Grass-roots efforts in downtown Concord to transform vacant lot to productive garden

CONCORD -- In a literal expression of "grass roots," Oakland Avenue neighbors are pulling up weeds and improving first impressions of Concord. They joined together to transform an unsightly vacant lot facing the Concord BART station into a fresh food garden.

August Wagele and his neighbors started clearing debris and building fences for the Harvest Lot garden last Saturday, but the project officially kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2.

The Harvest Lot mission is to produce healthy food for the hungry in this area, demonstrate sustainability and beautify their neighborhood.

"It is hard work, but it is great being out there in the fresh air," Wagele says. "It will be even better when there is produce to load up and hand out to people who will eat it."

Weeds, vagrants, trash, campfires and even "occupiers" with signs have littered the lot for years. Real estate agent for the investor-owned 50x150-foot lot tried to secure the property while police kept an eye on it, according to Realtor Chad Elkin of Chad Mitchell Associates.

Still, neighbors watched and worried about security.

"I was passing by on my way home last summer when I realized that the whole neighborhood was dragged down by blight and nuisances. I decided to do something about it," Wagele recalls. "I had been thinking about sustainability and the idea for transforming the eyesore property into a productive resource."

Wagele turned that thought into the

nonprofit Harvest Lot and started recruiting neighbors and negotiating for permission to clean up the lot and plant food.

"I think the garden is a good idea because it will improve the neighborhood, and it could improve property values," Elkin says.

When volunteers Sheila Hill and Brent Nelson joined the Harvest Lot garden board of directors and a two-year lease on the property was signed, Wagele's enthusiasm soared. He went to work on a garden plan and Meet Up connection for communicating with volunteers and posting planting schedules.

"Sheila has extensive experience with the garden at Eagle Peak School in Walnut Creek and we have a Master Gardener coming in," he says.

Nelson says he is glad to be a part of the project.

"It's a great concept ... through education and providing free food, we can help educate people on the benefits and importance of making more health-conscious eating decisions."

Volunteers call it an agricultural restoration.

"Cathy Munneke, at the Concord Department of Economic and Community Development, told me about Concord's agricultural history. This undeveloped lot is a remnant of that history," Wagele says.

"If we can make this work, it can become a model for other neighborhoods," he says. "Vacant lots that are part of the neighborhood, it is a way to bond with the community. Neighbors will watch over it and be able to help others in our community."

The group plans to produce a manual to guide others who can use the Harvest Lot as a template for improving a vacant lot in their own neighborhood.

Harvest Lot produce is destined for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County, the Monument Crisis Center, SHARE on Willow Pass Road, and other local food pantries.

"Hopefully, we will create a more healthy community, to benefit the community as a whole," Nelson says.

Wagele believes their project reflects a larger contemporary movement.

"I think our society has drifted so far away from our history that people want to connect with the earth. So many people have their own chickens, are growing their own food."

The growth of the organic food industry and the popularity of farmers markets, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are evidence of the trend, according to Wagele.

Other signs include efforts such as the Mt. Diablo Unified School District's Iron Chef competition emphasizing nutrition and flavor, Vicente Martinez High School's New Leaf program, Sustainable Danville's garden, and the recent Earth Island Institute application to lease Central Contra Costa Sanitary District land for a sustainable farm.

"Then there is the economy," Wagele says. "People may be thinking that life got a little too easy. Technology, fast food, microwave and dehydrated food; what about the link to rising rates of childhood obesity and diabetes?"

Some have already stepped up to help the garden project. A horse owner brought a load of manure for composting, Ashby Lumber donated some of the wood for fences, and Home Depot gave Harvest Lot a 25 percent discount on other materials.

"We will be reaching out to local individuals, businesses and foundations for financial support and we will have a sponsor plaque at the front of the garden recognizing those in the community who help or contribute to the garden," Wagele says.

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Pesticides deserve a closer look - Pocono Record

What we already know about the dangers of pesticides should give us pause about introducing another one.

This week the American Bird Conservancy published a study that found acutely toxic pesticides — not habitat loss — primarily to blame for widespread declines in grassland bird populations. The study looked at data from 1980 to 2003 and examined five other potential causes of the bird declines, from changes in cropped pasture to herbicide use. The study found a link between states with high use of toxic insecticides lethal to birds and states with the greatest number of bird declines, including the Horned Lark in 25 states and the Ring-necked Pheasant in 19 states. Continuing use of pesticides "may drive bird populations to local extinction," study author Dr. Pierre Mineau, a Canadian toxicologist, said.

