Agriculture should be promoted and living in the RSA

One of the things that upsets me to no end is our county touts being the largest Agriculture county in the state. But with that said, in our unincorporated areas of Eastern Palm Beach County they are doing everything in their power to quash any Ag related endeavors on smaller acreages. They do this by denying AG exemptions, citing codes not meant for a lean-to, harassing homeowners by fear, and overall trying to white wash the area into compliance. Unless, you have a bonafide AG classification, code just keeps coming after the smaller homesteads.

When you head West on 80 towards Lake O, you see thousands upon thousands of acres of crop, sugar cane, etc. We do have the largest areas still in the county for these mega corporations. But to tout this as a positive thing, while backhandedly, trying to stop it in other areas is disingenuous at best.

We have some very unique rural areas of the county, (where I live) in that every home is ZONED - AR. Zoning and code are two different things, but, go hand in hand. We are zoned 'Agriculture Residential'. It is also in our Palm Beach County Comprehensive Plan 'guaranteeing' our right to livestock.

If you didn't know, you (I) live in the Exurban Tier, in the RURAL SERVICE AREA (RSA) Rural Residential (RR-2.5) in the UnIncorporated area of Palm Beach County. (Exurban includes The Acreage area).  The county commissioners and their staff must follow the rules set forth in our Comprehensive Plan. Written by the county and staff. You can do a google search for the whole pdf file. Its quite long. Look for the 'Future Land Use Element'. (FLUE).

The county can not surreptitiously change something in our FLUE ( Comp Plan), without much consideration from the people that live in the area, the staff, and the Commissioners tasked with making sure this Plan is abided. Changes go thru months of discussion, and changes. And then the BCC must vote on them.

In the FLUE, I've highlighted in yellow pertinent paragraphs. The most important of them is #4.

GUARANTEE THE KEEPING OF LIVESTOCK.

The other item of importance is the keeping of RURAL character of the area.

Keep in mind that what the county says, and what they do, can be two different things. And they have in the past, change the Comp Plan to suit their needs. (ie. Minto and Westlake prior to them incorporating).

It's upsetting and unnerving for them to use ULDC or state statutes and back door slap homeowners wrists that want to live their lives with livestock. My previous post depicts CE usurping the code to their interpretation, citing a homeowner to get rid of temporary housing, metal structures that are movable,  and cross fences on her property. She is just one of many... Why is that? Because code likes things simple, and in line. This is easily managed in urban areas, where all homes are the same. All homes are zero lot line. All homes essentially have no land. But, there is nothing easy about our area. The homes sit on different areas of the land. Some have ponds. Some have wetlands. Cyprus trees that can't be cut. Or they have septic and water in various locations that make it difficult for the CEO to state - ' this must be here' and you can't 'do this here' ... When it comes to livestock, bottom line you do what you need to do to keep them!

The Acreage, Jupiter Farms, Loxahatchee, and all the other surrounding rural developments are truly the last areas in our county to allow for this unique style of living. Anything EAST of 441, sadly, has succumbed to being in the URBAN SERVICE AREA and those rules are different. Even if you live on 2 acres...

Remember you (WE) live in the RURAL SERVICE AREA. And this is a designation we don't ever want to lose. It separates us based on our lack of amenities. Want more amenities and you might find yourself one day not able to keep livestock any longer.

As for the AG classification - this is something you must get from the property appraiser. This office is not a part of the county staff, or fall under their management. The property appraiser office is state maintained and managed. Getting an AG classification is different then our zoning of AR. I have another blog post about that.

http://jojosfarmlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-is-bonafide-ag.html


You can easily find your AR designation on the property appraiser site.

NO TO MINTO

Last chance is coming up.

OCTOBER 29

No to Minto day.

Right now the Minto Application for increase to Density and Intensity under the Agriculture Enclave Statute is up in Tallahassee. 

We've been fighting ! The Commissioner's aren't listening.

