WAPF chapter Event Sun, Nov 21, 2021 11:00 AM
Susan Pelican’s experiences in organic farming, healthy living, & activism
Michelle and Monica invite you to their lovely backyard in Walnut Creek for a potluck and to hear Susan Pelican’s presentation.
Please join us. Event is in a backyard but will not be canceled because of rain. There is some cover. Do bring layers for warmth and a folding chair or two and a nutrient dense dish to share. Lunch will be followed by a presentation by Susan Pelican. Susan will share her stories of organic farm life, healthy living and political activism. The address and parking instructions will be sent after you sign up. This is a mask-optional event. Susan offered the opportunity to purchase organic lamb and pick it up at this event, see details below.
A hint of Susan’s life is as follows:
Susan Pelican was born in North Carolina and grew up in the suburbs. She went to Philadelphia to college where she majored in Political science and where she became interested in the burgeoning civil rights movement. After college she went to Columbia teachers college where she earned a Masters in Teaching Social Sciences. She soon realized that she did not want to teach high school history or social studies, and so went to U.C Berkeley to study (and teach) political science.
It was 1964, the beginning of the Free Speech Movement and she became involved in the great events of those times: the Vietnam war, the women’s movement, and the new quest for pesticide-free healthy food. The Food Conspiracy was perhaps the first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in the nation: people in various neighborhoods ordered organic food which was sorted and delivered to them every Saturday.
Susan wanted to know where her food was coming from so the organizer took her up to Woodland to meet the farmer who grew the lettuce and tomatoes. Eventually she moved up to the farm and then married the farmer. Howard Beeman was one of the first 25 organic growers certified by Rodale in 1972. Together they bought his Grandparent’s farm because he wanted to grow rice, as well as tomatoes and sheep. This farm had clay soil, good for rice. Together they farmed row crops (alfalfa, wheat, hay) as well as goats and sheep and cows to fertilize the land. They also invited aspiring organic/biodynamic farmers to learn farming (veggies) on their land.
Howard developed Alzheimer’s in the early 2000’s and they were forced off the farm when tractor driving was no longer safe for him. They moved to Nevada City where their daughter could help care for him. He died in 2014 and Susan returned to the farm to make it available to her son and his children who moved to Davis in 2013. Susan’s daughter, Rachel, moved back to the farm in 2018 and gardens extensively. They still have sheep and some chickens, but the drought has forced them to downsize the herd because they have not produced hay for 2 years.
This event is brought to you by the WAPF Contra Costa Tri-Valley Chapter. Open to members of all chapters.
Order Organic-Fed Lamb
Susan offered the opportunity to purchase organic lamb and pick it up at this event. See the list below for what is available and the phone number to call. To order, please call a week in advance of the meeting. Any orders will be brought by Susan to the meeting.