Jan 20 – NEW DATE: Happy Hour & Public Lecture: Food Movements Unite!
Eric Holt-Giménez, Editor and Food First Executive Director
In case you missed the event with Eric Holt-Gimenez, you can hear him and Rosalinda Guillen speaking about their new book, Food Movements Unite: Strategies to Transform Our Food System on KUOW
Their interview starts at 15:55.
http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=25725
Re-scheduled for FRIDAY, January 20, 2012!
HAPPY HOUR 5 – 6:30PM AT COLLEGE INN PUB (same location)
FREE PUBLIC LECTURE 7 – 9PM AT UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CENTER, LOCATED AT 50TH & THE AVE, 5031 UNIVERSITY WAY. Buses 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 83, 48, 44 all run nearby
5 – 6:30PM: HAPPY HOUR – UNITED FOR FOOD JUSTICE!
Raise your glass together with our esteemed guest and community partners, at a Happy Hour on January 20, co-sponsored by WA Fair Trade Coalition, Lettuce Link/Solid Ground and Community Alliance for Global Justice. We will gather from 5-6:30pm at the College Inn Pub (4006 University Way NE) for a casual meet and greet with our guest, Eric Holt-Giménez of Food First. A remarkable advocate for food justice and food sovereignty, Eric edited Food Movements Unite! He will introduce Food First’s work to build and unite a diverse movement to transform our food system. Please come to share about your work and learn from others working to bring about change in food systems around the world and in the Seattle area.
7 – 9PM: FREE PUBLIC LECTURE at University of Washington UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CENTER, LOCATED AT 50TH AND THE AVE IN THE U-DISTRICT (LOCATION OF FARMERS MARKET). TAKE THE BUS! OR IF YOU DRIVE: South parking lot open at 50th and University, but not plowed!
Sponsored by Community Alliance for Global Justice, UW Dept of Urban Design & Planning, UW Anthropology, UW African Studies Program
Co-sponsored by Alleycat Acres, Cascade Harvest Coalition, Cascadian Edible Landscapes, Central Co-op, CRAVE, The Danny Woo Community Garden, EcoPraxis, GroundUP Organics, Just Garden Project, Lettuce Link/Solid Ground, Readers to Eaters, Real Food Challenge-UW, Seattle Tilth, SHE, UFCW Local 21, WA Fair Trade Coalition, Yes! Magazine
Please help spread the word! Facebook event HERE.
Food Movements Unite! Strategies to Transform Our Food Systems
In communities around the world the power of the people is at work regaining control of our ailing food systems. According to the latest book from Food First, the global food movement is diverse, widespread, refreshingly creative and tremendously powerful. Food Movements Unite! Strategies to Transform Our Food Systems brings us the words, insights and vision of the remarkable farmers, workers and consumers from rural and urban communities around the globe as they address the critical question:
How can we unite to transform the global food system?
The 21 activists and practitioners contributing to this work write “from the trenches” of the food, fuel and environmental crises have much to say about our food future and the potential of this unprecedented “movement of movements.” From the writings of Raj Patel, author of Stuffed and Starved and Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, to João Pedro Stédile of the Brazilian Landless Worker’s Movement, this insightful book is a window into the thinking and actions of the people committed to bringing us affordable, healthy food in ways that harm neither the planet nor its people.
Speaker Biography
Eric Holt-Giménez, Executive Director FoodFirst/Institute for Food and Development Policy
Eric Holt-Giménez is the executive director of FoodFirst/Institute for Food and Development Policy. Eric is the editor of the 2011 Food First book, Food Movements Unite! Strategies to transform our food systems, and the author of the 2009 Food First Book Food Rebellions! Crisis and the Hunger for Justice. His earlier book, Campesino a Campesino: Voices from Latin America’s Farmer to Farmer Movement for Sustainable Agriculture chronicles the development of this movement in Mexico and Central America over two and a half decades. Eric worked with farmers, participated in their farmer-to-farmer trainings, and recorded their triumphs with his camera and pen. This engaging book is the product of that longitudinal participatory research.
