LENN Winter 2017 In-Yard Gardens Feed the Neighborhood

Loretto Earth Network News DRAWDOWN

Winter 2017-2018 Vol. 25, No. 4 AN EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD By Mary Ann Coyle SL

remember when schoolyards I suspect many of us would agree with moved into the green generation Barker but I, for one, am not willing Iand out of the cement and gravel to forgo the convenience of having a stages. Now, in 2017, another carrot salad made out of pre-washed evolution is progressing! It feels as if carrots rather than the ones dug-up it all happened with a blink of the eye out of the garden. However, I do feel but clearly that is not so. guilty with every bite. What about you? Twelve years ago, after the New Orleans disaster, we saw people As I was putting these few thoughts sitting on the rooftops of their homes together, I came across a special in the French Quarter, as well as in issue of The Nation magazine (Oct. the suburbs, just waiting for pick-up 30, 2017). It made me wonder where Mary Ann Coyle SL via helicopter. At this time Claudia my imagination could go. So let’s set Barker wrote an op-ed piece about the table with Anna Lappé and Zoë Nestlé and other multinational food edible schoolyards and set in motion Carpenter. The former is a founder of companies peddle processed foods a different approach for educators the Small Planet Institute and director deeper into remote areas of Latin who think about curriculum changes of Real Food Media. The latter is America, Africa, and Asia, igniting needed in this technological age editor of The Nation’s special issue on debate about whether they’re feeding where children are generally busy food. hungry communities or making them communicating with others who sick.” “tweet” or are addicted to Facebook. Zoë writes: “It’s a time of deep uncertainty at every link in the global There are many more thought- Barker’s observation, which she food chain. For the first time in a provoking gems to be found in this believes is correct, is that if one were decade, the number of hungry and special issue on food. We can think to ask a youngster of pre-school malnourished people in the world about the food we eat, how it’s grown, age eating a strawberry where that is rising. Climate change threatens and where it comes from until we are strawberry came from, her/his answer breadbasket regions the world over. weary. Will this help? Where can the would be: “From the conversation go? Do store” because that we need to read more? is where Mom/Dad Start a garden? Or go to get it. Even do we simply need though most of our to change our daily yards have space menu or bring others enough for a garden, to the table to try a we generally don’t new menu? After take time to garden doing this, can we or have a garden that look toward a new our youngsters can tell generation of well- their friends about. nourished children living on the planet we all share? Edible Schoolyard, New Orleans Loretto Earth Network News

A publication of the Editor’s Note: Loretto Community

Editor: Libby Comeaux CoL Libby Comeaux CoL 1663 Steele St Apt 901 Denver, CO 80206

Email: [email protected] We feature several stories from the www.lorettocommunity.org Local Food Revolution (LFR). This focus meets one of LEN’s goals to Layout: Nancy Wittwer SL collaborate more effectively with other groups. LFR can be described as not merely an uprising against his issue continues the the industrial food system, but as Drawdown is that point in theme of Drawdown – our a spiritual (as well as social and time when the concentration Tresponsibility as members political) movement. It invites us to of greenhouse gases in the of Earth community, not only to participate in the very sacramental atmosphere begins to decline on a stop emitting carbon into the act of feeding ourselves and others year-to-year basis. atmosphere, but actively to draw in Earth community at a time of ------it down. As discussed in LENN cataclysm and emergence. It does A plant-rich diet ranks #4 out of Autumn 2017, the UN calls this this in a very grounded way, including the 100 top most-effective ways living “carbon positive” rather Slow Money networks that help young to draw down carbon from the than “carbon neutral” (or what local farmers get established and atmosphere. We need only fifty some call “net zero carbon”). It’s keep going. percent of the human population a big responsibility but, given the to make this transition, to times, an urgent one to heed. We The Loretto Earth Network exists to remove 66 gigatons of carbon may not have chosen to live in a educate and alert its members and by 2050 through a combination developed nation, let alone themost all who would join them in both the of sequestration and avoided responsible for causing the climate mystery and miracle of creation and emissions. As Zen master Thich collapse. But here we are, recipients the crisis that threatens our universe. Nhat Hanh has said, making the of many privileges as well as this Universe gave us Earth, and life as transition to a plant-based diet great duty. we know it on Earth is at risk. We may be the most effective way listened to feedback from participants an individual can stop climate Though humans have been warned at our 25th Anniversary Celebration change. for over 40 years, we have not last year. You want more on ecological stopped climate change. Efforts living, sustainable communities, food Below, LENN writers study of many continue, but prudence justice, net-zero living, collective neighborhood synergy with Eric. now requires that we also prepare action we can take in the face of the to survive the climate chaos our environmental crisis, and collaboration culture has caused. This LENN with younger folks who are so issue celebrates the Local Food passionate about Earth. You also want Revolution as one way to survive more grounding in the cosmological, anticipated climate disruption spiritual basis of this work, as well as of food distribution networks, a more global perspective on local while bolstering our immune action. Land and species conservation system response at individual and at the Motherhouse is another topic community levels. This work also you want to know more about, so this helps reduce carbon emissions issue celebrates the careful tending from industrial food transportation that is in progress there. networks and, carefully done, Dariel Blackburn, Eric Kornacki, draws down more carbon from the We also celebrate the return of Mary Libby Comeaux, Kate Armstrong atmosphere. Ann Coyle as a LENN writer! Enjoy.

