City leaders get hands-on in Gower to back ‘farm to fork’ food revolution

Members of the Swansea Public Services Board (PSB) made the trip to the great outdoors this week to visit Cae Tan Community Supported Agriculture, a working farm dedicated to sustainable growing.

The high-level delegation included representatives from Swansea Council, the Swansea Bay University Health Board, and Natural Resources Wales, all keen to support locally grown produce.

According to organisers, the visit showcased how seasonal vegetables are being supplied directly to Swansea households, bypassing traditional supermarket chains.

The event was co-ordinated by Bwyd Abertawe Food—Swansea’s Local Food Partnership—alongside teams dedicated to promoting healthy weight and nutritious diets across the region.

The group has confirmed that plans are now underway to develop a dedicated local food strategy for Swansea to ensure more families can access sustainable produce.

Dawn Lyle, Chair of Bwyd Abertawe Food, has said that “real momentum” is building around strengthening the food system in the city and surrounding areas.

“This gathering at Cae Tan gave us a valuable opportunity to hear directly about the realities faced by growers and farmers,” she confirmed following the visit.

The leaders also discussed how public sector organisations can use their massive buying power to put more Gower-grown food into schools and hospitals.

Grower Eva Walter-Jones, who welcomed the partners onto the land, has outlined exciting plans to expand vegetable supplies to local schools through the ‘Welsh Veg in Schools’ initiative.

“It was very positive to see so much joined-up thinking and an appetite to do more,” Eva has said, adding that the collaboration gives “a lot of hope” for the future.

Cllr Andrea Williams, Joint Deputy Leader of Swansea Council, has confirmed the authority’s commitment to the project, stating: “We must think differently about how we grow, buy and serve food.”

#Texas: #GreenThumbs, #BookWorms team to create free seed library at #LongviewPublicLibrary

by Jordan Green Mar 6, 2025

"Something seedy is happening at the #Longview #PublicLibrary.

"The Gregg County Master Gardeners Association has partnered with library to create the #SproutAndShare #SeedLibrary, which will allow novice and experienced gardeners alike to pick up free seeds to plant in their own gardens.
The library and gardening association will host a grand opening and educational event at 10:30 a.m. Saturday [yesterday].

"A member of the association sprouted the idea for the seed library, according to Shaniqua Davis, agent for the Texas AgriLife Extension Office in Gregg County. The seed library will be open to the public during the library’s operating hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

"Leah Shreves, technical services supervisor for the Longview Public Library, said the seed library will help people learn to produce their own food, whether they live in a home or in an apartment.

"'It’s a way to kind of try and help provide fresh and healthy foods that people can grow on their own to decrease their grocery bill and could also be a relaxing and rewarding hobby,' Shreves said.

"'We’re wanting to give back to the community and give them options and learn that they can grow their own food.'

"The library will have 16 varieties of plant seeds to start with, ranging from green beans and snap peas to watermelon and flower seeds. More than 800 seed packets will be stocked in the library when it opens. Patrons can pick up seven packets per visit. Each packet will have a QR code on it that people can scan, directing them to more information about the plant.

"Master gardeners association members plan to offer at least one educational class per quarter that will be free to the public, Shreves said. During Saturday’s grand opening, gardeners will discuss some of the basics of gardening.

"The library is at 222 W. Cotton St. For more information, call (903) 237-1350."

Original article:
https://www.news-journal.com/news/local/green-thumbs-book-worms-team-to-create-free-seed-library-at-longview-public-library/article_cdc24ff8-fa04-11ef-a4c1-bbb2f34935f4.html

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/91Eav#selection-3227.0-3236.8
#SolarPunkSunday #SeedBanks #SeedLibrary #LongviewTexas #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule! #SeedSharing #SeedExchange #Gardening #CommunityAgriculture #SeedSharing #FoodSecurity

#Maine - Making the most of March with #ThompsonFreeLibrary

By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library, February 24, 2025

"March arrives with a built-in tension. The upbeat concept we hold in our minds versus an uncertain reality. Our hope is tinged with a steely resolve to muddle through. 'Winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too,' wrote garden author Jean Hersey. Whether you’re ready to research a spring project or desperately need some escapist fare, the Thompson Free Library in #DoverFoxcroft is here to help you make it through — and even enjoy — this unpredictable month.

