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Tons of Food at NPEW; Joe Brings Locally Grown Berries
Tons of food at NPEW,
Joe Rodriguez brought
Berries picked that day.
6:09 AM
March 14, 2007
(L) to (R), Baltazar Estrada for 15 years has been in charge of planting
seeding, and harvesting, for Joe Rodriguez, Jr. (R). A lot of history has passed
through the farm that once had 50 employees and now stands at 16. After many
difficult years of drought, hail, fire, and freeze, and sale of the farm
to appease retired elders who wanted their shares, Joe has persisted to see
a better day coming. He is the subject of Leslie Goldman's Children's book,
"The Comeback of Joe the Farmer," and a CD of images that tell as story of
the healing value of locally grown foods. For perhaps one of the first times
in the history of the Natural Product Expo West, locally grown berries, picked
that morning we're bought up to the Trade Show to be served at the Organic
Trade Association (OTA) Reception, and the Organic Center event.
The berries were an astouding hit, and totally made the point:
Organic, and locally grown is in.
The Rodriguez Ranch Buy Back begins...read on...
--Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener
___
Of the tons of food at this year's Natural Product Expo West,
held March 8-11 at the Anaheim Convention Center,
some of the finest and freshest was grown and hand delivered
to the Organic Trade Association Reception March 8,
and the Organic Center special Fundraiser
March 9.
The food was grown by Joe Rodriguez Jr.,
a member of the fourth generation California
farming family, who has farmed organically
at Rodriguez Ranch since 1985. The farm
itself, in the family since 1958,
was sold three years ago in response to hard
years and family elders who wanted retirementincome.
Joe continues to farm there, leasing the property.
The fresh-picked that-day berries were carried in a 68 VW Van
called the Enchanted Garden Mobile,for delivery to the OTA Reception,
and the following day fresh picked, by Joe himself for the Organic
Center event.
Thanks to support from Whole Foods Markets in San Diego
who enthusiastically received Joe's berries and later his varieties of greens
and other locally grown foods in Spring 06,
Joe Rodriguez Jr. spirit is now in a "Comeback."
Joe is the subject of "The Comeback of Joe the Farmer,"
a Children's book for Kids and their Parents
and a CD of digital Images being produced Leslie Goldman,
the photographer at the OTA Reception the last three
years. Leslie is an Organic Trade Association member.
The Enchanted Garden Mobile is Leslie's vehicle. He uses it
to deliver a message of locally grown foods, and from it
inspires children and adults to garden.
The state of California is now offering 15 million to
schools that begin gardens. Goldman plans to visit some
of the local schools and read the Children's book for
Kids and their parents.
Goldman is known as "Your Enchanted Gardener'
to his international network of support.
They join the Enchanted Garden Club.
His Plant Your Dream Blog
the #1 Blog on the #2 Alternative
Health Site, Curezone. com. Curezone
has more than 100,000 views a day.
The Plant Your Dream Blog has more than
350,000 view and about 1000 ever two days.
http://curezone.com/blogs/f.asp?f=92&t=48963.45
William Smith 111 Aramark Chef at the Anaheim Convention
Center, was greeted by fresh herbs Goldman brought up. He was so moved,
he called Leslie two days later at 5 AM, wanting to follow up on a proposal
to have an herb garden of organically grown herbs to be created
by Joe Rodriguez for him at the Anaheim Center.
Negotiations are also in progress to have Joe provide locally grown
food for the Anaheim Convention Center. Jim Tripp and Joe entered
conversation at the OTA banquet. Tripp planted a lettuce seedling in soil
to acknowledge the potential of the alliance.
Walter Robb, CEO for Whole Foods, acknowledged Joe Rodriguez, jr. at the
Organic Center Fundraiser March 9 from the stage. Robb invited
the group of Natural Food "Organic Revolutionaries' to taste
locally grown organic strawberries. While they ate,
one of "Your Enchanted Gardener's"
Super Ripe Images of a strawberrywas on screen.
Super Ripe images were also incorporated in a Video orchestrated
by Amy Summers of Pitch, Inc, and a power point presentation created
by Organic Center's Amy Bovaird.
