Growing Civic Fruit: Josephine Community Libraries April 8, 2015

Growing Civic Fruit

Kristen Reya Steele, Eden Regeneration AlliancePresentation for Josephine Community Libraries – I.V. Branch, April 8, 2015

Introducing ERA

Eden Regeneration Alliance (ERA) shares research, technology, and resources to support the transformation from a food system that harms the health of people and the planet, to one that brings people and food together creating health and harmony.

We are in a food crisis

Meanwhile…

How can this be?

What stands between people and food?

Why are we here?Food Production Has Evolved to Separate People from Food

1790: Population: 3,929,214; farmers 90% of labor1840: Population: 17,069,453; farmers 69% of labor1850: Population: 23,191,786; farmers 64% of labor1860: Population: 31,443,321; farmers 58% of labor1910: Population: 91,972,266; farmers 31% of labor1920: Population: 105,710,620; farmers 27% of labor force1940: Population: 131,820,000; farmers 18% of labor1950: Population: 151,132,000; farmers 12.2% of labor1960: Population: 180,007,000; farmers 8.3% of labor1970: Population: 204,335,000; farmers 4.6% of labor1980: Population: 227,020,000; farmers 3.4% of labor1990: Population: 261,423,000; farmers 2.6% of labor

Today’s food production often starts like this:

And becomes this…

To feed thes……and this.

So ?Consequence: We Eat What is Available to Us

Consequence: Food Desert is a New Term

Consequence: 23.5 Million Americans Live in Food Deserts

Is it any wonder?

What future are we growing for our children?

ProductionIt’s been done before!

MWe can do it again!

We can rapidly shift the story about food:

“…a revolution could begin.” -

In my opinion, if 100% of the people were farming it would be ideal. If each person were given one quarter-acre, that is 1 1/4 acres to a family of five, that would be more than enough land to support the family for the whole year. If natural farming were practiced, a farmer would also have plenty of time for leisure and social activities within the village community. I think this is the most direct path toward making this country a happy, pleasant land.” Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution

Back to our roots, and fruits…Let us ask what foods promote maximum health and vitality.

It’s waiting for us to growA Healthy abundant future is already growing…

• http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://theorigami.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Fruit-picking-Diana-Duzbayeva.jpg&imgrefurl=http://theorigami.ca/2013/10/26/full-measure-happiness-kazakhstan/&h=3120&w=2696&tbnid=87L6GEcTRmwJ1M:&zoom=1&docid=D3X6RWcIrLM_iM&ei=alYlVfnQE8-wogTR_4CQDw&tbm=isch&ved=0CGsQMygyMDI

Neighbors exchange seeds and fruit trees for free

Humboldt County, CA

Yes, in a food forest we can• End world hunger• Heal all sickness and disease• Reforest the world• Cool the planet• Increase rainfall• Restore our connection to Mother Earth• Build community• Restore abundant food sources for all beings• Restore beauty to Earth• Restore harmony on Earth• Free people from wage slavery so they are free to live through love and

commit to service their community and Spirit rather than serving false idols of money and government

Fruit is falling on sidewalksIn Los Angeles, CA

Incredible Edible Transforms Civic SpaceIn Edmonton, UK

It’s a Civic Fruit PartyIn Boston, MA

Streetscapes transform into food forestsIn South Central Los Angeles

Imagine a world where fruit is growing all around…

Imagine a world where…

Kristen Reya [email protected]

541-415-1185www.MissionEden.net

Bee Fruitful!

Thanks for Listening!