"Nothing heralds the coming of spring like our #SeedLibrary! We offer donated seeds from our community and various other donors. If you have extra seeds from previous years that you don’t need, please bring them in to share with your neighbors. If you’re interested in trying a new type of plant or flower in your garden this year, stop in and check out what we have to offer. Over the years we’ve had donations from Burpee, Fedco, Ripley Farms, Helios Horsepower Farms, Bob’s Hardware, and many, many patrons."

Source:
https://observer-me.com/2025/02/24/news/making-the-most-of-march-with-thompson-free-library/

Library website:
https://www.thompsonfreelibrary.org/
#SolarPunkSunday #SeedBanks #SeedLibrary #DoverFoxcroftMaine #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule! #SeedSharing #SeedExchange #Gardening #CommunityAgriculture #SeedSharing #HeirloomSeeds #MaineLibraries

#SeedLibraries Are Sprouting Up Around the Pine Tree State

#Maine libraries have added seed “borrowing” to their growing list of resources.

By Nora Saks, Downeast Magazine, April 2024

"Among the study tables and the stacks of books and the periodical reading rooms, at public libraries from North Berwick to Milbridge to Bangor, seeds have suddenly taken root in the catalog — often quite literally, with the drawers of stately old card catalogs now used for little packets of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Whether green-thumbed or plain old green, anyone can drop by for some free garden fodder, which is usually donated by community members, Maine seed companies (like #Johnnys and #Fedco), and garden centers.

"Seed libraries took off early in the pandemic, as many people turned their attention to tending their homes and gardens. Now, libraries tend to pair seed lending with how-to programming, often in partnership with local garden clubs. Some libraries also encourage 'borrowers' to save seeds from their crop and then drop them off at the end of the growing season, but that’s not a requirement (and there are no late fees).

"Lisa Ladd, director of Bucksport’s Buck Memorial Library, sees seeds fitting nicely into libraries’ broader mission to make knowledge and resources accessible to the public. 'As libraries continue to evolve, we’re always looking for ways to meet the community outside of our walls and offer programs that touch different ages and all walks of life...'"

More information (including a list of seed libraries):
https://downeast.com/home-and-garden/maine-seed-libraries/

#SolarPunkSunday #SeedLibraries #SeedBanks #CommunityAgriculture #BigAg #SeedSharing #HierloomSeeds #MaineLibraries

Are you thinking about creating a #FoodForest here in #NewZealand? Here are the steps you need to take to successfully plan and grow your own #EdibleForestGarden.

by Dana at Piwakawaka Valley Homestead

"Reasons to use Permaculture principals to design your Food Forest

- Permaculture is a fantastic way to reduce your workload, particularly on lifestyle blocks.

- Permaculture design reduces workload by mimicking natural systems, natural systems maintain themselves, so that you don’t have to.

- Permaculture can save money. Successful permaculture properties operate as a closed loop, requiring few products to be bought in to maintain it. Ideally all your fertility will be made or grown on site.

- To provide resilience from natural disasters. Permaculture landscapes mitigate against flood events, resist the effects of drought, provide food security, enhance habitat for animals /birds / insects, process their own waste (turning it into a valuable resource), and provide can even fuel in winter if you have enough space to add a woodlot.

- Reduce exposure to chemicals in the environment. Permaculture and organics go hand in hand – an organically managed property will be free from the potential harmful effects of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.

"Here are the steps you need to take to successfully plan and grow your own edible forest garden...."

Read more:
https://foodforestplants.co.nz/create-food-forest-new-zealand/

#SolarPunkSunday #FoodForests
#SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #FoodSovereignty #OrganicGardening #GardeningWithoutPesticides
#Gardening #CommunityAgriculture
#Monoculture #PlantDiversity
#BigFood #BigAg #WebOfLife #Polyculture

10 incredible #UrbanFoodForests from around the world

"If we take a moment to observe nature we realize that a woodland doesn’t require artificial interventions to remain flourishing." – Picasso Food Forest

Climate Society
14th June 2022

"Everywhere around the world cities are facing the challenge of providing their growing population with fresh, local food. Instead of buying food cultivated in monocultures hundreds of miles away from home, both farmers as well as engaged citizens are turning to a radically different approach. They are transforming school yards, parking lots and even boats into edible food forests.

