Category: What Can I Do

Activism, Choices, Community, Connection, Equal Rights, Faith, Food Justice, Gratitude, Heroes, Hope, Neighbors, Non-Profits, Politics, Quotes, Role Models, Service to Others, Social Justice, Spirituality, Thoughts From the Porch, Unity Unlimited, Inc., What Can I Do

Freedom Every Day for Everybody…

gregoryjoel

I was sitting here this morning drinking coffee, reading a great book (Martyrs to the Unspeakable – The Assassinations of JFK, Malcom, Martin, and RFK by James W. Douglass), and thinking about the last year (although the last decade has been a debacle for democracy in general). I’ve been a bit nostalgic lately, grieving the loss of civility and the deep divisions between the communities around me.

My friend, Dione Sims, (who happens to be my boss and the Executive Director for Unity Unlimited, Inc. – the parent non-profit for Opal’s Farm), is running for Congress in Texas Congressional District Twenty-five. I don’t have the opportunity to volunteer with her campaign as I would like. Spring at Opal’s Farm usually requires more work hours than there are hours in the day. During our recent phone check-in, I asked her about her campaigning, and she told me something that gives me hope once again for a return to the civility and unity I long for.

Hood County, southwest of Fort Worth, is dealing with the issue of huge data centers being built next to there communities. I won’t bore you with all the arguments for and against, but many community members oppose the data centers and the noise, energy, and water pollution that accompany such behemoths in their neighborhoods. At a recent campaign appearance in Hood County, a community member asked Dione about her stance on data centers. Her response was telling about what she will bring to Congress – real representation of the people in her district: something we all wish would happen no matter which side of the political spectrum we find ourselves on.

She answered that the issue needed to be decided by the people, and that as their representative in Congress it was her job to reach across the divided and bring the community together and draw a consensus on whatever he issue was. She was there to represent them – to speak their concerns to power. Moreover, that what many of the new candidates, especially Democrats (of which I am not a part and a proud Independent) have the same goals.

I found a degree of hope in this for a return to what the democracy I was taught about growing up. Political Science might have been my college major but politics is no longer my forte. As I’ve grown older it’s no longer about Republican or Democrat, right or left, but about right and wrong, representative democracy over authoritarianism, the will of the people, all people, versus the will of a small few.

I certainly don’t have the answers to all the challenges we face as a nation, a state, or a community, but I believe that we do. Maybe it’s time to put aside our differences and elect real representatives of what we want from our government, people that will listen to us and not the voices of their corporate donors and lobbyists. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll start waking up to the fact that democracy isn’t guaranteed and requires our participation in making this a good place for all of us, no matter what color, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation we are. This is what Dione has been doing at Unity Unlimited, Inc. for over twenty-five years as the Executive Director of Unity and will do. as your representative in Congress.

“Hard work should pay off, and nobody should have to live one emergency away from losing everything.” -Dione Sims

The things that are important to most of us – the ability of afford a home, to have healthy food and clean water, to thrive in our communities, and to be free to live in peace has been ignored long enough. It’s time to ask our elected officials to really listen to us and act accordingly. I’m hopeful that people like Dione Sims and so many candidates like her will be doing those same things in the 120th Congress of the United States.

“I’m running to make freedom livable.” -Dione Sims

And remember, f you didn’t vote in early voting, please to vote on Primary Election Day, March 3rd!

“No one is free until everyone is free, and freedom has to show up in real life.” -Dione Sims

Activism, Belief, Choices, Courage, Faith, Grief, Hate Crimes, Hope, Quotes, Simplicity, Social Justice, Spirituality, Thoughts From the Porch, What Can I Do

“Live right”

gregoryjoel

The arctic front has made its way east and we’re slowly rebounding from last weekend’s ice storm. I still can’t get much done at the farm, so I’ve been working from home the last few days. I’ve been blessed to have quiet meditation time in the morning, unhurried by the usual morning rituals that precede a workday at the farm.

Given the atrocities happening in Minnesota and the constant cruelty and hate coming from our nation’s capital, I’ve found myself reading the Book of Isaiah this morning. The prophets remind me that religious nationalism, authoritarian regimes, corruption, and abusive power have always plagued societies long before us. History and the prophets tell me we’ve been through this before. They also remind me that there’s a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel – that evil doesn’t prevail. I must hang on to that. Otherwise, hopelessness rears its ugly head.

This morning, I found a gem in Isaiah 33.15 (in The Message Bible) that offers me hope for today.