Rosalinda Guillén, Executive Director Community to Community Development
Rosalinda Guillén is no longer able to attend.
Directions
Architecture Hall is located just EAST of 15th Ave NE, and just past the main entrance to campus by car, at 40th. If you are outside Gould Hall at 15th Ave NE and 40th, cross 15th, walk up the street, with parking info/hut on your left, Architecture Hall is the first big building on your right, just past the Annex buildings and bus stop on your right. See UW maps link here: www.washington.edu/maps/
SAT Nov 12 – TUES 15 AGRA Watch welcomes Kenyan farmer Samuel Nderitu to Seattle
Honoring African Food Sovereignty!
AGRA Watch welcomes Samuel Nderitu to Seattle, Kenyan Farmer & Director, Grow Biointensive Agricultural Center of Kenya (G-BIACK)
Winner, 2011 Food Sovereignty Prize Honorable Mention
3 events: All events are free & open to the public
SAT Nov 12:
11AM – 1PM Farmer Information Exchange at Marra Farm (more info below, map here)
6 – 8PM Public Event at Southside Commons, 3518 S. Edmunds St., Columbia City (more info below, map here)
TUES Nov 15, 3:30-5:30PM Talk at UW Smith Hall, Room 304 (map here)
For more information, or to arrange a separate visit with Samuel, please contact CAGJ: 206-405-4600, agrawatch@seattleglobaljustice.org http://www.seattleglobaljustice.org/agra-watch/
*********
“The technologies that are promoted by the Gates Foundation in Africa are not farmer-friendly or environmentally friendly. Some of them have not been tested fully to determine their effects on the environment and consumers. African farmers are seeking food sovereignty, not imposed unhealthy foods and GMOs!” – Samuel Nderitu
AGRA Watch welcomes Samuel as part of our effort to support African-initiated programs rooted in agroecological and indigenous farming practices, social equity, and food sovereignty. Samuel is visiting Seattle after receiving the Food Sovereignty Prize – Honorable Mention, awarded at the Community Food Security Coalition’s annual conference in Oakland, CA. AGRA Watch, a campaign of Community Alliance for Global Justice, nominated G-BIACK after visiting them in 2010 to learn more about the Gates Foundation-funded Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and indigenous alternatives.
About G-BIACK: Samuel and his wife Peris are the founders of G-BIACK, Grow BioIntensive Agricultural Centre of Kenya. G-BIACK has trained thousands of small-scale farmers in agroecological methods in a region suffering from ongoing drought, high rates of HIV/AIDS, hunger and the effects of chemical-intensive agriculture. G-BIACK hosts a demonstration farm, community library, seed bank and classroom. They work with marginalized communities, including widows, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans, women and poor farmers. G-BIACK’s programs empower communities to build food systems free from corporate control and rooted in self-determination, local knowledge and ecological sustainability. Learn more about G-BIACK on the web HERE, and watch this 12 minute video, “GROW”.
About The Food Sovereignty Prize: The Food Sovereignty Prize has been awarded annually at the Community Food Security Coalition Conference since 2009. The recipients of this prize have contributed significantly to the food sovereignty movement through grassroots action, raising awareness, and/or developing and implementing new programs and policies. Winners recognize the importance of collective action in bringing about social change; they clearly prioritize the leadership of women, indigenous peoples, people of color, migrant workers and other food providers marginalized by the global food system. CAGJ was honored to receive Honorable Mention in 2009.
******
Join us SAT Nov 12, 6 – 8PM
Public Event with Samuel: Come give a warm Seattle welcome to Samuel, and to hear a presentation & see photos about his work with G-BIACK in Kenya. AGRA Watch will give an update on our campaign challenging the Gates Foundation’s role in a “new green revolution” in Africa. Free & open to the public at Southside Commons (3518 S. Edmunds St., Columbia City). Fair Trade for the Holidays items also available for sale!
