Somewhere in Colorado...a Grasshopper Paradise
Last week, we launched a new RW&G feature, Profiles in Victory. The goal? To showcase some very clever people doing some pretty savvy things online and in real life to promote sustainability. This week, we're pleased to interview Dani Greer, who recently launched a Yahoo! Group, Localvores of Colorado.
In merging locavorism with information technology, Dani and her fellow group members are modeling the kind of transformative, grassroots leadership from which we can all take a lesson. Plus, by creating a sense of shared purpose to nurture the local foodshed in a challenging climate, Dani et al are making "fresh and local" notions more viable in the middle of the country, which is terrific. And then there's Dani's "blog book tours" concept...the woman has the ideas!
Here's our virtual interview:
Dani: Several years ago, we moved to a small town on the high plains in order to complete a church commission. I'm a city girl, so that sounded like quite the adventure and I looked forward to being closer to the land. I had quite a rude awakening. There was no local food source, no farmers markets, no organic choices, and before very long, I found myself making regular trips to the city to buy from small independent grocers and the local farmers I had come to know through CSAs and other more sustainable venues. I discovered these kindred spirits were my friends and I truly missed them!
So the internet became my point of connection – I wouldn't have survived out here without that communication. I found some other forums like I Dig My Garden and the Traditional Foods Group in Minnesota. But, I finally decided to create a separate group for the people I actually knew in real life, the many people who shared living philosophies similar to mine. The idea jelled when I read Barbara Kingsolver's book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I chose this quote for the main webpage at Localvores of Colorado:
"...we made every attempt to feed ourselves animals and vegetables whose provenance we really knew....deliberately eating food produced from the same place where we worked, went to school, loved our neighbors, drank the water, and breathed the air."
RW&G: What kind of response have you had thus far? Do you think what you're doing can be undertaken elsewhere? Do you know of similar efforts?
Dani: It's growing a little every week, especially with the help of a Locavore Challenge another group started. These challenges are springing up all over the country, and are helping so much to help raise the consciousness of people. So far, it's mostly consumers in my group and a couple of growers. The farmers are all so busy during the summer months, so I don't expect them to jump on board until the winter. Right now, we're sharing our latest market finds and recipes and discussing the challenges of trying to eat locally. And it really IS a challenge.
In Colorado, we have a short and limited growing season. Most of us don't even realize how much we eat outside of our local radius. For example, I had stuffed grape leaves for lunch with a glass of iced tea. The grapes leaves, rice, lemons, and tea are decidedly not local. The pine nuts were from Colorado, as was the chicken that made the broth. But, it's really hard to stick only to local foods. We talk about that a lot on the group.
My goal with the group is to eventually have growers from all over the state, the farmers market representatives, restaurants, caterers, Slow Food Movement advocates, organic grocers, and all the other folks who are looking for a better and more sustainable lifestyle, starting with the issue of food. One nice place for all of us to meet and brainstorm and support each others efforts. And of course, I think it would be great if Localvore Yahoo! Groups sprouted in every state.
RW&G: You remarked in an email that it's a reality that its primarily "the privileged" who can afford to be "locavores right now" and that "poverty has a completely different face than it did pre-WWII." Pretty insightful stuff. Could you expand upon those remarks and maybe explain how you see technology as helping concerned citizens address food security issues at the grassroots level?
Dani: I think technology is at its most powerful when it enhances and promotes good communication. We can share ideas with each other, gain insights, raise the bar in encouraging change. So much of what happens in our modern lives occurs without thought. When was the last time you considered how unsustainable the banana industry is? That kind of enlightenment is uncomfortable, but also crucial to modern society.
Yes, I think the middle and upper classes are driving the organic and local foods markets. American food has been subsidized, and that's why the masses can buy cheap food at Walmart. They'll continue to buy food there, because the mindset doesn't include cooking from scratch after working two or three jobs, or planting their own gardens which requires a lot of work. Even container gardens on an apartment balcony cost money. There's only so much one person can do in a day. That's the reality of low income lives.
Much has changed since WWII when a kitchen garden in the backyard was a primary source of sustenance. How do we get back to that? Communication. Brainstorming. Sharing. Teaching these ideas in schools. Why doesn't every school have it's own cafeteria garden, for example? Why don't cities support community garden endeavors instead of thwarting them? This whole concept of feeding ourselves is lost in American culture, and will sift downwards to the masses only after a long period of time. The idea must be supported from the top and really isn't right now. For example, we're doing mural painting for a church that has started a community garden on its grounds, and the city planners are insisting they replace it with bluegrass lawns and ornamental trees before they'll approve a new fellowship hall. This and similar covenants in homeowners associations must stop.
