Brummet's Conscious Blog

-- Recommended Resources --  Tis the season... for inspiring thoughts on gardening, landscaping and youth/senior/volunteer programs that green up communities. In fact, our seed orders are coming in the mail box and while we had a freak storm pass through where blizzard winds and snow packed against the windows, I sat infatuated by seed packets and catalogue descriptions spread out on the floor before me.  http://www.ted.com/talks/ann_cooper_talks_school_lunches This speaker, Ann Cooper, shares some fantastic statistics (American) on what schools are offering for lunch, how that is contributing to both academic and health issues in our young citizens, and some great examples of what innovative schools are doing about it. I thought this group might be interested in this for several reasons -getting local youth tours happening for local growers/producers/manufacturers -getting youth volunteer (hands on learning) opportunities for classes, home schoolers,...

-- Quote of the Day -- “… My biggest thing about communicating in the gardening world is to empower people. I think in this time in our country everybody seems just a little depressed and boxed in, and a little bit helpless - like they just don’t have any control. I think they find it surprising when they realize that they have control over things like their food. …When I was being raised you got food from the store… I never saw anybody gardening to supplement their meals or even saving seed. I love showing people that they can supplement their food source and feel a sense of control.  …When you can show neighbors that [composting] can be attractive, that there is no smell, and that you have this gorgeous soil… you can positively affect change that way. …Hosting a seed or seedling party is always fun, and when you host one of those it is just like a cookie swap, where everybody can walk past the tables picking out what they need. …There are a lot of people out there ...