"Food forests are the complete opposite of our industrial agricultural model. Instead of large-scale monocrops covered in harmful pesticides, food forests are diverse ecosystems, mimicking natural forests. The different layers of a food forest, ranging from tall fruit and nut trees to fruit bearing shrubs and bushes, vines, roots and other ground-hugging plants, offer a variety of fresh, local, organic produce.

"Especially for city dwellers, these urban food forests provide a huge opportunity. Rather than depending on the heavily industrialized food system, it enables people in cities to gain access to healthy and sustainable nutrition. In addition, by actively participating in taking care of a food forest, the connection to both nature and community gets an instant boost.

"These ten inspiring examples of food forests prove that it is possible to provide inhabitants of urban areas with food that is good for both people and planet."

Read more:
https://sustainableurbandelta.com/urban-food-forests/

#SolarPunkSunday #FoodForests #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #FoodSovereignty #OrganicGardening #GardeningWithoutPesticides #Gardening #CommunityAgriculture #Monoculture #PlantDiversity #BigFood #BigAg #FoodSovereignty #WebOfLife #Polyculture

Community #SeedBanks revive diversity in #India’s Kolli Hills

By Tamilarasi Krishnan on 24 September 2024

"Many farmers are now struggling with the high costs of seeds, as the traditional practice of saving a portion of the harvest specifically for seed has largely vanished with the growth of open seed markets. Here, commercially produced varieties offer huge yields but high licensing restrictions, meaning that farmers often cannot save seed as they might have done in the past, because they do not own it.

"Numerous activists, such as the renowned Vandana Shiva, have voiced concerns over the proliferation of private seed banks in India. Shiva argues that seed monopolies could lead to a loss of diversity, increased seed costs, and a rise in chemical use in seed production. Her advocacy emphasizes the importance of community seed banks in preserving agricultural diversity and supporting local farmers.

"Despite the dominance of private seed companies, numerous community-based seed banks are now thriving across India, helping farmers to get access to lost varieties without paying high charges. One notable example is the seed bank initiative in Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu, which demonstrates the potential of local solutions using native seeds to prevent private firms from dominating the local market.

"The Kolli Hills region is home to the Mayalali tribes, who have been cultivating traditional millet varieties with the support of community seed banks. The initiative began in 2009 with the establishment of a single seed bank. Today, there are seven such banks operating across the region. These seed banks have successfully conserved over 20 varieties of millet that had not been previously cultivated for nearly a decade."

Read more:
https://rapidtransition.org/commentaries/community-seed-banks-revive-diversity-in-indias-kolli-hills/

#SustainableAgriculture #SeedBanks #SeedSaving #SolarPunkSunday #FoodSecurity #FoodSovereignty #BigAg #PlantDiversity #TraditionalPlantVarieties #NonGMO #HierloomPlants #HierloomSeeds #CommunityAgriculture

"In 1939, more than $200 million worth of vegetables were grown in 4.8 million farm home gardens... In 1944, 18.5 million gardeners took part in Victory Gardens, supplying 40% of the nation’s fresh vegetables."
The American people, through mutual aid and cooperative action, developed a genius plan to not only ensure the supply of resources to the war effort but to enhance the health, well-being, and solidarity of the population.
Whether we acknowledge it or not, our lives are being invaded and occupied by massive systems that produce our food, destroying our health and the health of the environment. It's war time, but this time, the goal is to claim the resources taken over by the mass, factory agriculture system and bring them back into local control. The Victory Garden revolution is the solution to bring sovereignty back to the people.
#victorygarden
#permaculture
#communityagriculture
#gangstagarden
#homegrown
#mutualaid
#localcontrol
#foodsecurity
#fooddesert
#foodforest
#directdemocracy

Victory Gardens on the World War II Home Front (U.S. National Park Service)
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/victory-gardens-on-the-world-war-ii-home-front.htm#:~:text=Victory%20Gardens%20freed%20up%20agricultural,their%20families%20enjoyed%20better%20nutrition.