Page 2 LENN Winter 2017 In-Yard Gardens Feed the Neighborhood

By Kendra Sandoval Re:Unite – Attention here is on developing local leaders the world so hen I met founders of desperately needs. Re:Vision International, Eric Re:Own – The focus here is growing WKornacki and Joseph Tiepel, community wealth through a locally- in 2007, they were graduating from owned economy. DU and planning to ride their bikes from Alaska to Argentina recording One example is the Westwood Food the methods of sustainable living they Cooperative, which, as described saw along the way. After a short time by the organization in a recent grant of pondering, though, they realized application, is where community that beginning right here at home members grow their own food, work and following the principle “Think with each other around food-and health-related issues, work with their Globally, Act Locally” more closely Kendra Sandoval resonated with their vision of creating neighborhoods to make business a better world for all people in their decisions that have an impact on their the Re:Vision campus. What makes community. families and the larger community, Re:Vision unique is the design of the and where residents are empowered organization. From the ground up, it Over the last ten years Re:Vision, with and able to shop within their own has been systemic and sustainable. its mission to develop community- community—keeping their money In other words, since its founding owned economies in marginalized local as a means of economic moment, this social enterprise has neighborhoods, has grown the largest development. been AWARE of all people involved, community-led food system in the all impacts on planet Earth and country. What started the first year The overall goal of the Westwood all inherent prosperity that can be with 8 backyard and frontyard farms in Food Co-op is to increase the generated with good action and Westwood has expanded to now host access and affordability of locally- strong conviction. over 400 of these farms all around grown, fresh, healthy produce in the West Denver. food desert of Westwood, and to The beauty of the Re:Vision action do so through a community-owned plan come to life is that two young For about the past 50 years, the and operated cooperative. Thus, men realized that to make a big Westwood neighborhood has been Westwood residents will have a difference they could focus hyper- an area with mostly Mexicana sustainable food system, including locally. They looked around Denver families. It has also been a food production and distribution, within and found a problem—in a beautiful desert, or an area of town that does their community and owned by their barrio rich with culture and diversity— not have access to a grocery store community. This happens through and then decided to try to solve it, or farmer’s market within 1-2 miles. investment in the development of the both with and for a community for the Food deserts often have convenience co-op, an increase in the production greater good of all involved. And then stores that carry food items with a of produce within the community, and THEY ALL did it and they all continue higher preservative and sugar content the infrastructure for the Food Hub to do it, in Spanish, in English, (e.g., chips, candy and other snacks) and neighborhood market, combined around food and family, for meals and rather than complete foods such as with the facilitation of a program meetings, with people of all colors and vegetables, beans and whole grains. that provides training and technical sizes. They do it because they know it Imagine the challenge folks with no assistance in value-added processing. is the future, as it has been the past, access to a car face when they want to offer one another food we grow better food options, having to walk, The trick in any sustainable system together and to share meals made of ride a bike or take a series of buses is allowing and honoring the ever- the wonders we cook. long distances while carrying food for changing dynamics of the living their families. system itself, and here is where Kendra Sandoval, native of North Denver, works to build sustainable, replicable Re:Vision has excelled. To grow a To address this and the other system of backyard and frontyard systems across all sectors. She has been challenges that marginalized farms across the west side of Denver a political appointee for several Denver communities face, Re:Vision’s three can only be done through the Mayors and lives and works in the heart of main enterprise areas are: cultivation and fostering of deep and Downtown Denver. Her activism and love Re:Farm – This program is supporting lasting relationships. This feeling of of people, planet and prosperity keep her a thriving economy by cultivating deep caring and trust is felt all over working to make the world a better place community food systems. for everyone! LENN Winter 2017 Page 3 Loretto Motherhouse Farm