5000 petitions signed and delivered saying NO TO MINTO.

http://www.notominto.com

ALERTS of  Palm Beach County

Acreage / Loxahatchee Engaged Residents Taking a Stand.

http://www.alertsofpbc.com/index.html 

Past blog posts written: 

http://jojosfarmlife.blogspot.com/2013/10/overdevelopment-of-palm-beach.html

http://jojosfarmlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/its-not-done-deal-minto.html

I hope that people understand that once Minto gets any increase asked for this will open the door for all the other large tracts of land out here looking to do the same. It will be a nightmare to live out here for the traffic, loss of quality of life. We will be no different then Davie when Weston came and built a city out in the middle of rural.

Please Tallahassee Say NO to Minto!

Articles or opinion pieces of interest to read:
Please read thru these articles. 1000 friends of Florida link 
has all the names and numbers of people in the State 
reviewing this application.

http://www.1000friendsofflorida.org/minto-west/

http://www.priceofsprawl.com/blog/2014/08/21/minto-west-sprawling-into-the-everglades-spirals-taxpayer-deficits-3/

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/commentary-the-fight-to-save-rural-palm-beach-coun/nhF6d/

http://gotowncrier.com/2014/09/letter-why-did-the-bcc-side-with-the-developer/

http://gotowncrier.com/2014/09/letter-a-sad-day-for-palm-beach-county/

http://gotowncrier.com/2014/09/letter-let-them-eat-cake/

It's NOT a done deal minto.

I really wish Minto would stop touting their 6500 like its a done deal.  IT'S NOT.

They are approved for 2996 homes and 235,000 commercial development. I still think that is too much and not conducive to our area. People don't understand we have 2 more giant acres (5000 acres, and 5000 acres for Avenir and GL homes on top of this 3500 acres Minto owns).

We've been working and rallying. Getting petitions signed. Creating a Website. Banners. Magnets. Brochures. Flyers. Word of mouth. Grass roots at its finest.... Friends are working their tush's off.

This post really struck me today.... It's not from me or even to me, but a friends observation, that I too witnessed for just a minute while there at the rally today. My truck is now the notomintomobile.

I want you to read it. IT's NOT A DONE DEAL ... MINTO IS NOT A DONE DEAL. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE APPROVAL TO BUILD WHAT THEY WANT.

We were setting up the tent when a woman and her daughter came up to us. They introduced themselves and the woman said her daughter would like to know if she could join us for awhile. She had brought poster paper and markers to make her sign. She asked what to write and I told her it was her sign and she could put anything she wanted. She knelt on the sidewalk, made her sign, and stood with her Mom by the side of the road! She was telling us about her love of horses and horseback riding. I took a picture of a little girl who felt so deeply about something that she wanted to be a part of it and I took her picture so she could show her friends.

SAVE THE ACREAGE!!

This isn't our job and we aren't professionals. Most of us had never met before. We are just husbands, wives, parents, and grandparents who heard that a developer had bought a piece of property that came with a land use of 2996 homes and had applied to the county commission to change the land use in order to build 6500 homes and 1.4 million square feet of commercial. We started chatting about it and decided to actually do more than chat on a fb page. This isn't a social organization - we haven't had the time to even learn each other's kids names or much about each other except our deep commitment against overdevelopment. Each member's schedule is filled with family schedules also but are dedicated to seeing this through. Activities like this rally are helping us form friendships - these are really great people! Almost 200 petitions were signed today in four hours and many more petitions were taken for family member to sign and return at the meeting on Wed. Not one person I spoke to had heard about the meeting, but took the flyer I had printed about it and said they would drop by to vote. I am sunburned, windburned, my arches and back hurt, and I am sooo happy! Every car that stopped told us why they stopped to sign against 6500 and sooo many people thanked us. Some asked to join in the activities. I have never been prouder to call The Acreage my home

ARE YOU LISTENING Palm Beach County COMMISSIONERS?
ARE YOU LISTENING Governor Rick Scott?
more importantly,  ARE YOU LISTENING minto?