I could get on my soapbox about these endless idiotic scenarios. True security lies on the local level, and promoting food self-sufficiency is one avenue to a strong and healthy community. Every leader should recognize that, and support it whenever the opportunity arises.
RW&G: Could you tell us a bit about your other online endeavors? Oh, and do you have a "day job"? Is it connected to your grassroots activism?
Dani: I'm an artist and a writer, so much of what I do can happen from a distance and without driving to a job every single day. I'm usually parked for weeks on end on my little acreage working on some project.
RW&G: Could you tell us a bit about your other online endeavors? Oh, and do you have a "day job"? Is it connected to your grassroots activism?
Dani: I'm an artist and a writer, so much of what I do can happen from a distance and without driving to a job every single day. I'm usually parked for weeks on end on my little acreage working on some project.
I spend a great deal of time promoting a concept called Blog Book Tours, which is a way for authors to “travel” from the comfort of their homes while promoting their latest book. The publishing industry is just so dang unsustainable. I find it totally incomprehensible that writers like Alice Waters are promoting local foods in their latest cookbooks, then traveling thousands of miles by airplane to promote the book. Doesn't it seem completely incongruous? Book tours in the virtual world are a better idea for many reasons. You can read all the great reasons at this handy little site I created: The Quickest Blog Book Tour Guide Ever.
RW&G: For fun...what's growing at your house right now? Anything tasty?
Dani: Grasshoppers. I don't know how they taste, though I've heard they can be quite good deep-fried. I double-dare you first! Seriously, our growing season was about three weeks late, then we had major hail that wiped out lots of young plantings including about 100 heirloom tomato plants, and now what's growing is rather raggedy thanks to the green meanies that are totally out-of-control. It's a hard job, this growing stuff. I think with changing weather patterns, and limited resources like water in my part of the country, it will become even more challenging to feed everyone. I'm a big fan of Eliot Coleman and his growing techniques. Hoop houses and a small greenhouse are definitely part of my future. I don't think this family of mine could prevent itself from starving right now, but I think trying is a worthy goal for everyone. I'm certainly not convinced my local Stop & Shop could offer any better security in a serious crisis, and I do think we're in for some pressing times. Even if food supplies don't run out, they'll be limited, and they'll be expensive. Stock up on some seeds now, and make sure they're not hybrids. Seed-saving is yet another form of food security that too few people know about.
RW&G: For fun, how 'bout a list of five favorite web sites?
Dani:
RW&G: For fun...what's growing at your house right now? Anything tasty?
Dani: Grasshoppers. I don't know how they taste, though I've heard they can be quite good deep-fried. I double-dare you first! Seriously, our growing season was about three weeks late, then we had major hail that wiped out lots of young plantings including about 100 heirloom tomato plants, and now what's growing is rather raggedy thanks to the green meanies that are totally out-of-control. It's a hard job, this growing stuff. I think with changing weather patterns, and limited resources like water in my part of the country, it will become even more challenging to feed everyone. I'm a big fan of Eliot Coleman and his growing techniques. Hoop houses and a small greenhouse are definitely part of my future. I don't think this family of mine could prevent itself from starving right now, but I think trying is a worthy goal for everyone. I'm certainly not convinced my local Stop & Shop could offer any better security in a serious crisis, and I do think we're in for some pressing times. Even if food supplies don't run out, they'll be limited, and they'll be expensive. Stock up on some seeds now, and make sure they're not hybrids. Seed-saving is yet another form of food security that too few people know about.
RW&G: For fun, how 'bout a list of five favorite web sites?
Dani:
- The Non-Electric Life for some low-tech tips
- My favorite cooking blog
- Something to chew on here
- A food-conscious pal who truly inspires
- Susan Albert, another kindred soul who's spreading the word
RW&G: Thanks, Dani!
Your Turn:
• What are you doing to spark locavorism at home and in your community?
• If you're one of Dani's fellow Localvores of Colorado, feel free to share your experience/POV on the group!
Just leave your thoughts in the Comments section to reply...
For Further Exploration:
• Other Profiles in this Series
• It was Dani who introduced me to Squidoo...here's the page that resulted (still under construction).
Update:
• Dani thought that this site with Grasshopper Recipes was appropriate...I agree.
|