********
Saturday Nov 12, 11am – 1pm
From Kenya to Seattle: Farmer Information Exchange at Marra Farm (map here)
Farmers, gardeners and eaters are invited to join us to share information about agroecological growing practices.
Featuring:
*Special guest Samuel Nderitu, visiting from Thika Kenya, will do a workshop on grow biointensive agricultural methods taught by his organization to communities in central Kenya
*Sue McGann, farmer at Solid Ground’s Giving Garden at Marra Farm, will share methods used at this urban community farm.
*David Feinberg, Bee Keeper at Marra Farm will share his experience keeping bees in King County.
*Come learn from Sue, David & Samuel, and bring your ideas to enable us to collectively develop a broader understanding of sustainable farming practices!
CAGJ Party Oct 15 to Celebrate 10 Years!
CAGJ CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF ORGANIZING LOCALLY FOR JUSTICE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY!
It’s a party! SAT OCTOBER 15, 7 – 10pm
Venue: Historic Washington Hall 153 14th Avenue, in the Central District just north of Yesler
$5 – $20 sliding scale donation
Catered by El Rodeo: A Taste of El Salvador
Join CAGJ as we celebrate our 10 years of accomplishments & take stock of broader social movement victories & get psyched for the next 10 years!
…Share your favorite activist stories
…Enjoy tamales, rice & beans, horchata & spirits
…Dance the night away at Washington Hall
…CAGJ’s founding Director Jeremy Simer will join us on this special evening
Special musical guests Seattle Fandango Project & Gravity Kings!
The Fandango traditions of Veracruz, Mexico use music, singing, and dancing to generate a spirit of convivencia—of living and being in community. Seattle Fandango Project builds relationships and social activism through participatory music.
Gravity Kings are a New Orleans style groove-oriented funky soul band with West coast horn lines that make derrières move. Ain’t nothin’ but a party when Gravity Kings lay it down!
*Please help spread the word! Facebook event HERE! — Download the flyer! — Thanks!
**Volunteers needed! For more info, contact CAGJ: volunteer@seattleglobaljustice.org, 206-405-4600
Dance the Tango for CAGJ
Come dance the Argentine Tango with your fellow CAGJ activists and friends on Sunday Oct 23 to raise money for the 2nd edition of CAGJ’s publication, “Our Food, Our Right: Recipes for Food Justice.” Please keep in mind space is limited to only 20 spots for the lesson. Additionally, no partner or prior dancing experience is necessary.
Time: 2pm for a professional lesson and enjoy dancing until 4pm ($20) or come at 3pm just to enjoy dancing ($15). Only cash or check payments accepted .
Location: Yoga Den: 514 12th Ave Ste B (map)
RSVP by October 7, 2011 to vrgedu[at]gmail.com to reserve your spot today. Plus, learn more about CAGJ at www.seattleglobaljustice.org.
Learn more about the great dance instructor, Max Kepler, and other classes she teaches at dancekepler.com and queerseattletango.com .
Monetary Donations will also be accepted at the event. Check out the Facebook event page.
SAT Sept 10: Food Justice without Borders: From Seattle to Brazil!
Food Justice without Borders: From Seattle to Brazil!
Join us as we welcome Janaina Stronzake to Seattle to share her experience of working with the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement – MST – the largest peasant movement in Latin America with over 1.5 million members. Read more about the MST here.
SAT Sept 10, 6 – 9pm
Location: Miller Community Center, 19th & Thomas on Capitol Hill
FREE, donations appreciated
**You can also hear Janaina speak at 2pm at Seattle Tilth’s Harvest Fair! Location: Meridian Park, behind the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98103
6pm Prepare dinner together with fresh Northwest produce
7pm Enjoy Capoeira Angola, Brazilian martial art and ritual combat dance & Learn about the MST from Janaina
Organized by Community Alliance for Global Justice & Grassroots International
Co-sponsors: Cascadian Edible Landscapes, Central Co-op, Community Kitchens Northwest, Community to Community, International Capoeira Angola Foundation (ICAF), The Just Garden Project, NW Farm Bill Action Group, The QuickSource for QuickBooks help, Seattle Tilth, Village Volunteers, WA Fair Trade Coalition
Help spread the word – Facebook Event here!