ecently LEN coordinator won’t have anything else. So, the Jessie Rathburn interviewed biggest goal with the cover crops RCody Rakes, who has been is to improve water infiltration, the Motherhouse farmer since water-holding capacity. Plus, those October 2015. Let’s listen in. cover crops and the grain crops themselves use carbon. The cover How is the farm doing these days? crops will be grown through the Can you give us a general update? winter time to preserve the soil and prevent erosion when the fields Sure, I’ll give you a quick overview. would otherwise be fallow. During The farm has close to 800 acres. that winter period, we’re harvesting Approximately 300 are woodlands. sunlight and sequestering carbon. Since the mid-90s, the farm Come spring, that cover crop will be has focused on improving the used for two things. First, it can be woodlands for woodland health and killed and left on the soil, which will also for wildlife. About 100 acres increase organic matter and build a of former crop fields have been residue layer on top of the soil like a converted to native grasses and mulch layer. The other option is to pollinator habitat or replanted in actually cut it and bale it for livestock hardwoods. It also contains some feed. By harvesting livestock feed field borders, what we call riparian off of these acres, I’m using those zones. Basically, these are setback acres 12 months out of the year to keep production agriculture away for some kind of production, which from sensitive areas like streams, sequesters carbon. There is some sinkholes, ponds. So those acres add Farmer Cody Rakes and his faithful dog Rascal carbon released during the production up to about 400 acres, or half of the stages, but responsible cropping farm, really being conservation and the carbon that’s in the soil at a higher can sequester more carbon than is environmental programs. The other rate. A byproduct of those microbes released. half is split half-and-half between row breaking down carbon is carbon crops (corn, soybeans, wheat) and dioxide. So, when you till the soil, you The pasture and hay acres are almost pasture / hay. For several years going have an influx of carbon dioxide that’s all in perennial grasses. 1-2% of back, the row crop production has released in the atmosphere. So, we’re those acres are being used for annual been utilizing non-GMO seed and no- really trying to get that carbon back grasses, both summer and winter till practices. into the soil. Carbon is crucial for annuals, which help fill in forage water-holding capacity, for releasing gaps. With the beef cattle we have, What is the benefit of no-till and making available other nutrients we’re trying to do a grass-fed grass- management? in the soil. finished protocol. To do that, you’ve got to keep the animals growing. If The no-till method means that we’re I’m also working on utilizing cover there’s a period in the growth of the disturbing less than 5% of the soil crops. This year, the goal is to plant animal where they stop growing surface at any point in the year. The cover crops on every acre that was and just maintain, the muscle will number one reason for tillage is weed harvested. Last year, there were become tough and you’ll reduce the control. The second reason for tillage about 175 acres that were harvested; tenderness of the meat. I aim for over is to create a seedbed so the seeds of those 175 acres, I got about 110 1.5 pounds of gain per day on the can germinate. They used to think planted in cover crops. cattle. you’ve got to till the ground to get the water in. Well, that’s a fool’s theory. What are the benefits of cover How much do they have to eat in When you till the ground, you actually crops? order to gain that much? drive the air in and the water out. In the process of tillage, you give an Cover crops build organic matter, For a 1.5 lb./day gain, we’re talking influx of oxygen and carbon dioxide increase residue on top of the soil about 3% body weight intake. With a into that system. All of those gases to help keep the rainfall we get on 1,000 lb. animal, that’s about 30 lbs. then have the opportunity to get in the the farm and use it on the crops of dry matter per day. If you think soil. The microbes in the soil utilize we’re trying to grow. Water’s the of grasses, which are about 70% that influx of oxygen and break down first essential nutrient; without it, you Continued on page 5

Page 4 LENN Winter 2017 Continued from page 4 the only forage I’ve had moisture, they take in over 100 lbs. of available isn’t ready or isn’t grass per day. nutritious enough. Over the next few years, I’m hoping All the row crops grown now are to find a grass or hay that sold and not used on the farm? will keep them growing Correct. without the use of grain.

