I am currently in Guelph at the Guelph Organic Conference. I'm feeling very inspired by the public forum I attended this evening which featured a panel of six farmers - three older men and three young women - in conversation with each other. I really enjoyed the stories and discussion and was fascinated by the fact that the young farmers were all young women, two of whom grew up in large cities. I have for a very long time thought about writing an article or even (when I'm feeling really ambitious) a book about women farmers. I remember the days when women who were doing farming work were simply cast as "farmer's wives" and not in any way considered (at least in broader society as the real or serious farmers. The framer was always the man; the wife was simply his helper. In reality many "farmer's wives" were actually hard-working farmers themselves of course. I like how some of the young organic farmers that are starting out are women who are clearly the serious farmer. And all the young women farmers I've had the pleasure of meeting or listening to have been dynamic, intelligent, and inspiring (I'm sure the men are too but it is the women who are routinely ignored). It is about time that women farmers are respected and acknowledged!
I was also very inspired by the words of Martin DeGroot, the owner/farmer of Mapleton Organics. He has a Dairy farm in southwestern Ontario in the same area my family had a farm when I was a child - I went to elementary school with his kids. He spoke passionately about the importance of organic farmers to stay small, not to sell out, to resist the constant pressure to grow bigger and bigger. It was so refreshing to hear him say that and then be enthusiastically applauded by the audience of (mostly) other farmers. Mapleton Organics does farm tours and I think my kids and I will be doing a trip there in the summer. Even though we are vegan, I let the kids eat some dairy ice cream in the summer. Mapleton Organics seems like it is one of the best dairy farms around in terms of commitment to ecological sustainability and treatment of animals. If my kids are going to consume ice cream out of cow's milk I would like to at least meet the cows and the farmers, and see the land where the cows graze.
Tomorrow, I will be attending the conference again, this time attending some smaller workshops and the organic expo that happens as part of the conference. the morning will first begin though with a trip to the Guelph Framer's Market for breakfast and some shopping (and COFFEE!).
Creating beautiful, organic and regenerative gardens in London, Ontario. Check out our website for more information - www.earthmagiclondon.com
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Nature hike
Tomorrow morning when it will be -8 degrees out, my kids and I will hop on a bus in full winter gear to go to a homeschooling nature hike. I am slightly dreading it since it will be cold and I don't like the cold. I know we will all be tired and so it will be hard to leave our nice wamr house. But the program is offered by a small private school that has a focus on teaching kids nature awareness nd it is fantastic. The homschooler's hike is lead by former homeschooling mamas and they do a great job. My kids always love the program once we actually get there. Waking up early and taking the bus is no fun but running around with other kids through the forest is tons of fun!
We are all a little worried about doing the hike in the winter, though. Afterall, we have to walk to the bus stop and the then from the bus stop to the hiking site and then repeat it all over again when the program is over. We will be outside for hours! But we will dress as warm as possible - many layers, snowpants, mitts, scarves, everything! - and hopefully we'll be pretty toasty. I did tell my kids that if it turns out they don't like it in the winter, we won't go again until the spring.
I hope it works out - I think there is so much value in kids experiencing nature in all seasons - and experiencing nature in intimate ways. Being able to explore what the earth is like - the trees, the animals, the ground, the sky, the wind, the sun - in the winter is pretty amazing. Of course, I am being a bit bad because while my children will be experiencing the natural beauty of the season I will be sitting in a coffee shop sipping a nice hot cup of coffee :p
We are all a little worried about doing the hike in the winter, though. Afterall, we have to walk to the bus stop and the then from the bus stop to the hiking site and then repeat it all over again when the program is over. We will be outside for hours! But we will dress as warm as possible - many layers, snowpants, mitts, scarves, everything! - and hopefully we'll be pretty toasty. I did tell my kids that if it turns out they don't like it in the winter, we won't go again until the spring.
