SUCCESS STORIES

It Was Magic

Imagine creating a farm when you don't own (or rent) any land. It recently happened in Lafayette, California. In July 2009, Siamack Sioshansi met with members of Sustainable Lafayette, and explained his plan to create an urban farm -- growing food in people's back yards and splitting the harvest with them. He hoped to find 20 families willing to try this. I chortled to myself and said, "Hey, we can get that many just by telling our friends!" And so it turned out. Within a few months, Siamack had made house calls to 150 families who had eagerly contacted him after hearing about the plan by word of mouth. Total advertising campaign: one announcement in a PTA newsletter.



Actually, it wasn't magic. Siamack is the first to say that he was just the catalyst for a movement that was ready to burst into bloom. The first project is to plant fruit trees, heritage varieties that will also support food biodiversity. He told me he hoped that the coop members would collectively buy and plant 100 trees. Well, as of today, over 270 trees have been ordered! Check out the program at The Urban Farmers. January 2, 2010




Community Supported Agriculture is one of the most exciting innovations we’ve found. You join a nearby CSA farm as a subscriber, and get a weekly box of the most tasty, organic, fresh food you can imagine. By supporting small local farms, you can encourage local, organic, and diverse foods all at the same time, not to mention saving that other endangered species – family farms!

 

Send us YOUR success story at info@earthfriendlyfoodchain.com

Home | Order the book | About | Contact