MO Director of Agriculture Hagler: Springfield is “the Hot-Bed of Garden Activity” for the State of Missouri and this Region

Agri Director Praises Springfield’s Well Fed Neighbor Alliance for Inspirational Vision

Springfield, MO - It seemed odd to see almost no notice on the part of Springfield’s local news media when our State Director of Agriculture, Dr. John Hagler, showed up to honor both local citizens and non-profit success in their own city. However, that pretty much sums up what happened when Dr. Hagler honored Springfield and members of Well Fed Neighbor Alliance (WFNA) Galen Chadwick and Aubree Taylor, among others, at the Midtown School Garden near Cox North on Thursday morning.

Springfield’s 1,000 Garden Project’s creator Chadwick, and Director Aubree Taylor were honored that the name of Missouri’s 10,000 Garden Challenge was inspired by WFNA’s 1,000 Garden Project.

Hagler wanted to kick off Missouri’s 10,000 Garden Challenge at the site of the Midtown School Garden in Springfield because he considers Springfield the State leader of the “grow local” food drive.

“We have a whole staff who has just been dying for the opportunity to sink their hands into the type of initiative that could promote this very important effort all across this state, and when they stood there and heard the story of Ruell and Galen and Melissa and Aubree and all the people, what they’ve done, starting off with their 1,000 Gardens…we made a commitment to each other that we would start working together slowly but surely to take that kernel of seed of an idea and see if we could plant it ourselves for a greater effort across this State and we did that,” Hagler said. He credited Governor Nixon with stepping up to the plate to start the 10,000 Garden Challenge.

The President of WFNA, LTD Ruell Chappell had indicated an interest on the part of the MO Dept. of Agriculture in securing a local food supply and rebuilding a sustainable local economy in a comment at JackeHammer back in September of 2009. Chappell had just attended an Urban Garden Task Force Meeting in Springfield. 

“I will be the first to cheer our city if the right of the people to grow, own and do as they will with their food is upheld!!” Chappell wrote. “This thinking is in line with a new focus that can help secure our local food supply and rebuild a sustainable local economy. Springfield can be the first city in the Nation to go this far! The MO. Dept. of Ag is extremely interested,” he wrote.

Chadwick and Taylor had served on that Urban Garden Task Force Chappell wrote about. So had Director of Springfield Urban Agriculture Coalition (SUAC) Melissa Millsap.  Millsap was instrumental in establishing the Midtown School Garden, along with Project Coordinator Lucy Howell. The school garden is a pilot project intended to be the first of ten school gardens SAC would like to install this year.

Millsap seemed as interested in building sustainable community as she is in a locally sustainable food supply.

“It’s (Midtown School Garden) not just a school garden, it’s a community, and a school garden. That’s the way it needs (to be) in order for sustainability,” Millsap said. 

She said the cafeteria is not currently utilizing the food produced in the school garden, but it is getting into the mouths of the children. The kids are taking some of the fresh produce home with them, and it is making its way into the classroom.  Middle schoolers are even cooking with the vegetables in their home economics classes, Millsap said.

“We’re not trying to push too hard (to get the food into the cafeteria) because I think that once people see how successful this program is, how much the kids enjoy this food, it’s just going to be a natural thing that takes place, and of course we’re supportive of that…. I think time will tell and people will adopt it,” she said.

As Ruell Chappell introduced Dr. Hagler Thursday, he noted the importance of fresh produce in the lives of children.

“The children that we are raising today may not live as long as we do because of obesity and the litany of things that result from that,” Chappell said. “It is important that we grow and we feed our children good food. It produces economic opportunity (and) jobs.”

Millsap identified some of the main partners of the Midtown School Garden as: Cox North, Caring Communities, Drury University, Midtown Neighborhood, the YMCA, and Childhood Obesity Action Group.

For Hagler’s part, if the local media in Springfield is suddenly averse to giving credit to WFNA members, he appeared unaffected by that aversion.

“It is an honor to be here in Springfield which is the hot-bed of garden activity for this state and, in fact, this region,” Dr. Hagler said. “You know Galen, Ruell, Aubree, Melissa and all the Councilmen and school folks that have gathered here today, I can tell you this,” he said,  “I fully expect in one capacity or another to be standing here in a couple of years…and we won’t recognize what we’ve built because it will be that successful.”

Earlier in the morning when Hagler was making his point that everyone is vested in agriculture he had quipped his favorite statistic was that 4 out of 4 people eat.

“Everyone has a stake in agriculture. It is this state’s number 1 economic driver…it is something that each and every child, each and every family, each and every school, each church and each community can set root in, take a part in, and can build the future for tomorrow for our State, our cities and our country,” Hagler said.