For more information, contact CAGJ: 206-405-4600, contact_us@seattleglobaljustice.org,www.seattleglobaljustice.org
UFW Solidarity Action Friday, Jan. 27
FLYERS – ENGLISH & ESPANOL
PRESS RELEASE (both in English & Español)
Contact: UFWsolidarity@gmail.com // (206) 745-0164
Español:
En Enero 27, 2012 Decolonize/Occupy Seattle demostrara su continua solidaridad con los trabajadores del mundo al unirse con la Unión de Campesinos (UFW) en su larga campaña por justicia para los trabajadores en la lechería Ruby Ridge, la cual abastece a la corpo
ración Darigold con sus productos lácteos.
Los trabajadores en Ruby Ridge trabajan largas horas sin descansos, cuando piden agua se les dice que tomen del agua que toman las vacas, y son amenazados con escopetas cuando intentan organizarse; muchas han sido víctimas del robo de dinero. Los campesinos no están incluidos en el Acta de Relaciones Laborales Nacional y ya una tercera parte de los organizadores han sido despedidos por tratar de formar una unión.
Hacemos el llamado a todas las personas para que se unan a la Unión de Campesinos y Decolonize/Occupy Seattle para exigir justicia para los campesinos. Nos reuniremos en Westlake a las 2pm y marcharemos a las oficinas executivas de Darigold en el 1130 Rainier Ave. South. Habrá un rally a las 3pm para hacer el llamado a Darigold para que tome acciones inmediatas para resolver los asuntos que enfrentan los trabajadores de Ruby Ridge. Habrá transportación para aquellos que la necesiten.
La lucha de los trabajadores es la misma lucha en contra de codicia que a llevado al movimiento Occupy. ¡Los campesinos son parte del 99%! UNASE A MILES para exigir que Darigold use su influencia sobre sus lecherías para frenar los abusos. ¡Déjeles saber que no pueden ignorar a los campesinos!
Tagalog:
Patuloy na nagbubulagbulagan ang Darigold sa mga abuso na isinumbong ng mga manggagawang naghihirap sa pangongolekta ng gatas. Ang mga magsasaka at ang mga tigasuporta ng UFW ay sinalubong ng mga gwardya noong sila’y nagpunta sa himpilan ng Darigold upang makipagusap ng makahanap ng lunas sa mga abuso. Ang laban ng mga magsasaka ay hindi iba sa laban sa kaswapangan ng mga korporasyon na siyang nagbunga ng kilusang Occupy. Ang mga magsasaka’y kabilang sa 99%! SUMALI SA LIBO LIBO na magdedemanda na gamitin ng Darigold ang kanilang impluwensiya sa kanilang mga pagawaan ng gatas na itigil ang kanilang pang-abuso. Sabihin sa kanila na hindi nila maaaring hindi pansinin ang mga magsasaka.
English:
Decolonize/Occupy Seattle is demonstrating our continued solidarity with laborers world-wide. Join us as we support the United Farm Workers (UFW) in their long standing campaign for justice for the workers at Ruby Ridge Dairy, whose labor supplies the Darigold corporation with its dairy products.
Farm workers at Ruby Ridge work long days without breaks. When they ask for water they are told to drink from where the cows drink. They are threatened with guns when attempting to organize, and many have experienced wage theft. Farm workers are not included in the National Labor Relations Act and already one third of the organizers have been fired for trying to form a union.
Despite actions from the UFW, Darigold continues to turn a blind eye to the abuses being suffered by the workers who labor to produce their milk and their profits. Therefore, we call on all people to join with the UFW and Decolonize/Occupy Seattle to demand justice. We will meet at Westlake at 2pm and march to rally at the Darigold Headquarters at 3 pm.
Jan 20 – NEW DATE: Happy Hour & Public Lecture: Food Movements Unite!
