tribute to farmers’ higher risk for certain cancers. “We must know the true cost of cheap food,” she insists. Most recently, they
planted an organic orchard in memory of their son, Joraan, who died of cancer in 2010 at the age of 23. Jo- raan’s orchard is home to thriving, health-sup- porting apple, apri- cot, cherry and plum trees, plus native aronia berries. It also injects fresh life into the community. Each spring, the Forbords celebrate their son’s birthday by “waking up” his orchard. His mother explains: “People of all ages gather—an assortment of
gardens and creating collaborative partnerships.
Luverne and Mary Jo Forbord
Recently, the group estab- lished the Victory Teach- ing Farm, the region’s first urban teach- ing farm and community resource center.
“The farm will serve as an onsite expe- rience for children to learn where their food comes from and the reasons fresh, organically grown food really matters to our health,” says Lanier. However, “This is just the tip of the iceberg for us. Ultimately, we’d like to be a chemical-free community through advocating for re- duction and elimi- nation of pesticide and chemical use in schools, hospitals, households and local parks and ball fields.” Lanier aims
Tarrant Lanier, gardening with children at the Center for Family and Community Development
our friends, Joraan’s friends and their growing families, neighbors, relatives, co-workers, students and others—to keep his legacy growing. The incredible community support keeps us going.”
Tarrant Lanier, of the Center for Family and Community Development (CFCD) and Victory Teaching Farm, in Mobile, Alabama, wants all children to grow up in safe communities with access to plenty of wholesome food. After working for nearly two decades with some of South Alabama’s most vulnerable families, Lanier wanted to “provide more than a crutch.” In 2009, she established the nonprofit CFCD or- ganization, dedicated to healthy living. Within five years, she had assembled a small, but hard-working staff that began building community and school
16 Chattanooga
to help improve on Alabama’s low na- tional ranking in the health of its residents.
“I love our little piece of the world, and I want future generations to enjoy it without fearing that it’s making us sick,” she says. “We are intent on hav- ing a school garden in every school, and we want to see area hospitals es- tablish organic food gardens that sup- port efforts to make people healthier without the use of heavy medications.” Lanier further explains: “We see our victory as reducing hunger and in- creasing health and wellness, environ- mental sustainability and repair, com- munity development and beautification, economic development and access to locally grown food, by promoting and creating a local food system.”
Don Lareau and Daphne Yannakakis, of Zephyros Farm and Garden, in Paonia, Colorado, grow exquisite or-
NaturallyChattanooga.com
Don Lareau
“Kids are shocked when they learn that carrots grow underground and surprised that milk
comes from an udder, not a store shelf.”
~ Don Lareau
ganic flowers and vegetables for farm- ers’ markets and community supported agriculture members in Telluride and the Roaring Fork Valley. Recently, the couple decided to take fewer trips away from their children and home- stead, and instead bring more people to their 35-acre family farm to learn from the land and develop a refreshed sense of community. From earthy farm dinners and el- egant weddings to creative exploration camps for children and adults and an educational internship program, these family farmers are raising a new crop of consumers that value the land, their food and the people producing it. The couple hopes to help people learn how to grow and prepare their own food, plus gain a greater appreciation for organic farming. “The people that come here fall into a farming lifestyle in tune with the sun and moon, the seasons and their in- ner clock—something valuable that has been lost in modern lifestyles,” notes Lareau, who especially loves sharing the magic of their farm with children. “Kids are shocked when they learn that carrots grow underground and surprised
photo by Dan Hemmelgarn
photo by Dan Hemmelgarn
photo by Dan Hemmelgarn
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