Photo by Eli Blevis

• An organic farmer’s market.

March + April 2009

[3] There are many such programs, including: http://www.hhfoodbank. org/plantarow.htm

Member-owned and governed cooperatives ascribe Local organic farms. As an extension of loca-to seven principles endorsed by the international vorism, the idea of buying your food from a local cooperative community: voluntary and open mem- organic farm even at greater cost than imported bership, democratic member control, member eco- foods has some traction among certain people. nomic participation, autonomy and independence, Organic garden services. In many communities, education, training and information, cooperation services that offer to tend a garden on your prop-among cooperatives, and concern for community. erty or teach you how to grow your own food are The National Cooperative Business Association on the rise. My Farm, a community-supported (NCBA; http://www.ncba.coop/abcoop_food.cfm) agriculture (CSA) organization, is one example cites that there are nearly 500 cooperative retail of such a service. In exchange for sharing a har-food businesses in the U.S.; and the Cooperative vest, the group prepares, plants, and maintains Grocer directory ( http://www.cooperativegrocer. a vegetable garden on your property. The harvest coop/coops/) lists 307 members. of this property is then split amongst all the par-

Plant a row for the hungry. The practice of plant- ticipants. Even those without yards can enjoy the ing extra food in a garden for the less fortunate is bounty and support the effort through purchasing an important alternative food behavior. One can a “share” and receiving a weekly delivery of fresh imagine interactive technologies being used to produce grown by people in their community. promote such practices and to match growers with Additionally, the group maintains on-site compost, those who need food [3]. develops and maintains a watering system for