Friday, October 21, 2011

The Nutrition Levels in Our Food is Declining

This post is mainly a reference to a new article on the Mother Earth News website.  The article is titled "The Nutrition Levels in Our Food is Declining".  It is an interesting article.  I'm not certain if all the facts of the article are absolutely correct (some of the comments seem very critical), but I do believe the high-level message is accurate.

Why am I posting this? 
Well, people we know seem to be curious about our recent transition from Sturgis Center for the Arts, to Bear Butte Gardens.  Most people can easily understand the reasons why we left Sturgis Center for the Arts (e.g. volunteering seven years at the art center is a long time, it is time for new leadership and new ideas at the art center, our own kids are now in college, etc.).  But people don't really understand why we have started Bear Butte Gardens.  The short answer is that we like to garden.  Most people seem satisfied with that answer.  But there is more.  Much more.  A deep rooted purpose.  A real concern.  A strong desire to contribute to society in a positive manner.  A vision.  What is it?  Food!

I'm developing strong feelings about the current situation of our food sources.  I've always had my concerns, but the more research I do and the more I learn about it, the more concerned I become.  The article I reference above explains why I'm concerned.

There is a better way to produce food.  We don't know exactly how we will do it (e.g. organic, biodynamic, permaculture, a combination, etc.), but we do know why it needs to be done (read the article), and we do know how we don't want to do it (conventional, chemical-based agriculture).  One step at a time.

Rick Grosek
Bear Butte Gardens
Rick@BearButteGardens
http://www.bearbuttegardens.com/