Deconstructing Dinner: The Local Grain Revolution IX

Since March 2008, Deconstructing Dinner has featured The Local Grain Revolution – a series tracking the evolution of Canada’s first community supported agriculture (CSA) project for grain. The CSA completed its first year in the end of 2008 following a commitment by 3 farmers in the Creston Valley of British Columbia who planted 15 acres of grain for 180 members and 1 business. On this ninth episode, we continue with our detailed coverage of the CSA’s evolution and zero in once again on some of the meetings of the CSA’s steering committee as they discuss year two of the project.

My Pet Goats

This summer I’ve had the opportunity to plant, cultivate and harvest two 30×40-yard gardens on a small, sustainable farm. What I didn’t plan on was falling in love with the goats there and gaining some insight into a spirituality of food.

Drought stalks India

The first reports of drought-related suicides have begun filtering in from the district press. Farmers in the eastern coastal state of Andhra Pradesh are taking their own lives – the toll is said to be 20 farmers over the last 40 days. The state is one amongst many which has so far been forsaken by the South-West monsoon in 2009…An official with the state agriculture department has called the conditions the worst in 50 years. But the state government has still not declared Andhra Pradesh as hit by drought. Such declarations have in India become politically charged positions that the state ruling is forced to take, instead of being policy conclusions that can quickly bring relief and rehabilitation.