Botany of Desire

"There is a lot more juice in grapefruit than meets the eye."  - Author Unknown


I apologize for my lackadaisical approach to the blog recently.  I'm sure you all understand what it is like to be swamped with stuff to do.  


Last week we viewed a portion of the documentary about Michael Pollan's book "The Botany of Desire."  I found it fascinating the stories about potatoes and how the potato culture is crucial for existence.  Whether they are grown for McDonald's restaurants all over the world or simply for survival in indigenous environments in the Andes, potatoes are a necessity.


Here is your question:


Early Peruvians adapted to nature in their attempts to domesticate potatoes.  More recently, cultivators have sought to control nature, rather than allowing it to control them.  What are the long-term implications for the two approaches to farming?  Is one way inherently better than another?  How about in the short-term?  For the poor?  For local communities?  For global food systems?  Overall?


Have fun!

This Thursday's plan

"Food is an important part of a balanced diet."  - Fran Lebowitz

Happy Monday to you all!  I wanted to let you know what Julie and I have planned for this weeks class.  Due to the questions and concerns that I've received from several of you, we decided that it would be wise to have an in-class work day.  We will also be starting advisement (choosing classes for next semester).  Please bring your materials for your presentation (research, ideas, questions) and have an grasp on what courses you might want to take (whether your major requires it or not) next semester.  After looking at my schedule for the week, I found that my only free night is Wednesday.  If you really want to meet with me outside of class to discuss your project let me know.  If not, let's just meet in class on Thursday.

Have a magnificent day!

Food Advisory Commitee

To all who want to make a difference ON CAMPUS....go to this meeting!  We've had students in the past attend and who have felt heard by the campus "food-planning" authority.  This is the message that was in the "student bulletin/announcements."

The Food Advisory Committee will meet on October 12 from 4-5 p.m. in Tower 2611. Please feel free to attend if you have any suggestions or ideas on improving food service on campus. Managers from Food Service will be on hand to answer all your questions.

I think there are monthly meetings so if you can't make this one, I figure out when the next one will be.  

"Do you have the balls to change the world?!"

"It's important to begin a search on a full stomach."  - Henry Bromel

I hope everyone has had a chance to research a little more about Monsanto and other Food Inc. prompts.  I'm sure the movie "rocked your world" in a sense and made you really think about your role in the food industry.  Julie sent me this link to a rather interesting article.  Read it and be prepared to contribute to discussion.  Post what you think you will do to change the food system.  Maybe it's your favorite suggestion from this article or maybe you'll be inspired to create your own idea.  I'm excited to see what you have to say.

http://www.grist.org/article/food-do-you-have-the-balls-to-really-change-the-food-system/

I sent out an email about details for Thursday's trip to the co-op, but I'll summarize here as well.  We will meet at the school bus-stop (between Tower and 3rd floor entrance to Science) at 11:20am on Thursday.  We will return on a bus scheduled to arrive at CSS by 1:50pm.  If you have class conflicts, let me know!  Maybe someone could drive if there are problems with scheduling.  See you at Community Day tomorrow!  Remember, this is required if you aren't already participating at another location!!!!