200 petitions in 4 hours.... We have another 800 plus signed as well. 

STOP the crap. STOP insisting we need more commercial and more homes. STOP implying that you can help us with drainage. or horse trails. or whatever nonsense. When we know you can't.. STOP IT> We don't want it. You will ruin the Acreage. We don't want a 1.4 million square feet of commercial. For those that can't visualize? The mall at Wellington Green is only 1.2 million.. :(

GRASS ROOTS!!! People might not be able to attend the commission meetings. But the overwhelming support we're receiving by all who are starting to understand that this IS NOT A DONE DEAL!!!!!

For more information please go to www.notominto.com

25,000 Grant Fedex dreaming!

screen shot of Fedex site

Positive thinking has me dreaming 1st prize. 25,000.

Why the heck not, right? What would I do? How could the grant help? What to fix first? Been dreaming about it all week since I entered this contest. Which is how I got started in the first place. Dreaming. Late at night a glass of wine, me and Delilah, walking the property, visualizing this here, that there. Wondering what if we made soap? made cheese? and started a business?  Never thinking the economy would tank forcing us to jump in as quickly. But then this small grant came across my desk and the late night walks have resumed. Except its with Delilah, Linny, Latte, Nikita, Valentina and Maggie-- my board of directors.

They're in agreement. we need a more streamlined milk room. They want two milk stands. And another fridge. The garage needs gutting for more storage, they're tired of looking at the washing machine, and its time they had running water in there. Delilah wants more soaps, all with her name on it. While Linny just wants one with her name on it. They conceded to cheese names. And even a milk paint line. Lofty.

We discussed the kids, although they appreciate my caring for them - in the house- if they can't feed their kids they at least want to be able to see them. And no they all said no kids running with the adults any more. And by goodness gracious they want a bigger trailer. It's cramped in there. hay. tables. coolers. Its hard to lay down when they're in there. They vowed more milk production if I met their needs.

So there you have it - employees of Delilah's Dairy have spoken. Meeting over. We toasted.

Fun! Dreaming.

To vote and you can vote daily (purdy please) till November 24, 2012 for me & Delilah, and all the girls go to:

http://grantcontest.fedex.com/fedex-small-business-grant-voting/microsite/gallery/507c4515948b65866d039ca7?cmp=EMC-1000968-2-1-200-1110000-US-US-EN-GRANTCONTEST000&ACXRID=1223200114&link=vote

and feel free to pass this along! We'd appreciate it!

Animal Care and Control

I've been in the public eye a bit lately. Fighting for the rural nature of our area, our livestock, our way of life.  Zoning and Planning Dept. had new ordinances they wanted to pass, we fought, we won. I'm on Facebook pages being a tad more vocal then I've ever been before. And started a Livestock page for the Acreage area to keep everyone informed of their rights, as well as put up information to utilize your rights and fight for them. I'm pissing people off. What people though is the question? 

Someone, anonymously, cowardly, called Animal Care on me. Nice, eh? They couldn't cite me. Just a warning slip on my gate last week. The anonymous call mentioned things mentioned dogs with no shelter and possibly abandoned... (big red flag for them). Oh, and my infamous overgrown front yard. (free food for the goats).

Granted, you see the barn from the road. The opened shed (filled with hay). and the garage door 80% of the time half open. The truck is in the drive. The trailer,  and the garbage was ready to set out that day. Lights were on. And we have animals milling about. So?

I don't claim to have the "BEST" cared animals in the world. I do claim that I care for them better then I care for myself.

I do have practical issues just like everyone does with keeping the balance with running a farm. Anyone that has ever been here knows they're all pretty stellar looking. Well fed. And maintained. And they come first before me, the house, the mortgage... even old man.

Yet, ACC will likely not close out this case until they see every single inch and animal on this property. I'm not buying into it. I've told them no, when I called to ask what the complaint was. You can look from the street. You can call my vet. I can get affidavits, if warranted. But unless you have a search warrant? You are not welcome on my property was how the conversation went.

