Dear Friends and Readers,
After two weeks of dealing
with the harsh reality of our farm being prevented to use volunteers and
interns in its operation, as well as welcome visitors such as schools and other
organizations, it is becoming clearer that what Gaia Gardens is facing is
reminiscent of what our World is facing.
On one hand, we have a
deep ecological, climate, political and economic crisis, on the other a system
of codes, policies, politics, regulations and mindsets that prevent people from gathering in community, and do what their heart tells them is the right thing to do.
Gaia Gardens is much more
than an urban farm. It has been
built with community and has provided a place for people to gather, learn,
share, make friends, exchange ideas and feel part of something sane in a world
gone insane.
Upon order from the City,
we’ve had to operate with a skeleton (I’ve been losing much weight!) crew and
deal with building violations (shed built without permits by another tenant),
in addition to dealing with breakdowns in our well water system (when it rains
it pours!).
Besides a few
conversations with lawyers, a meeting with City Councilman Peter Yves, and an
effort to let people know what’s happening around the farm, we haven’t had much
time to deal with anything else beside farm work and farmers markets.
Because the issues are so
critical, we need to organize in order to work with politicians and
organizations to evolve the City codes so food production, the sale of food on
urban farms and using volunteers/interns in urban farm operations, are allowed.
Most Cities around the
country have already passed ordinances to support urban agriculture. They’ve all come to see it as a way to
build resilient and healthy community.
Dominique and I are
working around the clock to keep this beautiful farm together and need your
help.
We need to draft the text
for both a paper and online petition. We are looking for experienced people in
these matters.
They will be used for our
argument to the City Council.
All we’ve done in the past
16 months of tending this garden is set the stage for a much larger body of
work. The timing of the Violation
Notice from the City couldn’t be more perfect. It is literally a death sentence on a farm that has been
built with the sweat and support from a large community, has inspired many
people and neighbors, delighted many children, and fed countless
pollinators and migrating birds.
Gaia Gardens is a
community project. Its current
stand off with the City is a community project.
Please let us know if you
have, or know people who have the skills, resources and connections to help not
only Gaia Gardens survive, but create the conditions for future urban farm
projects to flourish in Santa Fe.
With deep gratitude, and faith that we are all engaged in a deep process of transforming and healing our World.
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