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Jessica Handley
Leaver
AP HuG- 3
2 March 2016
Unit 5: Agricultural and Rural Land Use
The effort that is put into the creation of local economies ultimately benefits
society as a whole. As human beings, we sometimes forget that local industries can be
just as profitable as international industries, such as the agricultural industry. Changes in
food production and consumption arise with the integration these new and diverse
markets. One instance that highlights this change in production is located in Clifton
Texas, where Dr. Deb Tolman has created a garden economy that has changed her
community.
Last year, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Deb Tolman, who holds a Ph.D. in
Environmental Sciences/Resources and Geography from Portland State University. Dr.
Tolman currently lives in Clifton, Texas, near Waco, and specializes in landscape design
that provides efficiency, along with beautiful garden structures. As we arrived on Dr.
Tolmans land, it was obvious that even little each piece of scratch metal had a use to
better the efficiency of her crop output. I could see metal tubs, and old cars, with rusty
metal lining that was further rusted by the soil within them. The landscape was
surprisingly beautiful, with even old rubber boots holding flowers around the gates of the
garden. It was obviously fashioned for market gardening, as Dr. Tolman sold her products
to the local farmers market weekly. This farmers market was actually created by Dr.
Tolman as a way of reviving the Clifton community. Her investment into her own

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community has presented it with a multitude of pull factors, including the attraction of
tourists, an increase in economic development, and education for other local farmers on
market gardening. These benefits have also contributed to a healthier lifestyle for the
members of the Clifton community.
Without a promotion of local economies, societies can not be successful in
encouraging local diversity. Dr. Deb Tolman has put a lot of effort into this project, even
while supporting herself with her own garden, teaching many farming classes, and taking
part in the weekly farmers market. All of this effort that she puts into bettering her
community has turned Clifton into a unique small town with a fruitful local diversity.
This promotion of local diversity has ultimately kept it afloat, because without the
development of this industry, the entire community could have collapsed. When I was
talking to Dr. Tolman, as we strolled through her garden, she pointed out new projects,
including the construction of a green silo that people can live in. This silo was small,
but it included all the necessities that someone would need to be able to live in it the
entire year. She talked about how this silo project was based on her focus on growing
healthy and sustainable food, rather than living off of a multitude of materials that arent
needed, and it further highlights how this homegrown local economy has affected the
community. This silo project represents a new ideal that a local agribusiness can bring
many benefits that national corporations are not able to provide to a community.
As Dr. Tolman continues her work in Clifton, Texas, it is clear that the integration
of an agriculture-based economy into a community will surely bring it many benefits.
The changes that have been produced from this economy have arisen due to a valiant
effort to maintain local markets amidst a global market-based world.

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