And we're off! Mary Elizabeth and I are hopping on a plane this afternoon for a two month stint in Nicaragua and Ecuador to learn spanish, culture, dance, as much about history, and, of course, community-based food systems as we're able.
We'll be back in March for the month. While I'm around, I'll be partnering up with Sundiata Ameh-El of iGrow to put in and ramp up as many food gardens as possible (which means, if you've got food gardening work that needs doing, send me an email with subject line "March Food Garden Work" to get on my list asap. Compost deliveries, consults, new gardens, edible orchards, workshops, & community garden developments all apply).
My other major goal during March is to grow Tallahassee Food Network's financial base. Tallahassee Food Network is our regional coalition of the global movement that works to grow community-based good food systems. I'm eager to see its internal capacity grow through staffing and a dedicated "food-house" (office space). As with travel, so with organizational development: even with frugality, it takes some money. I'll be partnering up with my fellow board member, Qasimah Boston to work on TFN fundraising. I'm excited about the work.
In the meantime, here are two food gardening videos that may offer some assistance during January/February: How to Grow Year Round (in spite of the cold) and Growing Potatoes. Watch the first when those cold days are predicted a week out. And February 14th, Valentines is the old-timers day of choice for planting potatoes... which is just around the corner.
Happy growing,
Nathan, Man in Overalls
