Growing Conversation Newsletter
Spread the word, share information, keep the conversation growing

Subscribe to Our Newsletter! [http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1103032892187]
The Growing Conversation newsletter is about exploring issues of sustainability
(especially related to local food and farms). We won't sell your
e-mail, we'll try not to nag you too much, and please know that we're
just working hard for a sustainable (and yummy!) tomorrow. Send events, articles
 and announcements to growingconversation@gmail.com.

Put it on your calendar!
Friday Evening lectures from the Divine Earth Gardening Project
7-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at King's Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma
Details: Speaker Kelda Miller [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbu3RDHOr7J2EOwBbuO_imy9UXyxJ6dDU-idxgNDR01iBmLincJgdctPGs5VqyiTkW2hgz7S_0jiHmFVVYTk-_wOW3bmceM8UeTiaHY9kQtMG4GTFUr0kO4EUNDYoavR-k=]
will discuss "The Ethics of Permaculture." Permaculture is distinct from other design
systems by having a strong grounding in ethics. Learn how these ethics shape work
locally, and globally, to have an impact that truly empowers people and restores
 ecosystems.
Pierce Conservation District Annual Meeting features Paul Stamets - How Mushrooms
Can Save the World
5-7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb 24, Puyallup
Paul Stamets is a local Olympia area mycologist (fungi scientist), author, and founder
of Fungi Perfecti.
Please RSVP for details and to reserve your spot! (253) 845-9770.
Tacoma's First Permaculture Design Course
February through September
Cost: $100 deposit (full cost is $800-$650, sliding scale)
Details: Permaculture is a solutions-oriented approach to sustainable living. It
 honors diverse earth-based traditions while nurturing a positive vision of our 
collective future. This course will have more than 100 hours of education. Participants
who attend all classes and complete a final project will get a Permaculture Design
Certificate. The goal is that students will come away with an overview of many sustainability
techniques, how they work together, how to prioritize strategies, and where to look
for more informaiton in their own designs.
Contact: Patricia at (253) 565-2599 or sustainabletacomapierce@gmail.com
For more information: http://www.divinearthgp.com/?page_id=360  [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFa2yXZKcjywlbZCMUbCc_iqvnX_FiihBgjFP-zXI1_U8T1YOFOntgLh9ShPxzjNKp4Kkv_xg0p_UwRozPI95d22Ztox22feyx_BQGMfQaUbGTIF_UqoLqPRdW4eivbZYdo=]
South Sound Sustainability Summit & Expo 2010
March 12 & 13 at Pacific Lutheran University
More information to come.
FRESH the movie! Hosted by Tacoma Public Library and Tahoma Food Policy Coaltion
7-9 p.m. Monday, March 15, Main Branch of Tacoma Public Library
FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are
re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our
 agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination,
environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging
healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future 
of our food and our planet. Among several main characters, FRESH features urban 
farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthurs 2008 Genius Award; 
sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollans
book, The Omnivores Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our 
Wal-Mart dominated economy.
http://www.freshthemovie.com/
Tacoma Community Garden Summit
All day Saturday, March 20
More details to come!

Conversation Starters
Family travel five: Febrary's a great month to plant the seeds of greatness
By Lynn O'Rourke Hayes / Feb. 15, 2010 / The Dallas Morning News
February has been deemed "plant the seeds of greatness month" in an
effort to encourage Americans to examine their goals and make changes
where desired. Use this opportunity to spark a conversation within your
family and then forge ahead. Learn a new skill, explore new territory
or give back to your community.
