Locals Visit Cuban Farms

Cuba is now one of the world leaders in bio-fertilizers, with a regular production of organic food. Andy Tomolonis, Managing Editor for Online and New Media at The Standard-Times and author of Organic Hobby Farming, and local apple orchard farmer, John Howcroft, dropped by to chat about their recent trip to Cuba and what they found on farms there. Join Andy and John Thursday, April 14 from 7-9 pm at the Unitarian Church on the corner of Union and 8th st. for an interesting discussion on Cuba's organic agriculture.

The Cuban government responded to a food crisis in September 1993 by eliminating the majority of state farms and turning them into basic units of cooperative production. Much of the 80 per cent of all farmland that was once held by the state was turned over to the workers and re-established as worker-owned enterprises. Although peasants did not own the land, they were allowed to rent the land indefinitely and free of charge as long as they continued to meet production quotas for their key crops. Cuba imports 80 per cent of the food they consume.

Plan on attending the presentation Thursday, April 14 from 7-9 pm at the Unitarian Church, on the corner of Union and 8th street, New Bedford.