| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| chickenladycris |
Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 5:24:06 PM
One of my farm-where-you-are heroines is facing a burecratic upheaval in Oakland, CA. Novella Carpenter, who wrote a wonderful novel Farm City, has in the past year saved up her pennies to buy the vacant lot she tranformed into an urban oasis. And now, the city of Oakland has informed her that she growing vegetables illegally on the lot and she needs to buy a $2500 permit to comply with new "urban farm usage" rules. If she doesn't, bye-bye farm, bye to the gardens, ducks, chickens, and all. Poor chickie has no spare cash to face such a whopping fine, and has humbled herself to ask for help. Click on the link to her blog posting (http://ghosttownfarm.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/asking-for-help/) and if you feel moved to do so, you can make a donation to the cause by PayPal. Please know, I never send out solicitation emails, but this case hits close to my heart. If I ever found out I couldn't have my little 3/4 Acre Farm with its feathered, furry, and plant-based characters...I don't even want to think about how devestating that would be. This woman has served as a role-model to many, inspiring people in cities and towns everywhere to embrace the idea of being their own, self-sustainable farmer using however much land they are blessed with (or make do with!) I felt moved to support her, and to share her dilemma with others. This issue is coming up everywhere, as communities work through deciding where the "farm lines" get drawn. If it isn't affecting your backyard today, it could be tomorrow--and we all need to support one another.
"A farmgirl can never have enough chickens!"--me |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Apr 07 2011 : 05:17:06 AM
Raised in California myself, this doesn't surprise me. For such a "Progressive" state, they make some very poor choices!
I shared this on FB. Maybe some of my Oakland friends can help as well.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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| rksmith |
Posted - Apr 06 2011 : 6:21:05 PM
Shared this on my FB as well, this is craziness!
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://www.mynsp.com/rksmith
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| FarmgirlGen |
Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 6:14:58 PM
Hi! As an urban homesteader myself (and the writer behind MaryJanesFarm's "Urban Homesteading" column), I was also really distressed by Novella's situation. I found out about it all this morning and sent her a donation via Paypal. Novella is a true pioneer, and her book is a fantastic chronicle of the fun and trouble you encounter as an urban farmer!
City or country, this is a great opportunity to support the farm everywhere movement and stand behind a savvy girl who's risked a lot to make her farm dream a reality (both for herself and others). I encourage anyone who can donate, even a little, to do what they can.
Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention, chickenladycris!
Genevieve
http://thealchemistblog.wordpress.com
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