We are definitely exhilarated
to know that our special issue on Food was a decisive factor for
a farmer to buy land and to start building an organic farm as well
as a CSA (see letter on p.5). This is why we do what we do!
Some people were offended by a poem we published last issue. I
just want to be very clear that we have no intention on hurting
anyone. Our focus is not only reporting on sustainability issues
but positive solutions. Even though we go up against the huge corporatized
media from time to time, some people will be a bit disturbed at
what we decide to publish, especially since we root for the disenfranchised,
the oppressed and the marginalized. Of course, those who were once
marginalized have and can become oppressors and hopefully our truth-seeking
antennas fall on the appropriate mark.
For example, creating this issue has been a painful one because
of what is happening in Israel/Palestine. It's a tragedy when both
sides have resorted to the belief that murder and violence is the
answer (at least that's what we are told in the mainstream press;
how many stories have you read about genuine peace initiatives and
processes that are being established by ordinary citizens without
their respective government's consent?). We were in the process
of creating a special section in HopeDance on the horrors in that
region and discovered to our intense dismay that we couldn't fit
all the appropriate voices in one small section. As before, we need
your financial help. Special supplements stretch us beyond our usual
magazine business loop.
This issue focuses on Food, Farming, Food Forests, Foodsheds as
well as how to gain democratic control over our Food and Agricultural
Systems. Dave Henson writes brilliantly of how corporations have
controlled the food industry and gives us strategies on how to use
the democratic process to win back our control of our own food (p.
11) [Thanks to www.fatalharvest.com
for granting us permission to use photos and for Dave Henson's piece,
see review of Fatal Harvest on page 64]. Stacey Warde reports on
the Eco-Farm Conference and focuses on Kent Whealey's project to
protect heirloom seeds (p.51). Oscar Carmona writes in both English
and Spanish about various community gardens and the numerous personal
transformations that have been harvested from those gardens (p.39).
Food Forests are written about in Larry Santoyo's column (p.29)
as well as the story about the White Dove Farm by John Korman (p.37).
We have a very excellent summary of how war prevention works by
Dr. Scilla Elworthy (p.17). If only the mass media would splash
these incredible success stories on our front pages instead of the
more titillating and sensational news of war-mongering. And it's
always inspiring to read about someone who is doing permaculture
work in a war-torn area. Check out Rosemary Morrow's piece on page
19.
Please fill out our survey on page 10. Subscribe on page 8... and
enjoy reading all the new ads and events in this issue.
Bob Banner
