Author Archives: champ3

Advocacy & Systemic Thinking

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During this quarter, I had the opportunity to work with my group in aiding Slow Food Washington in raising awareness and support among the chapters in Washington for House Bill 2777 and Senate Bill 6463. If passed, the bills would regulate the use of micro-enterprise kitchens and permit the sale of food made in one’s home. This can provide a stream of income for those affected by the turbulent job market due to COVID-19, and empower individuals who are interested in starting a restaurant but lack the capital to do so. Through the experience, my group has learned about community mobilization and the importance of storytelling. We also learned about legislation advocacy strategies that aided in a similar bill in California gaining support and becoming law. My group specifically developed a Digital Media Strategy Toolkit that is able to be customized by the specific chapters. Through our project, we have been able to apply the theory to practice, and empower people through tangible acts of advocacy.

 

The front page of the 12 page document my group created for SlowFood Washington

This course has truly exemplified how important systemic thinking is, and is something that I will seek to bring into other subject areas. In the very beginning of the course, we discussed the pitfalls of Michael Pollen’s argument made from a privileged perspective, and the dangers of reductionism. To consider an issue by breaking it down and focusing on individual aspects is incredibly limiting. To fully digest connections and reveal the deeper “why” and historical context, it is critical to use systemic thinking. This time in history has been an unveiling to the injustices of our systems. For example, undocumented farm workers that are deemed essential are forgotten, as seen in the So Close to America documentary. The workers are the backbone of our food system yet are not given the protections needed.  In addition, this is a time of great unrest and pain and is an opportunity for significant systemic change, which can bring forward sustainable change that will benefit disenfranchised groups.

Carbon Farming and Systemic Thinking

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In response to Adeline Ellison’s “Spare the Till – Carbon Farming’s Impact on the Climate”

In her post, Adeline discusses an article that highlights carbon farming as a potential opportunity to mitigate environmental damage and combat climate change. Adeline states, “the excitement of a revolutionary idea (and the potential for profit) can get ahead of the actual science.” She goes on to say that there is “potential for groups to continue to back a science that may not be entirely sound”. The science does however seem to be “sound”, as the article itself stated that the National Academies of Sciences’ research suggested that soil sequestration could remove 250 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year in the US, and could provide nearly 10 percent of carbon reduction needed to avoid a 2-degree increase in temperature if implemented globally (Popkin).

The idea of implementing practices that contribute to soil regeneration and thus a carbon sink should be a non-issue. I do agree that systemic thinking is required, especially since stopping CO2 creation at the source is more effective than attempts to tend to the issue with a band-aid solution. Monica Price’s system mapping video and class visit demonstrated that complicated issues need be regarded in whole systems approach. She discussed root causes, feedback loops, and causal loop diagraming. Understanding feedback loops can help mitigate the tendency for people to blame stakeholders in a system. For example, farmers should not be blamed, as they are simply acting rationally in a capitalist society and have their own livelihoods at stake.

In addition, it is also important to consider that adjusting one part of a system can have a domino effect to other connected issues. If policy encourages soil regeneration, local economies can be revitalized and boost the overall wellbeing of communities.

Monica Price Food Map:

https://kumu.io/monicapc/food-system-vision-2050-oct2019#food-system-vision-2050/quality-amount-of-soil-and-water

Original article:

https://thefern.org/2020/03/is-carbon-farming-a-climate-boon-or-boondoggle/

A Refocusing Around Connection

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During this time marked by unpredictability and unease, I have found it increasingly difficult to feel focused and centered. My mind is often scattered and future-oriented, obsessed with planning and a seemingly endless to-do list. The contemplative practices have allowed me to slow down, and digest my own experience. As a participant in our capitalist society, I have been trained to take in and consume as much information as possible. I have felt an internal and external pressure to be achieving something at all times, and fill my schedule with enough activities to deem a day “productive”. I have been able to really reevaluate and think about what is important to me. I value community and connection, and participating in the practices has made me more grounded. I have also felt a greater connectedness to the world around me. The practices have helped me increase my systemic thinking, which will be necessary when considering solutions to the many issues of our food system. To think of solutions for mitigating the climate crisis in the context of our agriculture system requires a systemic approach. While one solution such as eliminating fertilizer use on farms may make ecological sense, it is critical to also consider the livelihoods and exude compassion towards the farmers involved.

There is immense hypocrisy revealed especially during the global pandemic, as undocumented farm workers are the backbone to our agricultural food system have no protections provided to them yet are deemed “essential”. Through reflection and my increased conscientious, I have also developed a greater appreciation towards the people and work involved that go into producing food.

Photo source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/us/coronavirus-undocumented-immigrant-farmworkers-agriculture.html

Urban Farms’ Rapid Response to COVID-19

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The spread of COVID-19 has unveiled our problematic and inequitable systems of society. It has also demonstrated great opportunity to change our current systems- such as rethinking and appreciating food. Royte’s article brings to light the importance of urban farming and how smaller, more accessible farms that are tied by place to the communities that they serve is beneficial, especially during a global pandemic.

Urban farms are extremely productive, and can produce a variety of crops in a densely populated space. The author describes in detail regarding the logistical adaptations and challenges of a 2.75 and 1.5 acre farms based in Brooklyn, New York. It was interesting to hear about how food systems are being impacted especially such a highly effected area that is increasingly experiencing immense loss in their community. The farms have launched delivery options, and have traded more labor-intensive crops, such as snap peas and microgreens to others that are suited for home cooking and grocery stores. A community supported agricultural model (CSA) was also described, where customers can pay up front for a guarantee box of fresh produce every week, which ultimately can provide much needed income to farmers who normally rely on in-person farmer’s markets or storefronts to sell crops.

To rely on a monopoly food corporation or national food distribution chain is a dangerous dice to roll, especially in a global pandemic. To have ultimate rule over a national distribution chain is a lot of pressure and responsibility when a chaotic event occurs, and overall has historically consolidated wealth and power. I believe that small urban farms can adapt and pivot quickly in a time of crisis in order to serve a community, and put more power into the hands of the people. Urban farms are the future!

Original article: https://thefern.org/ag_insider/virus-is-changing-how-urban-farms-operate-and-even-what-they-grow/