a post with an agenda

so spring is around the corner, so along with my renewed vigor for all things gardening related, my food justice bone has been flexed. (can you flex your bones?) while the topic is so vast and filled with politics, conspiracy theories, dirty lobbyists, and points and counterpoints, i plan to share some resources with you and my view from a humble theoligical perspective.

To Garden With God, by Christine Sine

my dad recently had a plesant fellowship day at his church where member Grahm Kerr shared a flavorful root soup with a coconut milk base and they hosted author & speaker Christine Sine. as my dad shared with me her principles, i couldn't help finishing his sentences and get excited. as i see on the page here, her love for dirt, community, vegetables and God echo my heart's passions. the bright side of our conversation included yummy recipes, their church's plans for their community garden & heirloom veggies.

as with many things i felt compelled to open my mouth and share my passionate distain for the corrupt & greedy side of gardening. in a word it could be summarized by saying Montsano .  while i wouldn't go so far as to call it the Halliburton or Enron of agriculture... some would. whether you object to the scientific practice of genetically modifying seeds, or the slew of ecosystems that have been altered and/or killed due to the harsh chemicals, this monolith has also oppressed many small time famers that do not have the backing to fight against such giants. an article in Vanity Fair addresses one aspect of their evil here:

Most Americans know Monsanto because of what it sells to put on our lawns— the ubiquitous weed killer Roundup. What they may not know is that the company now profoundly influences—and one day may virtually control—what we put on our tables. For most of its history Monsanto was a chemical giant, producing some of the most toxic substances ever created, residues from which have left us with some of the most polluted sites on earth. Yet in a little more than a decade, the company has sought to shed its polluted past and morph into something much different and more far-reaching—an “agricultural company” dedicated to making the world “a better place for future generations.” Still, more than one Web log claims to see similarities between Monsanto and the fictional company “U-North” in the movie Michael Clayton, an agribusiness giant accused in a multibillion-dollar lawsuit of selling an herbicide that causes cancer.

another giant still that threatens the american people and health is none other than another media favorite, (que the duh duh duh) Corn Sugar... formerly known as High Fructose Corn Syrup. yay, smart source groups have changed the name to a more palatable name. while many say the jury is still out on its health and medical detriments- one thing is for sure, the mega crop used not necessarily for corn consumption, but the fructose counterpart is a threat to the earth. its effects of planting the crops (also soy has the same effects in the U.S.) as a "monocrop" is not natural to the environment thus rendering the soil depleted of its nutrients and relying more and more on fertilizers and pesticides.

the toil that our overconsumption takes on the earth (ok, some call it a 'global footprint') to me is less of a political and 'green' concern persay, but one of stewardship. so often the very people that scoff at the mention of using less, more sustainability and any hint that our fast paced lifestyle is affecting the environment are sometimes very often the people who keep meticiculously green & manicured lawns, a balance bank account, and a well running car... as fellow Christians, they do this in name of "stewardship". my only plea to both sides would be that we would see our stewardship on this earth would ring out further than our mailboxes. be it CAFOs (chicken factories), obliterating ecosystems with the use of pesticides, or animals treated with antibiotics and fed questionable meals they were never meant to eat- there is a trickle down effect to the farmer and their hancuffed obligation to the "man" and the voracious consumer who wants more more more and cheap cheap cheap.

i end all of this with the hugest disclosure that i am a hypocrite- i ate fried chicken from Safeway the other day (assuredly it is not free-range, local and sustainably raised), i have shopped at mega-marts that sell cheap goods by means of oppressing the makers of that good. the list goes on. it'd be hard to live in america and not have a Liz Lemon moment on 30 Rock when she she realizes the ec0-friendly "butt-minimizing" jeans she's in love with are not really made in USA but the leftovers from Halliburton and made by orphans on a prison island name Usa... Ok, that's a colorful example, but I am not dellusional to think that my day to day spendatures don't affect someone. and that's perhaps all i am asking of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. that would would be aware of our careless actions. we should take account of such verses as Zech. 7:10, Jeremiah 5:28, Jere 7:6...

"Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.''

I believe we have a responsibility as followers of Jesus that we would reflect Him as we go about our day. to think of our actions and be aware of the consequences. to seek justice for the oppressed. to not opress and prostitute ourselves in the name of convenience. to take in less as a choice- not because its easy but because our focus is not comfort but our goal is to make disciples of all nations and show people the love of Christ.