Meanwhile scientists are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to stop the approval process for yet a new insecticide, Sulfoxaflor, which the EPA has proposed for "conditional registration." Solfoxaflor is proposed for use on soybeans, turf grass, wheat, vegetables and fruit crops.

But the Center for Food Safety, the Pesticide Action Network, American Bird Conservancy and Friends of the Earth are arguing that Sulfoxaflor is "articularly concerning" because it's water soluble, persistent and highly toxic to bees and other pollinators. Honey bee colonies have been in sharp decline over the past decade. Also, the chemical's potential toxicity to humans and other mammals hasn't been explored enough yet, the groups said in a letter to EPA.

Few of us keep bees or count grassland bird populations. But it's important for everyone to recognize that every species plays a role in the natural environment. Shrinking honey bee populations can reduce the availability of certain foods, driving up prices. Their disappearance can also be a sign of a larger, not fully recognized environmental problem. Likewise, losing vast numbers of birds that were once common to whole regions could, ultimately, have significant and not yet known spinoff effects.

The EPA should take a harder look at Sulfoxaflor especially against the backdrop of the new study from Canada. Agronomists should be exploring new ways of managing insect pests, especially in food crops, without the collateral damage of poisoning birds and other creatures.

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Pesticide report confirms safety of US food - Western Farm Press

The newest data from the PDP program confirm that pesticide residues in food do not pose a safety concern for Americans.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has posted data from the 2011 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary. This information, along with an explanatory guide for consumers, can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/pdp. The 2011 PDP report confirms that overall pesticide chemical residues found on the foods tested are at levels below the tolerances established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and do not pose a safety concern.

In May of 1991, USDA initiated the PDP to test commodities in the U.S. food supply for pesticide residues. Since passage of the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), one of PDP’s focuses has been on testing foods that are most likely consumed by infants and children.

AMS partners with cooperating state agencies to collect and analyze pesticide chemical residue levels on selected foods. In implementing the FQPA, the EPA uses data from PDP to enhance its programs for food safety and help evaluate dietary exposure to pesticides.

Each year, USDA and EPA work together to identify foods to be tested on a rotating basis. In 2011, surveys were conducted on a variety of foods including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, soybeans, eggs, dairy products, and water. Similar to previous years, the 2011 report shows that overall pesticide chemical residues found on foods tested are at levels well below the tolerances set by the EPA. The report does show that residues exceeding the tolerance were detected in 0.27 percent of the samples tested. Some residues were found with no established tolerance levels or tolerance exemptions, but EPA has determined the extremely low levels of those residues are not a food safety risk, and the presence of such residues does not pose a safety concern.

Statement from USDA:

“Consistent with guidance from health and nutrition experts – and as affirmed federal nutrition guidance that urges people to make half their plate fruits and vegetables – we encourage everyone to continue to eat more fruits and vegetables in every meal and wash them before you do so.”

Statement from FDA:

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for assessing whether pesticide chemical residues found on food make the food unlawful under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

FDA reviews possible violations revealed by the USDA’s PDP testing and conducts follow-up sampling if necessary, under its own pesticide residue monitoring program to ensure compliance and to protect the public health.

Statement from EPA:

“The newest data from the PDP program confirm that pesticide residues in food do not pose a safety concern for Americans. EPA remains committed to a rigorous, science-based, and transparent regulatory program for pesticides that continues to protect people’s health and the environment.”

Since its inception, the program has tested 109 commodities including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, grains, catfish, rice, specialty products, and water. This year, the program expanded to include samples of canned beets, papayas, snap peas, and tangerines.

The data is a valuable tool for consumers, food producers and processors, chemical manufacturers, environmental interest groups, and food safety organizations.

The findings of the Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary, Calendar Year 2011 can be downloaded at www.ams.usda.gov/pdp. Printed copies of it will be available later this year and can be obtained by writing to the Monitoring Programs Division, Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, 8609 Sudley Rd., Suite 206, Manassas, Va., 20110; by faxing (703) 369-0678; by calling (703) 330-2300, Ext. 110; or by submitting an e-mail request to amspo.data@ams.usda.gov.

