FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 4, 2005

10:25 EST

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

The South Central Community Garden in Los Angeles, CA, a 360-plot, 14-acre

urban oasis, is scheduled to be demolished and replaced by a warehouse. This

is believed to be the largest urban community garden in the country and 350

farmers and families work this land. Many of the community gardeners are

seamstresses, laborers or restaurant workers earning $12,000-$20,000 a year.

These gardens provide an important source of food for their families. It

also serves as a community gathering place, with musical, spiritual and

cultural celebrations.

This project is an enormous success for the farmers, the families, the

community and the city. Mayor Villaraigosa himself visited the garden with

his son while campaigning for office. This is a shining example of

successful community development using urban gardening and production as the

vehicle. This is why this is so important. We musn't let this be lost. There

must be another way.

According to Patrick Dunlevy, attorney for the farmers "There's no legal

option at this point. It would have to be some sort of willing concession on

the part of Ralph Horowitz (the developer), who could decide that for the

public good he will allow them to continue farming there." Or the city could

give Mr. Horowitz another location for his warehouse.

Please help spread the word to people you know in Los Angeles and the

surrounding area and ask them to contact the Mayor and urge him to work with

Ralph Horowitz and the community gardeners to find another solution, one

where everyone wins.

Below is the website for the South Central Farmers Feeding Families, a group

set up by the community farmers and gardeners. There you can read more about

this community asset and

learn how you can help in solidarity.

www.southcentralfarmers.com

I also suggest reading The Cuba Diet, by Bill McKibben. You can find it in

the April 2005 edition of Harper's. It's another shining example of what we

are capable of if we work together.

Please circulate.

--

Bob St.Peter

Blue Hill, Maine

bob@indepedentfoodproject.org