“The answer’s simple:

                Live right,

                Speak the truth,

                despise exploitation,

                refuse bribes,

                reject violence,

                avoid evil amusements.

I also find hope in the people of Minneapolis who have braved sub-zero weather to “speak the truth, despise exploitation”, and look out for their neighbors in the face of terrible atrocities carried out by ICE and the current administration. They’ve refused bribes (“we’ll leave if you give us your voter rolls” -another ploy to fix the next election). They’ve rejected violence, answering violence with peaceful protest. Unlike the ICE agents who celebrated the lynching of Alex Pretti (watch the video) or the constant laughing at another’s pain, they’ve rejected such evil amusements.

I needed the reminder today that no matter how I feel (does “really pissed off”, hurt and grieving resonate with you?), I can heed Isaiah’s words. There is hope. Jesus even made clearer by reminding me that loving God and loving others takes care of everything else. It enables me to “speak the truth, despise exploitation, refuse bribes, reject violence, avoid evil amusements” too…

Acceptance, Bad Weather, Choices, Community, Courage, Down On the Farm, Faith, Gratitude, Letting Go, Opal's Farm, Patience, Persistence, Prayer, Serenity, Simplicity, Spirituality, Unity Unlimited, Inc., What Can I Do

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

gregoryjoel

It’s January in Texas. I was wearing shorts and a T-shirt two days ago. Today I’m sitting here at the desk watching snow falling with wind chills in the teens. It looks like it may stick around for the next couple of days so I’m taking advantage of the weather to enjoy the comfort of my office and get caught up on stuff at home.

I covered everything at Opal’s Farm with frost cloth and mulch in preparation for this weekend. It rained all day Friday which is was needed for the crops during this cold snap. Still, the weather folks are saying we’ll have eighty-six hours of below freezing temperatures. Now I wait. It’s always unnerving to wait for hard freezes like this to end. I join all area farmers in saying lots of prayers and hoping I don’t lose everything. Such is the nature of farming, whether urban or rural.

One cannot be a control freak and be comfortable farming. Some things are simply beyond my control – it’s too hot or too cold, too wet or too dry – I can’t control the weather. In fact, I came to the farm one day last week and my pump wouldn’t work. After checking all the possible (and solvable) mechanical problems, I walked down to the river to find that it had dropped several feet almost overnight. My pump was three feet out of the water. I have no idea how that happened. That’s a new one for me. At least it’s usually new problems to deal with. That’s one of the joys (or curses) of farming. No two days are alike. You won’t get bored!

Photo by Erik Mclean on Pexels.com

Farming has taught me the real value of the Serenity Prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Acceptance comes easier these days. There are some things I can’t do anything about. They simply are what they are. Acceptance surrenders the results and trusts the process before me. My friend Jim always told me to chop wood and let the chips fall where they may.

There are things I can do to mitigate some of damages caused by the things beyond my control, but quite honestly, some days can be rough: drought, pest pressure, equipment problems, funding issues – they can feel overwhelming. It takes courage to face things head on despite the uncertainties of the desired outcome. Courage is also about patience and perseverance. Sometimes it’s as simple as showing up for one more hour, or one more day despite fear, frustrations, and feeling defeated. I’ve was always told that ninety-five percent of life is just showing up. Sometimes it takes great courage to just do simple things…

“Wisdom to know the difference.” I can’t (and won’t) lay claim to being wise, but I am better at seeing what’s important, what I can change. I still run into walls, just not as often. Choices have become a tad easier to make with some success – not just at the farm but at home and in the community. Progress, not perfection I’ve always been told. Letting go of perfection and desired outcomes has freed me of the shackles of always having to be right. It’s allowed me to use the most freeing words in the English language – “I don’t know”. When I don’t have the answers, I have community, with you all and with my Creator.

If I’m really honest, it’s hard to be inside for two or three days straight. I miss being at the farm. I wonder how we’ve survived yesterday knowing that the worst of the cold is yet to come, but I’m grateful for the rest and the time with my wife. I pray that you all are doing well – the power’s still om, the home fires burn brightly, and you don’t have to get out on the roads. Enjoy the break. I will too…

Communication, Community, Down On the Farm, Events, Faith, Farmers Markets, Food Justice, Gratitude, Health, Heroes, Neighbors, Non-Profits, Nutrition, Opal's Farm, Service to Others, Thoughts From the Porch, Urban Farming, What Can I Do

Coming Soon…

gregoryjoel

Thanks to everyone who braved the cold to come to Cowtown Farmers Market Saturday. I guess we needed the reminder that it’s still January in Texas and not to get too comfortable with the seventy-degree days that have marked much of this Texas winter. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, our last frost date is March 21st, so we still have a couple of months of winter to go. Just because it is winter doesn’t mean that the farmers market and farm stand won’t have any great produce available though. It’s a great time of year for root crops like beets and carrots or greens like collards, turnip greens,  and salad mixes!

