Thursday, March 8, 2012

City Farmers


I love this video! I find it amazing that this film was produced in 1996. While you can argue that the urban agriculture/gardening/greening movement has now become mainstream, gentrified and chic even, this film is a great reminder that the seeds for this movement were originally sown by ordinary people in the community who wanted nothing more than to rid their neighborhoods of junk filled abandoned lots and have a place to grow food.

When you listen to these gardeners tell their stories, it's interesting to hear how many of them love their gardens because it reminds them of simpler times - perhaps of their childhood and their parents or grandparents who also farmed or had gardens. I think that in large part explains why I personally love gardening so much.

4 comments:

  1. Great video Thomas! I just love the look on their faces when they talk about gardening!

    I looked up Green Thumb and it is the largest Community Garden program in the nation! Great Program!

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  2. What an inspiring video. Like Robin said, they all have a look of contentment and excitement and happiness when they talk about it. That's the way it should be. Sure it's work, but we all know it's so worth it in the end. I'm going to have to look up Green Thumb...

    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I am always amazed at how much growing food can create contentment and grow communities. My involvement as the garden coordinator for our local Giving Garden project has been immensely rewarding on so many levels.

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  4. I was raving to my mother about the urban garden projects in Berlin, Germany, where I live (http://www.smart-urban-stage.com/blog/future-of-the-city/city-soil/), and although she agreed that they sounded very cool, she very coolly said, "Oh yeah, like Intervale." I love that Burlington, small as it is, has had a community garden for so many years (for so many years, perhaps, that I didn't realize what a revolutionary thing it was). Love my home stage, love my current city.

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