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Indybay Feature

Alert: Beach Flats Community Garden Threatened

by danielsan
The Beach Flats Community Garden is being threatened with closure. Locals who've farmed there for fifteen years arrived last week and saw a notice saying they should turn in their keys by the end of March. Audio recorded March 24th is translated and transcribed below.
640_bfgarden_shovel.jpg
If you care about food security, open space, green space, public space,... The Beach Flats Community Garden needs your support. The Seaside Company owns the land (Boardwalk) and apparently wants to use the land for something other than feeding local families.

Farmers and supporters are organizing a meeting:
THURSDAY, MARCH 27th 6PM at Beach Flats Community Garden

Organize to save our garden!
§notice
by danielsan
640_bfgarden_notice.jpg
§blossoms
by danielsan
640_bfgarden_blossoms.jpg
(peach)
§cabbage
by danielsan
640_bfgarden_cabbage.jpg
§hose
by danielsan
640_bfgarden_hose.jpg
During the time of year when planting is ideal, when seeds need to be sown, farmers are being asked to abandon their plots, to turn in their keys, to give up their right to work land they've worked for more than a decade.
§whole farm
by danielsan
640_bfgarden_wholefarm.jpg
§audio: history (Español)
by danielsan
Listen now:
Copy the code below to embed this audio into a web page:
"Q: When did you start working here?
A: I arrived in 1988, and here, planting, I've got about fifteen years.
Q: Fifteen years, continually working this land?
A: Yes, fifteen years, planting. Right now, planting. Here, corn.
Q: What's this over here?
A: That's corn growing.
Q: and what's that growing over there?
A: A flower, called Gladiola. Another guy planted them, but he doesn't come to water them anymore, because he stopped coming after they told him he wouldn't be allowed, since they wouldn't let us garden. He just accepted it. So I'm watering them.
Q: And the plants here produce food, for the tables of the families around here, no?
A: Yes, for the house of those who plant, or those who ask, since they need it, we give to them so nothing goes to waste. It's a good feeling. It's food on the table.
Q: And after all these years, working and planting, there's this announcement. [Foto above] What's it say?
A: The woman who's in charge says not to plant anymore, that they're going to put something else here. They don't want,... well, they're going to clean up around here, and they're not going to let us plant anymore. So that's our problem right now.

Second farmer: I say it's a good thing that they've allowed us to plant food here over the years. We're planting corn, beans, then some flowers. over there, watering flowers, there and here,... the flowers are beautiful.
But the man who planted them, he doesn't come anymore. I come here because I live here. It's like a job.
§audio: invitation (Español)
by danielsan
Listen now:
Copy the code below to embed this audio into a web page:
"We're throwing out the invitation to everyone to come, for the community to realize what's happening, we're here waiting for you. Come out and work with us. Everyone is welcome. Whomever. We're all equals, so here's something to work on."
§sign
by danielsan
640_bfgarden_respeten_sign.jpg
"Please! Respect the work of other People!"
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AUTHOR
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brent
Thu, Mar 27, 2008 11:49PM
danielsan
Thu, Mar 27, 2008 2:21PM
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