Showing posts with label garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garden. Show all posts

Friday, May 28, 2021

Local Food Update and Going Forward


 

It’s really weird how things happen. Sometime after the previous posting, I was locked out of my Blogger. I thought I would never get in; I’d reached a point where I could only hope that Blogger would eventually delete the blog. Finally, after not attempting sign in for many weeks, I decided to go at it once again, and yes, I am here because I was able to finally receive that G-code. I didn’t want the previous posting to be the last thing published to this Local Food blog. 

This post is sort of about food, but of the kind of food that supports the spirit and mental well being of community. 

I begin again. Kroger – the problem being attributed to the technological malfunctioning. Specific questions I posed to the representative employee were responded to by referring me to their corporate statement. It took a while before I could enter any of their stores again; and I seek to never be in store alone, and my exit is slow to make sure that the “machines” have okayed my purchase. May my experience, and Kroger’s offering results and understandings, be experienced through all Kroger management connections. May all the minds and hearts involved be open to healing and healed. 

What a shit storm we are currently living through as our nation goes through a world pandemic and an important social and political recconing! I have always, yes, always believed that we (holding to our national principles) could face our misrepresented past with truth and integrity and not fall prey to the bulley pulpet and adopt true national history atrocities. I never on my worst days imagined that I would live to see persons who say they are for the US move forth an insurrection; and that even as I write this some who do not show support of our democratic principles are attempting to rewrite the story. Perhaps Alzheimers or fear has taken hold on these politicians, and they have forgotten oaths taken to stand for the people, and pledges made to their constituents and the nation, and now with clay feet can set aside truth, honor and justice to censure truth speakers. 

Our nations tattered past story is being outed and presented for the cast system it is. I recall asking a history teacher back in the sixties what the difference was between India’s cast system and the legislated systemic system in the US. They looked the same to me. I was told that I did not understand. Even then, I knew that it was she who did not understand. 

We, the people, have the opportunity to “do the work” to cleanse our nations palate and heal the dishonest and dishonerable past foundation story and replace it with truth. We have the stregnth necessary to do the tough inner and outer work for our national healing. Not an easy task in any way, yet essential that we reach for it. 

I think that the majority of people want a unified country and are willing to explore ways to heal and make this happen. Many understand that supression of others and is not an allowable option. Many realzie how much of their self has to be reduced (is shamed) to hold another down because when someone supresses another because of unconscious or conscious entitlement, they, the surpressor is holding themselves right down there too. 

It is time to let go of the shameful past story and actively reach for what I imagine most want; abundance of joy, love, kindness, health, home, community of wellbeing, regeneration and uplift for every home and on every plate in the kitchen. What a melting pot of a smorgasboard of resources we have to feast upon! 

It is clear that we as a nation, and planet are up against the wall and the “bozo’s”. The real vampires are coming out of closets ready to strike at any who threaten the green blood supply. Either we will love ourselves, love our children and theirs yet to come, love our country and our planet home enough to put our collective energies toward the care and necessary shift work to move this country forward and long term, so that we can continue as the human race. 

Those who cultivate division do so as a necessary distraction and thankfully, more people seem to recognize current actions targeting voting access as acts of desperation; attempts to limit the voice of the people. Acts of fear. Limiting the voice of the people by representatives who are supposed to be representing all constituents is, from my view a relinquishing of sworn national responsibilities so that unsustainable ideas and institutions can continue grasping to ideas that are infertile seeds. 

 Our nation stood against the cast system of India and the segregation within South Africa and continue to wage wars all over the globe in the name of democratic principles (and resources). I have watched, I have listened, and I have questioned and asked through more than half a century of decades, when will the same efforts for justice and equality be taken by the US government to secure the rights of American citizens whether Indigeneous, stollen into slavery or imigrant? Silence regarding unequal treatment is never an option. We as a nation have a great opportunity to love forward. 

Our energies can go toward connecting, healing, stregnthening and rejuvination. I think that most people are ready to balance and heal the collective spirit of this nation because many still hold to an American Dream. Our nations principles are held as an ideal to work toward. I hope that we understand that a shadow will remain across our country as long as we do not not look honestly at our historical past and actively allow the nation’s healing to begin. 

