Mariposa Fundraising for Mill Creek Farm through September 2

Have you visited Mill Creek Farm?

Knowing how your food is grown and raised is an important part of being an informed consumer, but how often do you actually visit the farms that provide your food? Mill Creek Farm, located at 49 and Brown Street in West Philadelphia, is just a quick bike ride away. For the last 8 years MCF has hosted educational tours for volunteers, and neighbors highlighting sustainable growing practices, storm water management, and green building techniques. Look for upcoming volunteer days on our calendar and get in on the action, then find Mill Creek Farm on Facebook and share your experiences.

Can’t make it out to volunteer? Now through September 2,contribute to food justice work in West Philly by donating to Mill Creek Farm at the register. Your donations will support:

• Community and youth education on how food is grown and where it comes from.

• A market stand in the Mill Creek neighborhood where there would otherwise be no fresh food

• 100% chemical free and sustainable farming techniques

Find out more information by picking up a flier at the register or by visiting http://MillCreekUrbanFarm.org

where tax deductible donations are accepted.

Brought to you by Mariposa’s Food Justice and Anti-Racism working group, the Mariposa Board and the Mill Creek Farm community.

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https://www.mariposa.coop/events/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mill-Creek-Farm/98333010460

http://millcreekurbanfarm.org/

Mill Creek Farm Documentary

West Philly Grown

Mariposa and Non-Profit Affiliation: FAQs and Survey

Mariposa Co-op currently has the opportunity to seek an affiliation with Mill Creek Farm’s 501(c)3 umbrella, called “A Little Taste of Everything” (or ALTOE). Please fill out this four question survey so that the Food Justice & Anti-Racism work group and the membership can find out what members think about the board exploring this affiliation. The Membership will make a decision regarding this opportunity at the  Annual General Membership meeting on Sunday, March 3 at Calvary Church.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QVNRBZ5

Frequently Asked Questions about a affiliation between Mariposa Food Co-op and Mill Creek Farm

What is the Mill Creek Farm?

The Mill Creek Farm is an educational urban farm located at 49th and Brown Streets in West Philadelphia that is dedicated to improving local access to fresh produce, building a healthy community and environment, and promoting a just and sustainable food system.

The Mill Creek Farm grows food without using chemicals to improve access to fresh food in the community, and provides farm-based community education to promote a healthy food system and environment. The farm offers service learning and volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, tours, community workdays, summer jobs for youth, after-school programs, and public workshops. The farm features fruit trees, bees, and structures that demonstrate sustainable and natural building techniques including a composting toilet, living roof, cob oven, solar panels, and use of recycled and salvaged materials in construction and a mosaic.

What kind of affiliation is proposed?

The proposed affiliation would create a new program area between Mariposa Food Co-op and Mill Creek Farm’s non-profit entity, while they remain independent organizations with independent Boards, etc.

What is in it for Mariposa in this relationship?

The affiliation would allow Mariposa Food Co-op’s education, food justice, and other charitable programs to operate under the 501(c)3 instead of under Mariposa’s operations budget (without having to set up a 501(c)3 from scratch, which Mariposa would not likely be able to do). This will build on an existing relationship that includes Mariposa workshifts at Mill Creek Farm, selling farm produce at the Baltimore Avenue store, and collaboration on educational programs.

How do members benefit? How does the community benefit?

The Mariposa Membership has an opportunity to play a key role in initiating a process that will benefit West Philadelphia and greater Philadelphia communities. Following in the footsteps of other food co-ops, Mariposa would support its membership and community through greater access to farming, education, internship programs, youth empowerment, and food justice activities. Our membership and our community will benefit from increased workshops and community events, and through opening up a new revenue stream to pay for these programs (which currently are paid for by Mariposa’s sales).

Isn’t Mariposa a Non-Profit?

