Carlo Petrini

So, so many things he said. I was so inspired I kept forgetting to write it down!

We have learned that multilateralism doesn not work. There are 1 billion malnourished people on the earth. 1 out of 6 humans. This is an epoch-making defeat. Why? The rich, wealthy countries did not keep up with their promises.

It would have required another 30 billions dollars.

Of course, the international bank bailout has totaled over 2,000 billion dollars, which we quickly put together.

WE MUST BE OUTRAGED BY THIS. AND PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE OUTRAGED BY THIS.

When the price of rice and wheat doubled, it was hard for many. In Italy, 15% of people's income goes to food. It meant cutting back on other things, luxury items, vacations, new houses. In most of the world though, 50 to 80% of income goes to food. When the price doubles, it means PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO EAT.

The time of this shameful, fictional financial system is over. He believes that the market economy can be rejuvenated through giving value on a rural economy and the focus on small-scale production.

Quality, organic food is not a luxury, it is a right for all humans. When you hear somebody say that we should tap the markets of the rich with organic foods, KICK HIM OUT. We produce organic food for all.

He talked about the old farmers started to die off and the need to film them. He urged Slow Food to get out the cameras and go around filming and recording the wisdom of the elders. Especially the indigenous populations who know how to farm with diversity, who knew how to cook and eat with seasonal menus, reduce emissions and provide healthy, nutritious foods.

He talked about pushing towards not refrigerating everything and bringing back full pantries. And eliminating waste.

The third industrial revolution is coming. The first was the steam engine. The second was electricity and fossil fuels. The third is with clean, sustainable energy.

He reminded us that human activity is based on photosynthesis.

The greatest wealth on Earth is our diversity. It is the guarantee that we will evolve. If everyone were the same, there would be no identity.

And he expressed hope that Americans will give the world NEW HOPE ON NOVEMBER 4. That the dream for the world could come true. The world is watching as we cast our ballots.

And he ended with the words of Red Cloud:

We are poor because we are honest. Raise our children to be honest. There is not money in the afterlife. We want only peace and love.

The peasants of the world come together

6000 farmers, educators, chefs, youth and musicians from 153 countries sitting in Torino. Palpable hope fills the room as drums from each of the four directions begins. Dancers from Mamojado, a place I've never heard of, come out in masks, feathers and maybe 50 cowbell-like bells attached to their back enter.

Then the flag procession. The ultimate equalizer of nations. One nation, one flag. Alphabetically. Iraq marching in right next to Iran. The delegation of Mali sitting near me. They stand as their flag passes by. Huge applause for Mexico. Separate flags for the United Peoples of America and the United States of America. And finally, Zimbabwe.

The Nations of Terra Madre.

The third gathering of food communities begins.

Josh Safran Returns

Josh Safran, formerly Reed, returned to visit this summer with his family. We heard many stories about the, oh now I'm not going remember, Walker Creek Defense . . . Crew? Group? Someone out there who knows . . . help??

Shift Happens and Do you Believe in Me?

Interesting conversation starters about public education . . .

Both amazing . . .

Sherwoodians Come to Walker Creek for a Retreat

We learned so much from you all! Can't wait to host you again!

Winner of the Short Film category at Cannes this year . . . .

Have You Seen This Ad??

Proud Papa

Okay, the pictures are a few years old!

DJ Pemberton

Having fun with Animoto! Meet DJ, On the Fly

The Abbey at Walker Creek

One of the houses here at Walker Creek is called "The Abbey". Many wonderful people have been a part of the Abbey over the years (where to start?? Elissa, Mason, Quan, Klee, Francis, Claire, Sergei, Ruhama to name just a few).

Currently there are five of us: Teresa, Aviathar, DJ, Leo and Richelle. We are busy working on our feng shui and our human footprint. We are installing radiant heat floors, changing our composting scene, eating as much as we can out of our own garden, going to septic classes, working on enhancing our zone 1 food and and and . . . Lots of projects underway. We are eating everything outside these days, which has been quite interesting as we have been entertaining nearly every night. Some wild rainstorms during our meals this month!

Enjoy.

The Salmon Return! (last Fall)

Radiant heat floors??

Well, we are biting the bullet and ripping up our floors to put in radiant heat. We had already decided to go with these beautiful wood floors, we even already have the wood. But after a trip to the Green Festival we realized it was time to minimize our carbon footprint with heating. We will use the wood in other rooms, so it won't go to waste!

We are exploring different designs. One option is to create a poured concrete grid above the pattern of the pipes and to then put leather floors in large patchwork squares. Or pour the entire thing . . .

Who knows???? Exciting times . . . .

Septics Class

Almost every member and resident of Walker Creek attended Skagit County's Septic 101 Class. For most of us, this was old news since we have been committed to sustainable septic systems for years. But for me, this was all new information. Frankly, I had no idea. I learned about scum and sludge and effluent bubbling up into the fields and drainings downstream for the fishies and people. It was a simpler time . . . My class is conducting the toilet paper tests this next week: Which toilet paper will win?? The experiment: Take a piece of toilet paper and put it into a glass jar filled with water. Shake it up. Watch and see how it holds together. Apparently, you want it to hold together, not dissolve for septic systems which I find counter-intuitive. I'm afraid to ask why because I have a feeling the answer will entail a vision of human feces and toilet paper.