Filed under: Alternative Agriculture and Food, Spring 2009 | Tags: sustainable agriculture
Celebration of Sustainability
Cities and civilizations developed and were sustained when agricultural surpluses were adequate enough to support urban regions. Each urban region is unique to its agricultural products that contributed to the city’s history. One such case study demonstrating this observation is the asparagus grown in the rural outskirts of Stockton, California. The asparagus is symbolic to this city as one of the region’s most abundantly grown vegetables, helping in combination with many agricultural products to have shaped the history and success of Stockton. In celebration of the asparagus surpluses and each year’s successful harvests, The Stockton Asparagus Festival commemorates the sustainability of Stockton’s most symbolic spring produce item, symbolizing regional successes as well as stimulating the city’s morale.
This festival encapsulates many traits fundamental to community success, particularly volunteerism and self-sufficiency. The entire festival (three days – April 24-26) is planned and operated by the town’s locals. Volunteer individuals and organizations participate, donating all proceeds to local charities ($4.5 million over the past 23 years!). The Festival is not only a celebration of food, but a time for the area’s urban and rural residents to connect, communicate, and contribute to sustaining the city’s humanitarian efforts. Secondly, a significant portion of the area’s self-sufficiency is due to the high asparagus productivity. The Asparagus Festival reiterates the importance of supporting local agriculture, supporting asparagus businesses to promote self-sufficiency, and returning the money to locals in the form of charity.
I have participated in preparing asparagus meals before in association with California Women for Agriculture, and have seen behind-the-scenes workings as well as repercussions of the Festival in the community. Unification and equality among genders is reinforced as men and women work along side each other in food preparation. Community pride also resonates prior, during, and after the event as the agricultural success, social achievements, and philanthropic encouragements are displayed. The Stockton Asparagus Festival certainly emulates a celebration of rural and urban sustainability.
JENNA MARTIN
Stockton Asparagus Festival.
Filed under: Alternative Agriculture and Food, etc., Internships, jobs, permaculture, Spring 2009, Student Projects
Sustainable Vocations for Youth
Preparing youth for sustainable living and the growing green jobs market
Sustainable Vocations prepares youth, ages 15 to 24, for diverse leadership roles that integrate sustainability into their communities, and provides a hands-on introduction to the growing green jobs market.
Students will earn an internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certification (72 hour course). We are in process of accrediting this course to give students the option of gaining an entry level Solar NABCEP Certification, and college or high school credit.
Join us on this hands-on learning journey!
Permaculture Design – Sustainable Living Skills – Leadership & Community Building - Renewable Energy – Green Building & Natural Building – Environmental & Social Justice – Watershed Restoration – Localizing Food & Economy - Animal Husbandry – Rainwater Harvesting & Greywater Design – Green Jobs Preparation
Filed under: Alternative Agriculture and Food | Tags: Alternative Agriculture, CSA, fair trade, local, locavore, organic, South Central Los Angeles Farmers
It is true. UCLA doesn’t have a farm, but farmers are coming to UCLA.
Weyburn Terrace welcomes the South Central Farmers Association! Get over to Weyburn Terrace, meet the residents and the South Central Los Angeles Farmers.
What’s a CSA? It’s community supported agriculture. It’s direct trade between you and the farmers. It’s a face to face producer-consumer relationship. You’ll meet and know who plans and plants, who cultivates and grows your food, and where and how your food is grown.
At the CSA, you can order baskets of produce on a weekly basis. First drop-off scheduled for Thanksgiving week. For further info, visit the Weyburn Terrace CSA Facebook site.
See something of the South Central Farmers’ history; view the documentary film The Garden.
Video Trailer
Associated Links
Sustainable Farmers blogsite.