I’d also like to ask anyone who volunteered at Opal’s Farm last year to please get in contact with me. As many of you know, our Volunteer Coordinator left in November without notice. She failed to send the updated volunteer list. I know most of our corporate partners, but I would love to have everyone’s contact information to keep you all aware of special volunteer events as well as the new Opal’s Farm monthly newsletter starting in February.

We’re getting closer to the Grand Opening of Opal’s Farm Stand at our new location at the corner of Rosedale and Evans in Historic Southside. We’ll be there with bells on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, from 1 PM to 4PM.

Please remember that Opal’s Farm Stand is an authorized SNAP retailer and offers the Double Up Bucks program to stretch your SNAP dollar even further for fresh local produce. We’re excited and can’t wait to serve our neighbors in Historic Southside.

We’re so grateful to Texas Health Community Hope for administering the Double Up Food Bucks program here in DFW and the statewide program administrator, the Sustainable Food Center. They’ve been a fantastic partner to both us and other urban farms in Fort Worth. Look for several coming events such as cooking demonstrations and nutritional education in the coming year.

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

Tomorrow, January 19th, is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and once again, Texas Health is having groups come out to the farm to volunteer and help us get ready for Spring. We are so thankful to the Texas Health employees who come out several times a year, but especially on this important day when we honor the legacy of Dr. King through serving our community.

If your company would like to schedule a volunteer day, please let me know as soon as you can. The Spring schedule is starting to fill up. We love and appreciate all our volunteers and the amazing work they help us do!

Activism, Communication, Community, Democracy, Equal Rights, Events, Faith, God's Economics, Heroes, Hope, Neighbors, Politics, Role Models, Service to Others, Thoughts From the Porch, What Can I Do

Dione’s Running!

gregoryjoel

Last Saturday, Margaret and I had the opportunity to attend the kickoff campaign rally for Dione Sims for Congress. Most of you know that Dione is the Executive Director for Unity Unlimited, Inc., of which Opal’s Farm is a part. It has been my honor and privilege to work with Dione for the last seven years as the Farm Manager for Opal’s Farm. Dione is not only my boss, but my friend and mentor. Her joy, her faith, and her love for bringing people, all people, together in community has helped me become a better farmer, citizen, and man of faith.

That being said, a disclaimer is in order. I’m writing this as an individual who has seen firsthand her commitment to service for our community and not as the Farm Manager for Opal’s Farm.

Dione and I were talking about the difficulties facing our community, state, and nation when she said she was thinking about running for Congress. So much of what has taken place since January 20th of last year has harmed our neighbors and threatened the very freedoms we’ve known and attained in my lifetime.

Our neighbors were having to make choices between paying for food or paying for needed prescriptions; paying the electric bill or feeding their children; barely surviving, living in fear, working two and three jobs to just scrape by, or spending time with their families. They made these hard choices while the current Administration’s tech bros and billionaire buddies amassed greater fortunes and power. She could no longer sit on the sidelines and do nothing. Running for Congress was not about her. It was about us.  I knew immediately that she was the perfect choice to represent the twenty-fifth Texas Congressional District.

In 2025, Texas, under pressure from Trump, redrew Congressional District lines in a blatant attempt to gain five additional Republican seats in Congress, hoping to keep control of the House. Dione waited patiently for the redistricting plan to go through the courts and joined the race as soon as everything was settled. Her desire to truly represent the very folks whose voices the redistricting tried to silence led to this decision.

Dione is carrying on the legacy of service started by her grandmother, Dr. Opal Lee, with the belief that freedom is for everyone every day. Freedom means having the opportunity to thrive, to reach out for the American dream that has rapidly disappeared for most folks.

Unfortunately, I live just outside Texas District Twenty-five, but many of my friends, both urban and rural, live there. If you reside in District Twenty-five, know that Dione Sims for Congress will represent you and your issues in Congress. Please consider voting for Dione in the upcoming primary on March 3rd. Early voting begins February 17, 2026 and ends on February 27th.

Go to https://dionesimsforcongress.com/ for more info!