And all of our cattle are eaten here Can our 200 acres of on the property? pasture support a herd of 70? Yes, at this point the herd is still small enough. We’re in a period of herd I think so, if we continue about farming and farm practices this growth. This year I’ll have 27 cows to to use some of the cover year. I think we’re on track with the calve. In two years’ time, we’ve more crops for producing hay. That will education side. than doubled the size of the herd, and open up more pasture acres so I won’t have to cut hay off of pasture hopefully will get 50-70 in the herd. On the environmental stewardship But with the size of herd we have now, acres, and we can use the winter cover crops to support the animals. I side, we’re maintaining the practices the dining room is able to consume that have been put in place (riparian all the steers that are produced; I’m think we could pretty easily manage at least 65 cows. I don’t want to get to buffers, fencing cattle out of ponds keeping the heifers back. There will and streams, putting in water tanks), come a time, probably in the next two a point where we’re over-stocked. I’d rather have a surplus grass availability but there’s still more to do. One major years, when we’ll be producing more improvement before I came was than the dining room can consume. than not have enough and have to sell animals. renovation of the handling facilities At that point, I will make purchasing and the hub of the livestock operation. open to employees, co-members, and The main goal there was to keep clean others who have affiliation with the I have two questions I think you’ll want to answer together. What water clean and manage the dirty community. If we have supply beyond water. that, I’ll make it open to the general are the goals of the farm, and how public. have you been able to connect with the local community outside the What are your next goals for the Motherhouse? farm? What would you like to do And our beefal is all grass-fed now? differently? When the Farm and Land committee I’m comfortable with the term “pasture Get more help! Farm labor is one raised” or “pasture based.” It will take were seeking a new farm director, they identified the goals of farm of our biggest struggles. Over the me a while to figure out what kind of next two years, I’m hoping to get a forages I need to implement in order education, managing the farm as an environmental steward, and getting year-round part-time helper. Right to fill in the forage gaps. There have now we have a part-time seasonal been a couple of points throughout production from the farm (among other goals). They not only wanted helper who will be able to stay the finishing process when I’ve had to about 4 months, through the harvest use store feed (hay or grain), because to educate the Loretto Community, but they also wanted to provide season and planting cover crops. local education with local farmers. Secondly, I’d like to keep expanding We’ve had 4 field days on the farm, our educational efforts. I want to with local farmers coming to learn work on signage around the farm. We about cattle, row crops, general don’t have to try hard to get people conservation, etc. We’ve also had a here because there already are a lot group of Headstart students come to of people here! So, how can I work spend a day on the farm and out in on educating those people without nature. A lot of this is a group effort, having to be there myself? Fencing a lot of it done by volunteers! And is a big project. As the cattle herd then there are informal visits with continues to grow, there are fields residents, retreatants, and people that are currently not being used for passing through. I talk to a lot of grazing because the fences have people as I’m going through my daily deteriorated. The other thing is chores, which I can’t put a number improving grain yields. I think that will on. But with the farm education in be done with continual work on weed general, I’ve had contact with over management. The cover cropping 1100 people in an educational setting Continued on page 6

LENN Winter 2017 Page 5 Continued from page 5 The Integrity of the Journey I hope will help with that, but you generally don’t see improvements until By Kathy Riley year 3 or 4. Improving grain yields will come along with some of the other rowHaus is “an interactive urban farm and market” in a renovated things we’ve already got going on. greenhouse in Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood – previously a Gfood desert and even now continuing to be buffeted by environmental What else would you like our racism. readers to know? It was a perfect location for a meeting hosted one early October afternoon We have a Facebook page that’s by Indivisible Denver and the Denver chapter of the Sierra Club to review managed by my dog Rascal. He’s a environmental goals for Denver. Perfect because it was an example of six-year-old border collie, and so far the power of community creativity and action, as well as a reminder that he has 500 likes and has reached over neighborhoods are impacted differently by history and change. 40,000 people. He has a hard time with keyboards, so my wife Angela About 100 attendees gathered to hear and I do the typing for him. speakers detail the environmental challenges facing Denver in coming years, and in the How many baby cows are you process, learn how the neighborhood has expecting this year? suffered and resisted in the past.

This fall, we’re expecting 16. This Peter, an Indivisible member, started the coming spring, we’re expecting session with a few breaths and a silent focus another 11. But we’re not only on our surroundings. I noticed a hand-lettered expecting baby calves! We’re sign near me, a fragment of a poem by expecting a baby Rakes to come Wendell Berry: “There are no unsacred places; along in March as well. there are only sacred places and desecrated places.”

This neighborhood is clearly a place that has experienced desecration for a long time. One of the speakers was Candi CdeBaca of the Cross Community Coalition, a group opposed to the expansion of I-70.

