Punk Gardener

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LETTERS, CALLS, AND COURTROOM VISITS IN EARLY MARCH IN SUPPORT OF TECOLOTE FARM. YOUR INPUT MADE A BIG IMPRESSION ON THE COMMISSIONERS’ COURT.

THE COURT IS PREPARING TO VOTE YES OR NO ON JUDGE BISCOE’S PROPOSED PLAN, AND NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW THEM AGAIN, ASSERTIVELY, WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS.

Background:
Tecolote Farm has been providing locally-grown, organic vegetables to the Austin area since 1993. It is a vital part of and gives much value to our community. Recently they have suffered a water crisis. Water levels in Tecolote Farm’s well dropped dramatically, and then went completely dry, soon after Travis County installed nearby high-production wells used to water recreation fields a few miles away. At first, Travis County officials indicated that if they had caused the problem, they would help fix it. Since that time, several highly-qualified hydrogeologists, including ones with extensive experience in studying and working with the local aquifer at issue have confirmed what Tecolote has always known: that the high-volume pumping by the County was at least a significant contributor of what has happened to Tecolote’s water supply. Tecolote Farm is just asking for access to the groundwater that they always had, and they are willing to exchange that access for providing produce to County Jail inmates.
This coming Tuesday, March 31st, the Travis County Commissioners’ Court will be considering Judge Biscoe’s plan to help solve a problem that they (at least in part) created. This is where your input is needed and we urge you to act via the following options:

Option 1. Email the Travis County Commissioners

Please send an email very soon – preferably today, Friday, 3/27- but no later than Sunday, 3/29, letting all of the Commissioners, especially Commissioners Eckhardt and Davis, know how important it is to you that the County step up to the plate and help solve preserve this local farm. If you don’t know who your county commissioner is, just send the email to all of them.

List of County Commissioners and their email addresses and telephone numbers:

County Judge – Samuel T. Biscoe – sam.biscoe@co.travis.tx.us – 854-9555
Commissioner, Precinct 1 – Ron Davis – ron.davis@co.travis.tx.us – 854-9111
Commissioner, Precinct 2 – Sarah Eckhardt – sarah.Eckhardt@co.travis.tx.us – 854-9222
Commissioner, Precinct 3 – Karen Huber – Karen.Huber@co.travis.tx.us, kelly.darby@co.travis.tx.us – 854-9111
Commissioner, Precinct 4 – Margaret Gómez – commissioner.gomez@co.travis.tx.us – 854-9444

Below is suggested text for such an email. Feel free to add to it by discussing your relationship with Tecolote or how important it is that our local governments support those within our community who produce local, healthy food, and that Travis County not contribute to the demise of Tecolote or ignore this legal opportunity to do the right thing.

Suggested text:

Dear ___:

I am a supporter of local, sustainable agricultural in Travis County. It has come to my attention that the Travis County Commissioners Court is ready to vote on whether or not to assist Tecolote Farm solve its water crisis.

I understand that County Judge Sam Biscoe has drawn up a plan that would allow the County to provide Tecolote Farm with access to groundwater in exchange for the Farm providing produce to the County Jail. I also understand that this plan has already been approved by the County’s attorneys and that there are no “legal impediments” to its implementation. Please do the right thing to support sustainable, local agriculture and save this long-standing farm. Small family farms are the county’s heritage, and hopefully you will help to preserve them for the future.
First Option – You can do nothing. You can wash your hands of this matter and seal the fate of Tecolote farm. And the way you can do that is by hiding behind the antiquated but still-in-effect common law doctrine known as the Rule of Capture.

But there is nothing about the Rule of Capture that prevents the County from doing the right thing and helping Tecolote Farm.

Second Option – is that you can decide to not hide behind the Rule of Capture and decide to implement one of the low-cost options that will prevent the loss of Tecolote Farm. In this era of obesity and poor nutrition, please back up your recent adoption of a Sustainable Food Policy Board and keep this local provider of healthy, high quality produce in business.

Sincerely,

Option 2. Call Your County Commissioners

You may call your commissioner’s office and let them know your views on this issue. See the list above.

Option 3. Attend Work Session/Show Support in Person

The meeting at which this issue will be considered is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2009, time TBA. Contact Tecolote Farm on Monday March 30 if you plan to attend the meeting and need to know the start time. Write to: tecolotefarm@juno.com
The location will be: the Commissioners’ Courtroom, 1st Floor of the Ned Granger Administration Building, 314 West 11th Street, Austin. Feel free to attend and show your support in person.

Thank you in advance for getting involved in this important issue.
About Sustainable Food Center
With roots dating back more than 30 years, SFC is involved in every step of the local food system from seed to table. Our mission is to cultivate a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food.
Contact Information
Susan Leibrock
Community Relations Director
Sustainable Food Center
512-236-0074 ext. 111