I work at Jubilee Farm every Tuesday from 8-12 and get a box of produce that lasts me all week. This week I brought home Kohlrabi, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Spring Lettuce, Head Lettuce, Kale, Turnips, Strawberries, Artichokes, Scallions and Edible Flowers.
But it’s about so much more than food.
It’s about being close to the dirt, letting it in my fingernails and reconnecting with life. Living in downtown Bellevue tall buildings block out the sun and cars drive way too fast by children and dogs near a patch of grass amongst a concrete landscape.
At the biodynamic, organic farm in Carnation, I found myself planting seedlings getting ready for the October pumpkin patch. Heather and I had a couple long rows to plant by hand with an hour and a half left to finish up. My mind began calculating while the muscles in my back tightened up. Remembering why I decided to volunteer, I took a breath and gave thanks. With each little plant I tucked in the earth, I wished it a happy life. I’d whisper, “May you have just the right amount of rain.” Another plant would go in with my wishes of having just the right amount of sunshine. On and on it went, with wishing a strong foundation, surrounded by good friends, etc. It didn’t take any longer and my back relaxed. My breathing deepened and we got them all planted with time to spare.
The birds were chirping. We heard a rooster from a neighboring field. Peace. That’s what I come here for.
Along with the gratitude, I feel an overwhelming sense of abundance. Fresh vegetables are everywhere. It’s been said that there’s enough for everyone’s need, but not everyone’s greed. How true. With gardening, people have so much, they usually end up giving half of it away.
Hold with me a vision of an abundant planet where people are eating plant-based diets. Imagine it being quiet enough that we can hear our animal friends. Factory farming is a thing of the past. Together we wonder how it ever got to the point of mass poisoning the air and soil, but just so grateful we wised up in time for the madness to end.