Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Dos Manos Farm Gets Bulldozed, But Owner Noel Patterson Is Far From Finished

Posted By on Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 2:20 PM



(Note: The above video was filmed before Dos Manos Farm's owner knew the operation would be taking a forced break for the summer.)

Dos Manos Farm, the local-agriculture project started earlier this year by local-food advocate and all around decent guy Noel Patterson, has been bulldozed. But Patterson is already looking at other opportunities that would allow him to continue his mission to make more local food available in and around Tucson.

Patterson said yesterday that the land he was farming at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona's Marana Heritage Farm was taken back by the City of Marana and that work has begun to turn it into a parking lot for nearby development. Patterson wanted to make it very clear that the action was expected and that the deal was amicable for all parties involved.

But Patterson - who is more dedicated to the local-food movement than just about anybody I've come across - is already looking at a variety of options that would allow him to continue on with Dos Manos Farm, albeit in a new location he hopes will be closer to Tucson. He's also wants to start offering workshops on everything from bee-keeping to raising chickens for meat and eggs.

The last of the produce from the first Dos Manos Farm will be available at the farmers' market this Saturday at Maynards Market and Kitchen. Patterson said he is relatively sure he will be back at the market before long with produce, honey and eggs from other projects he has going.

For those who want to keep up on what Patterson is up to - and if you're into the local-food movement, he's the guy to watch - you can keep up with him on Facebook over here.

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