Map out the wild/free food
Ben | 25.08.2006 10:33 | Analysis | Ecology
An idea put forward by a WWOOF host. Local Agenda 21 grants really should be available for mapping out/documenting wild food - here's some reasoning to put forward in persuading the authorities... a promising idea. Please comment, but tactfully - some people who post seem to be socially inept.
Map out the wild/free food (by 
ben_austin_85@hotmail.co.uk) 25/08/06
“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try spending the night locked in with a mosquito” – African proverb
Most who read this I’m sure will be aware of the Agenda 21 agreements. They are standards/strategies that each governmental authority is to abide by, and most authorities are, let’s say… struggling… to uphold them. Local/county councils can provide grants for projects that fulfil the necessary criteria – essentially that they are environmentally and socially beneficent. Shouldn’t it then be possible to get a grant to map out/document the wild/free food in one’s area? The fields, woods, hedgerows, coasts and even wastelands of Britain and are home to an abundant supply of edible plants which really should be utilised more.
Maps/documents of local wild/free food grants people more opportunity to collect free food, helps reduce CO2 emissions, helps absolve people of any guilt felt in taking food, and assists people to have a healthier diet. Collecting wild/free food brings an immediate sensory experience of interconnectedness with one’s natural environment (this de-alienation is surely needed if ecological ideas are to take hold for the long-term), with the progress towards ecological sustainability, and it helps bring a sense of community to all as well as to those people/activists who are often geographically far apart. By demonstrating to one’s local council that wild/free food appeals to people in the community, along with the important environmental benefits (that can go towards fulfilling their Agenda 21 obligations), it will be easier to persuade them to plant (or perhaps to have you to plant (see:
http://www.guerrillagardening.org/)) more free food in the public spaces and grounds of public institutions such as schools… It is a project of demonstrable and obvious relevance to all people; it’ll help foster a greater sense of community that is clearly needed in our times; and ultimately wild/free foods are part of our heritage, too. As unpleasant as it is, it may also be wise to put forward market-based reasons for granting the project – there’s the possibility of co-operation with, or creation of, small-scale enterprises; greater sales of necessary resources to collect/process free food; and an area that has such free-resources/novelty could attract more people to the area & thus a few more paying customers and a little more publicity for the area & for the council’s oh-so-wise expenditures…
If you too decide to give it a go, please let me know. Unfortunately, South Kesteven District Coucil – a v.small authority - haven’t given me a grant but have instead passed my enquiries on to Lincolnshire County Council…
http://www.guerrillagardening.org/
Books: Ian Burrows, “Food From The Wild”
Richard Mabey, “Food For Free”
ben_austin_85@hotmail.co.uk) 25/08/06 “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try spending the night locked in with a mosquito” – African proverb
Most who read this I’m sure will be aware of the Agenda 21 agreements. They are standards/strategies that each governmental authority is to abide by, and most authorities are, let’s say… struggling… to uphold them. Local/county councils can provide grants for projects that fulfil the necessary criteria – essentially that they are environmentally and socially beneficent. Shouldn’t it then be possible to get a grant to map out/document the wild/free food in one’s area? The fields, woods, hedgerows, coasts and even wastelands of Britain and are home to an abundant supply of edible plants which really should be utilised more.
Maps/documents of local wild/free food grants people more opportunity to collect free food, helps reduce CO2 emissions, helps absolve people of any guilt felt in taking food, and assists people to have a healthier diet. Collecting wild/free food brings an immediate sensory experience of interconnectedness with one’s natural environment (this de-alienation is surely needed if ecological ideas are to take hold for the long-term), with the progress towards ecological sustainability, and it helps bring a sense of community to all as well as to those people/activists who are often geographically far apart. By demonstrating to one’s local council that wild/free food appeals to people in the community, along with the important environmental benefits (that can go towards fulfilling their Agenda 21 obligations), it will be easier to persuade them to plant (or perhaps to have you to plant (see:
http://www.guerrillagardening.org/)) more free food in the public spaces and grounds of public institutions such as schools… It is a project of demonstrable and obvious relevance to all people; it’ll help foster a greater sense of community that is clearly needed in our times; and ultimately wild/free foods are part of our heritage, too. As unpleasant as it is, it may also be wise to put forward market-based reasons for granting the project – there’s the possibility of co-operation with, or creation of, small-scale enterprises; greater sales of necessary resources to collect/process free food; and an area that has such free-resources/novelty could attract more people to the area & thus a few more paying customers and a little more publicity for the area & for the council’s oh-so-wise expenditures… If you too decide to give it a go, please let me know. Unfortunately, South Kesteven District Coucil – a v.small authority - haven’t given me a grant but have instead passed my enquiries on to Lincolnshire County Council…
http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ Books: Ian Burrows, “Food From The Wild”
Richard Mabey, “Food For Free”
Ben
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