Grow Local! Buy Local! Eat Local!

[Ruell Chappell]

This is a discussion to aid the WFNA's new "buy local" campaign designed to educate the public to the many economic benefits that result when we shop with local merchants! This forum will help spread the word, facilitate merchant to merchant promotion, and suport of the WFNA!
Bring It local Merchants and Consumers!

[Ruell Chappell]

When i was a child, we ate what grew here, to large degree, we drank milk from local farms, we ate produce, chickens, beef, and the like, from local farms, we did business with local merchants, we financed our businesses and cars and houses with local banks.... and life was good. There were no food pantries. There were no food stamps.

Why? Because Growing Local, Buying Local and Eating Local produced and economy.
That is not to say that there weren't the poor. I was one of them! But we always had food to eat, a house, a car, a job, and we didn't know the difference. We were employed in a self sustaining local economy!

Now, we are a net importer of food from China, a net importer of products from China, and China finances our mountain of debt. Sound secure to you?
Our Global Economy is a joke. We grow and produce nothing. We are a dependent country of service industries that has lost the ability to create "value" .... rather we just take money out of each other's pockets.

AND, our government's answer? Bigger and better supported food banks.
1 in 6 Missourians are already on food stamps. What in the hell is anyone thinking?

Can you show me a politician ( save for the handful that support the wfna ) with a plan.... other than the word change?

The WFNA has a plan.

locally grown food will secure our local food supply. With education and pressure ( like only the people can bring), our consumers, our hospitals, our schools, our prisons, our businesses, our theaters, our... everything, will purchase and consume the food produced locally and we will begin to build a vibrant sustainable local economy.

Add to that the support of new LOCAL processors to put the food in a form easily used by institutions, and LOCAL MERCHANTS that live, work, bank and employ in our city..... and we could be retaining HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUR CITY and building a job base that would take the majority off th unemployed roles and lift them above a poverty level wage.

This is not a dream! This was our home 100 years ago. Then we fed our own population and millions all the way back to the east coast! We fed the world its tomatoes from 100+ local tomato canneries. THIS WAS OUR HOME! It could be again. How?

GROW LOCAL! BUY LOCAL! EAT LOCAL!

It is just that simple. Support local producers period....
Let the Springfield Metro Area be the first to show the rest of the US how it's done!
A Rising tide floats all boats. Let's just make sure that the boats we are floating are HERE not in CHINA!


We can return our home to it's food secure, economic status, that it enjoyed 100 years ago, with all the technology we enjoy today.

Grow Local, Buy Local , Eat Local. It is the idea whose time has come...... thank God.

[Ruell Chappell]

[Ruell Chappell]

Every trend I see tells me that the WFNA vision is the idea who's time has come. People are growing impatient and distrustful of the status quo, distrust of the loyalties and actions of the political parties and the government is at an all-time high, making "more money" and "remaking one's self" is at the top of "resolution lists", local is being seen as better and, when asked, people do not see anyone ( the government, politicians, the global economy ) offering a plan or a time-table for return to full employement. "A JOB" is at the head of the list as "most desired" and "least available".

The WFNA has a vision, a plan and a timetable. Local Food, Local Commerce, Local Jobs..... its just that simple. It produced the greatest agrarian economy, ever known to this continent, right here 100 years ago.... and it can do it again.
How?
Grow Local, Buy Local, Eat Local!
Help Me! Bring merchants to this group..... merchants to our alliance. As a group we can re-image what a "local economy" is to metro area residents. We can show them that locally grown food and locally produced / sold products, if used by our residents, hospitals, businesses, and schools, would pump hundreds of millions of dollars into our local economy that would STAY HERE! Jobs would be plentiful.

Who is local?
Those that own business here, live here, employ here and bank here.

Help me. Bring every local merchant you know to the WFNA. Together , we can make Springfield a shining exampleof a sustainable locally economy! Together we can make the USA strong again one city, one county, one state at a time!

ruell

[Jack A Dueck]

I just found out from the Greene County/Springfield health deptartment that I am able to use for baking the locally-grown "bread-making" wheat that my friend grows locally; and he measures yield by the ton. So it looks as if I will soon be using this locally-grown wheat in place of the imported-to-Missouri "Montana" whole wheat flour and steel cut grain. It is a bit of a process to make this raw wheat "bread ready" but it should be worth the challenge and extra time. Further processing into unbleached white bread flour will be even more of a challenge without specialized equipment, but one step at a time....

[Master Gardeners ofGreene County]

Jack,

That's fantastic news. Please keep us apprised of your progress.

Jack A Dueck said:

I just found out from the Greene County/Springfield health deptartment that I am able to use for baking the locally-grown "bread-making" wheat that my friend grows locally; and he measures yield by the ton. So it looks as if I will soon be using this locally-grown wheat in place of the imported-to-Missouri "Montana" whole wheat flour and steel cut grain. It is a bit of a process to make this raw wheat "bread ready" but it should be worth the challenge and extra time. Further processing into unbleached white bread flour will be even more of a challenge without specialized equipment, but one step at a time....