Read the entire article here:http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/consumer/outdoors/story/1071181.html
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbLOZaRmGf4r0OYcOZfs5412tq6j51YNuo-BhUMC0cfa3QLZK10ks4rdnM8m_fasp_3D9o4aJA2JLsWMVrpKbr2e8-_HpOJZbEXjI3BZFjPfJiuDBIITwJyHCXkSRKqbLuSUrGzF07UBIiSlfEDmgHWH2chgDhz9GrSfb2ExNh8mcn2_T97KtbpOXXZJrh6SKs=]
Urban farmers fight nationwide to sow green biz
By Raquel Maria Dillon / Feb. 5, 2010 / The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Tara Kolla fancied herself a green thumb-turned-green businesswoman
when she planted an organic flower plot in her yard and sold poppies, sweet peas
 and zinnias at the local farmers market. For her neighbors, it was an eyesore. 
... Where Kolla saw her efforts as creating a lush sanctuary, her neighbors witnessed
dusty pots, steaming compost, flies and a funky aroma on their tiny cul-de-sac in
Los Angeles. they complained the zoning officials - and prevailed.
Read the entire article here:http://www.thenewstribune.com/apheadlines/business/story/1057760.html
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbyOMwcMto7-QznUK4oT0lDfJfVfp-69Kzv11GKTqNd3BJTAFIXq_qksYwl_crcWv2J4OuZa6K4V1nUSLD4-CQZWqDS19eBw3SrRknxqYbrqWnIcavenx9wDTeGtHYd4DQzpDrEVk4d_lUCNmNh3m1u5BsahVzsLbM6vOJuQOo6Xg==]
"Food Rules: A Completely Different Way to Fix the Health Care Crisis
By Michale Pollan / Jan. 5, 2010 / HuffingtonPost.com
The idea for this book came from a doctor--a couple of them, as a
matter of fact. They had read my last book, "In Defense of Food", which
ended with a handful of tips for eating well: simple ways to navigate
the treacherous landscape of modern food and the often-confusing
science of nutrition. "What I would love is a pamphlet I could hand to
my patients with some rules for eating wisely," they would say. "I
don't have time for the big nutrition lecture and, anyway, they really
don't need to know what an antioxidant is in order to eat wisely."
Another doctor, a transplant cardiologist, wrote to say "you can't
imagine what I see on the insides of people these days wrecked by
eating food products instead of food." So rather than leaving his heart
patients with yet another prescription or lecture on cholesterol, he
gives them a simple recipe for roasting a chicken, and getting three
wholesome meals out of it -- a very different way of thinking about
health.
Read the entire article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.php?id=410173
 [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFZ9M7FDl720brQev-toHaaFGTUJEIKKgrgKKqQ5A159d3iteqccVBPubXA5LmXrgP40QUJ26-BRVLMie08_G1RMrkRM_1jfDD7xHs6NbTh2DFafC2AxJeeuql0Y8zEmghuQpJSL0tB6VjAoQw1T2jFQ]
Can local food jump-start the economy?
By Jane Black / Dec. 9, 2009 / The Washington Post
Gourmands have long embraced local food because it's the right thing
to do. But a new report says consumers should view local food
enterprises as profitable startups that are key to economic growth and
recovery. ... Published today by nonprofits the Wallace Center [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbya0HarM4ggcDYCqFtFe6bN4SU6b0rSFhSpTpMM9MIx9Pgvk7kJRhRfGtCqFFeBj5cshlPWf8UNW2yIyCe_dR7cC2yR33CsqDGlmIxb_5zhg==]
 and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFaXVTlehxfSJeTeUY4-YFFZR5THCpJMm8BnXG1mUlYI-_0mhtYxkIv264WASrmGclLK8dmG62wKQE893mGnMnToQWGHqExSWOtwdNJHjEMqq0GVjG5MqVfE]the
survey looks at 24 community food enterprises, including the Weaver
Street Market in North Carolina's Research Triangle and Zingerman's,
the well-known deli in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Read the entire article here: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/sustainable-food/can-local-food-jumpstart-the-economy.html
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFa6MERWAyrtJ9XjDrnOA4-88t_Cy0qCQyL31DEKGGj_LZM1UwkiZoNKgMypwtZLuJamu621cziyr1xNbMGTDcYZgb6TxPov2tavssyyrfQXTkrlOq11IZRMBBiTqioc7UoKQFfUYkvHFhveklUgbJW6vSP-G-elDOwq6jiHoxDkd_-PlRLXnF1GemJ_G2HdIfNWgRWJQ5ZQTquoYXGdpx9u]
Good food nation: MIT researchers think America's obesity epidemic can be reversed
via "foodsheds," in which healthier, more affordable food is produced and consumed
regionally.
