Become an urban farmer...everyone's doing it

Sometimes it just feels so good to exhaust yourself through sheer physical work.  That's how I've been feeling this week as we've been renovating our backyard.  We've laid pavers, spread dirt and rock, planted vines and shrubs (in 111 degrees, no less!).  But the best part of the backyard by far is the 8'x4' raised bed that we built to house our new organic backyard garden.


As a vegan, I care so much about the origins of my food that I eat and feed to my family.  And I know that concern isn't exclusive to vegans.  There's a growing movement of people who are disgusted by the chemicals and nasty elements in much of the food supply, and many of these people have decided to grow their own produce.  Backyard gardens or "urban farms" are popping up all over the country as a response to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, and other nasty chemicals that are, unfortunately, now the norm in the foods that we buy at the grocery store.  I've attended two lectures in the last two weeks here in Phoenix about urban farming and GMOs, and each event attracted 200+ people - all clamoring for advice on their farms.


There are a lot of resources to help you get started.  It's particularly challenging here in Phoenix's arid climate to grow produce, so we have resources like Urban Farm and the Valley Permaculture Alliance.  No matter where you live, you can find books and other resources to help you get started.  We made our raised bed out of sustainable redwood, and mixed our soil using fill dirt and organic compost.  I ordered seeds from nativeseeds.org, which guards against GMOs and preserves native seeds from the southwest.  Note: if you care about GMOs (and believe me, if you research them you will!), you don't want to buy ANY seeds from Monsanto, since they are the ones creating the GMO products.  That also includes the brand Miracle Gro.


Even if you only have an apartment balcony, if it gets sun, you can grow things. Consider growing some of your own veggies - you'll be amazed at how delicious they taste and how connected you will feel to the earth!

Connected through compassion

One of the many perks of going vegan is a community of people who are eager to make your acquaintance and support you.  Most of us have friends from work, school, and other places in our lives, but there is something special about a community of people connected through compassion.


When I went vegan, I didn't know anyone who had made the commitment I made.  Sure, I had read books, but those were one-way communications.  I felt alone and very alienated - especially among my own friends and family, many who thought I was becoming an extremist, an eccentric, or other equally perjorative word.  It was a hard transition socially, and I had no one with whom to share my experience who could understand.  I started this blog to document my experience - mostly to those who were still omnivores - and started to use Twitter to distribute my posts.  


Lo and behold I started getting large numbers of followers quickly.  And these people were extremely supportive!  I received messages from people all over the world who were so glad that I had gone vegan and was sharing my experience.  Encouraged, I started to join other vegan groups on LinkedIn, Facebook and also in-person through the Veg Phoenix meetup group.  Suddenly I had a network of people who understood me since they felt the same way.  I was shocked and amazed at how deeply vegans support other vegans.  I have given and received everything from restaurant and recipe advice to business consulting.  Vegan businesses are popping up all over the country (and the world!), and they are being supported by other vegans.


I encourage you to consider a vegan lifestyle.  Initially you may feel that you're giving up something, but you will receive so much more than you ever thought possible.  And I promise to be your biggest supporter of all!