Their response: What are you hiding? 

Actually, There's an elephant in the back room.  None of your business is what I want to say. It is none of your damn business what I do on my property. Outside of a valid, substantiated calls from persons (more then one) that signed an affadavit to the effect, that I'm not a good caretaker you can go hump a log. As well, there should be some checks and balance in this. You are not guilty till you prove innocence. Though i wonder if that is how it works with ACC.

Not giving up my fourth amendment right. No warrant. No on property searches.

I invite everyone (friends and strangers) and then some on this property weekly. I hold seminars here. Boy scout clubs. Teach. I go to shows. Bring animals to green markets. Post photos daily. I literally have had hundreds of people on this farmstead over the last 9 years. I've become the go-to person for goat husbandry, simple living, and I'm open, honest, and above all transparent.

Heck, WPEC Channel 12's  Gary Widom was just here two days ago broadcasting live from my farm. How many thousands of people watched as he milked my goats, and panned the barn yard? Numerous articles about the goats, me, farm. Reporters with their photographers all of whom can take any photo or see anything they like. And this blog, 7 years of documenting the good and bad.

Amazing to me that one anonymous phone call can set off a chain of events that you only read about. Kind of like the reason the livestock ordinance started, one lady who didn't want to hear a rooster crowing can get a whole county up in arms. hmmm...

As you can see this is really pissing me off. Any idiot that can dial a phone can call 'anonymously' and rile up hard working people just because they can. And you better hope I don't recognize the voice when I pull audio when I request a public records request.

It's a shame. This is harassment. It's unwarranted. I'm not playing. And whoever did it? gawd I hope you get a clue. You're barking up the wrong tree.

Woof!

Scenarios to kill a small farm

Scenarios on how this might kill a farm:

You find a piece of property out here to buy. Nice quiet. Put a few goats on it. The home has a barn, shed, milk room. and you're set,  all you need are the goats and chickens. You buy. Zoning comes out and tells you the barn, shed and milk room don't have "permits". They need to come down. WHY? The owners prior were bonafide. (Bonafide had different standards one of which they can't impose ordinances that will impede your right to farm).  The new owners are not. Now what?

Your property is transecting two streets. In the one place this ordinance  says you CAN put a shed or build a barn there is a large pond. Or a stand of trees. The kind you can't cut down. Like Cypress. but you have plenty of space on the front and side yards.  NOW WHAT?

Your property had horses on it. Since the proposed ordinance don't affect horses, you put up all the paddocks, pens, shade shelters, where you want.  Front / side/ next to the street. or neighbors yard. You hurt your back. No more riding. Sell the horses but still want to live your rural life and put a few pigs in those paddocks instead... Zoning comes cites your pigs as a nuisance to your neighbors. via cross fencing language- pigs are nuisance. Paddocks need to be moved. Shade shelters gone. And the pigs need to move to the back of the yard.  (there is no language in the books for horse and shade shelters or cross fencing etc.  As well no rules where you can put them. The only rules in the books for horses is STABLES. (large ticket 4 stall type barns something one would normally permit).

You have a rectangular piece of property. House sits in the far back. The well and the septic and the drainage field sit in the front. THe set back language says you can't put your permanent structures in the front. or side street yards. NOW WHAT?

You are living out here 20 years. You have cross fenced, sheltered, and cooped all your animals. Someone moves in next door. They don't like your pigs, goats, chickens. THey call animal control. With the cross fencing language they decide you are a nuisance to the neighbors. NOW WHAT?

You have 100 chickens on the property. Working 2 jobs and you sell the chicks or eggs (for hatching not eating )  to neighbors and friends to pay for the enjoyment only of your weekend hobby. Neighbors complain all the driving on your street. They monitor and find out your selling your eggs / chicks. They cite you for limitations of use after the 6th sale. chickens hatch out every 21 days. (ordinance in effect now is for HOME OCCUPATION) selling a few eggs or chicks is not this persons occupation. its their hobby. And is a livestock endeavor. Or you comply with the livestock sales limitation and you now have 100's more animals you don't want, need, but waiting to sell. More of a nuisance?