Eric Holt-Giménez, Editor and Food First Executive Director
In case you missed the event with Eric Holt-Gimenez, you can hear him and Rosalinda Guillen speaking about their new book, Food Movements Unite: Strategies to Transform Our Food System on KUOW
Their interview starts at 15:55.
http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=25725
Re-scheduled for FRIDAY, January 20, 2012!
HAPPY HOUR 5 – 6:30PM AT COLLEGE INN PUB (same location)
FREE PUBLIC LECTURE 7 – 9PM AT UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CENTER, LOCATED AT 50TH & THE AVE, 5031 UNIVERSITY WAY. Buses 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 83, 48, 44 all run nearby
5 – 6:30PM: HAPPY HOUR – UNITED FOR FOOD JUSTICE!
Raise your glass together with our esteemed guest and community partners, at a Happy Hour on January 20, co-sponsored by WA Fair Trade Coalition, Lettuce Link/Solid Ground and Community Alliance for Global Justice. We will gather from 5-6:30pm at the College Inn Pub (4006 University Way NE) for a casual meet and greet with our guest, Eric Holt-Giménez of Food First. A remarkable advocate for food justice and food sovereignty, Eric edited Food Movements Unite! He will introduce Food First’s work to build and unite a diverse movement to transform our food system. Please come to share about your work and learn from others working to bring about change in food systems around the world and in the Seattle area.
7 – 9PM: FREE PUBLIC LECTURE at University of Washington UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CENTER, LOCATED AT 50TH AND THE AVE IN THE U-DISTRICT (LOCATION OF FARMERS MARKET). TAKE THE BUS! OR IF YOU DRIVE: South parking lot open at 50th and University, but not plowed!
Sponsored by Community Alliance for Global Justice, UW Dept of Urban Design & Planning, UW Anthropology, UW African Studies Program
Co-sponsored by Alleycat Acres, Cascade Harvest Coalition, Cascadian Edible Landscapes, Central Co-op, CRAVE, The Danny Woo Community Garden, EcoPraxis, GroundUP Organics, Just Garden Project, Lettuce Link/Solid Ground, Readers to Eaters, Real Food Challenge-UW, Seattle Tilth, SHE, UFCW Local 21, WA Fair Trade Coalition, Yes! Magazine
Please help spread the word! Facebook event HERE.
Food Movements Unite! Strategies to Transform Our Food Systems
In communities around the world the power of the people is at work regaining control of our ailing food systems. According to the latest book from Food First, the global food movement is diverse, widespread, refreshingly creative and tremendously powerful. Food Movements Unite! Strategies to Transform Our Food Systems brings us the words, insights and vision of the remarkable farmers, workers and consumers from rural and urban communities around the globe as they address the critical question:
How can we unite to transform the global food system?
The 21 activists and practitioners contributing to this work write “from the trenches” of the food, fuel and environmental crises have much to say about our food future and the potential of this unprecedented “movement of movements.” From the writings of Raj Patel, author of Stuffed and Starved and Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, to João Pedro Stédile of the Brazilian Landless Worker’s Movement, this insightful book is a window into the thinking and actions of the people committed to bringing us affordable, healthy food in ways that harm neither the planet nor its people.
Speaker Biography
Eric Holt-Giménez, Executive Director FoodFirst/Institute for Food and Development Policy
Eric Holt-Giménez is the executive director of FoodFirst/Institute for Food and Development Policy. Eric is the editor of the 2011 Food First book, Food Movements Unite! Strategies to transform our food systems, and the author of the 2009 Food First Book Food Rebellions! Crisis and the Hunger for Justice. His earlier book, Campesino a Campesino: Voices from Latin America’s Farmer to Farmer Movement for Sustainable Agriculture chronicles the development of this movement in Mexico and Central America over two and a half decades. Eric worked with farmers, participated in their farmer-to-farmer trainings, and recorded their triumphs with his camera and pen. This engaging book is the product of that longitudinal participatory research.
Rosalinda Guillén, Executive Director Community to Community Development
Rosalinda Guillén is no longer able to attend.
