown Food Network
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3rd Annual Gorge Grown Seed Swap
Calling all Gorge area gardeners currently practicing or interested in learning about seed saving and seed sharing! Gorge Grown Food Network is hosting the 3rd Annual Seed Swap at the Mountain View Grange in White Salmon, Washington. The Seed Swap is a community event, open to beginning and advanced gardeners alike, where you have the opportunity to:
Exchange seeds (and bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, etc…)
Meet and talk to other growers and seed savers
Learn how to properly save and store seeds
This informal event will begin with a potluck and time for networking with other backyard and professional growers. There will then be plenty of time for sharing seeds and continuing to network and learn about how to save and store seeds successfully. Even if you do not have seeds to swap, you are encouraged to come network, gather information, and take away some free seeds, which will be available.
Saturday, April 3, 12-3 PM
Mountain View Grange
1085 N Main Ave
White Salmon, WA
Potluck and seed-savers’ networking 12-1pm
Seed Swap 1-3pm
Barter, trade, & RiverHOURS encouraged: commercial and locally-developed seeds are welcome; those with large quantities of seeds can contact us for sales opportunities.
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An Evening with Michael Ableman – Monday, March 29th
FEEDING THE FUTURE: Stories and Images from the New Frontiers of Food and Agriculture
To kick off this spring's Farm Life exhibit, the Hood River County History Museum is pleased to host farmer, author and photographer Michael Ableman, whose book Fields of Plenty broadened people’s perception of farming and food sources.
Michael farms at the 120-acre Foxglove Farm in British Columbia, and he is the founder and executive director emeritus of the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens, a non profit organization based on one of the oldest and most diverse organic farms in southern California, where he farmed from 1981 to 2001. Foxglove Farm currently produces strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, asparagus, melons, greens, roots, and a wide range of annual Mediterranean vegetables. Diverse orchard plantings, grain production, and mixed livestock are in development.
The purpose of Michael's visit is to further the bigger discussion about agriculture in the Gorge, the United States, and the world - how can farmers succeed and communities eat well, now and into the future?
Michael's talk will include time for questions and discussion: please bring your voice (as a Gorge farmer or community member) to this community conversation.
Co-sponsored by the Hood River Valley Residents Committee, Gorge Grown Food Network, and The Hood River County History Museum. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the end of the program.
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Reception at The Hood River County History Museum – 5:30 – 6:30 PM
300 E. Port Marina Drive
Hood River, OR
(541)386-6772
Program at The Columbia Center for the Arts – 7:00 – 8:30 PM
215 Cascade Avenue
Hood River, OR
(541)387-8877
Tickets are $10
Available at The History Museum and Waucoma Book Store in Hood River
As part of the Farm Life exhibit, The History Museum has developed a series of Monday evening programs designed to educate and inspire. We kick off this series with a special keynote speaker, Michael Ableman, Monday, March 29th.
For more information call The History Museum 541-386-6772 or on the web: http://www.co.hood-river.or.us/museum
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