By Sariah M. Reeser

Usually movements toward social change are seen in larger cities. Small rural tows, it would seem, tend to be quieter and more content to stay the same. This was not so for Todmor-den, a small town in northern Eng-land where a couple of lady friends chatting around the kitchen table came up with quite a big idea. They started with an heirloom seed swap, but could never have imagined the changes to follow. Todmorden, now commonly known as the Incredible Edible Town, has set an example of individuals and citizens coming together in the search for local empowerment. Founded in 2007, Incredible Edible, sought to find a way to connect local learn-ing, community and business. Pam Warhurst, the projects’ cofounder and her lady friends decided that the one language everyone could under-stand was food. They say, “if you eat, you’re in.” Their enterprising spirit lead them and their entire town to repurpose public spaces to grow public crops. And all the food grown is free. Foregoing the red tape, they didn’t ask for authorization, and they didn’t write up a single report. As Pam War-hurst put it, “We don’t ask permis-sion. It takes too long and anyway we’re improving the place.” After a brief public meeting, which rallied monstrous support, the citizens of Todmorden started planting garden herbs and vegetables around city buildings, along paths, and even the local cemetary. They say the soil there is very good.

The idea was to bring the com-munity closer and to support local agriculture. It worked. The project has not only changed the landscape of this small town; it has changed the way people see their community and interact with each other and the environment.

The people of Todmorden don’t rush off to the store for their veggies anymore. Now they’re taking the “Green-Route,” following a map of the town which marks the locations of fruits, herbs and vegetables grown for public use throughout the village. Schools and organizations have risen to the call, supporting involve-ment through gardens of their own and through educational programs. Local artists have contributed to the design of both edible gardens and signs identifying edible plants. Local kitchens provide cooking classes and education in canning, preserving and even camp-fire cooking. The town is booming with tour-ism, and these ‘vegetable tourists’ are spreading the word. Efforts toward

‘edible landscaping’ and community self sufficiency have been organized in towns all over the world. The In-credible Edible Network now has over 200 community groups involved in the movement interna-tionally. The level of interest shown in Todmorden and in Incredible Edible has sparked even further growth. They have expanded gardens and greenhouses, connected farmers and producers, and circulated an Egg Map, showing local egg farmers. In addition to this they now have the In-credible Aqua Garden where they are combining hydroponics and auqapon-ics to grow crops and raise fish. “I have seen the power of small actions and it is awesome,” Pam War-hurst said in her TED talk. And she wasn’t kidding. Todmorden is look-ing to become the first completely

sustainable community in terms of food by 2018. Every action by each person in this small town has contributed to their success. They’ve shown the world how people can come togeth-er to tackle the larger global issues of genetic modification, limited resources and environmental change through community engagement.

“People are ready.” Pam Warhurst said, “It’s time to take personal responsibility and invest in more kindness to each other and to the environment.” For more information on Todmor-den and Incredible Edible check out www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk or watch the TED talk at www.ted.com/talks/pam_warhurst_how_we_can_eat_our_landscapes.

Small Town Big Ideas

I have seen the power of small actions and it is awesome

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) operates under the slogan “ideas worth spreading.” Each talks requires the speaker to convey their message in under eighteen minutes and can be viewed online at TED.com

Polination Street

Raised beds in front of the Police Station

Apothecary Garden at the Healthcare Center