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EU move 'could threaten development of pesticides' - Scotsman

Mike Bushell is the principal scientific advisor with Syngenta, the Swiss-based chemical company currently embroiled in a battle to retain the use of one of its major pesticides used in the treatment of oilseed rape seed. He was adamant that no-one would invest in any future programme of insecticide approval if new regulations came in.

“Any new product with even moderate toxicity to bees would require an incredibly expensive field programme using thousands of beef hives. It would be impossible and impractical to run such a programme and nobody would invest in it,” he said.

He believed that much of the current furore over the future use of neonicotinoids was ideologically driven by those who wished to remove all crop protection products from the market.

Neonicotinoids are the most important family of insecticides and their removal from the market could have wide-ranging economic consequences for European farmers, he claimed.

Farmers would be left with very few options to protect their crops and even those chemicals that remained would soon lose their effectiveness, he argued.

Although the big political concern over the continued use of the neonicotinoids relates to potential danger to the bee population, Bushell said that it was noticeable that many bee keepers did not agree as they accepted there were many other possible reasons for the collapse of their hives.

The whole issue was triggered by a report by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) expressing concern over a linkage between neonicotinoid use and upsets in the bee population.

Bushell disputed their results, saying he was seriously concerned over how the EFSA ?assessment had been carried out, claiming that it did not reflect field conditions

Following that report, the EU Food and Health commissioner, Toni Berg, indicated that a ban on certain neonicotinoids could be in the offing. However, with maize – another crop that uses the seed treatment – and oilseed rape crops being grown extensively across Europe, there is a resistance to a complete ban and a compromise paper is being prepared by the commissioner which will be considered in the middle of next month.

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Organic Food Or Genetically Engineered Food Anyone?

Organic food is increasingly in demand as discriminate consumers become more aware of just how much common food items are the product of genetic engineering. Did you know that over half of processed foods that the average shopper drops in a grocery cart has some engineered ingredients in the products such as corn that contains a small amount of pesticide in every cell? Or did you know that over 80% of all soybeans grown in the U.S. are genetically engineered to withstand heavy chemical exposure from agricultural weedkiller without dying itself? Even foods that claim to be "organic" are not always totally organic in nature. Usually the product may only have a portion of organic ingredients. Only food items that are labeled "certified organic" are truly organic.

Just about everywhere you turn, there are genetically modified foods in favorite drinks, fast foods, packaged frozen foods and even in some of the "organic" versions of the same. So what are health conscious consumers who want to avoid genetically engineered foods as much as possible to do? Other than grow your own organic food supply in your back yard, here are a few suggestions that will help you find safe replacements to the commonly produced food supply.

Choose Certified Organic Foods

When you shop at a grocery store or whole food store, be sure to look for food that carries a label reading "Certified Organic." This is the best assurance that you are purchasing organically grown foods. Don't be fooled by simply the word "organic" listed somewhere in a title or on a food label. Only a "Certified Organic" label is the real deal.

Check the Produce Codes

A handy bit of information to help you double check your produce as to whether or not it is organic is to simply check the PLU code that is printed on the small sticker attached to all produce. If the code begins with a 9, then it's really organic produce. If the code starts with a 4, it is conventionally produced and if the code starts with an 8, it is genetically engineered. While there are only a few varieties of engineered produce sold, this knowledge is helpful in distinguishing between organic produce and the rest.

Patronize Local Farms in Your Area

One of the best places to find good produce is to pick it up from your local farmer's market or produce stand on the corner. Some local farms also will allow you to pick your own fruits or vegetables straight from the plants. This type of produce generally has a better flavor, usually has less or no pesticide residue than its big store counterpart and is fresher because it has not traveled thousands of miles to end up on your dinner table.

You also get an added bonus of meeting some very fine, local farmers who may divulge some of their farming knowledge to you for free! You may also find unpasturized milk and cheese from area farmers that is delicious and healthy. Even though some of the local foods may not be "certified organic," you can bet that they are healthier than just about anything you will find in a large grocery store chain.

While it may take a little time investigating your best food sources that are truly organic, it is well worth the effort given the huge rewards to gain in better health and better tasting foods for you and your family.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Organic Foods

Q: What Are Organic Foods?

