The Watsonville Files: Everyone is trapped in a vicious cycle of failed immigration and farm policy

by: citisven

Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 13:12:32 PM PST

There are tens of thousands of children and young people in America who came to the United States as babies of parents who worked in the fields, or on construction sites, or in hotels or restaurants. These kids have grown up as Americans, they are culturally American, and they have American dreams, but they have no future. In the thirty years that I've worked on farms and ranches around California and Oregon I've gotten to know some of them well. I listen to the radio and read the news and I understand the complexity and frustrations of the immigration situation as well as most, and I'm probably more familiar with the intestinal workings of immigration enforcement better than many, but I think that it is cruel, unworkable, and actually insane to talk about deporting these young "aliens" back to countries they barely know. My wish is that we Americans summon up the integrity for an honest debate what a real and comprehensive immigration policy should be, and my dream is that we welcome these kids in before we have a huge toxic permanent underclass that brings out the worst in everybody.

- California organic farmer

By now you're probably familiar with the story of SF Kossacks' Farmworker Reality Tour a couple of Sundays ago to Watsonville, CA, organized by Dr. Ann López, founder of the Center for Farmworker Families and author of The Farmworkers' Journey. Inspired by Jill (we were all bummed she couldn't make it) and organized by navajo, it was Glen the Plumber, remembrance,  BentLiberal, catilinus, Norm, Meteor Blades and myself who made the journey to the heart of one of California's major agricultural centers to visit four different homes and "challenge us to better understand the conditions of Mexican farmworkers in Northern California by sharing in their lives, food, and living quarters."

July in Riverdale Sunset Photos

by: Eddie C

Mon Aug 01, 2011 at 17:13:30 PM PDT

These July sunsets from the Bronx are for my Mom, my Dad and my neighbor, who I think just watched her very first month of sunsets. As this long hot month began I had an elevator conversation with that neighbor who lives in the same apartment line and has almost the same view as I do. Inquiring about the Nikon D7000 hanging from my neck, I explained that I have no photographic specialty but the last on my list was "our wonderful views of sunsets."

To explain why she had never watched a sunset from her window she said "If you see one, you've seen them all." So in less than fifteen floors I tried to summarize eighteen years of sunsets from my window. I was feeling a bit like a sunset missionary as the conversation didn't end with the elevator ride. She was fascinated and wanted to continue the sunset conversation in the lobby but I was all out of steam and anxious to get out in the sunshine.

My Dad, he is pretty much the same way. He closes the western blinds to keep the Florida sun from fading the furniture. Now Mom, she calls on the phone when there is a nice sunset to watch from her Ocean County, New Jersey kitchen. Often we have the same view. Sometimes ninety miles makes a big difference.

A Coney Island Greeting on the Fourth of July

by: Eddie C

Mon Jul 04, 2011 at 14:35:49 PM PDT

This started out as a gray day in New York City. Instead of a view if the Palisades and an armada of small boats slowly making their way down river for the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks, my windows seemed like very large glasses of milk. it looked like a perfect day to enjoy a second viewing of John Adams on HBO and remembering what politics was once like in America.

Two years back I worked on the Fourth so I made a photo diary out of my lunch break. It was a celebration of the local farmers who also worked that day, The Lincoln Center Farmer's Market on the Fourth of July. Ron Binaghi, a 6th generation farmer who really knows his product, explained the importance of being able to "Eat it raw."

Last year on this date, I think it was about 98° and way too sunny. Because I was too busy enjoying the crowd and fun at the Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest, I did not write a Fourth of July diary. So on this day, as I enjoyed John Adams, I found some of those photos and put together a Coney Island view of the Fourth of July.    

Nobody Grows Them Here Anymore

by: Miep

Tue Jun 21, 2011 at 00:30:43 AM PDT

The Incoming Food Crisis

by: Asinus Asinum Fricat

Sat Feb 05, 2011 at 08:05:01 AM PST

All it takes is a quick reading of the latest UN reports in the past few days which indicate that up to 70% of business on commodity markets is speculative rather than trade. Furthermore the FAO indicates that food prices could rise as high as 40% over the next few years as a result.  

Cultivating Health, Community and Solidarity

by: NourishingthePlanet

Fri Jan 07, 2011 at 05:35:44 AM PST

GardenAfrica, a non-profit organization based in the UK and working in southern Africa that helps families and communities establish organic gardens in small private plots, schools, hospitals and other public areas, prefers that its work be described as solidarity rather than charity. "Charity is all too often about externally imposed solutions, solidarity is a partnership of equals," says its website.