Not really! Some businesses operate as not-for-profit, but being a tax-deductible non-profit is a specific Federal designation set aside for public service groups. The IRS code is “501(c)3.” Because all co-ops are owned by private individuals (even if some of their services- such as shopping- are open to the public), they are all barred from being treated like public, tax deductible organizations. (This means that, despite our good public works and community outreach, donations to Mariposa Food Co-op are not tax-deductible for donors and Mariposa is not eligible for certain grant funding.)

How much will this cost? Is it financially feasible?

Costs for this project will be carefully assessed by the Mariposa Board and Mariposa’s Finance Committee before enacting an affiliation.

Estimated cost for 2013, start-up: $15,000 contribution towards Executive Director salary, plus any legal fees associated with the logistics of creating a legal affiliation.

other costs: Future costs would be covered by revenue brought in through fundraising including individual donations, foundations, events, etc that the non-profit’s staff and board would be responsible for. Mariposa would not incur direct costs for this effort.

What are the other legal implications?

A lawyer supporting Mill Creek Farm with its affiliation explorations, and working on a pro-bono basis, is helping to highlight details regarding legal feasibility for Mariposa as well.

How can I get involved?

• Fill out our survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QVNRBZ5.
• Participate in the  Annual General Membership meeting on Sunday, March 3 at Calvary Church.

You may also donate to the Mill Creek Farm (which IS tax deductible ) by visiting this website: http://millcreekurbanfarm.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=4

California’s Prop 37 highlights the difference between GMOs and Organic foods

things worth noting/ zooming in about are the “natural products” lines on the left which were systematically bought out by corporations (such as Coca Cola, Pepsi, General Mills, and Kellogg) as part of their strategic green-washing campaigns.  Those supporting the organic food industry on the right of the poster include Organic Valley, Dr.Bronners, and Eden Foods.

 

For those of you voting in California, Prop 37 would require GMO labeling and increase transparency about the processes under which food is grown. Vote YES on Prop 37, November 6th.

This little news clip has more info:

 

Black Nature at Bartram’s Garden- Saturday March 24th

What: Black Nature at Bartram’s Garden

Join us as we explore the meaning of “black nature” and the connections between black identity and the environment. Panelists include Chris Bolden-Newsome, Third-generation Farmer, Food Justice Educator, Syd Carpenter, Gardener, Sculptor and Professor of Studio Art at Swarthmore College, Valerie Erwin, Chef and Proprietor at Geechee Girl Rice Cafe, Evie Shockley, Poet and Associate Professor of English at Rutgers University and Jeanne Thompson, Safety & Environmental Manager, BJ’s Wholesale Club.

When: Saturday, March 24th, 2012, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Where: Bartram’s Garden, 54th and Lindbergh Avenue http://www.bartramsgarden.org

Cost: Admission is a sliding scale of $5 – $10, or free for members.

RSVP: to kmassare@bartramsgarden.org or (215)729-5281.

Hope to see you there!

Milwaukee’s Growing Power Building Five Story Vertical Farm

From GROWING POWER in Milwaukee, WI:

Dear Friends,

Growing Power is undertaking something that has never been done before. We will build the first five-story vertical farm in the world. Our vertical farm will have south-facing greenhouse areas for the year-round production of plants, vegetables, and herbs. The building will provide educational classrooms, conference spaces, a demonstration kitchen, food processing and storage areas, freezers, and loading docks to further support our mission as a local and national resource for learning about urban sustainable food production. Administrative offices, volunteer spaces, and staff support areas will be closely connected to the greenhouse and educational areas to allow for active observation and participation. In essence, the vertical farm will be a hub of economic activity, community building, educational opportunities, and resource sharing for the Milwaukee community and the world.

Locally and globally, growing food naturally and sustainably has become a necessity more so than ever during these trying times. This is something we have to do in the future to be able to provide sustainable, high quality food to everyone in all situations. At Growing Power, we have proven that this model can be replicated. Ultimately, we are all responsible for making sure everyone has access to high quality food. A vertical farm will increase local food production and improve food access while creating thousands of jobs.

