Urban Farming in Washington D.C. – an exciting story
You can read the whole article and see pictures of the land and people described here by going to civileats.com. Civil Eats is a constantly interesting website. Gail Taylor, an African American woman has set up the first organic farm with CSA (community supported agriculture) in Washington D.C. She currently has about 200 CSA members, and city farms in seven locations. Rooftop farms are being planned.
Gail Taylor started out her work in Guatemala, promoting healing for women recovering from the trauma of civil war. Returning to the U.S., she began to share her passion for farming with other African Americans who recognized the power of food production to revitalize their communities. She approached the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a Catholic order of missionaries with vacant land on their property. They were able to set up the D.C. Urban Farming and Security Act that allows a 90% reduction in property taxes to owners of vacant lots who create partnerships with independent urban farmers.
Gail Taylor and her group grow organic vegetables, herbs and flowers. She plants a third of her farmed areas with oats, rye and crimson clover as cover crops between plantings. Nearby orchards and farms run by women and farmers of color bring products like fruit, cheese, honey, rice, herbs and eggs. They donate food to soup kitchens and food pantries. Gail Taylor calls her CSA ‘Three Part Harmony’ because musicians in her family have created the music and the food together.
Sadja Greenwood – past issues at sadjascolumns.blogspot.com
p.s. Deaths from vaping in the US have risen to 20. The number was 6 when I last reported 2 weeks ago. Do not vape.
p.p.s. Melania Trump has continued to use and endorse the vegetable garden at the White House started by Michelle Obama. She invites children to visit, plant and understand how food is grown. The White House gardeners and kitchen tend to and serve the food daily. How’s that for good news?
