The case for a food education, or indeed an 'education of the essentials' hasn't yet been made convincingly. My two most immediate projects in Maidstone are: start up small scale food production (perhaps community farming) & write a book on education, as above. Be good to hear from anyone.

WHY FOOD
 Food makes communities
My ideal setting or community is one in which people gather, make decisions and share time and experiences. Land activities are designed for that. They involve planting, harvesting and the use of crops - food, fodder, fuel and materials. Growing food, healthy soils and biodiversity are inseparably linked. Food projects are for all. They are the answer to social and economic problems.
 Food provides the backbone of local economies
Plants grow unaided. Rivers and oceans are teeming with fish and other creatures. This is something to be grateful for. Food grows, literally. Our task is to maintain the fertility of both land and rivers. We need growers, foragers, bee-keepers, fishermen, managers, agronomists, botanists, geologists, architects, engineers, zoologists, vets, educators, historians, biologists, crop masters and pickers! Local economies are economies for the local ‘locals’.
 Food drives all learning
Every activity becomes a learning activity. Learning is learning the workings of a cycle. Should we master the food cycle first, and not any other odd or part-cycle, we would then be in the very fortunate and privileged position to enter all life cycles. Food, water and energy are the basis of all human knowledge, of our culture and traditions, of trade, ecology and science.

thanks mario