This year seems as good as any to be the year of local food; conditions are ripe for this expectation: local is the new organic in the media, people are realizing the importance of supporting their community growers, and we’re becoming increasingly conscience of the need to modify our eating habits.  Local can be a big part of the health of our ecosystem — it has been interesting watching British chef and advocate of local, organic, and healthy Jamie Oliver’s struggles on his TV program Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution; click here if you’d like to sign his food revolution petition.  The community he picked was the least healthy in America, and it was startling to see how fat people were; I am not sure if this was staged in some fashion for TV, or the reality of the community.  That being said these people in general were good people trying to better themselves, and in this economy that is admirable.

The difficulty we face in the local movement — is compassion; let me say that again, we, the people espouse, champion, and shout for local often lack compassion for people.  It is easy to laugh at someone who is less fortunate, and wonder why they can’t figure out that chicken nuggets are often bad for you.  Knowledge is power, and often we forget that people are less fortunate — no one wants to live shorter, be fat, or ridiculed for their choices.  I don’t think that Jamie did that, but we have to remember — every small action towards the goal helps.  Ignorance is the enemy not people or companies.

Its easy to take potshots at Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, etc. for not doing enough.   In reality they are part of our economic and social ecosystem we should applaud any and all efforts they make towards sustainability, eating local, and providing healthy and nutritious food at affordable prices.  Local Dirt is a partner to anyone and everyone who wants to make local, nutritious, and wholesome food available to anyone who wants it.  We’re here to listen to our partners, learn, and hopefully be a better partner.  A lot of exciting new features are coming out in the coming months.  In the meantime the Local Dirt message has been picked up in the press.

Reynolds Journalism Institute photo by Karen Stockman

Local Dirt’s founder Heather Hilleren was featured as the lunch speaker at the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri, and was selected as the most innovative idea at the conference.  Local Dirt will also be featured in the April issue of Inc. Magazine.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter, and that we can all remember to help those less fortunate, and support those who are trying to make a difference.

I was born and raised on the south side of Madison. My grandmother always had gardens, and I grew up spending time with my family planting, weeding, and harvesting produce. After I served in the Vietnam War, I developed food allergies. I only trusted myself to grow and prepare my food!

Describe Half the 40 Acres Farm.

In 1982, I decided to become an organic farmer. I leased 20 acres of land off of Fish Hatchery Road in order to be able to help provide healthy produce to people in low-income areas. I grow a variety of produce free from nonorganic pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides.

How did you become involved in farmer’s markets?

For the first ten years, our farm participated in the downtown farmer’s market. Then in 2002, I became a vendor at the South Madison Farmer’s Market and began managing it the next year. We now have five markets at four locations, including the Labor Temple, Villagers Mall, Rimrock Road, and Gilbert Road. I’m committed to serving diverse neighborhoods, which can often be food deserts. These people need to have access to safe, affordable food just like everyone else. Many of them grew up with their parents and grandparents having gardens, and they know the taste of real food.

Describe your partnership with Growing Power, founded by Will Allen in Milwaukee to promote urban agriculture.

We have the Market Basket Program, a CSA-style food distribution program that features a weekly delivery of ten to fifteen various vegetables from our Rainbow Farmer’s Cooperative. In cooperation with Growing Power and the Center for Resilient Cities, we’re trying to turn the former Badger School into a green charter school. Our vision includes having it run on solar and wind power, establishing green houses, focusing on agriculture, and even having an onsite Boys and Girls Club.

How else are you involved in the Madison community?

I’m really committed to community education. For instance, on July 2-3, 2010, I’ll be offering a workshop on aquaproducts and greenhouses. I also established the Program for Entrepreneurial Agricultural Training (PEAT) as a way to teach today’s youth how to grow and market healthy food. Not only does PEAT show kids the importance of eating fresh produce and whole foods, but it gives them a chance to run their own business and take pride in their work. Kathleen Falk has endorsed this program, too. It’s incredible to see their enthusiasm – these kids really blossom through PEAT.

How has Local Dirt helped you?

I want to support Local Dirt – it’s a great resource for farmers and customers. I hope to use it more for the farmer’s markets and to get word out about the Rainbow Cooperative and the workshops.