In Milwaukee, the Mayor and City Council support our vertical farm building and have passed the zoning requirements for Growing Power to build the five story vertical farm, which is located five blocks from the largest housing project in the city of Milwaukee. We invite you to join us. We’re in a capital campaign and asking for at least $25 or more to make our vertical farm a reality. Everyone can be a part of this solution. To show our appreciation, your name will be inscribed on a plaque that will be displayed at the vertical farm.

Learn More:

The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Youth bring local produce to West Philadelphia communities

The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Youth bring local produce to West Philadelphia communities.

Patrick Hulce | DP

 

The Youth Grower’s Market on Friday in West Philadelphia’s Malcolm X Park featured food grown by the community’s high-school students in their schools’ own farms. The market was organized in part by the Urban Nutrition Initiative, part of Penn’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships.

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This Friday, business-minded Philadelphia youth gathered at Malcolm X Park in West Philadelphia to bring healthy, local produce to their communities.

The Youth Grower’s Market was the last in the first season of these events organized by the Urban Nutrition Initiative — part of Penn’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships — which works with 75 high-school student interns to help them grow, cook and sell healthy food.

The market marked the first time different youth organizations from around the city ­— including Teens for Good and the Youth Urban Mobile Market — and UNI schools Sayre High School, Saul High School, Bartram High School and the School of the Future were brought together. The event saw about 15 high-school students selling produce they grew themselves.

The UNI works with students in Academically Based Community Service courses, as well as volunteers from Penn, to provide high-school students with mentoring and college preparation assistance. Students in the program also have the opportunity to travel to visit colleges and speak at food justice conferences.

The goal of the Youth Grower’s Market was to “bring healthy food to a neighborhood where it’s not otherwise readily available,” according to UNI Director Danny Gerber. “We found that youth farm stands have a great way of encouraging people to purchase produce, support the youth and engage in dialogue … it builds a sense of community around food,” he added.

Taj Jones, who is a manager of a YUMM bicycle-driven food cart, said that growing and selling produce at Youth Grower’s Markets has “helped [him] become a better public speaker, citizen and business leader.”

This summer, UNI also hosted a national conference at Penn that brought 150 youth leaders from over 20 states together to create a Youth Food Bill of Rights as part of their discussion of how youth can improve the food system, Tyler Holmberg, project director at Bartram’s Community Farm and Food Resource Center, said. “It was a forum for students to meet other youth doing this work … and work to increase access [to healthy food] in neighborhoods with high rates of diet-related diseases,” he said.

“This is a movement where young people are taking control of their food system,” Gerber added.

Mill Creek Farm on WHYY’s Radio Times, Sept 23rd

On Friday morning September 23rd, tune in to 10-11am EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) to Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane at WHYY (90.9 FM) to hear Jade Walker, Co-Director of the Mill Creek Urban Farm discuss food deserts and food justice.

The interview on Radio Times is following the Hunger Symposium that is being held by Philabundance on the 22nd. The other guests will likely be Mari Gallagher, a leading expert on food deserts, and Bill Clark, director of Philabundance.

Farmers Defend Right to Protect Themselves From Monsanto Patents

New York – August 11, 2011

The 83 family farmers, small and family owned seed businesses, and agricultural organizations challenging Monsanto’s patents on genetically modified seed filed papers in federal court today defending their right to seek legal protection from the threat of being sued by Monsanto for patent infringement should they ever become contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically modified seed. The Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) represents the plaintiffs in the suit, titled Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association (OSGATA), et al. v. Monsanto and pending in the Southern District of New York. Today’s filings respond to a motion filed by Monsanto in mid-July to have the case dismissed. In support of the plantiffs’ right to bring the case, 12 agricultural organizations also filed a friend-of-the-court amici brief.

“Rather than give a straight forward answer on whether they would sue our clients for patent infringement if they are ever contaminated by Monsanto’s transgenic seed, Monsanto has instead chosen to try to deny our clients the right to receive legal protection from the courts,” said Dan Ravicher, PUBPAT’s Executive Director. “Today’s filings include sworn statements by several of the plaintiffs themselves explaining to the court how the risk of contamination by transgenic seed is real and why they cannot trust Monsanto to not use an occurrence of contamination as a basis to accuse them of patent infringement.”