By Peter Dizikes / Nov. 10, 2009 / MIT News Office
In the last three decades, childhood obesity in the United States has
become a massive public-health problem. According to the Centers for
Disease Control, between 1980 and 2006 the percentage of obese
teenagers in the United States grew from 5 to 18, while the percentage
of pre-teens suffering from obesity increased from 7 to 17. Such
children often become overweight adults, leaving themselves especially
susceptible to heart illness, Type 2 diabetes, strokes, and some forms
of cancer.
Read the entire article here: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/foodshed.html [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFZ3vZmhScSWS2wdd7OyMzELIA6zN1PrQFSWcmvnfbEtg7z5Bbb4vn1Rl3g8rcuFeIwOeVQON9KSXxd6MUDGjym_QfeVdCG_7-qyht6Tkui8C14z5piVnLCG1UzHQGIAuFwo3coOnLTC5g==]
Cooking Round the Table with Local Food Bloggers
By Marcie Sillman / Oct. 20, 2009 / Kuow.org
Fire up the stove! Three of Seattle's food bloggers talk about baking, blogging 
and finding true love through food. what happens when you open your kitchen to the
world? Guests include Molly Wizenberg, who writes for the blog Orangette; Shauna
 James Ahern, who writes the blog Gluten Free Girl; and Rebekah Denn, who blogs 
on Eat All About it.
Hear the entire podcast here:  http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=18607 [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFY9FOmiczCSCdUttl8pUkQ7w5rx_1VqtEQQ7h8sNfUnHbWBA97Egl9okH1tZtcxqBVWQbuPe4SS3vMAd24X7DOtFHY6ExhnOhrg9nnz5qQGqEgclqXds39eyl7SWBuuits=]
Aligning Food Systems Policies to Advance Public Health
By Mark Muller, Angie Tagtow, Susan L. Roberts and Erin MacDougall / July 2009
Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition
The involvement of public health professionals in food and agricultural
policy provides tremendous opportunities for advancing the public's
health. It is particularly challenging, however, for professionals to
understand and consider the numerous policy drivers that impact the
food system, which range from agricultural commodity policies to local
food safety ordinances. Confronted with this complexity in the food
system, policy advocates often focus on narrow objectives with
disregard for the larger system. This commentary contends that, in
order to be most effective, public health professionals need to
consider the full range of interdependent policies that affect the
system. Food policy councils have proven to be an effective tool,
particularly at the local and state level, for developing comprehensive
food systems policies that can improve public health.
Read the entire article here: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a917704259
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbfC0oww5V0gpdiiW3vOPSfmFjHX9TAyC3e9T6sFzK9TCR076Kx7WdlnV9X1fAQgGe3emUFMEVpR8Gwy8D4ULaMzanbZxjgLgU8kxDcIF1nin7385R11e7bXlBsvcCnlgNGc6_6pO39cxC4R1uW5_EeRc2jVpTagQTUu2Qq4FmGspCSRLumV-kO]
"The girls" next door
By Debbie Cafazzo / May 9, 2009 / The News Tribune
In cities and suburbs around the country, chicken coops now claim equal billing 
with icons like the swing set or the barbecue. ... What
was once the province of true farmers or back-to-nature hippies has
become the new American way. Everybody, it seems, is flocking to the
backyard chicken movement.
