4 Ways to Sow Seeds of Change in Your Community
What greater metaphor is there for change than planting a seed?
You water it, and before long, it grows. Over time, it bears fruit. Finally, the wind or birds carry its seeds near and far, and more and more grows. Change in our communities is like that, too.
Consider this little story of something I noticed recently. I drive by a certain home frequently that I always notice because a few years ago, a row of tomatoes suddenly appeared on the front lawn. Over time, I noticed the row got longer, and peppers had been added. Last year, I saw greens growing in the spring and the fall as well. Just yesterday when I went by, I noticed that the tomatoes had been removed for the season and fall crops were being planted.
But then something amazing happened. As I was smiling to myself about that garden's success over the years, I noticed the next door neighbor's home. Where previously there had been only lawn, there was now a freshly-tilled row, ready for planting. The first gardener's idea had clearly grown.
Observe the community where you live: drive, walk, or ride your bike around your neighborhood and notice how many people with gardens have neighbors with gardens as well. It would be interesting to see if there are patterns showing "pockets of gardens," where, perhaps, one gardener had an effect on another, and so on.
The moral of the story? Every little seed you plant matters, in ways you may not know. Here are some ways you can sow seeds of change in your community.
Plant to share
If your neighborhood has a common area, ask to be in charge of it or get permission to at least plant a few things. Choose edibles like herbs and let your neighbors know they are there for the picking. Oregano, rosemary, lavender, lemon thyme, mint, lemon balm, and chives are all low-maintenance perennials that do well in many climates and are "pickable" during a good portion of the year. Of course, this idea works right around your mailbox as well.
Garden when people can see you
Do your front-yard gardening when you know people will be passing by, such as when the early-morning or after-work dog-walkers or joggers go by. This gives you the opportunity to wave and build relationships, or, if you have more time, to chat with them to answer questions, to share clippings, and to encourage their gardening interest. Especially consider doing your gardening when the school buses go by, if you're home, as little eyes are watching and learning from you more than you may realize.
Show up at city hall
Speak up in support of the amazing urban agriculture initiatives going on in your city and around the nation. Write blog posts, add photos of gardens you visit on Facebook, and attend meetings where your voice may make a difference.
Get out in the community
Sign up for a Crop Mob where you go out to a local farm and help knock out a bunch of work with a group of other volunteers. Donate some of your time to a non-profit that is helping grow gardens in low-income schools, churches or boys and girls clubs.
For more information on Sowing, listen to the podcast episode: SOWING THE SEEDS OF CHANGE