Today I decided to skip work to attend the Master Gardener monthly meeting. I have never been to one before, as I only recently graduated the UC Master Garden program. This particular class was on my side of town, in Venice, CA actually, so I had committed to attending. It was actually 2 meetings as the other one was one for the Grow LA Victory garden program that I wanted to take part in. The topics today covered composting and Seed saving. Both I am interested in but the topic of Seed really gets me. What is your thought on the subject of the Seed?
I am really attached to the idea of seed freedom. Have you ever read the Declaration on Seed Freedom http://seedfreedom.info/declaration-on-seed-freedom/. What was startling was to learn the decline over the past 100 years in our variety of seeds locally available. As an example, sweet corn, in 1903, had 307 varieties available and in 1983 12 or tomatoes in 1903, had 408 varieties, in 1983 just 79. And this trend is shrinking it down even more as corporations stamp ownership on seeds and creating sterile seeds. I became a member of the Seed Library of LA and learned about seedalliance.org.
Now are you ready to choose 1 variety to Sheppard into next generation? Get involved!!
After class I went straight to Manchester Square to meet up with the group I volunteer with. We adopted this area and visit twice a month with sandwiches and pet food. While I was down there I checked in on a gal, who has been fighting a heroin addiction, she has been waiting for a county bed to open up. It was bittersweet to see her still on the streets but only due to no bed available yet, she is already getting off heroin. Another gal, shared that she had been sober 6 days. Off everything! She told me how she read a letter that her boyfriends daughter wrote to her boyfriend. After that, she decided to stop using drugs and drinking. I hope both of them well.
One guy asked me, what do I get out of helping them. I said it is just the right thing to do. I shared with him other options available to him. If people want to work there are organic farms all over the country who need help and will trade a place to plug their RV in and free food, along with the BLM land. You could live a rich life with some planning.
My day is filled with learning and gratitude. I use each day to gather more for the journey ahead.
I will leave you with this, “Seed freedom is the basis of food freedom. Since seed is the first link in the food chain.”