It is now virtually impossible for a U.S. farmer to grow crops of their choosing (corn, soybeans, canola, etc.) and remain GMO-free because of the numerous biological and human means by which seeds can spread. “Given the difficulties in minimizing GM contamination farmers must make numerous decisions about which steps are worthwhile for them and which steps are not. They are not able to make these decisions based on their own and their customers‘ interests, but must instead make these decisions with the threat of litigation from a giant corporation looming over their head,” Spiegel writes in the amici brief. “The constant threat of a patent infringement suit by Monsanto creates significant, unquantifiable costs for Plaintiff farmers and similarly situated farmers.” The plaintiffs can do everything possible to maintain non-contaminated seeds, and will very likely still become contaminated, and be placed under the threat of a lawsuit. As Monsanto’s domination of the seed industry grows, and the winds continue to disperse pollen from their GMO laced crops, the likelihood of contamination and lawsuits only increases.

Monsanto has stated that they would not sue farmers who were “inadvertently” contaminated or farmers whose crops contain “trace amounts” of GMO, however they have refused to sign a simple covenant not to sue, that would bring an effective end to the lawsuit.

Monsanto’s track record makes it clear that Monsanto intends to continue threatening and harassing farmers. “Monsanto has undertaken one of the most aggressive patent assertion campaigns in history,” wrote Ravicher. Monsanto admits to filing 128 lawsuits against farmers from 1997-2010, settling out of court with 700 others for an undisclosed amount. As Spiegel writes, “The passage of time and natural biological processes will inevitably lead to higher contamination levels, at which point Monsanto will have created a target-rich environment for its patent enforcement activities.”
Reposted from here.

In their brief, the amici describe some of the harmful effects of genetically modified seed and how easily GMOs can contaminate an organic or conventional farmer’s land. The organizations filing the amici brief were Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Ecological Farmers of Ontario, Fair Food Matters, International Organic Inspectors Association, Michigan Land Trustees, Natural Environment Ecological Management, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Association, Organic Council of Ontario, Slow Food USA, and Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association.

The brief filed by the plaintiffs in opposition to Monsanto’s motion to dismiss is available here.
The amici brief in support of the plaintiffs is available here.

The Unbearable Sadness of Winter Tomatoes

from boingboing:

Journalist Barry Estabrook has won two James Beard Awards for his writing about food. His newest book, called Tomatoland, is about … er … the tomato. More importantly, it’s about what it takes to grow food that can meet full-year, everywhere, low-cost demand and how the changes we’ve made to agriculture have both helped us and hurt us. You can read an excerpt, about growing tomatoes in Florida, at On Earth magazine. It’s a prime example of the kind of trade-offs Estabrook is talking about. To get a glistening red tomato in the depths of winter, you have to grow the fruit in a place and using techniques that pretty much ensure the tomatoes you do get won’t taste nearly as good as you want them to.

From a purely botanical and horticultural perspective, you would have to be an idiot to attempt to commercially grow tomatoes in a place like Florida. The seemingly insurmountable challenges start with the soil itself. Or more accurately, the lack of it. Although an area south of Miami has limestone gravel as a growing medium, the majority of the state’s tomatoes are raised in sand. Not sandy loam, not sandy soil, but pure sand, no more nutrient rich than the stuff vacationers like to wiggle their toes into on the beaches of Daytona and St. Pete.

Why bother trying to grow something as temperamental as a tomato in such a hostile environment?

The answer has nothing to do with horticulture and everything to do with money. Florida just happens to be warm enough for a tomato to survive at a time of year when the easily accessed population centers in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, with their hordes of tomato-starved consumers, are frigid, their fields frozen solid under carpets of snow. But for tomatoes to survive long enough to take advantage of that huge potential market, Florida growers have to wage what amounts to total war against the elements. Forget the Hague Convention: We’re talking about chemical, biological, and scorched-earth warfare against the forces of nature.