Urban Farm Hub

Sandy

Who are the people behind the urban farming projects cropping up all over the Puget Sound Region? What inspires them? What foods nurture them?

Urban Farm Hub has launched a weekly spotlight series to celebrate the amazing people who spend their days creating a healthier, more sustainable local food system. This week we’d like to celebrate the revolutionary work of Sandy Pederson.

In addition to being inspired by World War II Victory Gardens, Pederson is the brains and brawn behind Urban Land Army, Bucket Brigade and Land Link. All of her projects have a common theme, getting city folks together to grow food, learn some solid skills, and bring vegetables to the people. If you’re not already inspired to join forces, read on…

What inspired you to get involved in the local food movement?

Two things. A couple of years ago I read something that had a big impact on me: In 2009, for the first time in human history, more people were going to be living in cities than in rural areas. I started to think about the potential impacts of continued population growth on urban environments–both good and bad–and how cities could become more self-sufficient and self-contained. A big part of this would be growing more of our own food and reducing food miles, carbon emissions, and waste. I thought that in order to scale up food production in cities, we were going to have to join forces and learn practical skills and knowledge that have been lost. As a new gardener myself, I figured that if I didn’t have all the skills it took to grow my own food–and I grew up on a farm!–then a lot of other people were probably in the same boat.

As I thought about what it would take to become more self-sufficient, I became really inspired by the stories and images of Victory Gardens and the Women’s Land Army during World War II. People had banded together before to grow their own food, and I knew that we could again. I started Urban Land Army in the hope that I could help people learn some solid skills and convert more of our city’s land to vegetable gardens.

If you could change only one thing about our local food system, what would it be?

Fresh, locally grown food would be more affordable and accessible, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods. Whether this is through neighborhood CSAs, mobile groceries, healthy corner stores, rooftop gardens, school gardens, or converting lawns, parking strips, and vacant lots into vegetable gardens, I want food deserts to disappear and for people to be able to get fresh, healthy food easily.

What do you think about the adage “It’s not the food we eat; it’s our eating habits”?

I just want people to be aware of where their food comes from and to think carefully about how it was produced and who it helped or harmed along the way.

Speaking of eating habits, what’s your vision of the perfect meal?

Just-dug potatoes with freshly snipped chives, a salad mix from the garden, and anything off the BBQ!

If you were a goat, what would you say?

Enough blackberries already!