Blog: Occupy the Farm is Ultimately for the Right Reasons

As a peace-loving and law-abiding senior Albany resident, it is obvious that the zealous and (mostly) young farmers who have taken over the University’s Gill Tract are displaying the infatuation with idealistic world views, typical of youth and its accompanying optimism. Their defiant occupation of UC land, and ensuing disruption of University research and of traffic near San Pablo and Buchanan, with multiple signs and demonstrators gathering in our usually calm neighborhood, is pretty outrageous.

The Farm participants have put themselves in a difficult position; in harm’s way. Intervention by local law-enforcement authorities is inevitable, not to mention the UCB’s escalating responses starting with , and whatever unknowns to come next. I pray that it remains non-violent and all the participants in and outside of the gates stay safe.

It did give me pause to wonder why the Occupy the Farm people spent two weeks using their energy and time planting row upon row of vegetables and fruit that could be bulldozed in a week.

I personally do not have the time or energy for such crazy things. You couldn’t get me out in that field and I never want to experience pepper spray or billy clubs or tear gas. I certainly never want to get arrested and go to jail.

Why would anyone take such risks? The Occupy-ing participants went against the grain of the accepted democratic process when they took over, albeit temporarily, land they did not buy. They have been called "intrinsically coercive."

But whether or not they are doing exactly the right thing, the Occupy farmers young and old, are there for the right reasons, I believe. 

Out of idealism and faith in the future they are courageously risking much to engage in this controversy. They are concerned for and hopeful about our community’s food security.

If nothing else results from the Occupy the Farm phenomena besides an urgently needed, accelerated conversation about food security and natural agricultural methods, it all will have been well worth it. This conversation could extend to the entire country, and raising awareness of the topic will benefit all Americans.

Now, if the university destroys the Farm, things will go back to business as usual; some good, some not so good. The (that's good). 

But from what I have heard, Albany will have a relatively disproportionately small amount of revenue for UCB’s master plan development efforts. The developers involved will gain lots more profit than Albany will (that is not appealing).

With the master plan's development we will also see (and hear and smell) a huge increase in vehicles; cars, motorcycles, huge delivery trucks. Can you imagine the amount of traffic on San Pablo and in either way on Marin/Buchanan during rush-hour, instead happening throughout the day into the evening, even on weekends? 

I don't know about anybody else, but for me the prospect of more honking, rumbling, roaring vehicles plowing down my street (near Buchanan and Jackson) is not a happy one. It will impact parking and air quality too. Nope, definitely not thrilled about the amplified traffic, parking and pollution scenario.

On the other hand, if the Occupy the Farm folks get their way, a thriving neighborhood center providing numerous perks will be created right here in our backyard for Albany and other east bay residents to enjoy. It would add value to all of our lives to have a family-friendly, inclusive, collectively-run community farm center and an educational focal point.

It is plain to see that there are a lot of sincere and hard-working folks out there in the field. Working on the farm, not just sitting around, is one of the cornerstone principles that Occupy the Farm declared from the onset.

I think that’s tremendous. I wish that everyone cared as much as the farmers do. Humanity is facing a global crisis of food supply and we urgently need to respond to the issue of appropriate land use and sustainable agriculture. It is something we cannot continue to ignore.  Our world needs many more people with the vigilance and passion demonstrated by these farmer activists.

That is why I am deeply moved by, and thankful to the Occupy Farmers.  They are demonstrating far-sightedness and hope. I have to admit that after weighing both sides of the issue, I am quite proud that this bold and vital Occupy movement is happening in my peaceful little town.