Updated Feb 2011
Encouraging Urban Farming is our way of taking action on global issues. Right now we appear to be a world in crisis, environmentally, financially & resourcefully. It is easy to feel totally overwhelmed and helpless in the face of such global issues. The result is a sort of disbelief and paralysis in most individuals. However, there is much we can do at our own level to contribute to change. Our choice has been to change the way we live, to support groups and politics that encourage positive change in the world and to encourage others to do the same.
It's a small drop in a big bucket, but something we felt we could do effectively. While this site focusses on the Urban Farming issues, the subject really needs to be taken in context of the much bigger picture. Because of this we've decided to start a section that provides global and local information (where available) on issues such as resource shortages, financial influcences, social & climate issues.
In the article food miles we talked about the energy cost of transporting the food long distances. Today people have too often become oblivious to these hidden costs, particularly to the environment as well as the social costs of losing local agricultural industry and infrastructure.
Safe, cost effective food production is a critical issue world wide. Yet we continue to see the best and most productive farming land fall victim to housing and mining. In my own region mining is expanding and the threat of fracking are looming large.
Sadly we have seen changes in our world that have resulted in our children and future generation having less that we did. The less I refer too is less diversity of plants and animals, less wilderness and less choice in what we do. "The more" that we, as a race have pursued with such vigour has come at a great cost. Animals struggle to survive in the zoos and a baby born is a big ticket news item! Climate change is threatening the oceans and all they contain, with reduced biodiversity who knows what the future will hold. On our small holding we deal with feral animals that kill wildlife such as birds and possums as well as noxious, introduced weeds that poison stock and reduce the productivity of the land. We try not to use synthetic methods to deal with these issues but with no natural predators this is an increasingly hard option. So in our own way we are working at making a positive change and move to a more prosperous and sustainable future and wish to convey our enthusiasm to others.
Some people believe that as individuals we are trapped and can not make changes occur. They are wrong, if we as individuals vote with our feet then changes can and will occur. Detroit once the gas guzzling capital of the world now potentially leads the world in urban food production. In Detroit, buildings and roads are making way for farms.
To begin this section we feel the following items are a must:
- Chris Martenson - The Crash Course
This will help you understand the relationship between the economy, peak oil and resource shortages. Excellent viewing. - Immigration by the Numbers
This series of videos will change the way you think. Starts off like a lecture, but please persevere - this is very important. - Jeff Rubin at "The Business of Climate Change". Watch how Jeff ties together resources, economies and a fundemental return to local markets.
- Watch Food Inc, You may never look at a meal in the same way again.
- Watch Gasland The Movie and see what lengths we are going to to get "Natural Gas" and now being adapted to recover oil. Search on Fracking and Hydraulic Fracturing.
- Watch Fresh and learn more about where your food comes from.
- Watch Generation Zero can we trust our political leaders to get it right?
- Watch out for Edible City - due for release this year. See a healthy sized trailer here
