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Farm City
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When Novella Carpenter and boyfriend Bill move from Seattle to Oakland, they choose their apartment for its cast of eccentric neighbors and the empty lot behind the building. In short order, Novella has taken over the lot, not only with a garden of heirloom vegetables, but chickens, bees, and even pigs. Because she is essentially squatting on another’s property, she is very generous about allowing strangers to partake of the fruits of her labor, while waiting for bulldozers to clear her space for condominiums. Being in the heart of what she describes as “the ghetto”, her neighbors all turn a blind eye to her more-than-likely illegal activities because everyone there is doing something they shouldn’t be. She fits right in. Farm City is not, however, a simple tale of a girl and a garden. Carpenter eloquently makes a case for raising your own food. Her inclusion of meat birds and pigs in her urban farm allows her to reconcile her consumption of meat and her need to harvest such food respectfully. Her dependence on those with more experience uncovers a wealth of diversity among her neighborhood and growing circle of friends. Farm city is an inspiration on many levels.
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Add a CommentI'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons, and I still loved this book that includes stories of raising and slaughtering animals for food!
I really enjoyed this book (it was a fast read - one day) - it reads like a long conversation with an interesting, slightly loopy person. It also demonstrates how far ahead of Canada parts of the US are in urban food production.
This woman has no fear! She's also quite funny and although I don't think I'd want to live next door to her (particularly when she's raising her hogs!!) she sure is interesting. The book is really good and I learned more about what a person can do on their own to provide for their family's food needs than I ever realized existed. More power to her and the other urban farmers out there.
An interesting autobiography of an urban farmer in Oakland. Nothing particularly ground breaking and at times and bit meandering. I went back and forth throughout the book thinking first "she's a trooper and innovator" and then "she's a bit of a loon" and then back again. No where near as good as Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Very entertaining and inspiring read.
This book is breathtaking from start to finish. High Five to Novella Carpenter, she is an inspiration!