Animal care comes out and wants onto your property. You say no. This ordinance now gives them even more leeway to get on the property. At this moment they're intrusion is limited to monitoring laws for dogs and cats, vaccination, and abuse. They can take relinquished livestock or at large livestock only. They can't tell you how to maintain or care for your livestock. This ordinance now allows this. They have a different opinion on care of on how to raise them. Now what?

You do everything right. You  build where they say. Permit. Raise your animals. Want to get bigger. You need the front of your property now. You are trying to get bonafide so that you can use the front yards. Its necessary to your right to farm.  But you can't increase animals to sell to prove bonaifide...  You can't get bonafide from the property appraiser without proof. Round and round you go. You can't get bonafide with out it. You can't get bigger from the zoning ordinances.

You raise goats, pigs, chickens. You sell them. On the 7th sale you get cited. Now you have to unload animals where? auctions? 2 hours away. on side streets? not professional. This becomes just way to difficult, buy a trailer, get OCVI permits from the vet for travel, on every animal sold. to tag the animals for auction more money,  to constantly be driving to okeechobee. The fuel costs. OCVI. auction costs, tag costs. All cost more then the sales of the animals your selling. You are in the red. NOW WHAT?

Your cross fencing is up. You have 5 paddocks. all for the animals containment. Neighbors complain! now you take the the fencing down. You can have animals running loose on the property. everywhere. The saying Good fences make Good neighbors? The same is true with cross fencing and livestock. Makes for responsible Livestock owners.


Like I stated previously this ordinance is not about "livestock" so much as its about whitewashing  and keeping us in a cookie cutter ordinance where there is no one solution out here. It's about the non livestock owner that moved in that doesn't like it. It's for the zoning department to "unify" all homes. Its not in the best interest of anyone that moves out here to raise animals. And in the past this area was unregulated. right or wrong. but still reality. There are just to many people this ordinance will hurt. outside of just putting it in the books "livestock are allowed".  Which btw has been going on for over 30 years.

These are just a few "scenarios"... Check back i'm sure i'll think of a few more.

 (note moved this to bottom so the "scenarios" would be read first )

Some have it this is a good thing. These livestock ordinances. I disagree.  Firstly, if we aren't on the books then there are no rules regarding livestock, livestock structures specifically for them, where they are housed, fenced, cross fenced,  or any of the other nonsense in the proposed ordinance. Putting us on the books NOW allows zoning to cite us. For Livestock. and Livestock buildings. Etc. A shed has always been something you put up and might need  a permit for. Putting up a small goat shelter you did not. zoning disagrees. But yet when you call them and ask about putting up a small goat shelter they have no response for you.

Secondy, this ordinance isn't about "livestock" as they claim, because if it was then it simply would be an addition "livestock is allowed".  And a chicken is not a parrot.

Its about structures, and codes to bring everyone out here into compliance. Like it would be in a city neighborhood with zero lot lines. Where the cookie cutter mentality abounds. Rules for homes that are almost exactly alike are easy to zone. Homes out here are not. Every lot. Every home. Every layout on the land is different. Some are large. Small. At the front of property. or way in the back. Some homes sit diagonal to the street. There are no two homes / land alike out here. Add to this the wells, septic, drainage, pond, pool. There is no one size fits all. And this is the problem.

And this is only one part of the new language. Accessory Structures. Add to this the language: Cross Fencing. Animal Care. Limitation of use. Existing uses. All are damaging to the small homesteader. Breeder. hobby farmer. or trying to get bonafide.

AR district and AGE rural Transect language

Language in the PBC zoning related to Livestock 2) Accessory Structures.

This needs to come out. Read c). 

This means you can NOT utilize your front yard for livestock buildings.

This reduces your land use even further. 

Keep in mind most properties in the AR district are 1.25 acres. 

