Listen, do you hear that? It’s the winds of climate change howling at the window and boots of tyranny thumping at the door.
Are we going to pull up the blankets and quiver in fear? Are we going to hide in dark corners? Are we going to sit around and cry?
OK, we all need a good cry now and then. But that’s not all we’re going to do. When we’re done wiping away the tears, we’re going to pick up our tools and get to work.
Some of us work with keyboards. Some of us work with guns. Some of us work with hammers, wrenches, trucks or money. Thank you and please continue. Still, whatever we do and wherever we go, there is something that most any of us can do to help enrich and secure our communities. What is that you might ask? It’s as simple as playing in the dirt I tell you.
Get some seeds. It does not matter how many, or what they are, as long as they are living and are plants we can use for food, fiber, medicine or horticulture. Find some soil. It could be in an old can, a fresh pot, a plot of ground, or a 100 acre field. Remove other plants, add fresh soil, compost or fertilizer if you can, plant your seed, give it sun or lights, and if you water and weed it, your crop is bound to grow.
Maybe you can’t grow plants. Maybe they don’t like you. Well, listen here, me and my brown thumb aren’t so good either. My user name should have been brownandblue. But that’s not going to stop me from trying. Our food is not going to grow itself. There’s too many of us for that now.
If you have gardening equipment, great, put it to use. Grow some food. If you don’t, use whatever shovel, hoe, spoon, or ice scraper you can. Don’t forget your gloves too if you have them.
Just plant some seeds, that’s all I’m asking, not for me, or you, but for all of us. Food security is vital, literally, for our very well-being, nay our very survival. We cannot count on container ships, trucks or Republicans. Grow in cities, towns and countrysides. Put a pot of herbs in the window sill, get full spectrum lights for indoor production, grow tomatoes in the yard, or cultivate a field of staples. No effort is too small or big, though coordination and communication are required at times.
As your garden grows, so too will you. Some will take it further. Good, we’ve got Master Gardener programs, seed exchanges, farmers markets, extension services and all sorts of ways to get involved, learn more and contribute as much as your heart desires for food security in your neighborhood.
Food security is national security. Grow some if you can.