Candi talked about growing up poor in this neighborhood, about statistics showing high rates of asthma and premature deaths in Elyria-Swansea, about the fact that this area, once home to smelters and other polluting industries, is a Superfund site; she talked about the massive proposed I-70 highway widening project as still another assault on the community. Several times her words and those of other speakers were halted as frequent trains roared by on the tracks adjacent to GrowHaus. Coordinators Loretto Earth Network Despite the primacy of the I-70 fight, the focus of this meeting was on the city’s long range climate plan—and the need for citizen comments—as well as the Beth Blissman CoL Denver Green Roof Initiative on the ballot this November. Libby Comeaux CoL This summer The City and County released an “80x50 Climate Goal: Mary Ann Coyle SL - Emeritus Stakeholder Report.” It aims to outline the best strategies to reach Mayor Maureen Fiedler SL Hancock’s 2015 plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Denver by 80 Mike Leard CoL percent (below 2005 levels) by the year 2050. The stakeholders—groups and individuals who contributed to the report—assert that commitment to 100 Maureen McCormack SL percent clean renewable energy by 2030 will be key to achieving this. Jessie Rathburn CoL Nancy Wittwer SL Participants at the GrowHaus meeting were encouraged to take the survey that the Denver Environmental Health Department prepared. A 60-day comment Marcus Hyde - Intern period was to end Nov. 3. Although the comment period should be over by Earna Volk - Intern the time you are reading this, you can check the survey website by visiting denvergov.org and searching 80x50. Continued on page 8

Page 6 LENN Winter 2017 Climate and La Vida Local By Mary Ocken

he colors out my window are a in a location that makes it easier to Fostering good nutrition motivates me mix of russet-brown, amber, or- have access to local food. Grow- even more since reading a September ange and gold. The air is crisp; T ing Partners of Southwest Colorado 13 “food nutrients” article in Politico. an early frost has already nipped the (www.growingpartners.org) makes a It discusses climate-related changes garden. Autumn days always bring huge difference by supporting a fair, in the atmosphere that are literally a melancholy blend of gratitude and sustainable, local food system that changing the food we eat. “Every leaf loss, abundance and letting go. Our reaches all ages, incomes and cul- and every grass blade on earth makes Farmers Market has shut down for the tures. more and more sugars as CO2 levels 2017 growing season. Community keep rising,” said mathematician Irakli connections surrounding that weekly Loladze. “We are witnessing the great- social time will turn to occasional din- est injection of carbohydrates into the ner invitations. While I will miss seeing biosphere in human history, an injec- the farmers regularly, I will still enjoy tion that dilutes other nutrients in our the abundance for a while, and am food supply.” An unexpected conse- grateful to live in a relatively vital Local quence of climate change, “elevated Foodshed. CO2 has been shown to drive down important minerals like calcium, po- Our modest home has a minimally- tassium, zinc and iron. ... We may see heated, insulated laundry room (where in our lifetimes, [that] these important we have a heat source that comes on minerals [may] drop by 8 percent, on if the temp falls below 45 deg.) and average.” it is as close to a root cellar as I have right now. It is filled with a wide vari- Choosing local foods seems more im- ety of winter squash and bags of stor- portant than ever, both for the health age onions. Many more chopped and of my family and for the planet. When bagged onions also stock our chest we participate in choosing local foods freezer along with leftovers from pre- we enter into a network of relation- pared meals; cabbages line the bot- ships which contribute to greater food tom shelf of the fridge. With this stor- security and resilience, especially age, I can rely on at least some local important in times of extreme weather food supply into February and March. events that may disrupt food distribu- tion networks. Through this season, in addition to There are many reasons why we these staples, we have enjoyed local personally choose local and organic foods. We can be a bit kinder to the Take some time to learn about the lo- fruits and veggies including chan- cal organic food options in your area, terelles, jicama, celery, fingerling planet by reducing the carbon foot- print of our food. We are also moti- and look for signs describing the potatoes, eggplant, rainbow carrots, origin of your produce. Talk to the pro- plums, and of course lusciously ripe vated to improve our health, and the health of those who grow our food. duce manager at your store, find out tomatoes. We are blessed to have what they are doing to bring regionally such access, a simple bike-ride (with My grandmother died before she was 50 from malabsorption and diar- sourced produce to their shelves. Is a small trailer) from home. I really ap- there a CSA Share available in your preciate that I can get to know and rhea, so I researched the benefit of an organic, plant-rich diet to reduce area? You can vote with every food deeply trust the people who grow dollar you spend to foster the kind of much of my food. systemic inflammation (that can lead to auto-immune disorders and cancer, foodshed you want to have. Our local foods appreciation has blos- as well as gluten intolerance). Local, somed into so many community con- fresh, organic foods also promote Mary Ocken has enjoyed “la Vida Local” in nections. We have a variety of friends higher nutrient content than the store- Southwest CO since 2007. She currently through the Market. We’ve belonged bought produce (that often travels too sells home and auto insurance and is active with the Unitarian Universalist to various CSAs (community support- many miles to reach me). They taste better too. Fellowship of Durango. Before relocating, ed agriculture) and have had friends she worked on staff at EarthLinks in deliver local eggs. I’m grateful to live Denver.

