growing community La Montanita Cooperative A Community - Owned Natural Foods Grocery Store Nob Hill/ 7am-10pm M-S, 8am-10pm Sun. 3500 Central SE Abq., NM 87106 265-4631 Valley/ 7am-10pm M-Sun. 2400 Rio Grande Blvd. NW Abq., NM 87104 242-8800 Gallup/ 10am-7pm M-S, 11am-6pm Sun. 105 E. Coal Gallup, NM 87301 863-5383 Santa Fe/ 7am-10pm M-S, 8am-10pm Sun. 913 West Alameda Santa Fe, NM 87501 984-2852
March 2013 2
INSTANT CULTURE or
PERMACULTURE? CARBON ECONOMY SERIES BY IGINIA BOCCOLANDRO t is clear what culture we've chosen as an industrialist nation of the West. Instant, like now! Another demand is it HAS TO BE CHEAP. Such is cheapness, that it becomes disposable; but is it really? The other side of disposable is garbage, which was addressed in last month’s workshop on Zero Waste.
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An ETHICAL System Permaculture is not gardening. Permaculture design uses gardens as a demonstration of the design principles that govern this ethical based system. The ethics of permaculture design are simple: love people, love the planet and use all our skills and effort to do the first two well so that there is yield for future generations. In other words, a way of living that seamlessly integrates humans into the natural cycle of life in such a way that perpetuates life by mimicking nature. Each action is informed by long, sustained observation of what is there and shaped by an inventory of resources and needs that are at the core of design. Very different from the instant culture that we live in; where petroleum and dynamite have allowed us to move beyond time and space at such an accelerated rate that it has allowed us to believe that we do not have to follow natural laws or natural patterns. In the name of progress and science we have polluted waterways and oceans, changed the face of the planet, exploited natural mineral deposits, created a consumer-based society that cannot be sustained and put in peril, thousands of species, including our own.
UNM Co-op ’N Go/ 7am-6pm M-F, 10-4pm Sat. Closed Sun., 2301 Central Ave. SE Abq., NM 87131 277-9586 Cooperative Distribution Center 901 Menual NE, Abq., NM 87107 217-2010 Administrative Staff: 217-2001 TOLL FREE: 877-775-2667 (COOP) • General Manager/Terry Bowling 217-2020 terryb@lamontanita.coop • Controller/John Heckes 217-2029 johnh@lamontanita.coop • Computers/Info Technology/ David Varela 217-2011 tech@lamontanita.coop • Perishables Coordinator/Bob Tero 217-2028 bobt@lamontanita.coop • Human Resources/Sharret Rose 217-2023 hr@lamontanita.coop • Marketing/Edite Cates 217-2024 editec@lamontanita.coop • Membership/Robin Seydel 217-2027 robins@lamontanita.coop • CDC/MichelleFranklin 217-2010 mf@lamontanita.coop Store Team Leaders: • Mark Lane/Nob Hill 265-4631 markl@lamontanita.coop • John Mulle/Valley 242-8800 jm@lamontanita.coop • William Prokopiak/Santa Fe 984-2852 willpro@lamontanita.coop • Michael Smith/Gallup 575-863-5383 michaels@lamontanita.coop Co-op Board of Directors: email: bod@lamontanita.coop • President: Martha Whitman • Vice President: Marshall Kovitz • Secretary: Ariana Marchello • Treasurer: Roger Eldridge • Lisa Banwarth-Kuhn • Kristy Decker • Jake Garrity • Susan McAllister • Betsy VanLeit Membership Costs: $15 for 1 year/ $200 Lifetime Membership Co-op Connection Staff: • Managing Editor: Robin Seydel robins@lamontanita.coop 217-2027 • Layout and Design: foxyrock inc • Cover/Centerfold: Co-op Marketing Dept. • Advertising: Sarah Wentzel-Fisher • Editorial Assistant: Sarah Wentzel-Fisher sarahwf@lamontanita.coop 217-2016 • Printing: Vanguard Press Membership information is available at all four Co-op locations, or call 217-2027 or 877-775-2667 email: robins@lamontanita.coop website: www.lamontanita.coop Membership response to the newsletter is appreciated. Address typed, double-spaced copy to the Managing Editor, robins@lamontanita.coop Copyright ©2013 La Montanita Co-op Supermarket Reprints by prior permission. The Co-op Connection is printed on 65% post-consumer recycled paper. It is recyclable.