Working with farmers in both rural and urban areas in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa, GardenAfrica provides training and materials to improve food production as well as to help preserve local biodiversity, soil quality, and water conservation. The organization works closely with farmers to help develop "garden plans" that will best suit the natural resources available, as well as the dietary and medicinal needs of the farmers and their families.

Eating With Family Open Thread

by: Jill Richardson

Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 18:13:09 PM PST

This year, I'm packing a PB&J, and I'm bringing a pumpkin pie.

What do you do? And do your relatives (or the people you share your holidays with) eat the same type of food you do?

nut butter mixer

by: count

Sun Dec 19, 2010 at 18:48:22 PM PST

Be thou afflicted no more. Our shared problem has been solved. I expect to receive an award at the next meeting of whichever organization bestows prizes for things like this.

Just Looking

by: Eddie C

Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 22:45:51 PM PST

I have a few pleasant photography stories to tell from a week ago. Between the autumn color and the desperation of one last warm weather week, it was a good week for a photo buff. Now don't go busting my bubble by just looking at the photos because you can learn a lot from a photographer. We see things.

Below you will find a Third Rock from the Sun brief encounter during an evening walk in the Village. I have several memories from a lecture I attended on photojournalism. There is a pleasant Veterans Day walk under the George Washington Bridge on the New Jersey side followed by a sunset from the New York side. Then a Friday afternoon walk in Central Park with some music videos I made and all day Saturday there too. There is even a little taste of Florence, Italy.  

Pot-lucking Across America on Two Wheels (with apologies to JayinPortland)

by: tomleav1

Mon May 31, 2010 at 22:35:36 PM PDT

Take Your Food Politics To Motown: US Social Forum, June 22-26, 2010

by: EsperanzaRossi

Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 23:27:51 PM PDT

Detroit is empty.  It is black and violent, poor and foreclosed, a gutted out postindustrial wasteland.  Dilapidated houses and hollowed out factory yards serve as rotting corpses strewn across the landscape, bearing testimony to an industrial apocalypse. Such is the contemporary popular imagination of a city once known as the Paris of the West.

Within the contemporary food movement, Detroit is well known as an an important site of food justice activism. In a city in which 500,000 out of 900,000 citizens are food insecure, a multitude of grassroots projects have emerged to rebuild Detroit into a sustainable urban environment for the future.  Thus, What better place to host the second US Social Forum (USSF) than Detroit?  This is exactly what the planning committee of the USSF thought when it selected Detroit as the host city, and recognized it as a "solution city" that is building on its history of solutions to rebuild the city for a sustainable future. Yesterday I dialed in and listened to one of the USSF call-in information sessions being held this month in Spanish and English. Here is what I learned...

Betting on Michelin Stars: Tapas Muy Deliciosas en Julian Serrano

by: atdleft

Mon Mar 08, 2010 at 17:02:01 PM PST

Tucked in a corner of the grand casino at Aria, the heart of MGM Mirage's brand new CityCenter project, is Julian Serrano. Yes, it's Spanish. Yes, it's tapas. And yes, the food here is fantastic!

Betting on Michelin Stars: Bradley Ogden, Simply the Best

by: atdleft

Sat Mar 06, 2010 at 15:01:40 PM PST

OK, I must admit I was a little afraid of trying this place. I backed out of a reservation for my dad's birthday over a bad review. I was second-guessing myself when I was thinking of the reservation for my birthday (well, the day after, but I celebrated) tonight.

However, all my doubts were thrown out the window once a friend and I went into Bradley Ogden and began to take in the casually elegant ambience. This place is so luxurious, yet so comfortable! And yes, the same goes for the food.

The Bronx Invasion of Brazil. On Friday We Take Cuba!

by: Eddie C

Mon Feb 22, 2010 at 19:33:48 PM PST

No more snow job photo diaries out of me. Since it is midwinter and everyone can use a little break from the cold, I think a little Brazilian Modern is in order.

How about you? Join me below for more photos and see an amateur review of my South American trip from last year.

Ft. Tryon Park Durning the Snowfall.

by: Eddie C

Sat Feb 20, 2010 at 08:48:02 AM PST

The previous diary was easy pickins' on a clear blue sky day. This represents something a bit more challenging, trying to capture the snow as it is falling.

It's not so easy and I really should have worn a hat and some gloves. But if your in the mood for another snowy park, than take a walk below the fold for a beautiful park in a blizzard.