EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Fourteen, Number One January/February 2005 Salmon, Gardens and Food Safety From the Cascadia Bioregion By David Lyons Things are busy out here in our region. It is large (21/2 states and part of the Canadian Province), with many small and unique areas of concern. I am involved in four areas: the promotion of line-caught salmon and the protection and promotion of habitats for Salmon, Garden Liturgies, Gardening with God or as God, and food safety. The salmon issue is exciting because it has brought together faith-based organizations, native American groups, fishermen, environmentalists, farmers/ranchers, local, regional, state and Federal governments. The issues are for the most part agreed upon but details are causing the most concern. Still there seems to be progress on all fronts. The Garden Liturgies are based on the seasons, prayer, scripture and work. Once a month we meet for two or so hours starting with appropriate scripture, prayer and songs, then we work in the common garden, we close with prayer and fellowship. It started with three of us and now is running six to eight and it will increase as we get into the spring. Gardening with God is a series of classes on organic and sustainable gardening. We are gearing up to teach it in two different congregations as adult education programs for the spring. The food safety issue is being promoted by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and is based on buying locally and organically. The Chef's Cooperative, Oregon State University and community supported agriculture groups also all have dedicated time, money and effort to promote this concept. And that is how it is in Cascadia where all of God's creations are beautiful, the land is full of grace and the Humans are above average. Home     Table of Contents