If you would like to take the 10,000 Garden Challenge you can register at agrimissouri.com  and enter for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate from Tractor Supply Company. 

If you would like to view the three part video series of this event, go to wellfedneighbor.com and click on "community activity."

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Disclosure: Jackie Melton is a member of the WFNA and is a caretaker of a Gateway Farm

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Vincent David Jericho's Radio Show

I still get a lot of "hits" at JackeHammer from people who are looking for Vincent David Jericho.  I didn't know until recently that the link I had previously provided was no longer current.  So, if you're looking for Vince and can't find him there is a new listing under "Links" in the side bar of this blog, just look for Crossing the World.

His new Web site address is:

http://www.crossing-the-world.com/, and he does a show from 7-11pm every week night.  I watched the last thirty minutes or so of his show tonight.  It was nice to see his shiny face and hear the voice of my old friend again.  :)

Galen Chadwick of the Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance is on Vince's show every Wednesday night for those of you who'd like to check that out as well.

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Food & Ag Freedom Discussion Held

SPRINGFIELD - On Tuesday of last week (1-18) about 200 people met at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center for a discussion about Food and Agriculture Freedom. The discussion was sponsored by Greater Ozarks Property Rights Congress, Lawrence County Chapter. The speaker who led the discussion was Doreen Hannes. Hannes authors the Web log "Truth Farmer." She has been described on the Internet as an agriculture expert, but by way of introduction, following is what the flyer passed out at the meeting said about Hannes:

"Doreen Hannes has been a full time volunteer advocate for independent agriculture since 2005 and is a well-respected leader in the national movement to halt the National Animal Identification System, now known as ADT (Animal Disease Traceability). Doreen has written extensively on the topic of NAIS as well as authored and co-authored several white papers on NAIS and other topics affecting the consolidation of agriculture."

The main topic of the discussion last Tuesday, however, was House Resolution 2751. President Obama signed that resolution into law on January 4, after the Senate passed it as the "FDA Food Safety Modernization Act" on December 19, 2010.

Now, most of us take the responsibility to feed our families very seriously. It's interesting that few of us spend much time pondering the laws which govern our ability to feed ourselves. When it comes to an issue so vital as whether we will have the potential to feed ourselves in the future, we owe it to ourselves and our families to educate ourselves about the affects of this law on food freedom in our local areas, our state, nation and broader global human family.

While I could extensively quote Doreen Hannes and her comments regarding H.R. 2751, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, (or Public Law No. 111-353) I am somewhat reluctant to do so because I haven't had much opportunity to look at the Act myself. I don't, and I don't want the readers of JackeHammer, to leave the responsibility of understanding and analysing what this law will mean to us and our families in the future to someone we do not know, but I will say, based on what Hannes discussed, I am somewhat alarmed by what I have heard and have printed out the 119 page law so that I may scrutinize it at my leisure later. That is what I hope to inspire YOU to do. Then, maybe after you have looked at it Section by 405 sections you can share your thoughts here, in the comment section and we can continue the discussion here.

Hannes believes the law will have a devastating effect on local farmers. She said the law puts us under a method of good agricultural practices that, "...will put virtually everybody out of the agriculture business....It's nothing less than a recipe for global famine," she said. Hannes also believes, along with a growing number of people, the best way to meet the needs of our families is through our own local communities.

The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance, (WFNA) which has been actively involved in local food issues in and around the Springfield area, thinks the best way to ensure the safety and security of our food supply is to further localize it. WFNA even pushes the idea that people should know their farmer personally, visit his or her farm of choice, and gain an intimate knowledge of the growing and processing of their own food.

WFNA has been working to establish a farmer's cooperative in our local region. The FDA Food Modernization Act will effect that cooperative if the Alliance's dreams come to fruition. "The WFNA Cooperative would have to comply (with the Food Modernization Act) so is very much effected (by it)," Eric Vought said. Vought is an author of "The County Restoration Handbook," a project of the Well Fed Neighbor Alliance Hosted by The Statesmen for our Constitutional Republic.

Many of the people in the crowd at the meeting were interested in how they could take action in opposition to the new law. Termed-out State Representative Mark Wright was in attendance and offered some options:

1. De-fund the bill through the U.S. House of Representatives
2. A lawsuit could be filed by farmers who have standing to do so
3. File a state bill opting Missouri out statutorily.
4. Missouri citizens could pass either a statutory or constitutional initiative petition on the ballot.

It is a matter of interest that the majority of recent wide-spread food borne illness outbreaks, thought to have been the inspiration behind this Act, had their origins among the large farming industry, already highly regulated, but some argue under-enforced.