Petroleum and dynamite have corrupted our vision, our power of observation, our reflection and our interaction with nature and the web of life. We are blown out of scale when it comes to living sustainably on our earth today. This addiction to non-renewable energy has polluted our homes, exploited people and altered our climate. What would you rather have, INSTANT culture or PERMANENT culture? Permaculture is the contraction of these two words, coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, who traveled the world looking at the relationship of humans with their environment. They noted the principles of those relationships that were most successful and sustainable through time and space.
Permaculture is a sustainable design science rooted in nature that provides solutions to some of our most pressing problems. The same branching pattern that's found in a tree is also found in a river, in your heart, and numerous other places. That pattern maximizes edge (surface area for exchanging information or nutrients), increases diversity and serves a whole range of other functions. The very concepts of diversity, increasing stability of natural living systems and increasing edge diversity are core permaculture teachings. Permaculture design has us look for multiple solutions to one problem and find elements that provide more than one function. Learn the basics of permaculture design’s core values, how to apply natural patterns and keep on track by looking at indicators of sustainability. The Permaculture Boot Camp will be held on March 15 from 7-9pm and Saturday and Sunday, March 16-17 from 9:30am4pm at the SFCC in the Jemez Room. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER go to www.carboneconomyseries.com or call 505819-3828.
MARCH BAG CREDIT DONATION ORGANIZATION:
RIO GRANDE
COMMUNITY FARM MINOR MORGAN he Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) is a 50acre, non-profit urban farm located in the Los Poblanos Fields Open Space in Albuquerque’s beautiful North Valley. In addition to growing healthy, organic food for Albuquerque schools, restaurants and stores, the farm maintains a wildlife habitat, runs a maize maze every fall, offers educational programs for kids and manages a community garden.
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These programs are centered on an educational mission as the Rio Grande Community Farm aims to increase community awareness about food production and the importance of healthy, organic, local foods. Farm and Gardening Education For kids, the farm conducts seasonal tours for school groups and offers week-long day camps for kindergarten through 5th graders. These camps will take place during Spring Break (March 11-15) and each week in June from the hours of 9am to 3pm at the Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Agri-Nature Center. Campers increase awareness and enthusiasm for the environment, sustainability and gardening through fun-filled activities including cooking food, making crafts, playing games, singing songs, listening to stories and visiting farm animals. Additionally, campers have the opportunity to sow seeds, tend plants and harvest food in our greenhouse, hoop house and vegetable production fields to learn how food is grown. Each week-long camp is created around a theme such as “Cooking and Preserving,” “Lotions and Potions,” or “How Does Your Garden Grow?” Community Garden The Community Garden at Rio Grande Community Farm is two acres nestled in the NW corner of Los Poblanos Open Space. The garden adheres to organic practices and consists of 100 2' x 80' rows that are leased on an
individual or group basis. Upon signing the row agreements, gardeners are granted access to tools, weekly irrigation, seeds and monthly workshops. Alongside with the garden members, the Community Garden at RGCF hosts a group of Master Gardeners and their impressive Millennium Demonstration Garden. The garden provides food not only for individuals and families but also for weekly donations to local food banks. In accordance with our educational mission, gardeners of all backgrounds participate, from the seasoned vet to the intrigued novice. Through friendly neighbor interaction and workshop attendance, we educate individuals on gardening methods and techniques. In addition, Alvarado Elementary School provides a habitat for wildlife at the north end of the garden which yields numerous educational opportunities for the school and community. RIO GRANDE COMMUNITY FARM not only grows great food for Albuquerque residents, we aim to generate great soil, foster educational experiences, inspire future garden enthusiasts and build community!
BRING A BAG... DONATE THE DIME THIS MONTH BAG CREDIT DONATIONS GO TO RIO GRANDE COMMUNITY FARM: generating great soil, farm and garden education and growing a vibrant community. In JANUARY your bag credit donations of $1,901.22 went to Dismas House New Mexico. THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED!
DONATE YOUR BAG CREDIT!