What's Your Religion?

I spent the better part of the weekend in the company of some of the most inspiring people in the world. It was the 40th reunion of the UCSC farm program—now called the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. For 40 years, people have "apprenticed" there, to learn to farm sustainably. They have slept in tents, teepees, yurts, and on rare occasions (such as the young man from Uganda, who could not tolerate the unnatural cold), a trailer.

For forty years, the graduates have gone out into the large world and done work to bring sustainable agriculture—one-acre farms in the middle of urban areas, some right next to highway, others in prison programs—to places that need it badly.

I will have to write more about it later, but I will say this. These people, and this work, is what church SHOULD be like. It's what religions should strive for. It's what every person alive, possessed of a good conscience and heart, should be supporting.

I lost several coats of mascara in the inspiring presentations.

Last night, there was a feast, originally for 500 people, which soon expanded to 600. There were two long tables—with nearly a hundred bouquets—set between rows of fruit trees, and then the apprentices (the students) went and found even more. There were the most lavish and creative foods pouring out of the makeshift kitchens: grills and the occasional gas burner did the work of feeding an army.

I am too tired to write about all of it, but you will hear more on these pages because honestly, I found my religion. No, I won't be a farmer, but I'll keep coming to the church of Alan Chadwick.

More on it all soon. It was, in a word, heaven.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “I feel no need for any other faith than my faith in the kindness of human beings. I am so absorbed in the wonder of earth and the life upon it that I cannot think of heaven and angels.” — Pearl S. Buck

Thank you for visiting, as ever. And thank you to all the new people: some kind of critical mass has been achieved, or some huge shift, because all of a sudden, twice in the past month, I have had a huge spike in visitors. The first time it was because of Betty Van Dyke's Blenheim apricots, but the rest of the time, it's been a little of everything. I've got well over twice the traffic I had a year ago, and I can only believe that people like to see beauty that is real, and to read about people who are working to make the world a better (and tastier!) place.

Comments

[April]

This is very inspiring; thank you for sharing about the UCSC farm project.

[Anna Banana]

You asked, but not sure you want an answer. My religion is Unitarian Universalism. One of our principles is: Respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are all a part. Check it out at uua.org.

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

I'm still working on losing mine. Once that's accomplished, I'll be more open to finding a replacement...

In the meanwhile, your picture of red-skinned pears belongs on an altar, somewhere. Glorious.

[Joe Fish]

Tana Banana! People come to your blog because you rock out with your c___ out!

Mwha!

(not going to china)

[Ms. Glaze]

Give us this day our daily beautiful organic fruits and vegetables and forgive us the rest. And we won't forgive those that trespass against quality over quantity.. farmers are the kingdom, the power, the glory for ever and ever! Amen

[Bill Nunes]

Tana,

Even though I was in Santa Cruz most of the week, I skipped the reunion to get back to work at my own farm. I'm not an alumnus, but I took my mother to the UCSC farm once, and I must agree - it is a temple, nay, a cathedral to all that is good!
I did make two stops during the week at Everett Family Farm and if UCSC farm is a cathedral, then Everett is a charming little country church. Let's say on the order of St. Vincent De Paul's in Davenport.
All the small farms and farmers of Santa Cruz are an inspiration to me and I return home with new hope. Even if it's 106F here today, I'm still carrying Santa Cruz cool with me.

CAfarmer

[Marin Organic]

I think you will be interested in the Taste of Marin event in August. This event helps support organizations in MarinCounty that promote and enable local, sustainable farms to flourish. Here is the information. TASTE OF MARIN:
MARIN’S LOCAL FOOD EVENT OF THE YEAR!
PLUS
LIVE AUCTION WITH CELEBRITY AUCTIONEER MICHAEL PRITCHARD
& DANCING UNDER THE STARS WITH MARIA MULDAUR & HER BAND

On Sunday, August 26, from 4-10 P.M., Marin Organic, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and Marin Farmers Market team up to create the local food showcase of the year— Taste of Marin 2007—an evening dedicated to supporting and promoting Marin’s agricultural bounty. It brings together local farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, and vintners with the best of local restaurants and celebrity chefs to showcase some of the Bay Area’s most phenomenal food. It takes place in the magical atmosphere of St. Vincent’s School for Boys’ outdoor plaza surrounded by historic mission-style buildings. Celebrity auctioneer Michael Pritchard will keep you laughing as you bid on an incredible assortment of auction items, followed by after-dinner dancing to the tunes of songstress supreme, Maria Muldaur. Tickets $150 at tasteofmarin.org

Contact:
Marin Organic

Phone:
415-663-9667

Email: Fiona@marinorganic.org

[ken Foster]

Good to see this blog!
Please do check out mine at
http://terranovalandscaping.com/blog/
for more about the UCSC Farm and Garden
and the Back Forty event.
Farm out!
Ken