Directions
Architecture Hall is located just EAST of 15th Ave NE, and just past the main entrance to campus by car, at 40th. If you are outside Gould Hall at 15th Ave NE and 40th, cross 15th, walk up the street, with parking info/hut on your left, Architecture Hall is the first big building on your right, just past the Annex buildings and bus stop on your right. See UW maps link here: www.washington.edu/maps/
2011 CAGJ Accomplishments
Organized Free, Public, Educational Gatherings & Farm Work-Parties
Food Justice Project: Organizing for Food Justice & Food Sovereignty in Seattle & everywhere!
- Teach-Outs with Central Co-op, Cascadian Edible Landscapes, Seattle Youth Garden Works with Spring into Bed!, Clean Greens Farm (in photo: CAGJ activist Victoria Gibson on the Farm with Clean Greens Farmer Tom Willis, and Teach-Out participant Chris Dunkle) HUG-Hilltop Urban Gardens for Food Day!
- May 23: UW Food Justice event with Robert Gottlieb, Author of Food Justice
- Sept 10: hosted MST-Landless Workers Movement- Leader Janaina Stronzake, who spoke at Seattle Tilth Harvest Fair and at CAGJ event, “Food Justice from Brazil to Seattle”
- Nov 13: Occupy Seattle Food Justice Teach-in
AGRA Watch: Organizing to confront the Gates Foundation and Support Food Sovereignty in Africa!
- April 2: Fatou Batta event: Burkino Faso leader of Groundswell International and We Are the Solution Campaign, a women led campaign to resist the “green revolution”. Speakers included Sara Mersha, Grassroots International and Marcia IshIi-Eiteman, PANNA.
- Nov 5-15: AGRA Watch nominated Food Sovereignty Prize Winner, Kenyan Farmer Samuel Nderitu, Grow Biointensive Agricultural Centre of Kenya, who we accompanied and then hosted when he received the prize in Oakland (photo above left, Samuel); Farmer Exchange and visit to Marra Farm and public speaking engagements.
NW Farm Bill Action Group: Organizing to transform the Farm Bill!
- On March 1 NWFBAG hosted Dan Imhoff, author of CAFO: The Tragedy of Industrial Animal Factories and Food Fight: The Citizen’s Guide to a Food and Farm Bill
- Strategy Meeting hosted by Councilmember Richard Conlin’s office; Reception attended by core NWFBAG members; Public Event at UW attended by close to 300
(more…)
Take action for to stand up for farmworker rights in Washington!
Action Alert from the United Farm Workers:
You can make “Darigreed” listen to workers.
Sign the petition TODAY!
Dairy workers at the Ruby Ridge dairy, which provides milk for the Darigold label are going through hell and need your help. More than a third of them have been fired after they dared asked to have a union. They’re suing the dairy for wage and hour violations and even assault. According to workers, the dairy owner, supported by multi-million dollar loan from a major lender, carries a rifle in his truck and has threatened workers.
According to former employee Miguel Cuevas, the owner told Cuevas, “This rifle is for those people with the union.” While most farm workers aren’t in the urban occupy actions, the fight they are in is the same fight against corporate greed that has led to the occupy movement. They are part of the 99%.
Workers and UFW supporters have repeatedly tried to appeal to Darigold about the reported abuses workers who labor to produce their product face, but Darigold remains silent. At the most recent delegation, Darigold greeted folks with security guards instead of coming out to talk.
Worker Rafael Munoz shared this thought: “By not showing their face, they are showing us that they support the mistreatment of workers. We need the support now of the consumer so that our struggle will become even bigger. The more time that passes, the bigger this will become.”
Help make this bigger. UFW has launched a petition drive. Please add your name to it: http://action.ufw.org/page/s/dgpetition. UFW will present the signatures to Darigold shortly after Thanksgiving
Why Darigold? (more…)
SAT Nov 12 – TUES 15 AGRA Watch welcomes Kenyan farmer Samuel Nderitu to Seattle
Honoring African Food Sovereignty!
