Minutes May 14

[Thea]

MINUTES: MEETING OF THE MOUNTAIN VIEW BIODIVERSITY AD HOC COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
PRESENT: Thea, Nancy, Liz, Cheryl, David
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Espe, Marn Yee

AGRICULTURE PART 2

Discussion of Integrated Pest Management and No Chemicals for Cosmetic
Use - both of these processes have been adopted by various cities.
San Francisco and Palo Alto both have policies for decreased use of
herbicides and pesticides.

There are clearly defined levels of pesticides in kids bodies -
organic vs. non organic

$40,000 has been received for district wide school garden programs in
Mountain View. There are funds to make this program sustainable, and
funds to build the program.

Veggielution: They grow food on others land, and give it away to
Martha's Kitchen and 2nd Harvest in San Jose. They also have a 1/2 acre
site in East San Jose, and sell these produce items at the farmers
market. They are SJ State students.

We need to be ready with the gestalt by the second week in June.
Monday there is a meeting at Graham Middle School 630-830. June 10th
is the presentation to the City Council, out top ten recommendations.

Overall goal = Do No Harm  no chemicals, no waste, applies to city,
residents and industry. No waste of any of our resources: water,
agriculture (local food), trees, native habitat areas.

There is not a lot of open space left in Mountain View. There is a
possibility of an orchard in the Cuesta Flood Basin area

On Grant Road, Summerhill has bought the farm area and plans 63 single
family homes. What is the impact of this?

There are lots of small open spaces, we need a map of these, who owns
them, what are they zoned. There are a list of questions - what is
open for us, we need to find out. There is a lot of school, church,
corporate land. It is possible to partner with non profits to develop
this into agricultural land. We have to know the City codes and
practices.

If the city changes their practices, this is a great model. People
watch and can be persuaded to change their ways. The city can educate
the public. A good start would be to ban pesticides in schools. This
is a change the public can get behind.

Look at the city of Boulder Colorado. They have a great program, how
to change behavior and make these changes sustainable. .

Where can we find information on MV pesticide use? Where is it
available?

Ideas:
* Victory Gardens
* Gardener's food exchange
* Community gardens
* Importance of river areas, creeks - take out some of the cement
* Sierra Club to organize environmental forum before the next election
* Contiguous space, with birds and insects, NWF certification for the
city
* Urban ecosystem - center for ecoliteracy - edible school yard,
Berkeley, David Orr
* The Power of Community, Cuba

Do No Harm - Be Prepared

Full Circle Farm, Santa Clara School District land. The lot was
vacant for 30 years and is now an organic farm. Does MV have any
vacant lots? 180,000 pounds of food will be generated within 5
years. 50% of this goes to the schools, dramatically increases the
quality of food the kids receive, rather than 3rd class government
surplus. Sustainable and organic, to reach full production in 5
years. To open a farm food stand for the public.

Edible landscaping. The concept is good for families and kids. MV
can promote this and help the community move in this direction.

Land - productive means  edible, water efficient, native.

We don't need to grow the food now, just preserve the space. What are
the water-wise edibles?

Commercial bee truckers - bees travel 4000 miles a year in their job
as pollinators. Organic and wild bees are not involved in the die
off. Factory farmed bees are in cells that have been made larger, and
the bees are bigger, 1/3 larger. Some think that this is leading to
the die off, large bees are more susceptible.