Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Save Compassion Farm

Grounded News headed over to the island to meet up with Dirk Becker who runs Compassion Farm, and who is curently facing possable jail time for what he does…growing food.  Lantzville Council is proceeding with legal action -- taking the Beckers to court to shut down their "urban" farm which is located in a semi-rural area, on a dead end road.

The Beckers transformed their property from essentially a gravel pit (created by the previous owner who strip-mined, removing soil, sand and gravel, lowering the level of the property three to five feet) to a lush oasis of life (see article: www.synergymag.ca/a-lantzville-couple’s-fight-for-the-right-to-gro...). They have received certification from the Canadian Wildlife Federation for creating "Backyard Habitat" for wildlife. They also shared with council information about what they do, how they do it, along with links and videos on "urban farming," the "urban farming movement" and the "local food movement."

For the benefit of readers, this is a fast-growing movement all over the world. All "urban farming" is done in "residentially zoned" areas. Hence the term: "urban" farming. Municipalities across North America are responding to this movement by changing bylaws to support local food -- to allow the growing of food as a home based business. To feed one person for a whole year, it takes about two acres of land. On Vancouver Island, we only grow 5 per cent of the food we eat and there are only two days of fresh food supply in the grocery stores. So it behooves us to support and encourage the growing of local food.



Origin
Source: Rabble.ca 

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