Reading response_Edible gardens and slow food

I support the goals expressed by the University of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque in that they
realize the immediate prerogative of producing more food, supporting food shed development, making
agriculture a part of landscape design and engaging with the City political infrastructure. A “FoodPrint”,
is admirable.
I also find it curious that no mention is made of watersheds and linkages to wildlife habitat. I do
understand that these are issues of scale BUT our dependence on regional ecology and food in many
cases rests upon the backs of pollinators like birds, bees and bats. These creatures require sustenance
from a larger catchment area that includes native grasslands, seeds, and organisms large and small that
allow us to consume healthy food. I believe that the diagram for cultivation could look something like this:


The rectangular plot represents cultivated areas. Native
flora and fauna surround them in regular and irregular
patterning much like a dérive.
The longer stroke represents a protected riparian corridor.
That would be something indeed‐ if the city wild
crafted habitat alongside edibles to support the
larger biotic balance.
What it really seems to be about ‐the slow food and all ‐is
the gathering together of energy and the enjoyment
thereof. It seems sacred and secular all at once. Great!

I am reminded of the historic origin of basilica typology. It involves a long rectangular space with a table in the center.
Early Christians broke bread there.









This is a diagram for slow food too! The communion of tastes, pleasures… time spent.

I agree with Winne when she alludes to urban gardens’ value in bringing satisfaction and community building to the table of food competency. A society that gardens together laughs
together.

Two things‐
In older times than these, it was customary to leave some fruit unpicked in orchards and vineyards for widows, orphans and aliens to glean thereof.

A change in harvesting methods in the Chesapeake Bay region resulted in leaving some
unpicked corn in the fields. Geese that had been scarce for years returned and multiplied to the
numbers that had previously wintered in the area.
I would like to be part of both of these things‐
Wild geese returning and making a place for orphans at any table.