Sustainable Tarpon Springs: Urban Micro-Farmers

Almost a decade ago, there was growing anticipation of a global crisis referred to as 'peak oil.'

This was primarily a topic for progressive public radio stations, but there were entire books dedicated to how oil production could no longer meet expanding global demands. 

The rapid decline in production would impact every sector of our lives. 

Although 'peak oil' is still a highly controversial subject, when crude oil reached an all time high of $145 a barrel in 2008, many people started to seriously cut back on unnecessary driving, but even more so, take a serious interest in locally growing food.

Whether the shortage was real or political, we understood the vulnerability of imported, finite fuel sources. The connection was obvious—rising gas prices, rising food prices. None of us wanted to risk being so far from our food sources anymore.

As 'necessity is the Mother of Invention'—and fear can be a tool for positive change - the whole concept of urban farming became a reality to many people who turned their lawns into gardens.

The Dervaes family was way ahead of the curve, kind of dropping out of the rat race in the '70s and blazing a trail of hope for the rest of us. In the mid-‘90s they transformed their little urban space in Pasadena into a flourishing homestead business, growing and selling their surplus organic food to local, organic restaurants and at farmer’s markets in their area.

Believe it or not, right within our own community of Tarpon Springs, many folks are doing the same thing! 

Bill Mollison called permaculture 'a quiet revolution.'  

He understood that acquiring independence from a system ‘designed to control all resources for profit’ is the most ‘subversive‘ thing we can do.

In hideous contrast to this ‘quiet revolution‘ are the ‘Monsantos’ of the world - corporations that want total and complete control of food down to the genetic structure of seeds! 

To be aware of the existence of these corporations is depressing, to be sure, but their agenda has to be held in check, if not shut down altogether! And while we are attempting to bring these negative truths to light, we continue to do the most radical, hopeful, and positive thing we can—grow urban gardens!

Urban micro-farms are springing up everywhere. 

Sometimes they have a lot of support from the city governments, sometimes not so much. We hope to create a friendly environment in Tarpon Springs to promote this positive movement. 

Examples that can become interesting points of discussion for cities are: Urban raising of chickens or ducks (who help with bug management and nourishment of the soil), supporting creative 'irrigation sources' through permitting gray water systems (to maximize re-use of our household water), and encouraging rainwater collection on our own properties. 

City codes that limit these possibilities are among some of the challenges urban micro-farmers face today.  Of course, weather is beyond the scope of every farmer’s control but can be equally challenging! 

The key is to work on those things that are possible to change. Tarpon Springs is becoming increasingly responsive to the needs of urban micro-farmers, thus more sustainable.

So, even if you aren’t yet among the urban micro-farmers of Tarpon Springs, you could be! 

Growing a great garden, large or small, has satisfaction in itself. 

It is a peaceful, wholesome activity, very connected to nature. There are ‘literal’ fruits of this activity - nothing tastes better than your own homegrown tomatoes, collard greens, basil, or fancy lettuces. 

Your garden is good for your health and sanity, and gets you outside to collect your daily dose of vitamin D! Hopefully, the following videos will inspire YOU to join the ‘quiet revolution’, become a gardener or urban micro-farmer, and if not, be a supporter of those who are doing these things. 

Your food supply may someday depend upon them!