Letter from our Director prior to the event
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR:
This Sunday, April 17th join us for our annual Multi-Cultural Earth Day Celebration dedicated to food security and seed sovereignty. I know many of you wonder what food security and seed sovereignty mean. Food security means access to all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Many people in our country and around the world live in food deserts. A food desert is an urban or rural area without ready access to fresh, healthy affordable food. Instead, most of these neighborhoods and communities are loaded with fast food restaurants and convenience stores.This is why it’s very important to grow your own food or start a community garden.
With the help of our gardener, Lisa Russell, WorldBeat Center’s Children’s Peace Garden has installed several wicking beds that not only grow food but also save water. Wicking beds are a unique way to grow vegetables. They are self-contained raised beds with built in reservoirs that supply water from the bottom. Wicking beds are water efficient because watering from the bottom up prevents evaporation of surface water (which occurs when you water from the top).
Let’s talk about seed diversity and seed sovereignty. Seed sovereignty is the right of everyone to save their own seeds, as opposed to having to purchase seeds. We all should stand together and promote the use of diverse seed types. Not only does it enhance food security but also it promotes the preservation of traditional cultural practices and values.
Seed security comes from seed sovereignty and the right to use and exchange seeds freely within a community.
After going to the National Heirloom Exposition last year my consciousness changed when I saw and heard the dynamic speakers speak on food security. Dr. Vandana Shiva, the keynote speaker was one of the most powerful speakers I’ve seen.
We left so inspired that we connected with other leaders including some of San Diego and helped co-found the San Diego Seed Stewards which on March 20th produced the San Diego Heirloom Seed Swap! WorldBeat Center and Centro Cultural de la Raza were proud to co-host the event. The San Diego Seed Stewards are now spearheading the movement. Wherever you are seed swaps are a rewarding way to build community and share information about gardening.
Oh, there’s one last thing, WorldBeat Center will soon be starting its first seed bank. If you would like to get involved write us at [email protected] or start a chat on our website.
See you Sunday,
Executive Director
Makeda Dread Cheatom
Berenice, Makeda, Jere Gettle of Baker Creek (and Legend)
We want to give a shout-out to one of our Earth Day sponsors, Baker Creek. We encourage you to check out their Heirloom Seed Catalog and join the heirloom revolution!
Heirlooms are open-pollinated, genetically diverse cultivars that have been passed down from generation to generation (some say at least 50 or 100 years). Preserving and planting heirloom seeds is important because you are preserving generations of diversity; for instance, there are 10,000 varieties of apples, compared to the very few hybrid types.
We salute Dr. Vandana Shiva for her tireless work to save our planet by teaching us to preserve and protect our seeds from Frankenfoods. Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, and anti-globalization author. Shiva, currently based in Delhi and has authored more than twenty books.
Multi- Cultural Earth Day Keynote Speaker:
Matt Powers
Matt Powers is an experienced teacher, family guy, author, consultant, farmer, seed saver, public speaker, author, permaculture designer and musician. Matt is the author of Permaculture Student 1 and 2.
Support Matt’s latest project and dread, to bring The Permaculture Student 2 to the youth and families in between. The book will be the first high school textbook designed to teach homeschool and public school students how to live regeneratively.Click here learn more and get The Permaculture Student 2. Your donations pay for the artwork, shipping, and printing for the books
Nyabinghi Priest Prof I, Farmer and Artist
Barrington Andrew ‘Prof-I’ Reynolds is a Rastafarian from creation. He started chanting nyabinghi in 1967 and has participated in numerous events celebrating rastafari and nyabinghi. He is a farmer, father, raw and wild foodist. Prof I currently resides in Jamaica. After many years of reaching out, Prof I is finally with us in San Diego. Prof I is one of our keynote speakers and will be blessing be blessing WorldBeat Center with the churchical sounds of Nyabinghi. Prof I is respected all over the world.
Leslie is a noted ceremonialist in the eyes of Mother Earth and a full-time blogger. Leslie’s current work is dedicated to Food Reform in America through seeing ancient wheat, Job’s Tears, and other heirloom plant friends as teachers. He is cultivating a grassroots movement that is Outgrowing GMO through Winning Back Our Sacred Seeds.
Come see the Wicking Beds Demonstration inside of WorldBeat Center’s Children’s Garden and will be led by Lisa Russell from RFarm in Perris, CA. She will be showing us how to build wicking beds in small spaces like buckets and large garden beds.
Vegetarian/ vegan food will be served by One World Cafe. Don’t miss your favorites including Jamaican Veggie Patties, African Peanut Curry, Veggie Rasta Burgers and more. Also serving, vegan desserts by Moncai Vegan! Also featuring other food options.
Save The Date! Soil Not Oil, Aug 5-6 in Richmond, CA
