There are some wonderful things happening in cities these days. Here are a few that have caught my eye lately.
The parking meter activists are a group with lots of imagination: http://www.streetsareforpeople.org/ These Toronto street activists created a community garden out of an old car and parked it on a downtown street. The Toronto police had it towed at one point but at last report it had gotten bailed out and is back on the street. Hopefully with crops intact. They also have parking meter parties. They put money in the meter and then use the space for something more civilized than parking a car. Here’s one example:
In Chicago there is an organization for Chicagoans who want to do more about the environment and social justice called Beyond Today: http://beyondtoday.org/
They offer workshops and support services for native gardening, organic gardening and community gardens. They also address river issues, help people set up green roofs, rain barrels and rain gardens and permeable paving stones (that was a new one for me - what a great idea). They are also organizing bicycling groups and giving solar workshops. There is so much a community can do to make a difference and these people in Chicago are going for it.
Here in Austin, you can find your fresh organic vegetables growing in the city. Boggy Creek Farm www.boggycreekfarm.com is an urban organic farm where the owners grow vegetables and flowers on their five acres. This is picture of their strawberry field:
Green Gate Farms is a small family farm that grows heritage and heirloom vegetables. You can buy from their stand, pick your own or join their CSA. You can even request which vegetable you would like for them to grow for you. They are located 8 miles from downtown Austin.
You can find your local farmer’s markets, organic farmers and CSAs (community supported agriculture) by going to http://localharvest.org and putting in your zip code.
What’s going on in your town?
(graphic from http://vonnegut.com/ )