A:Organic foods are foods that are grown naturally without the use of any pesticides, chemicals or fertilizers. Organic farming in its strictest sense is bigger than backyard gardening using natural methods. However, there has been a growing trend to grow fruits and vegetables organically in the private garden too. Some of these private garden supplies make their way onto the local farmer's market were they are purchased by individuals looking for organic produce. Regulated organic foods must receive certain certification in some countries in order to be sold on the open market in huge volumes.

Q: Why Are Organic Foods Becoming Popular?

A: The actual organic foods movement is recorded to have started in the 1940s. Today more and more people who are seeking to eat healthy and are turning to organically grown produce. Studies show that naturally farmed fruits and vegetables are healthier than genetically modified produce which in some cases has been linked to chronic disease. The popularity of organic foods is being fueled by the growing awareness of the potential dangers of GMO produce and the benefits of eating foods without chemicals, pesticides and other harmful elements.

Q: What Are The Environmental Benefits Of Organic Farming?

A: Environmental benefits are the other reason why this type of farming and its produce are becoming more popular. To begin with, farming organically does not release harmful pesticides and chemicals into the environment. Studies show that chemicals soak into the environment ending up in rivers and streams where they affect marine life amongst other dangers. In a nutshell unlike organic farming, fertilizer aided farming disturbs the ecosystem and overtime may cause irreparable damage.

Organic farming clearly affords an opportunity to the environment regenerate itself without the effects of chemicals and pesticides.

Q: Will Organic Farming Become The Leading Method Of Food Production?

A: This appears highly unlikely in the immediate future. Due to climate change it is becoming increasingly difficult to attain food security in many parts of the world. As a result there is instead a growing use of GMO foods that are drought resistant and can feed more people.

At a commercial level it is clear that organic farming is growing year after year. Private gardens will become the new frontiers for micro organic farming primarily for immediate healthy eating reasons. More people are becoming aware of the dangers of weight gain and obesity in relation to hypertension and heart disease. These concerns will likely be drivers for private organic farming.

Organic Foods - Better Or Not? What the Research is Showing

Organic foods are the ones which are grown without any use of artificial fertilizers. It refrains from using pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones, genetic engineering or antibiotics. Organic food is the culmination for organic farming, which employs traditional techniques and crop rotation to maintain fertility in soil and pests free crop.

There are great health benefits that one can get by simply including organic food in our diets. Organic food is not only good for our health but is also beneficial to our environmental health due to the methods used to produce them.

Given below are some points which highlights "why organic foods are better"

Consumption of organic foods boosts energy levels as it contains less toxins and chemicals which are harmful to human body.

They contain higher levels of nutrients which are essential to fight infections thus making your body resistant to diseases.

They are also proved to be beneficial in fighting chronic health disorders which are on a constant rise in society today.

Non-organic fruit contains 30 various pesticides even after washing which may prove fatal to you health unlike organic fruit which is pesticide free.

Organic food producers are inspected more often as compared to other food producers. So in order to meet the requirements they have to follow strict guidelines and standards.

In organic dairy animals are not fed drugs, chemicals and growth hormones unlike non-organic dairy where these artificial things are used, the effects of which are finally passed on to the people when they consume it.

As production of organic food does not contain use of artificial pesticides or drugs which are harmful to soil, they are considered environmental friendly.

Studies have also revealed that organic foods are not genetically modified. Genetically modified products pose a serious threat to animals as well as human beings.

They are safe and natural to eat as they are not filled with harmful additives and chemicals which are harmful for human body.

In spite of immense popularity of organic food in recent times, organic farmers are still facing some challenges. Firstly in comparison to conventional food items, organic food is more fast perishable by nature as it does not use any preservatives or pesticides. This calls for a burden on producers to sell the goods as soon as possible in markets. On the other hand for customers it becomes a thumb rule to purchase organic food in small quantities and fill the stocks on a regular basis. Secondly the market for organic foods is still not developed much.

The need of the hour is to create awareness about organic foods and to build marketing and technical infrastructure to meet the demand of consumers as well as producers. Thirdly organic foods are more costly to grow as compared to conventional food items available in market. This high cost of producing organic food is finally borne by customer in the form of increased prices of these goods in the market.

If you decide to go for organic foods, at least make sure make sure the USDA stamp is printed on the package.

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