Folks in the municipalities and unincorporated urban areas of West Pasco may find this story about urban farming in Camden, New Jersey, encouraging, and perhaps inspiring. Published in Yes magazine, Kristin Moe’s “Meet the Tenacious Gardeners Putting Down Roots in ‘America’s Most Desperate Town'” offers a splendid account of what can be done when folks work together to achieve a goal – and create a resilient community in the process.
There is no reason why we cannot have a vibrant urban farming culture here in West Pasco. Although much of West Pasco is below national and regional norms for income and economic wellbeing, we are in much better shape than Camden. If Camden can do it, so can we.
Individuals and groups who are working to establish and develop urban farming and sustainable food systems in West Pasco are encouraged to share their projects, initiatives, and vision on this site. To start the process, here is a short report on two groups with which I am familiar, Ecology Florida and Friendship Farms & Fare:
Ecology Florida ( http://www.ecologyflorida.org/) is committed to regenerating resilient ecologies of culture, nature, and economics; and harmonizing all three into a single wholistic system. Urban agriculture (from urban farms to grow boxes on patios) is vital to this ecological harmony; and we are pursuing opportunities for support and leadership in this area. Our local affiliate, Friendship Farms & Fare ( http://www.fffsite.org/), operates an organic farm based on permaculture ideals, a community garden, and a small (“boutique”) Community Support Agriculture (CSA) project. Friendship Farms & Fare features local produce and vegan wholefoods. It is also a state-registered seed seller and nursery, offering locally acclimated organic seeds, seasonal vegetable seedlings, and fruit trees. Ecology Florida and Friendship Farms & Fare look forward to continuing to support and develop local urban agricultural projects.
It would be a terrific use of this section of News Port Richey to introduce individuals and groups working on urban farming and sustainable food systems in West Pasco. Please share your programs, plans, and visions. The editor, Jon Tietz, can assist with posting your submissions. As we learn more about what our colleagues are doing, our community becomes stronger, our opportunities for mutual support increase, and our individual and group projects receive greater notice and support. Who knows, with a little work and vision sharing, we might catch up with Camden.
By Dell deChant
Dell deChant is a Master Instructor in Religious Studies at the University of South Florida, Chair of the Environmental Committee of the City of New Port Richey, an officer of Ecology Florida, and a member of the steering committee of Friendship Farms & Fare.