Read the entire article here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/home/story/735995.html
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFarFMM0fPi7qCDWDoJ3Q1VtdZY0dHoSpPkd2nCnRRFVdR9pAFUVVkf-nTD3ap32ubJeR9k1ukI-QtCQcBfJ6ZRtKkmEawCazKv_OfPFJAKNk0rl4EG3p3FqkHIv7MaPGxlcmhBwEqkMR4xGgpZUAqM97TfpHVZJyFA=]

Spread the word, share the information, keep the conversation growing ...

Sincerely,

Alicia Lawver
Editor, Growing Conversation

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001XqiOmN3J1DC3bNOwxaL5GSWHN8KeX5d2talf3zGxAhccDTWaUpVx4p7bXcIkEm112IizQuJI4KDFADX0DMugLTH8Li0KBjdebbK57o19drKDWZPVUzPUmnsQ9IqzvvDc ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Growing Conversation Newsletter Spread the word, share information, keep the conversation growing ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vol. IV, Issue 1 February 17, 2010 In This Issue Put it on Your Calendar! Locals in the News Conversation Starters Opportunities ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subscribe to Our Newsletter! [http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1103032892187] The Growing Conversation newsletter is about exploring issues of sustainability (especially related to local food and farms). We won't sell your e-mail, we'll try not to nag you too much, and please know that we're just working hard for a sustainable (and yummy!) tomorrow. Send events, articles and announcements to growingconversation@gmail.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Greetings! It feels like spring, so what better time to awaken from a long winter's nap kick this newsletter back into gear in a new and improved way. To those who might be new to this newsletter or who have forgotten what it's about (sorry about the lapse in newsletters), a quick revisit to the past ... The Growing Conversation newsletter is about anything related to local food, local farms, community gardens, kitchen gardens, or even growing a few herbs on that sunny spot on your patio. The focus is in and around Pierce County, but even those of our friends afar will generally find something interesting in our "Conversation Starters" section. Enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Put it on your calendar! Friday Evening lectures from the Divine Earth Gardening Project 7-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at King's Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma Details: Speaker Kelda Miller [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbu3RDHOr7J2EOwBbuO_imy9UXyxJ6dDU-idxgNDR01iBmLincJgdctPGs5VqyiTkW2hgz7S_0jiHmFVVYTk-_wOW3bmceM8UeTiaHY9kQtMG4GTFUr0kO4EUNDYoavR-k=] will discuss "The Ethics of Permaculture." Permaculture is distinct from other design systems by having a strong grounding in ethics. Learn how these ethics shape work locally, and globally, to have an impact that truly empowers people and restores ecosystems. Pierce Conservation District Annual Meeting features Paul Stamets - How Mushrooms Can Save the World 5-7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb 24, Puyallup Paul Stamets is a local Olympia area mycologist (fungi scientist), author, and founder of Fungi Perfecti. Please RSVP for details and to reserve your spot! (253) 845-9770. Tacoma's First Permaculture Design Course February through September Cost: $100 deposit (full cost is $800-$650, sliding scale) Details: Permaculture is a solutions-oriented approach to sustainable living. It honors diverse earth-based traditions while nurturing a positive vision of our collective future. This course will have more than 100 hours of education. Participants who attend all classes and complete a final project will get a Permaculture Design Certificate. The goal is that students will come away with an overview of many sustainability techniques, how they work together, how to prioritize strategies, and where to look for more informaiton in their own designs. Contact: Patricia at (253) 565-2599 or sustainabletacomapierce@gmail.com For more information: http://www.divinearthgp.com/?page_id=360 [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFa2yXZKcjywlbZCMUbCc_iqvnX_FiihBgjFP-zXI1_U8T1YOFOntgLh9ShPxzjNKp4Kkv_xg0p_UwRozPI95d22Ztox22feyx_BQGMfQaUbGTIF_UqoLqPRdW4eivbZYdo=] South Sound Sustainability Summit & Expo 2010 March 12 & 13 at Pacific Lutheran University More information to come. FRESH the movie! Hosted by Tacoma Public Library and Tahoma Food Policy Coaltion 7-9 p.m. Monday, March 15, Main Branch of Tacoma Public Library FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet. Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthurs 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollans book, The Omnivores Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy. http://www.freshthemovie.com/ Tacoma Community Garden Summit All day Saturday, March 20 More details to come! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Locals in the news South Tacoma to get farmers market: Seasonal market to open June 20 By Sue Kidd / Jan. 27, 2010 / The News Tribune Coming to South Tacoma this summer: a new farmers market. The seasonal market will operate on Sundays, with an opening date of June 20. the market intends to start small with room for less than 40 vendors. Most vendor spaces will be dedicated to farmers selling produce, with space for a few vendors selling prepared foods. Read the entire article here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/food/story/1045533.html What will their garden grow? Schools' partnership to teach science to kids of all ages By Venice Buhain / Feb. 15, 2010 / The Olympian OLYMPIA - Young sprouts of various sorts will grow and develop in the new classroom garden at Madison Elementary School. ... Last week, students at Madison, with the help from parents, residential neighbors and Avanti High School, the alternative high school next door, converted a plot of muddy lawn into the Madison-Avanti Community Garden, which features raised flower or vegetable beds - enough for at least one per grade - and a seating area for classrooms. Read the entire article here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/partners/theolympian/story/1070978.html [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFZBaLi1J3c_R-oQOJTrJOb6KIhoGbELOKMSJnD5B9l7wybvo2dIV-4wS6USyMWBykLIN98fPEBE3gvmeE8MWcvqpitWUytRpu1HMt0l00kjw3tccP56-CUtTjjOWJtCrhTSMyr2A3QV6eCvcHLBPV2MQgV5A3VX-ZdxhYIUHNirsw==] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Conversation Starters Family travel five: Febrary's a great month to plant the seeds of greatness By Lynn O'Rourke Hayes / Feb. 15, 2010 / The Dallas Morning News February has been deemed "plant the seeds of greatness month" in an effort to encourage Americans to examine their goals and make changes where desired. Use this opportunity to spark a conversation within your family and then forge ahead. Learn a new skill, explore new territory or give back to your community. Read the entire article here:http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/consumer/outdoors/story/1071181.html [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbLOZaRmGf4r0OYcOZfs5412tq6j51YNuo-BhUMC0cfa3QLZK10ks4rdnM8m_fasp_3D9o4aJA2JLsWMVrpKbr2e8-_HpOJZbEXjI3BZFjPfJiuDBIITwJyHCXkSRKqbLuSUrGzF07UBIiSlfEDmgHWH2chgDhz9GrSfb2ExNh8mcn2_T97KtbpOXXZJrh6SKs=] Urban farmers fight nationwide to sow green biz By Raquel Maria Dillon / Feb. 5, 2010 / The Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Tara Kolla fancied herself a green thumb-turned-green businesswoman when she planted an organic flower plot in her yard and sold poppies, sweet peas and zinnias at the local farmers market. For her neighbors, it was an eyesore. ... Where Kolla saw her efforts as creating a lush sanctuary, her neighbors witnessed dusty pots, steaming compost, flies and a funky aroma on their tiny cul-de-sac in Los Angeles. they complained the zoning officials - and prevailed. Read the entire article here:http://www.thenewstribune.com/apheadlines/business/story/1057760.html [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbyOMwcMto7-QznUK4oT0lDfJfVfp-69Kzv11GKTqNd3BJTAFIXq_qksYwl_crcWv2J4OuZa6K4V1nUSLD4-CQZWqDS19eBw3SrRknxqYbrqWnIcavenx9wDTeGtHYd4DQzpDrEVk4d_lUCNmNh3m1u5BsahVzsLbM6vOJuQOo6Xg==] "Food Rules: A Completely Different Way to Fix the Health Care Crisis By Michale Pollan / Jan. 