Nick Spring is a recent graduate from Western's Fairhaven College and former Coordinator for the AS Outback gardens. Like many young college alums, Spring is simultaneously looking for ways to make ends meet while pursuing a degree-focused job. But unlike most of us, he isn't wondering how his life will make a difference. Along with colleague Chris Elder, Spring is the Director and co-founder of the Bellingham Urban Garden Syndicate, referred to by the acronym, BUGS. "The term syndicate comes from the late 1920s and early 30s" Spring explained, "it was a time when working class people began uniting for a common purpose of good." The vision for BUGS is to participate in a cooperative enterprise that makes urban farming a reality for regular people.
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Nick Spring WWU Alum and Fairhaven student, Director and Co-founder of Bellingham Urban Gardens Syndicate [BUGS] |
Spring came to Western in 2007 with an academic interest in environmental studies and a tendency toward positive activism—more in the sense of taking a hands-on role in crafting social change than picketing at a capitol building. At the time he was invested in the environment but not specifically in sustainable food. "I've always been kind of an admirer of nature" Spring said, "I like spending time outdoors and taking time to appreciate the world." Through some early influences at Western, Spring began to hone his broad environmental interests into the plowshare of food production. "I began to see a need to change the way people relate to the world on a daily basis," Spring said. And what we all do every day, is eat. It wasn't so much an educational process as an overwhelming epiphany. "When I came to Fairhaven I had a Realization" Spring said, "and that summer I went and got a job on a farm."
Spring went on complete a self-design major, one that focused on sustainability and local foods, titled "Developing Sustainable Connections through Environmental Stewardship and Local Foods Advocacy." Even though Nick was speaking slowly, it took me two tries to write his title down correctly. But there's no fluff in this degree. The title aptly summarizes his professional occupation, life motto, and his ongoing relationship with the university, one that includes guest lectures and workshops at the Outback on topics such as Pruning, Grafting, and Forest Gardening. In addition to his tasks as Director at BUGS and university lecturer, Spring is also the Manager of a Whatcom County vineyard and a farmer with Broad Leaf Farm in Everson.
But the sustainable foods concept is something much bigger than a professional occupation. Although Spring might see his particular life as a sort of calling he would not depict his role in farming as exclusive. It is something everyone can and should be doing. "In my mind urban farming is the nexus between urban planning and sustainable agriculture," Spring said. Unfortunately, that requires urban people to get dirty. "You can grow gardens but if no one takes care of them or eats the food, there's no point," Spring said, emphasizing the need for more people to become involved. "We all have agricultural roots. We need to rekindle that connection."
When I asked if he saw potential at Western to cultivate an interest in sustainable food, Spring showed lots of optimism. "I'd love to continue working with Western," he said. Through workshops, yes, "but also in the larger sense of helping establish a sustainable foods system." How might that happen? Well, perhaps a basic GUR in food production would be a good place to start. "Food is integral," Spring continued, "and most people don't know where it comes from or how the process works."
Right now BUGS donates most of their produce to the Bellingham Food Bank or to their farming volunteers. In the long term, Spring hopes to grow enough food to sell, and he encourages workshop-students and community volunteers to do the same. "So far we've found the best way to keep people happy and involved is to feed them," Spring joked, but it was obvious the greater challenge is to get people to feed themselves. "Right now we're pushing for a few permanent staff positions at the Outback, individuals who could develop a long-term vision for curriculum and community based learning."
In the meantime, he's thinking about the longevity of his new venture in urban gardening. Good work, innovative ideas, and social integrity don't always produce the necessary lettuce. "One goal for this year is to pay our bills," Spring smiled. "As with any non-profit, we still have to meet the bottom line." Nevertheless he is undeterred and untiring, even completing this interview while loading his truck with equipment for the afternoon's farming. "I think that working in the dirt and plants is a great way of grounding yourself," Spring said. "I find it meditative and," he laughingly added, "I eat pretty well." Perhaps others will begin to see it the same way. 