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Jackie Melton is a member of the WFNA and a caretaker of a WFNA "Gateway Farm"

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Recommended Viewing: Mayor O'Neal & Councilman Dan Chiles at the Lawn and Garden Show

A Conversation With Mayor O'Neal - Well Fed Neighbor
A short conversation with Mayor James O'Neal at The Home and Garden Show, in which he expresses support for The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance, the local food movement and chickens in the city. - by Dale Wayne Jackson

Conversation with Councilman Dan Chiles - Well Fed Neighbor
Dan speaks about the importance of the local food movement in terms of personal health and alternative energy solutions. - by Dale Wayne Jackson

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SATURDAY NIGHT!

...Don't be all dressed up with no place to go when you could be attending:

The Missouri Restoration Tour...

...featuring "The Golden Age Band," "Nick and Ruell and Ned The Band," and other surprise musical guests!

(Click here for more information!)

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Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance to Introduce The Missouri Restoration Tour

WFNA Co-Founder Ruell Chappell issued the following news release announcing the upcoming debut of "The Missouri Restoration Tour," featuring "The Golden Age Band" -

“The Missouri Restoration Tour”

Introduction

This Saturday, January 30, Gillioz theater, 7pm

> Doors open at 6pm, Presentations in the entryway, Tickets $10.00 at the door

Saturday, Jan 30, 7pm at the beautiful Gillioz theater in downtown Springfield, The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance will present an introduction to The Missouri Restoration Tour! The Missouri Restoration Tour is currently being designed to educate residents of our 27 County Food-Shed to the fact that we can’t feed ourselves, recruit farmers, producers, processors, and merchants to the need and the economic opportunity, identify supply and demand for the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers’ Coop, introduce the County Sustainability handbook, and, ultimately, re-localize food production and a vibrant sustainable economy.

The Missouri Restoration Tour Debut will include a live music / multi-media presentation in three parts. Part 1, Missouri’s Golden Age (1890-1914); Part 2, Today ( Our current condition); and Part 3, A Restored Missouri secure in its food and economy.

Musician guests will include Ruell Chappell, Nick and Ruell and Ned the Band and, surprise guests.

Doors will open at 6pm. Tickets are $10.00 and available at the door the night of the event.

In addition to the Tour introduction there will be a host of Local Food, Energy and Sustainability exhibits in the entryway, and a status report on the Following:

> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliances’ 1000 Garden’s project going State-Wide!
> The County Sustainability Handbook!
> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance 501c3 and envisioned programs
> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance Community Outreach
> The Mom’s For Local Food …… Lunch Box rebellion
> Status in Jefferson City
> The birth of the Missouri Restoration Party

And the latest and most exciting news……..

>The formation of the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers’ Coop with the aid of Joe Maxwell ( Former Lt. Governor of Missouri, the WFNA’s General Counsel, and creator of a number of successful sustainable local coops nationwide) and Russ Kremer ( coop builder of “Fresh” fame). The WFN Farmers’ Coop is key to economic sustainability and the model through which small local producer products will find their way to local processors and, ultimately, local merchants!

Don’t miss the opportunity to be at this historic event!

The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance is dedicated to Local Food and Local Jobs; the re-localization of our food supply and a vibrant, sustainable economy!

Ruell Chappell

PresidentRCM, Inc
Co-Founder Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance

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Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance Activists Meet at New Office

Group reports exciting developments and interesting liasons; 1,000 Gardens Project could go statewide

Springfield, MO - A dozen "Well Fed Neighbor Alliance" (WFNA) activists, including this blogger's husband, gathered for the first time in a conference room where "Hummert International" is setting up shop.

Darrel Sparkman, one of WFNA's 255 (current) members, has supplied WFNA with two office spaces, a reception area, and use of the conference room the group met in on January 15.

Sparkman is general manager of "Hummert International" and "Springfield Seed & Supply," they just moved into the 615 N. Glenstone Avenue location, themselves. The building previously housed "Ozark Food Harvest."

Sparkman said "Hummert International" bought out "Springfield Seed Company" and kept it as a retail outlet in Springfield.

"We sell (horticultural products) to retail and wholesale accounts in the immediate 4 state area, plus all over the United States and overseas," Sparkman said.

Sparkman was quick to tell his fellow WFNA members he has "no expectations" of the group. He said he likes what WFNA is doing and was glad to help by offering the space, "It was the least I could do," Sparkman said. He did, however, express interest in WFNA volunteers planting a garden on the east side of the Hummert building.