LENN Winter 2017 Page 7 Continued from page 6 SOIL 2017 The Integrity of the Journey Bringing Our Money Back Down to Earth Speaking for the Green Roof Initiative was Ean Thomas Tafoya, one of the By Dariel Blackburn and Libby Comeaux organizers of this grassroots-initiated proposal for Denver’s November he financial challenges of ballot. A win for this measure (Initiated young, organic, local farmers Ordinance 300) would create a new are daunting. That is why building code requiring large buildings T investors in the Slow Money to assign a portion of their roof to network have directed over $57 solar panels or vegetation. million into more than 632 local Proponents argue that this concept and organic food enterprises over has worked well in other cities. The the past seven years. possible benefits are compelling: a Along the Front Range of lowering of the Heat Island Effect Colorado, neighbors are stepping (Denver is third worst in the nation), up to help fund local farms. Slow better air quality (11th worst on Money founder Woody Tasch has that), energy efficiency, storm created a new charity called Slow water management, higher rental Opportunities for Investing Locally occupancies and increased quality of – SOIL. “You become a member life. of SOIL with a tax-deductible Dariel Blackburn I was impressed with what seems to donation of $250 or more. Then, be a well-thought-out proposal and members make 0% loans to local farmers and food entrepreneurs, by majority was optimistic about its passage, vote – one member, one vote, no matter what the size of your donation. When but I’ve since learned of opposition loans are repaid, funds are recycled into new loans.” from developers and city officials. They have out-fundraised proponents Lindsey Lusher Shute, executive director and cofounder of the National Young by over 3 to 1 and launched an Farmers Coalition, gave an afternoon keynote. She shared NYFC’s vision of “a aggressive ad campaign. (As the country where young people who are willing to work, get trained, and take a election approached at press time, little risk can support themselves and their families in farming.” There are NYFC prospects did not look bright.) chapters in 27 states. She encourages us to pay attention to the 2018 Farm Bill to help push it to support the future of farming and young farmers. As the meeting ended, I took some time to explore GrowHaus, making a Elise Jones, Boulder County Commissioner, described ways local government note to take one of the public tours can help. She said that there are 25,000 acres of Boulder Open Space, of which they offer every week. The 20,000 25% are under organic growers. The county is phasing out GMO growing, square-foot facility has hydroponic although many conventional farmers disagree. When leases expire, the county and aquaponic farms, a market, gives preference to organic growers. The county pays half the lease and half a hands-on demonstration farm, the organic certification fee and makes further investments in infrastructure classrooms, and a teaching kitchen. and improvements. These policies have placed 3,400 acres in transition, but challenges remain – such as land use codes and labor shortages due to lack of Memories of my visit that day lift the sufficient affordable housing. pessimism I feel about the probable outcome of the I-70 struggle and the Dr Daphne Miller, practicing family physician and associate clinical professor Green Roof Initiative. My Buddhist at University of California San Francisco, opened the conference. She detailed orientation reminds me to “not be the association between farm ecology and the ecology of the human body. attached to outcomes.” Rather, what’s For example, children raised on organic farms experience one-sixth the important is the process and the incidence of asthma compared to children raised on industrial farms! (The integrity of the journey. I saw lots of same discrepancy occurs if you compare children on organic farms with those both at GrowHaus that day. in the cities.) She associates this significant difference to the comparatively greater biodiversity on organic farms. If you want to know more, including Kathy Riley retired to Denver after 20 years how alcoholism and crime decrease around urban farms, read her book, teaching English in Japan. She lives part of Farmacology: Total Health from the Ground Up. each summer in rural Florissant, Colorado, and blogs at http://kathyintransition. Dariel Blackburn is a passionate member of the Local Food Revolution. She blogspot.com works in community to identify and nurture ‘Centers of Aliveness’—places where people are building and supporting necessary components for a healthy Update: In a surprising upset the local Foodshed. Green Roof Ordinance passed!