5, 2010 / HuffingtonPost.com The idea for this book came from a doctor--a couple of them, as a matter of fact. They had read my last book, "In Defense of Food", which ended with a handful of tips for eating well: simple ways to navigate the treacherous landscape of modern food and the often-confusing science of nutrition. "What I would love is a pamphlet I could hand to my patients with some rules for eating wisely," they would say. "I don't have time for the big nutrition lecture and, anyway, they really don't need to know what an antioxidant is in order to eat wisely." Another doctor, a transplant cardiologist, wrote to say "you can't imagine what I see on the insides of people these days wrecked by eating food products instead of food." So rather than leaving his heart patients with yet another prescription or lecture on cholesterol, he gives them a simple recipe for roasting a chicken, and getting three wholesome meals out of it -- a very different way of thinking about health. Read the entire article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.php?id=410173 [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFZ9M7FDl720brQev-toHaaFGTUJEIKKgrgKKqQ5A159d3iteqccVBPubXA5LmXrgP40QUJ26-BRVLMie08_G1RMrkRM_1jfDD7xHs6NbTh2DFafC2AxJeeuql0Y8zEmghuQpJSL0tB6VjAoQw1T2jFQ] Can local food jump-start the economy? By Jane Black / Dec. 9, 2009 / The Washington Post Gourmands have long embraced local food because it's the right thing to do. But a new report says consumers should view local food enterprises as profitable startups that are key to economic growth and recovery. ... Published today by nonprofits the Wallace Center [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbya0HarM4ggcDYCqFtFe6bN4SU6b0rSFhSpTpMM9MIx9Pgvk7kJRhRfGtCqFFeBj5cshlPWf8UNW2yIyCe_dR7cC2yR33CsqDGlmIxb_5zhg==] and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFaXVTlehxfSJeTeUY4-YFFZR5THCpJMm8BnXG1mUlYI-_0mhtYxkIv264WASrmGclLK8dmG62wKQE893mGnMnToQWGHqExSWOtwdNJHjEMqq0GVjG5MqVfE]the survey looks at 24 community food enterprises, including the Weaver Street Market in North Carolina's Research Triangle and Zingerman's, the well-known deli in Ann Arbor, Mich. Read the entire article here: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/sustainable-food/can-local-food-jumpstart-the-economy.html [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFa6MERWAyrtJ9XjDrnOA4-88t_Cy0qCQyL31DEKGGj_LZM1UwkiZoNKgMypwtZLuJamu621cziyr1xNbMGTDcYZgb6TxPov2tavssyyrfQXTkrlOq11IZRMBBiTqioc7UoKQFfUYkvHFhveklUgbJW6vSP-G-elDOwq6jiHoxDkd_-PlRLXnF1GemJ_G2HdIfNWgRWJQ5ZQTquoYXGdpx9u] Good food nation: MIT researchers think America's obesity epidemic can be reversed via "foodsheds," in which healthier, more affordable food is produced and consumed regionally. By Peter Dizikes / Nov. 10, 2009 / MIT News Office In the last three decades, childhood obesity in the United States has become a massive public-health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control, between 1980 and 2006 the percentage of obese teenagers in the United States grew from 5 to 18, while the percentage of pre-teens suffering from obesity increased from 7 to 17. Such children often become overweight adults, leaving themselves especially susceptible to heart illness, Type 2 diabetes, strokes, and some forms of cancer. Read the entire article here: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/foodshed.html [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFZ3vZmhScSWS2wdd7OyMzELIA6zN1PrQFSWcmvnfbEtg7z5Bbb4vn1Rl3g8rcuFeIwOeVQON9KSXxd6MUDGjym_QfeVdCG_7-qyht6Tkui8C14z5piVnLCG1UzHQGIAuFwo3coOnLTC5g==] Cooking Round the Table with Local Food Bloggers By Marcie Sillman / Oct. 20, 2009 / Kuow.org Fire up the stove! Three of Seattle's food bloggers talk about baking, blogging and finding true love through food. what happens when you open your kitchen to the world? Guests include Molly Wizenberg, who writes for the blog Orangette; Shauna James Ahern, who writes the blog Gluten Free Girl; and Rebekah Denn, who blogs on Eat All About it. Hear the entire podcast here: http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=18607 [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFY9FOmiczCSCdUttl8pUkQ7w5rx_1VqtEQQ7h8sNfUnHbWBA97Egl9okH1tZtcxqBVWQbuPe4SS3vMAd24X7DOtFHY6ExhnOhrg9nnz5qQGqEgclqXds39eyl7SWBuuits=] Aligning Food Systems Policies to Advance Public Health By Mark Muller, Angie Tagtow, Susan L. Roberts and Erin MacDougall / July 2009 Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition The involvement of public health professionals in food and agricultural policy provides tremendous opportunities for advancing the public's health. It is particularly challenging, however, for professionals to understand and consider the numerous policy drivers that impact the food system, which range from agricultural commodity policies to local food safety ordinances. Confronted with this complexity in the food system, policy advocates often focus on narrow objectives with disregard for the larger system. This commentary contends that, in order to be most effective, public health professionals need to consider the full range of interdependent policies that affect the system. Food policy councils have proven to be an effective tool, particularly at the local and state level, for developing comprehensive food systems policies that can improve public health. Read the entire article here: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a917704259 [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFbfC0oww5V0gpdiiW3vOPSfmFjHX9TAyC3e9T6sFzK9TCR076Kx7WdlnV9X1fAQgGe3emUFMEVpR8Gwy8D4ULaMzanbZxjgLgU8kxDcIF1nin7385R11e7bXlBsvcCnlgNGc6_6pO39cxC4R1uW5_EeRc2jVpTagQTUu2Qq4FmGspCSRLumV-kO] "The girls" next door By Debbie Cafazzo / May 9, 2009 / The News Tribune In cities and suburbs around the country, chicken coops now claim equal billing with icons like the swing set or the barbecue. ... What was once the province of true farmers or back-to-nature hippies has become the new American way. Everybody, it seems, is flocking to the backyard chicken movement. Read the entire article here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/home/story/735995.html [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103050334160&s=278&e=0013RtyEAnYoFarFMM0fPi7qCDWDoJ3Q1VtdZY0dHoSpPkd2nCnRRFVdR9pAFUVVkf-nTD3ap32ubJeR9k1ukI-QtCQcBfJ6ZRtKkmEawCazKv_OfPFJAKNk0rl4EG3p3FqkHIv7MaPGxlcmhBwEqkMR4xGgpZUAqM97TfpHVZJyFA=] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Opportunities Grant opportunity! Deadline Feb. 19 Project Orange Thumb is a grant program that provides community garden groups with the tools and materials they need to reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and horticulture education. During their inaugural year, they partnered with the Chicago Park District and the Garfield park Conservatory Alliance to provide tools, materials and support to three community gardens in Chicago. Marking their 7th successful year in 2009, Project Orange Thumb® has provided over 100 community groups with over $200,000 to create and develop their own special community gardens. These included projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture and/or horticultural education. Community garden groups, as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, etc. are encouraged to apply. Grant recipients will receive: Up to $1,000.00 in Fiskars® Garden Tools; Project Orange Thumb® t-shirts; and Up to $1,000.00 for other materials such as plants, seeds, mulch, etc. Applications are due February 19, 2010. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spread the word, share the information, keep the conversation growing ... Sincerely, Alicia Lawver Editor, Growing Conversation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Keep the Conversation Growing ... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Share this email http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=ctctproductstrategy&url=http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs036/1103032892187/archive/1103050334160.html Forward email http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1103032892187&ea=tacoma-environews@cityoftacoma.org&a=1103050334160 This email was sent to tacoma-environews@cityoftacoma.org by growingconversation@gmail.com. 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