I hope it works out - I think there is so much value in kids experiencing nature in all seasons - and experiencing nature in intimate ways. Being able to explore what the earth is like - the trees, the animals, the ground, the sky, the wind, the sun - in the winter is pretty amazing. Of course, I am being a bit bad because while my children will be experiencing the natural beauty of the season I will be sitting in a coffee shop sipping a nice hot cup of coffee :p
Eco Resolutions
Here is my list of Eco Resolutions, one for every month of the year.
1. January
I will not use any disposable food or drink containers when outside the house (not counting grocery packaging). This includes any snacks, coffee, meals, etc. Bring food/drinks or my own containers.
2. February
I will significantly reduce hydro - by at least 25% - from the same month last year
3. March
Beginning this month (and continuing until November) I will not use public transit or taxis except in emergencies.
4. April
I will not buy any new products (excluding necessary toiletries and food) this month. I will make what I need/want or buy it used.
5. May
Starting this month and continuing to November I will eat only local produce
6. June
This will be the month of closing waste loops. I will significantly reduce my garbage, including reducing the amount of wasted food (even if it goes into the composter - it's better to eat the food I buy/make/grow!!). I will try to reuse all that I can instead of even putting things in the recycling. I will recycle grey water into my house/balcony plants
7. July
This month one day every week, will be electricity-free (except for my fridge) - including battery operated gadgets (cell phones, MP3 players, DS, laptops, etc). Edited to add that this month I am also going to not use the dryer at all (I am in a building and will have to use my balcony which is what makes it a bit of a challenge) and this is the perfect month to eat all raw.
8. August
This month I will harvest and process my food from the garden and this will continue until November. My goal is to process and save as much as possible and to learn a wide range of processing/preserving skills
9. September
Beginning this month, I will save seeds from every plant that I grow.
10. October
This month I will knit the winter warm things needed for me and my kids - scarves, hats, socks, and mittens.
11. November
I will make all my food from scratch or use only what I previously processed - including salsa, spaghetti sauce, veggie stock, condiments, and the big one - breads. I will also grind my own flour and rolled oats.
12. December
I will aim to make 80% of the gifts/cards I give for Yule.
Skills I hope to learn on this journey: canning, dehydrating, bread baking, sewing, flour grinding, more intricate knitting, some modest building skills, more sophisticated seed saving etc
1. January
I will not use any disposable food or drink containers when outside the house (not counting grocery packaging). This includes any snacks, coffee, meals, etc. Bring food/drinks or my own containers.
2. February
I will significantly reduce hydro - by at least 25% - from the same month last year
3. March
Beginning this month (and continuing until November) I will not use public transit or taxis except in emergencies.
4. April
I will not buy any new products (excluding necessary toiletries and food) this month. I will make what I need/want or buy it used.
5. May
Starting this month and continuing to November I will eat only local produce
6. June
This will be the month of closing waste loops. I will significantly reduce my garbage, including reducing the amount of wasted food (even if it goes into the composter - it's better to eat the food I buy/make/grow!!). I will try to reuse all that I can instead of even putting things in the recycling. I will recycle grey water into my house/balcony plants
7. July
This month one day every week, will be electricity-free (except for my fridge) - including battery operated gadgets (cell phones, MP3 players, DS, laptops, etc). Edited to add that this month I am also going to not use the dryer at all (I am in a building and will have to use my balcony which is what makes it a bit of a challenge) and this is the perfect month to eat all raw.
8. August
This month I will harvest and process my food from the garden and this will continue until November. My goal is to process and save as much as possible and to learn a wide range of processing/preserving skills
9. September
Beginning this month, I will save seeds from every plant that I grow.
10. October
This month I will knit the winter warm things needed for me and my kids - scarves, hats, socks, and mittens.
11. November
I will make all my food from scratch or use only what I previously processed - including salsa, spaghetti sauce, veggie stock, condiments, and the big one - breads. I will also grind my own flour and rolled oats.
12. December
I will aim to make 80% of the gifts/cards I give for Yule.
Skills I hope to learn on this journey: canning, dehydrating, bread baking, sewing, flour grinding, more intricate knitting, some modest building skills, more sophisticated seed saving etc
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