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| Barrel Hoop MicroFarm |
85f, sunny
The book
"Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening" by Louise Riotte",
is a source we are really appreciating right now. We checked it out from the library, but, we will be buying a copy for ourselves. It is one that we will refer back to often. Learning what plants like to grow with others and which help to prevent pest for others can remove a lot of frustration.
Here is a thought:
Every step removed from the "hunter-gatherer" life style is a step further toward asking something of the rest of the natural world that it does not do easily, or without protest. Agriculture can be practiced in a manner that works with the larger systems of nature, instead of against it, but it is still largely not in balance with the other life forms on the planet. Agriculture is, in a way, the great gift, that allows us to live these very distinctly human lives. It gives us power to be mobile and at the top of the food chain. It has been oft said that with power comes responsibility.
Every step removed from the "hunter-gatherer" life style is a step further toward asking something of the rest of the natural world that it does not do easily, or without protest. Agriculture can be practiced in a manner that works with the larger systems of nature, instead of against it, but it is still largely not in balance with the other life forms on the planet. Agriculture is, in a way, the great gift, that allows us to live these very distinctly human lives. It gives us power to be mobile and at the top of the food chain. It has been oft said that with power comes responsibility.
Logic would show us that there is no real separation of man from the natural world. We are a part of the natural world. Everyone of us is invested in ecology, environmentalism, preserving nature. Preserving nature is in fact preserving ourselves.
I am currently finishing up the book "Brining it to the Table" by Wendell Berry. The book has 4 sections, Farming, Farmers, Farms and Food. The really nice thing that one can notice within the section on food is that present in all of the essays is the theme of appreciation, thanks. In so many of the writings of late there is much said of reasons for what we should by and eat and methods for growing food, but little is said about the attitude with which we might harvest and eat our food.
"An Attitude of Gratitude!"
Logic would show us that there is no real separation of man from the natural world. We are a part of the natural world. Everyone of us is invested in ecology, environmentalism, preserving nature. Preserving nature is in fact preserving ourselves.
I am currently finishing up the book "Brining it to the Table" by Wendell Berry. The book has 4 sections, Farming, Farmers, Farms and Food. The really nice thing that one can notice within the section on food is that present in all of the essays is the theme of appreciation, thanks. In so many of the writings of late there is much said of reasons for what we should by and eat and methods for growing food, but little is said about the attitude with which we might harvest and eat our food.
"An Attitude of Gratitude!"
There is so much to be said for "giving thanks" when eating, whether it is religious/spiritual, or simply expressing gratitude to the farmer who grew the crop or raised the hog. In the spirit of Wendell Berry, I hope to take life a little bit slower and truly appreciate the energies of the people and the richness of the soil that allows me to eat a good meal.
ReplyDeleteI love the Wendell Berry/Michael Pollan dynamic at work right now in the sustainable ag movement: Berry is the philosophical driving force and Pollan is the putting-it-into-action man (though they both play the opposite roles at times). I do believe that we, in general, could benefit by hearing more of Berry's words. I think the movement could become less "elitist" and more "practical." To listen to Pollan, there are clear reasons why we SHOULD. To listen to Berry, there is no reason not to.