This is taken from our ULDC zoning manual

All properties have a home/well/septic/well pumps/drainage fields.
Most properties have trees, native foliage, patios, pools, driveways.
Once all that is taken into consideration the front yards and side yards as well the backyard areas all should be allowed livestock use.

The way the ordinance reads, you can't contain an animal in the front yard, but they can run loose anywhere. Loose is not proper animal maintenance.

The well should have at least a 25ft diameter of non use. Its just good manure/nature management.

Septic tank is concrete. Having livestock continuously on it is detrimental to the tank.

Drainage field is where the septic drains. This too is not a good place to house animals.  The drainage field is pipes that are set 6 inches below the surface of the soil.

With the easements unusable and adding Front and Side yard rules. And now any setback requirements that "Shall not be utilized in a manner that creates a nuisance for adjacent property owners such as containing animals in a limited area next to the property line." where exactly should one house their animals? This is burdensome, limiting, and to accommodate rules might have to tear down NATIVE trees (slash pines are restricted to cut btw) shrubs etc. This property below has ALL native slash pines.


Actual photo click here.

Below is an diagram of my property:

This is an example of my back yard. Slash pines are not allowed to be removed. Nor would i want to. It adds personality. Shade. Natural habitats for birds. As well as roosting places for native birds at night.

Point is EACH property is different. There is no way to "unify" the rules for livestock keeping.
Each property has the house in a different place. The yards are different. The amount of trees are different. Wells are place in different places as are septics.

The homes are not unified nor should the codes be.

FARM EXEMPT BUILDING CODE

Am I incorrect in that the building code has changed and become more complicated to exempt a livestock building? In 1998, all one needed was livestock to be considered "agriculture".  There was no Property appraiser classification to meet which is how one becomes "bonafide". Now you need the property appraiser to classify you as "AG" then you can utilize this florida state statute for buildings meant for livestock and livestock uses.  

So, everyone out here that have buildings and been raising livestock for decades, or any homes that had livestock buildings but sold to homeowners that are not in compliance now will have to be torn down. There is no retroactive status. I don't feel this is right.

If buildings have been standing this long, thru 2 major hurricanes and one minor. Direct hits. These buildings should stay. The whole point of zoning is for safety.

Still no clarification from zoning on what is a "structure".  

Livestock structures are Lean-to's. 3 sided stalls. Shade shelters (roof no sides). Pole barns. Permanent feed troughs. Pens. Paddocks. Fencing. 

CONTINUATION OF PBC LIVESTOCK ORDINANCE

Attached in photo format is the letter of the ALA (Acreage Landowners Association) request for changes regarding the proposed Livestock ordinances for the AR district. 

Our rural life is tanking.

The deep end. First foray into markets.

Years ago,  I decided to slow down, get simple, live from the land, and raise a few goats, chickens and pigs. Over the years it's turned into a viable business. Who knew?

This is how the timeline progressed, as i didn't just "wake up" one day and decide to start a dairy, raise goats, sell soap.

8 years ago Samson and Delilah came to live here. Samson has since died. Delilah's still here, still milking and still my best girl. Met a few mentors. Started volunteering at the fair. Joined a few goat associations. Started reading and haven't stopped...

6 years ago I started getting really involved in the raw milk movement. Following blogs. Posting. And dabbling in selling or giving away milk to family and friends. Learning about dairying. As well started making soap to help pay for the girls.  And Delilah's Dairy goat milk soap was born. 

4 years ago as comfort level and experience took hold I became a bit more "out there" in terms of activism and promoting the goats, milk, products, rural living, giving demonstrations, mentoring.... I also started creating a few business models to see what would happen if the design business tanked. Could I live on my 1.4 acres and solely off the goats? There were a bunch of business models I worked thru. (none of them included stopping). The girls started to pay for themselves.

