Purpose Past 60 -- Food and Our Future

OK, so I'm nearing my 61st birthday. I'm alternately somber and excited as I creep ever closer to the milestone of sixty-five. How did I get here? How much time is left? And maybe more importantly, how do I continue to pursue a life of passion and purpose?

Sometimes I wish I could free myself of that last question. Seriously. I contemplate just "being", the Zen master approach to life. But that really isn't me and though I respect and admire that approach to life, it just doesn't fit my energy and personality. I am a passionate person. I must have a purpose that extends beyond my own pedestrian interests. The work I do now, certainly contributes to both individuals and a community. I'm using many of my talents. It taps into some things near and dear to me -- sustaining health, aging with dignity, providing leadership and mentoring others. But in truth, I'm weary of the constraints I work within and I don't get any chance at all to promote, proselytize, or propel others to a deeper understanding of critical policy issues.

So I'm searching. The day will come, God willing, when I can leave my current venue and take on something new. What might that be? I've been reading two books by Dawna Markova -- Wide Open and I Will Not Die an Unlived Life -- as I sort my way to the next phase that awaits me. Digging deep, it is getting clearer what pulls me -- food activism. Food is essential to life. And in the United States, food policy directly influences the potential for improving both individual and planetary health. If we can successfully change the food system, we can alter the eating choices available to the community and to those close to me. Dedicated activists, community organizers and entrepreneurs around the country are demonstrating every day that there is another way to grow and eat food that results in greater pride and prosperity for the growers, better nutrition for the eaters, richer land, and more vibrant communities.


But is that happening here? In the Kansas City Metro Area? Yes, it is. Good old Google helped me find a not-for-profit that is doing amazing work. They've been at this for a couple of years. I'm astounded and encouraged by what they've already accomplished. Who are they?
The Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture. Their mission: "Promoting small-scale, community-based, entrepreneurial farming in the Kansas City metropolitan area". Here is their latest newletter, which leads with a story about the Urban Farms Tour 2009, to be held in June. The information in this thing is so intriguing! I had no idea this was happening in my own back yard. I'm not yet sure how my sense of purpose and my talents fit into their work. But my heart swells just to know there are people in my community who are working toward developing small, local, sustainable food systems in urban areas.

I'm sending them a check. And I'm going to subscribe to their newsletter. I'll definitely attend some upcoming events and I know my family will be interested as well. As a group, we are all searching for a possible business to develop, green initiatives to promote, and a path to a more sustainable lifestyle. We need to connect to this broader community. My mind and heart are engaged. Let's see what comes next.