New humanstory books are being written to offer a truthful and inclusive American foundation and development story. Someday, sooner than later, I hope that America will get over fear of its real back story; that we as a nation can move forward with the real American her/history in the hands of all of our students. We are more together. Together, we human beings, have a potential beyond extinction; we have the potential for regeneration and the creation of an amazing country fruited by our collective efforts. 

There is much work to be done. Let’s make steaming piles of compost out of fear, deception, ignorance and hate. Feed a love that nurtures heart, mind, body, family, community, country, planet; there is much love; yes there is love in action here in America, and upon the earth. Our survival as a species depends on our being a loving kind, the health of our nation depends on us growing up, growing together, and becoming a regenerative loving kind. 

End Note: 63 Suffragists of Color Quilt, a commemorative quilt made in celebration of suffragist was recently on exhibit in the Grunwald Gallery in the Eskanazi Museum with a Voters Timeline for People of Color. You can read a little about the quilt here. https://quilterscomfort.blogspot.com/ 

 

 

Key words Kroger, voting, cooperation, healing, regeneration, community, love more, government, voting, compost, local food, local food bloomington, @localfoodbloomington, Indiana, food shopping, hope, collaboration, environment, quilt, Eskanazi Museum, Grunwald Gallery, suffragists

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Bale Out the Gardeners!

Yes, it would be quite fine if bale out monies would be given to communities instead of banks and car companies to establish community gardens and educational programs!

Friday, April 03, 2009

As We Approach Earth Day 2009!

In this note:

-A Rant
-Bloomington Farmers Market Opens
-A Few Garden Reminders from the Organic Gardening Association
- Every Garden A Kitchen Garden - OGA
- Want to Be A Farmer? Start Here - Video and information resource link
- Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal Mining Permits
- Fair Trade News - About Cadbury
- Urban Foraging - a Rising, Sustainable Fad
- World Fair Trade Day
- E-Waste Recycle Days - free re-cycling of home appliances and computer equipment!

May you be among a supportive family, friends, and community.

--------------------------------------------------
Of course most people now understand that EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY! It is our home and needs lots of TLC. I know we have great abilities among us, and now is our time to begin where we are, working with the tools we have, along side our neighbors. We must hold close to our hearts that which we have left to work with. Let no one tell us that our rich land based heritage is lost. DO NOT let any business take control of that which we all need to live sustainability. Communities must hold together, and have (or work towards) the rights to clean water, clean air, food (open pollinated seeds, health care and good affordable housing for all citizens. When I think of bale outs, I think, what would it be like if the people who are supporting the mega corps were to be baled out? Ummm, what if the students were to be baled out? What if bale out money went to providing essential care to our citizens? It seems luney to me to provide millions to billions of dollars to failed businesses when the burden, the huge cost is placed on the backs of those who are struggling to hold on to their small businesses, homes, and in some cases feed their children.

Bloomington Farmers Market Opens Saturday, April 4th, 2009 stop by for fresh greens and lots of starter plants! Also, some CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) slots are still available!


Prune Fruit Trees - Prune fruit trees before buds swell. Sterilize pruning tools with a 10 percent solution of bleach before each cut, and dispose of branches properly. Prune out sucker growth, water sprouts and any diseased or dead branches. Remove branches that grow toward the center in order to open the crown.
Spray Dormant Oil

-Get ready to spray fruit trees with dormant oil. This will help control aphids, scales, mites and other insects. Make sure temperatures are above forty degrees with no chance of frost or rain for 24 hours. Don't spray if the day is windy.

Looking for more resources? Check out Gardening Resources at http://www.indianaholistichealth.net/gardeningresources.htm

Isn't Every Garden a Kitchen Garden?
We hear a lot these days about saving money by growing our own vegetables. This is a great thing to become involved in, and the best part is that you needn't plant five acres to have a garden. Kitchen gardens are rising in popularity and don't take... Read more »