Galen Chadwick, co-founder of WFNA, reported he and fellow co-founder Ruell Chappell had met with Missouri Director of Agriculture Jon Hagler and his assistant, Marketing Specialist Tony Anderson, on January 14. According to Chadwick, Hagler has expressed a strong desire to see WFNA's 1,000 Gardens Project go statewide.

Larry Melton talked about involving neighborhood associations through organizing neighborhood clean up days. It was suggested coupons for up to 5 packages of Hummert International's open-pollinated vegetable seed be given to those who disposed of yard waste during the neighborhood clean ups, to encourage gardening in the Springfield community. The coupons would be redeemable at Hummert's store. WFNA volunteers would package the garden seed for distribution on behalf of WFNA and Hummert.

"We're dirt under the fingernails kind of people," Chadwick said. "This is how we get things done."

Aubree Taylor, who heads up the "1,000 Gardens Project" in Springfield, (visit here and here) reported, among other things, she has been working with Shelley Vaugine to try to establish a Well-Fed/Grant Beach Community Garden. Taylor said Vaugine was formerly a librarian and is also working with Taylor on a tool and book lending library.

Taylor is also planning a 1,000 Gardens Earth Day event at Weaver Elementary School for April 23.

Another project of Chadwick and Chappell has been the development of a Food Policy Coalition. According to Chadwick, the plan which the Food Policy Coalition is drafting, "will highlight urban agriculture models and goals, outline food security restoration, and offer a timeline for energy descent from imported fossil fuels."

Chadwick was also pleased to announce John Ikerd is advising the coalition. Ikerd is the author of: "Sustainable Capitalism," Kumarian Press; "A Return to Common Sense," R.T. Edwards; "Small Farms are Real Farms," Acres USA and; "Crisis and Opportunity: Sustainability in American Agriculture," University of Nebraska Press.

It seemed each of the 12 activists who were present had a wealth of news to share. For instance, Mark Hay, of "Sammy's Window," announced "The Kitchen" is interested in WFNA's assistance with their garden, and that the "Victory Mission" has expressed an interest in assistance with future green house projects. Hay said Hummert International is also interested in teaming up with Victory Mission on future green house projects. Hummert offers a wide variety of green house products for sale.

Hay directed "JackeHammer" to the Sammy's Window FaceBook description for information about that organization, "Sammy’s Window is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to help foster children enter the foster system with some sense of dignity, and to help foster parents with the transition." (Learn more about the mission of Sammy's Window and how to help at their FaceBook page.)

WFNA has booked the Gilloiz Theater for a January 30 event. WFNA's Ruell Chappell will provide musical entertainment (to be announced). There will be a $10 charge which will go toward paying for the venue. There was a discussion about collecting canned goods and clothing, to be distributed by Sammy's Window, and gardening books and tools at the event. Chadwick said WFNA members could also decorate and share 8 to 10 tables to promote ventures in which they may be involved or display products they have to sell.

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Disclosure: Jackie Melton is a member of the Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance

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BREAKING: Ruell Chappell Plans to Challenge Sara Lampe for the 138th District

Chappell announced his intentions at a Well-Fed Neighbor/Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers' Cooperative meeting on October 14

Springfield, MO - Ruell Chappell wants to unseat incumbent Sara Lampe in a run for the 138th district. Chappell said he will run on much the same platform that is resonating among farmers, growers, and sustainability advocates across 27 southwest Missouri counties. That message is the simple message of food and jobs delivered by the "Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance" (WFNA). Chappell is a co-regional coordinator of the WFNA, but you might remember him better as a member of the "Ozark Mountain Daredevils."

"I'm in it to win. It's a natural next step for our cause," Chappell told "JackeHammer" after the meeting. "There's not a person in this town who wouldn't agree we need a better economy."

Chappell believes the way to grow the economy in Missouri, is to produce, buy, and compete in the local market with local grown food, creating more local jobs. As a result, he says, that local money stays in our local economy.

"Everyone else is status quo," Chappell said. He wants to be pro-active in stimulating the economy, rather than waiting for the economy to turn around, which is what he thinks is the current stance of "status quo" politicians.

"If we want an economy, we have to make it," he said. "Local food will secure a local economy."

Chappell said he plans to run as an independent.

Sara Lampe, a Democrat, has been the 138th district representative since 2004.

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Recommended Reading 19: Salatin on Food

Joel Salatin promotes local, nutrient dense foods over today's food industries' "fatter, faster, bigger, cheaper" version

"Joel Salatin, America's Most Influential Farmer, Talks Big Organic and the Future of Food : TreeHugger"

Hat tip: "Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance"

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