Growing up in the 1960's in Monterey County, in Carmel especially, we often said that "they" rolled up the sidewalks at dark. Nothing was happening past 8 p.m. in that sleepy elite enclave. Monterey and Salinas were more hoppin' but it was country or it was military activities mostly. And I wasn't allowed in downtown Monterey in the evenings when soldiers strolled.
In the tourist areas the population would grow immensely in season, just like crops in the fields. Before we got big box stores at Del Monte Center, an outrage in itself, we generally had locally owned shopping.The County was cowboys; the coast was tourism. Until the last ten years perhaps, when suddenly there were folks who actually wanted to move in here, not just visit, creating community and home. Often "locals" I have spoken to begrudged the changes.
Since I came back in 2004, after living and traveling elsewhere, I was actually very pleased with the quality of folks who were moving here. Now we have politics and community activities that I actually can support, like this effort to keep Monterey County GMO-Free.We are spoiled here in many ways: the incredible beauty of the land from coast to pinnacles and the ability to find a place to live that actually cares about the quality of life. And we are also spoiled and we often don't even realize it, by the plethora of great talent here. I am especially grateful when that talent goes into public service (like Bill Monning) or writes shocking, useful books (like Eric Schlosser).
Today and tonight many talented people and devoted community builders will meet at IMAX on Cannery Row to further learn and discuss a GMO-Free Monterey County movement.
Late in 2009, we also had a gathering against pesticides and the impact they have on us all (http://livedlearning.typepad.com/practicespace/2009/11/pesticide-education-in-monterey-and-salinas-portola-plaza-nov-10-2009.html.
While I like calling Monterey County home, I have long regretted that seeming lack of awareness of the toxins here, the kind of aware agriculture found in other places, especially in N. CA. Now I can say we may be helping "grow" the "world's salad bowl" towards a safer way of production, one that will allow beings to thrive rather than suffer. As an ovarian cancer survivor, with three family members with other cancers, I pray for future generations. May they have land and air, water and food and a community that is safe and cares.
Thank you all who are helping us wake up in Monterey County, CA. Visit www.gmofreemonterey.org for further details.
And, to appreciate what citizens of Monterey County are doing regarding pesticides, see my posting here:http://livedlearning.typepad.com/practicespace/2009/11/pesticidAe-education-in-monterey-and-salinas-portola-plaza-nov-10-2009.html
Monterey, County and Salinas, especially, have long been called "the salad bowl of the world'; I now can proudly say that we are beginning to want agriculture that is more responsible and we are willing to be more responsible, too.
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