A visit to Jesse Arnold's winter garden in Cambria seems no less lavish than what one would expect with a summer planting. The rows of blossoming, bee-laden fava beans which enrich the soil with the nitrogen they draw from the air swayed in the sunny afternoon breeze. The only bare thing was the imposing apple tree at the gate. A verdant rhubarb plant with nearby colorful kale and mature fava beans were at the upper level which featured a blossoming plum tree. That's where Jesse was hoping more of the bees would spend their time.
Jesse Arnold about to enter his favorite coastal spot, where he has been growing organic food for four decades - and counting. |
Jesse has set up a rainwater cachment system and collects rainwater off the roof of an adjacent house. He waters at depth, using a series of pipes dug into the ground up to about 18 inches. The rainwater is used in the late season of the garden into the fall. For most of the main growing season, Jesse uses his irrigation water permit, the only one he is aware of in use in Cambria for gardening on lots as "agriculture" land.
Having been doing his organic gardening for more than forty years in his fenced 70x 50 foot plot amongst the trees and houses on Lodge Hill, Jesse has long been an advocate for healthy, sustainable food production. He has become an outspoken proponent of protecting our food system and our own health from the possible problems with genetically engineered (GE) or modified (GMO) foods.
Some of Jesse's beautiful Indian Corn
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He certainly believes such food should be labeled so that people can choose whether or not they want to eat it and points out that SLO coastal communities voted in favor of restricting genetically engineered food back in 2004 when Measure Q was on the ballot in San Luis Obispo county. The rest of the county voted against it, however, and it failed to pass.
There is now a new state-wide campaign and Jesse is coordinating in the Cambria/Cayucos area to get signatures to qualify a ballot initiative that would require that genetically modified food be labeled in all of California. April 22nd is the deadline for signature gathering for the initiative. To get involved in gathering signatures for November ballot initiative to label genetically engineered or modified foods, email the SLO County
coordinator Jeanne Blackwell. She will direct you a coordinator in your area. You can also pick up petitions at the Sierra Club. For more information, email Sierra Club.
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Education about where and how our food is produced is central to keeping our food and ourselves healthy. (See: CAFES, Center for Sustainability)
Jesse Arnold makes clear that he is a lifelong gardener-educator who reaches across generational lines to share his knowledge about how organic, sustainable practices can enrich all living things. He shows no signs of slowing down. |
In Memoriam
It is with deep sadness and a great sense of loss that I must report that this space's first subject, Vance Hyde, (Senior Watch/ December 2011)has died.
Vance, who set the gold standard for vital, active golden years, passed away peacefully at home on March 21st after her health took a sudden turn. Her daughter Catherine was at her bedside.
A tribute to Vance's life is planned for April 26th which would have been her 90th birthday. It will take place at Leffingwell Landing in Cambria at 6:30 PM.
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Daughter Catherine has made Vance's screen saver travel slides available for those interested.
She also suggests donations to Best Friends Animal Society in memory of Vance.
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