crop drop

So we have discovered a new offspring of the crop swap. Upon arriving home this evening we discovered in our refrigerator some beautiful greens, a cucumber and a zucchini that were not there when we left. It turns out my sister who lives a couple blocks away in oak park had a little bigger harvest than they could handle and we were the beneficiaries. I immediately called this technique a Crop Drop. Yum!

Posted by Neil

The Crop Swap Made into the Newspaper!

Yesterday, the CYCLEbration organized by the Sacramento Hunger Coalition toured community gardens and front yard gardens in the Sacramento area. I envisioned 25 bikers trickling thru in groups of 2 or 3 - so we set out some refreshments and reference books for the bikers to browse while they were leisurely checking out the garden. Instead at least 50 riders zoomed down our street and descended into our yard- they were all business and on a schedule! We were able to visit with the riders for about 10 minutes before they were off to their next stop the Bicycle Kitchen. The excitement and enthusiasm from the riders was contagious- if we didn't have 4 yards of decomposed granite to move from the street to our back yard, we would have joined the riders in a second! They were having a great time riding and visiting gardens in Sacramento.

Of course, I had to plug the Crop Swap! All of the riders were invited to veggie trading starting the first Sunday in July at 3:30 at McClatchy park. After the trading at 3:30 there will be speakers from 3:30 to 4:00. We are still looking for speakers-so if you are knowledgeable in an area of gardening and are willing to give a half hour of your time please email me at purlyday@yahoo.com and I'll put you on the schedule.

As we all know the soaring cost of gas is causing food prices to sky rocket. As food prices increase all families but especially families of modest means are having difficulty paying for a place to live, transportation and food. Food is often the area where families try to economize- I find it appalling that in a country with resources as rich as the United States families are relying on highly processed cheap foods to survive. I like Ramen as much as the next person- but products like Ramen and Mac & Cheese should never be relied on to deliver a families nutritional needs.

We are addressing food security issues in Oak Park by neighbors learning how to grow food and trading with neighbors. By building community and offering an alternative to relying on a massive corporate agriculture that without petro chemicals can not maintain current high levels of output. By growing in our own yards, organically improving our soil, saving our seeds and building local networks for trading produce we are increasing our food security.

Upcoming Potluck!!!

Neil and Kara are hosting a pre -veggie trading pot luck on June 29 at 3:00 at their house. Remember the veggie trading starts on July 6th at 3:00 at McClatchy Park. The potluck is vegetarian- please try to include something you've grown in your garden. We are really hoping our plums will be ripe by then- our two trees are loaded with plums but they are still very green!