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Silicon Valley’s urban farm movement ‘ready to grow’

Martha Barahona wants to change her community’s diet, one backyard at a time.

“We’re in Silicon Valley, and don’t get me wrong – I love technology,” she says. “But I can’t eat computers. Here we have the perfect weather to grow everything. Why aren’t we taking advantage? Out community is ready to grow.”

Seven years ago, the San Jose resident, an immigrant from El Salvador, joined La Mesa Verde, a project that helps low-income families build backyard vegetable gardens. She says she was suffering from clinical depression and other health issues, and “wanted to do something for myself.”

Now, besides boasting a backyard garden of her own in the city’s Washington neighborhood, Barahona works to bring fresh food to more immigrant families by teaching workshops and organizing community members around local policy issues.

La Mesa Verde is part of a growing cohort of Silicon Valley organizations seeking to connect residents with the region’s substantial agricultural roots and to expand access to healthy, fresh food.

Read more at New America Media
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