http://www.leonardodicaprio.com/leonardo/news/article.php?articleID=47 Leonardo DiCaprio Joins Fight to Save the South Central Farm
2006-05-16
Known as the largest urban farm in the country, South Central Farm provides food and sustenance to some of the most underserved residents in Los Angeles.
"The farm," says DiCaprio, "holds a remarkable array of biodiversity and, because of its size, functions as a carbon sink, a natural environment that stores more carbon than it releases into the atmosphere, and this helps reduce global warming. We have to start acknowledging that every action counts."
Located in the middle of industrial, downtown Los Angeles and only three miles from City Hall, the South Central Farm consists of 14 acres of hard food that has a direct impact on their diets as well as growing heirloom herbs and vegetables that are not available in the large homogenized food chains.
This farms stands as a living example of hope, ecology and community. Because of the farm and it¹s persistent presence of farmers with their vested interest in the community not just in the farm but the surrounding area, crime in the area has been reduced by over 50 percent as recorded by the local Newton Street Police Station.
The farm is now being threatened with destruction in less than 2 weeks. The community coalition is calling on the Mayor and the LA City Council to work with The Trust for Public Land to save the farm.
For further information, and to find out what you can do to take action, go to
http://www.southcentralfarmers.com