[Patricia Huff]

I think this a wonderful concept, and would be wonderful if more areas would support their local businesses.

[Linda Morris]

We have been growing our own vegetables for almost 10 years now. It's a great idea and everyone should consider making any unused lots in their neighborhood's into gardens. Also save your seeds and replant the next season. We always go to Farmer's Markets in 3 different areas. We love finding new seeds. Wonderful idea.....Proud of what you are trying to do.

[Tommy Weatherly]

Ruell Chappell said:

Every trend I see tells me that the WFNA vision is the idea who's time has come. People are growing impatient and distrustful of the status quo, distrust of the loyalties and actions of the political parties and the government is at an all-time high, making "more money" and "remaking one's self" is at the top of "resolution lists", local is being seen as better and, when asked, people do not see anyone ( the government, politicians, the global economy ) offering a plan or a time-table for return to full employement. "A JOB" is at the head of the list as "most desired" and "least available".

The WFNA has a vision, a plan and a timetable. Local Food, Local Commerce, Local Jobs..... its just that simple. It produced the greatest agrarian economy, ever known to this continent, right here 100 years ago.... and it can do it again.
How?
Grow Local, Buy Local, Eat Local!
Help Me! Bring merchants to this group..... merchants to our alliance. As a group we can re-image what a "local economy" is to metro area residents. We can show them that locally grown food and locally produced / sold products, if used by our residents, hospitals, businesses, and schools, would pump hundreds of millions of dollars into our local economy that would STAY HERE! Jobs would be plentiful.

Who is local?
Those that own business here, live here, employ here and bank here.

Help me. Bring every local merchant you know to the WFNA. Together , we can make Springfield a shining exampleof a sustainable locally economy! Together we can make the USA strong again one city, one county, one state at a time!

ruell

[Ruell Chappell]

thanks Linda! Means a lot!

Linda Morris said:

We have been growing our own vegetables for almost 10 years now. It's a great idea and everyone should consider making any unused lots in their neighborhood's into gardens. Also save your seeds and replant the next season. We always go to Farmer's Markets in 3 different areas. We love finding new seeds. Wonderful idea.....Proud of what you are trying to do.

[Tommy Weatherly]

I agree with all you have said. The most important thing is a JOB! Unfortunately, there are none available, particularly for people that can remember the farm days.

I started gardening again about 10 years ago when I moved to Springfield from Texas. It was a stress reducer, gave me good food and gave me the opportunity to donate excess produce to local food banks. It never entered my mind to sell anything. In fact, I almost took that as an insult to sell my hobby.

Now this year, I find myself unemployed with no prospects of anything in the near future, So, guess what I am doing this year. SELLING MY HOBBY! The economy is so messed up and I am tired of being at the mercy of the corporate world.

I have started getting ready for farmers markets and the like. This will be my job until something happens in the Springfield job market Everybody has to eat and I hope they look at people like me and support my efforts along with the others who are taking the same path.

What you are working on is a great cause. I will be getting more involved in the near future because what you are doing is the FUTURE!

Thank you...

Tommy Weatherly said:

Ruell Chappell said:

Every trend I see tells me that the WFNA vision is the idea who's time has come. People are growing impatient and distrustful of the status quo, distrust of the loyalties and actions of the political parties and the government is at an all-time high, making "more money" and "remaking one's self" is at the top of "resolution lists", local is being seen as better and, when asked, people do not see anyone ( the government, politicians, the global economy ) offering a plan or a time-table for return to full employement. "A JOB" is at the head of the list as "most desired" and "least available".

The WFNA has a vision, a plan and a timetable. Local Food, Local Commerce, Local Jobs..... its just that simple. It produced the greatest agrarian economy, ever known to this continent, right here 100 years ago.... and it can do it again.
How?
Grow Local, Buy Local, Eat Local!
Help Me! Bring merchants to this group..... merchants to our alliance. As a group we can re-image what a "local economy" is to metro area residents. We can show them that locally grown food and locally produced / sold products, if used by our residents, hospitals, businesses, and schools, would pump hundreds of millions of dollars into our local economy that would STAY HERE! Jobs would be plentiful.

Who is local?
Those that own business here, live here, employ here and bank here.

Help me. Bring every local merchant you know to the WFNA. Together , we can make Springfield a shining exampleof a sustainable locally economy! Together we can make the USA strong again one city, one county, one state at a time!

ruell

[Ruell Chappell]

Tommy,
Amen. You are not alone. The key here is just as much a viable, sustainable, local economy as it is food security. You can't sell things promoting their health benefits, even the security issue..... but when jobs are needed and you show people the vision of local food developing a local economy ( jobs) it makes sense. We probably would not be having the success we've had were it not for the current political environment and current economic environment.
We are working as fast as we can to make it happen. We were in the Mayor's office today. We are on our way. Talk us up, bring members to the site. There is nothing more powerful than the grass roots folks when they FINALLY decide things need to change....... everyone in power knows it. The more people we speak for, the quicker things will happen. Bring everyone you know!