AGRA Watch welcomes Samuel Nderitu to Seattle, Kenyan Farmer & Director, Grow Biointensive Agricultural Center of Kenya (G-BIACK)
Winner, 2011 Food Sovereignty Prize Honorable Mention
3 events: All events are free & open to the public
SAT Nov 12:
11AM – 1PM Farmer Information Exchange at Marra Farm (more info below, map here)
6 – 8PM Public Event at Southside Commons, 3518 S. Edmunds St., Columbia City (more info below, map here)
TUES Nov 15, 3:30-5:30PM Talk at UW Smith Hall, Room 304 (map here)
For more information, or to arrange a separate visit with Samuel, please contact CAGJ: 206-405-4600, agrawatch@seattleglobaljustice.org http://www.seattleglobaljustice.org/agra-watch/
*********
“The technologies that are promoted by the Gates Foundation in Africa are not farmer-friendly or environmentally friendly. Some of them have not been tested fully to determine their effects on the environment and consumers. African farmers are seeking food sovereignty, not imposed unhealthy foods and GMOs!” – Samuel Nderitu
AGRA Watch welcomes Samuel as part of our effort to support African-initiated programs rooted in agroecological and indigenous farming practices, social equity, and food sovereignty. Samuel is visiting Seattle after receiving the Food Sovereignty Prize – Honorable Mention, awarded at the Community Food Security Coalition’s annual conference in Oakland, CA. AGRA Watch, a campaign of Community Alliance for Global Justice, nominated G-BIACK after visiting them in 2010 to learn more about the Gates Foundation-funded Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and indigenous alternatives.
About G-BIACK: Samuel and his wife Peris are the founders of G-BIACK, Grow BioIntensive Agricultural Centre of Kenya. G-BIACK has trained thousands of small-scale farmers in agroecological methods in a region suffering from ongoing drought, high rates of HIV/AIDS, hunger and the effects of chemical-intensive agriculture. G-BIACK hosts a demonstration farm, community library, seed bank and classroom. They work with marginalized communities, including widows, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans, women and poor farmers. G-BIACK’s programs empower communities to build food systems free from corporate control and rooted in self-determination, local knowledge and ecological sustainability. Learn more about G-BIACK on the web HERE, and watch this 12 minute video, “GROW”.
About The Food Sovereignty Prize: The Food Sovereignty Prize has been awarded annually at the Community Food Security Coalition Conference since 2009. The recipients of this prize have contributed significantly to the food sovereignty movement through grassroots action, raising awareness, and/or developing and implementing new programs and policies. Winners recognize the importance of collective action in bringing about social change; they clearly prioritize the leadership of women, indigenous peoples, people of color, migrant workers and other food providers marginalized by the global food system. CAGJ was honored to receive Honorable Mention in 2009.
******
Join us SAT Nov 12, 6 – 8PM
Public Event with Samuel: Come give a warm Seattle welcome to Samuel, and to hear a presentation & see photos about his work with G-BIACK in Kenya. AGRA Watch will give an update on our campaign challenging the Gates Foundation’s role in a “new green revolution” in Africa. Free & open to the public at Southside Commons (3518 S. Edmunds St., Columbia City). Fair Trade for the Holidays items also available for sale!
********
Saturday Nov 12, 11am – 1pm
From Kenya to Seattle: Farmer Information Exchange at Marra Farm (map here)
Farmers, gardeners and eaters are invited to join us to share information about agroecological growing practices.
Featuring:
*Special guest Samuel Nderitu, visiting from Thika Kenya, will do a workshop on grow biointensive agricultural methods taught by his organization to communities in central Kenya
*Sue McGann, farmer at Solid Ground’s Giving Garden at Marra Farm, will share methods used at this urban community farm.
*David Feinberg, Bee Keeper at Marra Farm will share his experience keeping bees in King County.
*Come learn from Sue, David & Samuel, and bring your ideas to enable us to collectively develop a broader understanding of sustainable farming practices!