Food Growing Networks

I am telling a group how I built my garden beds.

So what are Food Growing Networks?

Well, maybe it is just a phrase that I just made up. But there is a reason that I did it. I go to the same Super Bowl Party every year for the last 10 years. These are people that I used to go to church with, and we have remained very good friends.

I see the hosts once a month, but I see their friends only 2 or 3 times per year at the host’s parties.

Now, I do not know if you know this about me, but I am a natural networker. I make friends with other people’s friends. I do it on purpose. No, I am not selling anything. I just love people.

When I meet new people, I start talking about growing food. There is always someone in the group that comes over to talk to me and leaves with intentions of building a garden or   getting some chickens. We stay in touch, and end up becoming friends and sharing garden or chicken ideas.

So I went to this last Super Bowl Party and one of the children came up to me excited to share that she did indeed get chickens. She was telling me the breeds of each of her pullets and how happy she was with them. I suggested to her parents that she be allowed to join a local chapter of the 4-H.

This is just one of the cute little stories that happen when you are excited about what you are doing with other people.

I now have a group of people that I gather with once a month at my farm to share gardening ideas. I am delighted to say that most of these people I met through someone else. So instead of using my networking skills to try to sell something; I am doing something so much more exciting. I am networking to spread the good word, and the joy that comes from growing our own food.

Silly term really, or is it? May we all find ourselves a part of a “Food Growing Network”.