Tommy Weatherly said:

I agree with all you have said. The most important thing is a JOB! Unfortunately, there are none available, particularly for people that can remember the farm days.

I started gardening again about 10 years ago when I moved to Springfield from Texas. It was a stress reducer, gave me good food and gave me the opportunity to donate excess produce to local food banks. It never entered my mind to sell anything. In fact, I almost took that as an insult to sell my hobby.

Now this year, I find myself unemployed with no prospects of anything in the near future, So, guess what I am doing this year. SELLING MY HOBBY! The economy is so messed up and I am tired of being at the mercy of the corporate world.

I have started getting ready for farmers markets and the like. This will be my job until something happens in the Springfield job market Everybody has to eat and I hope they look at people like me and support my efforts along with the others who are taking the same path.

What you are working on is a great cause. I will be getting more involved in the near future because what you are doing is the FUTURE!

Thank you...

Tommy Weatherly said:

Ruell Chappell said:

Every trend I see tells me that the WFNA vision is the idea who's time has come. People are growing impatient and distrustful of the status quo, distrust of the loyalties and actions of the political parties and the government is at an all-time high, making "more money" and "remaking one's self" is at the top of "resolution lists", local is being seen as better and, when asked, people do not see anyone ( the government, politicians, the global economy ) offering a plan or a time-table for return to full employement. "A JOB" is at the head of the list as "most desired" and "least available".

The WFNA has a vision, a plan and a timetable. Local Food, Local Commerce, Local Jobs..... its just that simple. It produced the greatest agrarian economy, ever known to this continent, right here 100 years ago.... and it can do it again.
How?
Grow Local, Buy Local, Eat Local!
Help Me! Bring merchants to this group..... merchants to our alliance. As a group we can re-image what a "local economy" is to metro area residents. We can show them that locally grown food and locally produced / sold products, if used by our residents, hospitals, businesses, and schools, would pump hundreds of millions of dollars into our local economy that would STAY HERE! Jobs would be plentiful.

Who is local?
Those that own business here, live here, employ here and bank here.

Help me. Bring every local merchant you know to the WFNA. Together , we can make Springfield a shining exampleof a sustainable locally economy! Together we can make the USA strong again one city, one county, one state at a time!

ruell

[Ruell Chappell]

February 4, 2010 EditDeleteTagAutopost
The only thing we can't do is live forever and have babies....... My Dad
My Dad, a military sort, taught me, early on, that there is NOTHING that can’t be accomplished. I’ve cleared an acre of land with an axe as a kid. I’ve built a fall-out-shelter in the 50s with nothing but shovels, and a cement mixer. I know about work. We don’t really work anymore…. which is yet another reason we are unhealthy. It is, after all, a cascading combination of “bad things” , including what we eat, that sets us on the path to health problems.

Everything about the Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance, is good. I mean really! Teaching people to garden and produce sustainably, inside city limit,s with our 1000 Gardens project, Inspiring farmers to “hang on” as we create the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers’ Coop, so that we cannot only help them distribute and sell their products, but bring back a vibrant farming career opportunity, bringing gardening into our schools through our Moms for Local food…. It all is work. It is not talk. It is Doing.

I’m very proud of this organization. In one year, without the help of the government, or outside money, we have:


Created the 100 Gardens Campaign ( the Director of Ag wants it statewide now )

We have defined our group and applied for 501c3 status for the WFNA

We have initiated the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers’ Coop with Joe Maxwell ( Former LT. Gov of MO ) and Russ Kremer ( of “Fresh” fame) as members

We have launched our Grow Local , Buy Local , Eat local Campaign

Moms For Local Food are, even as we speak, infiltrating our school systems asking that local food become part of education, and brought into our schools, our hospitals, our prisions, our busineses

We have launched the “Missouri Restoration Party” with the hope of getting our message inside the halls of Gov. ( we will grow and accomplish regardless of how long that takes )

We have launched the “Missouri Restoration Tour” to spread the word and recruit producers, processors, merchants and consumers in our 27 county food-shed.

Yes…..we’ve DONE a lot.


That’s the key. We need all of you to help us do. If you know someone who has lost a job, or you’ve lost a job yourself, there is only one way home. If you’re worried because it doesn’t seem like we produce anything while countries around us do ( and you've got good reason) there is only one way home. If your thing is housing, health, transportation, economy, investment, business, development, etc………there is only one way home.

We have to produce. We have to create. We have to grow.

Food and water are at the basis of all questions. Local food can secure our food supply , but it can also launch a vibrant sustainable local economy! Add in other producers, possibly an electric car plant ( I mean really!) local food processors, local merchants, and a public convinced that buying local supports their own incomes…. And we are there…. JOBS!

It is not a dream. It happened here, 100 years ago. when we were one of the wealthies locations on the continent. Why? Food! Apples, strawberries, grapes! In the 40s we fed the world its tomatos from over 200 tomato canneries located here. It is not a dream.

Yes, food and water are at the base of every question. If you don’t believe me. Try doing without them.

ruell