Eugene Cooke. Credit: Center for Living Peace
Recurring themes in the work of Eugene Cooke are peace, plenty and growing where you are. Growing food and supporting sustainable community projects for more than 15 years, this urban farmer has spent time in Kenya conducting research on the skills, technology and traditions of local farmers.
Located on Africa’s east coast, Kenya’s agriculture primarily centers on tea and coffee. With most of the population living below the poverty level of $1 a day, self-sustenance is critical. Small farms have become a lifeline for those seeking to feed themselves and their families. Urban communities are joining to plant whatever plots of land are available.
As an urban agriculture specialist, Cooke is not only learning from Kenyans – he is helping many others learn to feed themselves by planting high-yield edible environments, the results of which include a harmonious, healthy and independent population.
Through his organization, Gebsite, Cooke works with homeowners, schools, community groups, city parks and churches to design and build urban gardens and farms. Among like-minded individuals and organizations with which Gebsite shares goals are MaituFoods, The Inside Out Yoga, m.a.m.a. Earth, Dr. Jewel Pookrum, Mount Kenya Organic Farm, and independent filmmakers who capture the installation of gardens and demonstrations of vegetarian food preparation.
Cooke with the agricultural crew in Kenya 2007. © Gebsite.com
The gardens begin with composted manure mixed with wood chips, leaves and other plant matter. Earth-worms and micro-organisms are added prior to planting. The urban farmers consider land slope, sunlight, water sources, soil types and what crops will grow best in a season. Most gardens begin with what is available on the existing land. Often laid out in geometric designs that hold spiritual symbolism as well as beauty in pleasing proportions, the gardens incorporate symmetry, edible flowers and companion planting techniques.
Cooke will be giving a presentation on October 29th at The Center for Living Peace, a non-profit peace education organization in Irvine, California. He will share insights and photos of his research trip to Kenya studying food growing practices. Cooke’s talks are said to be “brimming with helpful information about ‘how’ to garden but more importantly, he reminds us ‘why’ we tend the garden: to be grounded, to have a childlike sense of wonder about the world around us, to build community–planting as a service.”
Grow Where You Are
If you aren’t able to attend Eugene Cooke’s talk in Orange County, you can still begin to grow from right where you are. Gain some insights from such groups as G-BIACK, the Grow Biointensive Agriculture Center of Kenya, which sits on one acre of land, the average size of a family farm in the region. Designed as a model farm for small-scale farm holders, the center has over 160 double-dug beds, all planted with different types of food crops, organically grown.
Take part in your local community pea-patch or garden spot. Plant a rooftop garden or add some planter boxes to your balcony or deck. In some climates, October is a time for planting “cool crops” such as broccoli, leaf lettuce, mustard, spinach, kale, radishes, garlic, chives and onions. Check your USDA climate zone to learn what grows best in your area. Let your children plant a few of these in a small space in your garden and teach them about the value of earthworms as you dig.
Small Urban Garden. © Gebsite.com
Re-view your home gardens and clear out any areas that are dying out, overgrown, or don’t support a sense of peace and plenty. Talk to the neighbors – especially those with whom you need to make peace – about how to best convert your shared public and common areas into settings for growing food. Learn about cover crops such as alfalfa, white, red or crimson clover, and lupines to turn into the soil in spring to raise nitrogen content.
Help build raised beds, amend soils, design geometric plantings, sort seeds, and harvest. People from all walks of life are supporting urban agriculture projects that aim to empower and enrich the lives of city dwellers, and by joining in with your peaceful interactions, gardens aren’t the only things that will grow.
