In this update:

* Update on Community Gardens in MC Parks and Schools
* New Resource for Faith-Based Community Gardens
* Two Great Food Events Tomorrow (Friday) Night, Dec. 11
* When Buying Organic Isn't Good Enough
* Agriculture and Climate Change

 
Update on Community Gardens in MC Parks and Schools

A large number of MVGer's, Master Gardeners and other interested citizens turned out for the public briefing on community gardens held at the County Council building this past Monday.

The Montgomery County Park Department has taken up the cause with great fervor. David Vismara, head of Horticultural Services with the Parks Department, is an articulate and enthusiastic advocate of community food gardens, and along with Community Gardens Coordinator Ursula Sabia Sukinik they have done a bang-up job opening the first new community garden this year, at Sligo Mill Overlook in Takoma Park. They are now investigating a number of other sites around the county with a goal of having at least 250 plots available for planting this spring.

The next of these new community garden sites to be confirmed is at 2161 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring. Applications are now being accepted for plots there, and since they will go fast we recommend you fill one out asap if you're interested. You can download the application here. (You can also fill out an application for the existing garden at Sligo Hill Overlook, although there is currently a waiting list of 25 families there.)

The report from the MC Public School system was not quite as upbeat, as their four representatives reiterated the reasons they believe they cannot allow food gardens on school property. (Issues that have been overcome in other schools around the country, as was noted at the hearing.) While there is a possibility that the Parks Department might work with MCPS to establish gardens in parks situated next to schools, that would still leave the majority of schools without food gardens, and a rather backward-looking policy in place. This situation is continuing to develop, however; look for more developments on the MVG update in 2010.

 
New Resource for Faith-Based Community Gardens

Along with schools and parks, churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious communities present a great opportunity for expanded food gardening in Montgomery County, and we're delighted to be working with the County's Office of Community Partnerships to expand faith-based community gardening.

Through careful sleuthing we have uncovered at least 10 congregations in the county currently growing food gardens, either for their own members and the local community or to contribute to food banks such as the Manna Food Center. After discussions with them, we have created a new resource, "Tips for Starting a Faith-Based Community Garden."  You can access and print this document here.

After tabling at last month's "Faithfulness Together" conference, we are exploring new ways to engage the faith-based community, including a possible phone briefing led by current gardeners early next year. If you know of any spiritual communities in our county that would like to join this growing trend and get more information on how to do it, by all means tell them to get in touch with us!

 
Two Great Food Events Tomorrow (Friday) Night - Dec. 11

Final reminder for two great food-related events happening locally this weekend:

The movie "Food, Inc." will be screened at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Church in Bethesda (although actually closer to Kensington!) on Friday, December 11. The screening will start at 7:30pm, preceded by a vegetarian potluck at 6:45. This excellent documentary explores the food industry's effects on our health and environment, examining an industry rife with monopolies, questionable interpretations of laws and subsidies, and rising rates of E. coli outbreaks. Discussion will follow led by Alex Beauchamp of Food and Water Watch.

The independent film "No Impact Man" which will be also be screened on Friday, December 11 starting at 7pm (decisions, decisions!), follows the trials and tribulations of Manhattan-dweller Colin Beavin as he attempts, along with his wife and young daughter, to live one year without making any impact on the environment. Their beautifully documented experience is at turns funny, charming and poignant... as well as deeply thought-provoking throughout.

The screening, co-sponsored by Transition Takoma and the Center for a New American Dream, will take place at the Seekers Church, 276 Carroll Ave. in Takoma Park (1 block from the Metro station). After the screening, there will be a discussion about how we can all reduce our consumption while putting the fun back into the holiday season.  This event is open to the public. To RSVP (not required but recommended), click here. 

 
When Buying Organic Isn't Good Enough

As many of us try to eat healthier, more sustainably grown food these days, it's important to remember that the food companies trying to take advantage of this trend are not always telling us the truth about their products.

A case in point - Promiseland, one of the nation's largest purveyors of organic meats, was found to have committed numerous violations of federal organic standards, and has been suspended from organic commerce for four years by a federal judge. To read the story about Promiseland, click here.

In a related story, a recent Consumer Reports test of 382 whole chickens bought from more than 100 stores in 22 states found that fully two-thirds harbored disease-causing bacteria - either salmonella, campylobacter or both. To read the Consumer's Report story, click here.

Both of these stories attest to the critical importance of keeping standards for organic food and food safety monitoring as high as possible - and to buy locally produced food whenever possible.

 
Agriculture and Climate Change

As leaders and negotiators from around the world meet in Copenhagen this week to draft a treaty limiting greenhouse gas emissions, they - and we - need to remember that we cannot get a climate change treaty right if we do not fundamentally address agriculture.

As it includes issues ranging from land use and farming methods to processing, packaging and transportation, agriculture and our food system are among the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.  In addition, to quote the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, "smart climate policy for agriculture can help address hunger, support rural livelihoods, improve water quality and biodiversity, and strengthen our energy security."

Here are two good, short pieces on this critical issue:

To read the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's press release, "Climate agreement must support shift toward sustainable agriculture," click here.

And to read "Why We Left Our Farms to Come to Copenhagen," a statement from the international peasant farmer movement Via Campesina, click here.

Thanks to our friend and partner Organic Consumer's Association for posting these!


Movie Recommendation: The Real Dirt on Farmer John

Since we're on the topic of food movies with this update, and many of us will have some extra time over the holidays to watch a movie from Netflix or the local video store, here is one more recommendation.

"The Real Dirt on Farmer John," is an offbeat but thoroughly delightful movie about one man's attempts to save his family farm. A small town, third generation farmer in rural Illinois, John Peterson was a little "different:" while deeply committed to his farm, he also loved to write, hang out with artists and hippies, and wear the occasional feather boa while plowing. The documentary tells the story of this very typical and yet very unusual farm - and best of all, it has a very happy ending!

Check out "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" - you won't be disappointed!
 

Don't forget to send us your feedback, as well as ideas for stories or local food events we can promote, by emailing us at info@montgomeryvictorygardens.org.

Yours in nutritious, delicious, sustainably grown local food,

Gordon Clark,
Project Director
Montgomery Victory Gardens