2 years ago the economy did finally catch up with me. And my Design business started to tank. By this time my kids, yearlings, some luck, all grew, I started milking more then just a "couple" goats.  We incrementally in 4 years have increased the girls, the yield, exposure, and marketing myself as a "goat herder/milk maid". And It seemed my business models were coming to fruition sooner then wanted. Much sooner. As I put myself out there, I realized this could work. Phone calls, articles, people from all over the world wanted to see too. My blog exploded with hits. People started to take notice. This is a viable way to live.

Today we are jumping in to the deep end of the pool. Their has been little income from my design the more I focus on staying out of foreclosure as it's much easier to milk goats and see an instant return as opposed to running around town trying to get more design work.  Plus i'm coming up on 50, who wants a 50 year old art director? TIme to redefine.

This month it seemed everything was about to come crashing down. As the dairy, soap, and goat business is starting to take hold, the county starts to rile up about livestock in our area. At first it seemed life was surely about to end. hell, thinking, wells fargo, here are the keys... the beginning of the end. Zone out the goats and i'm toast.

Then my fight kicked in. Never have I cared, nor been involved in activism to such a degree then yesterday. I went before the County Commissioners to express my views on a zoning issue we are having. And i'm not about to stop now. I think there is a constitutional issue here somewhere. I'm just not smart enough to figure it out at the moment. Thank goodness for a little tiny state statute called the 

Florida Right to Farm Act. 

Click on above. 

Click here for the state statute

My design business is on the upswing (much needed). Thank goodness for the sweat equity in that. The goats are in the news not for their milk (shocking),  but for their very existence in an area called "The Acreage", in a zoning district called the Agriculture Residential. Every thing is at odds. I'm very nervous. And what is so damn scary is that this is it. I'm 4 blocks from the beginning of the Everglades. This is it, no more rural.  Except to move out. I will say if moving out needs to happen its out of the state! As this is the third move in 20 years. Each because of how the zoning codes clash, and the cities I live in can't see the forest for the trees.  Miami. Davie. Will Palm Beach County be the next?  

milk videos

Max Kane 44 days on raw milk only.

 




We don't have the right to eat what we want?

Dan Gelber DIGS in!

In more ways than one, too!

He announced January 27th that he's running for United States Senate. Very cool. I knew him when...

But also as important (well to me) is that he's taking an interest in FLORIDA ecological issues. He spent the day at the famed Oleta River State Park planting indigenous trees. So important and so needed. Our parks throughout the state are just plagued with trees and shrubs and vines that kill our natural wild plant life. With every indigenous tree or shrub planted, will help bring back our nature intended wildlife.

Kudzu, Balsam apple, Australian Pine, and the worst-Brazilian Pepper. It's rampant, and its sucking the life out of our pine forests, our scrub lands, and our prairies. We need to start somewhere, and Oleta River State Park seems like a great beginning.

And Dan Gelber going there is too!




-----------------------
Now what has this got to do with my blog? Well, there is a personal interest in this. I knew Dan years ago when I lived in a quaint little apartment building on the Venetian Causeway. It was I must add the hottest address in town... As the years have passed, and I've forgotten 99% of my apartment friends and neighbors, I never forgot Dan. Why is that?

As I would (and most of South Beach) be dragging our butts home early mornings, after a night on the town... I would see Dan dressed, heading out, ready to go pick up his Little Brother. 8 am on a Saturday? I used to think whoa! What is up with this guy? I used to talk to him in the halls. He'd introduce everyone to his little brother. But without fail, this went on weekly the entire time I lived on the Venetian. Yes, both parts. My early morning swaggering in AND seeing Dan always on the go with his little brother.

What can I say? It left an impression.

Dan even in our youth when he should have been out with the rest of us, was already doing service to others. While we were partying, he was donating his time to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Miami. Sometimes he'd bring his little brother to the apartment and splash in the pool. And I would have my dogs (illegally) in there, too. Of course, I would.

So I can honestly say I knew him when... I liked him then. And I like what he's doing now.
Go check out a few of his reels on you tube.



And from what I remember about him then, and keeping track of him now. I'm going to probably be posting a bit more as he does things to help our state. And to get the word out that Dan's the man for Senator.