Want to Be a New Farmer? Start Here

Small farming is on the rise. The USDA estimates there are more than 300,000 new farms in the U.S since 2002, with many being run by younger people. All those new farmers are looking for information on how to get started. Unlike academic or professional manuals, here’s a new, on-line resource book written by first time farmers on ways to be successful in farming.
The Greenhorns Guide to Beginning Farmers is written by a small, grass-roots, non-profit organization in Hudson, NY. Instead of a how-to guide for growing crop or raising animals, this book has sources of information and contact organizations that will help a beginning farmer get the knowledge they need to be successful. It includes information and resources on apprenticeships and internships, grants, loans, and innovative programs for obtaining land, pest management strategies, tools, and machinery. It includes sections on urban agriculture and even community activism.
Check out this informative resource guide free at: Greenhorns. http://thegreenhorns.net/resources/greeacres.pdf
Check out the video at - www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH7o3fxw6oE


Reduce your Carbon Footprint by Mowing Less

Many people are interested in reducing their carbon footprint in an effort to save energy and limit global warming. While driving less is one of the most obvious ways to do this, mowing your lawn less can also help.

Researchers at the Agricultural Institute of Canada in Ottawa calculated the amount of carbon emissions saved by mowing the average lawn less frequently. Researchers mowed plots of cool season grass lawns only 3 times a year and compared the carbon emissions with mowing similar plots every week. They measured the emissions from mowing a lawn at 0.4 pounds of carbon dioxide per square foot of lawn. To put this number into perspective, if you have a 2000 square foot lawn, mowing only 3 times a season will cut the carbon dioxide emissions by 600 pounds. That’s the equivalent of cutting back driving a car that gets 20 miles per gallon by 600 miles.
For a bigger picture perspective, when multiplied by the 50 million acres of lawn in the U.S., we could potentially reduce carbon emissions by more than 600 trillion pounds just by mowing less.
For more information, go to: Hort Ideas. http://users.mikrotec.com/~gwill/hi-art.htm#Article%204

EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal Mining Permits
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that it is halting new permits for mountaintop removal coal mining until water quality impacts from the practice can be fully assessed.
Go to all articles - Go to this article
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?4625


Fair Trade News!
Cadbury Dairy Milk – the leading chocolate bar in the UK – has announced plans to begin using Fair Trade cocoa this summer. This is great news for cocoa farmers, which will boost Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate up to a full 15 percent of the chocolate market in England.

Please join us in celebrating this victory for Fair Trade, and at the same time, help us use this moment as an opportunity to persuade Cadbury to do better in the US.

Tell Cadbury thanks for taking this step in the UK – and ask them to expand Fair Trade in the US »


Urban Foraging - a Rising, Sustainable Fad
http://culturechange.org/go.html?374

Urban gardening will soon become as obvious a need as job generation, as
we put into perspective what it takes to survive.

In addition to creating gardens and orchards, foraging is already and will
always be vital. Foraging is part of hunter-gathering, the way we evolved
for millions of years. Following is a new report from a Portland, Oregon
weekly newspaper with handy tips and a healthy attitude for our times:

Man vs. Wild: From foraging to fermentation, how to hone your natural
instinct on a budget.
By Adrienne So, Willamette Week

You can take the man out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of
the man. Or, better said: you shouldn’t. The sun is coming out, the rains
are receding, and nature calls. Who cares if you don’t have the gas money
to motor out to Eagle Creek to go hiking?
...

To read the complete article, visit: http://culturechange.org/go.html?374


Be a Part of the World's Largest Coffee Break on May 9, 2009: World Fair Trade Day
May 9 - Green America is a proud sponsor of World Fair Trade Day, an international celebration of Fair Trade. The theme of this year’s World Fair Trade Day, Everything Is Better When It’s Fair, reminds us that Fair Trade is more than coffee, chocolate and handcrafts. Please join us to break last year’s record of the world’s largest Fair Trade coffee break.
http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/wftd-09/fair-trade-break-action-guide/


E-Waste Recycle Days - If you are a member of the general public or an IU student, staff, or faculty member
Bloomington
Apr 30th - May 2nd, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Indiana University - Bloomington
N Dunn St & E 17th St (get directions)
Bloomington, Monroe, IN 47408

Indianapolis
Apr 30th - May 2nd, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Indiana State Fairgrounds
E 38th St & Coliseum Ave (get directions)
Indianapolis, IN 46205
http://indiana.poweron.com/p/default