The Rodriguez Ranch Buy campaign was kicked off at this year's Natural
Product Expo West. More than $4 million will likely be needed to again
secure the 100 acre ranch.
Joe wants to not only have farm the acreage, but have
a teaching center who he instructs a new generation of students
on how to farm and bring their produce to market.
The campaign for the "Rodriguez Farm Buy Back"
begins with supporters signing
"A Love Letter to Joe the Farmer,"
an expression of gratitude for the work of local family farmers.
Gary Hirshberg, "CE-Yo" of Stonyfield Farm, offered to place the
inspiring document on his web site that has 1 million hits a week.
Among the Initial signers of "A Love Letter to Joe the Farmer" are
Dr. Andrew Weil. Other signers included Jim Tripp of the Anaheim Convention Center, Julia Sabin, co-chair of the OTA's Host Committee,Smucker Quality Beverages.
Seeds of Change President Mark Koide was another
enthusiastic signer and berry eater, as was Andrew Mitchell, sales
Manager for Pet Promise, Others included Jim Slama, president of Sustain, an organization a non profit that supports locally grown food and farmers.
Delores Huerta, cofounder of the United Farm Workers,
with Cesar Chavez, was the first signer.
Aramark Centers Warehouse Purchasing
Manager, Lianne Cragnall, confirmed that the OTA berries were indeed
delivered and part of the OTA Reception. The berries were eating so fast
that by the time Goldman came to photograph them, they were all gone.
Donald F. Wilkes of Blue Pacific Flavors also lent his name
to the the Love Letter campaign.
He called Joe's Camarosa Berry the best he had ever tasted.
His company Blue Pacific Flavors processes 100 metric
tons of berries a year.
As "The Comeback of Joe the Farmers" says,
"Joe the Farmer through the help of so many
Friends of the Farm lived to see a beautiful
rainbow of health for all his family and the human race.
He always said, "Whatever you do in life,
do it as best you can, and Never, Never, Never give up!"
The land stayed farm land. San Diego did not lose'
one of its last remaining local farming families."
Joe Rodriguez is currently growing a whole field of berries
for the local San Diego Whole Foods Markets.
They will be in the local San Diego Whole Food Markets
within weeks.
He plans to grow more.
___
A Love Letter to Joe the Farme here:
http://lesliegoldman.com/Friend-of-the-Farm/index.htm
To view pages from the Children's books in process,
go to these links. Each page of the book will be
sponsored by a Heart and Soul Inspired Company
who will be asked to make contribution toward the
publication to be produced through Leslie's non profit.
To lend your support to the Rodriguez Ranch Buy Back
campaign, email Leslie. Plantyourdream@cox.net.
Strawberries--and images--of the berries being picked
for OTA and the Organic Center--
are available on the CD that may be ordered here:
http://lesliegoldman.com/Friend-of-the-Farm/index.htm
###
Related Blogs:
Strawberry Picking:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2371
Aramark explores going even more local and organic,
an alliance between the Anaheim Convention Center
and Aramark are being explored:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2362
Joe Gets appreciation from
Organic Center leaders:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2378
Joe at the Natural Product Expo West:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2367
Dr. Andrew Weil sends Love to Joe the Farmer:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2372
Conscious Bus Travels US:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2369
Whole Foods Joe Alliance Grows:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.as
###
Related Blogs:
Strawberry Picking:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2371
Aramark explores going even more local and organic,
an alliance between the Anaheim Convention Center
and Aramark are being explored:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2362
Joe Gets appreciation from
Organic Center leaders:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2378
Joe at the Natural Product Expo West:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2367
Dr. Andrew Weil sends Love to Joe the Farmer:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2372
Conscious Bus Travels US:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2369
Whole Foods Joe Alliance Grows:
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2375
Red Oak Lettuce heading for
Anaheim Convention Center on a regular basis?
http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=92&i=2363
___
LINKS:
Links:
Pet Promise:
http://www.petpromiseinc.com
Seeds of Change:
http://www.seedsofchange.com
Julia Sabin
http://www.jmsmucker.com
Blue Pacific Flavors:
http://www.bluepacificflavors.com/company.htm
Jim Slama:
http://www.familyfarmed.org/
