Reflections on Seed and Plant Exchange

I was pondering the significance of our Seed and Plant Exchange which is scheduled for Sunday. On the surface, it seems like a simple hosting of a place where Folks can exchange Seeds and Plants. But for us, it is much more. In fact, it is a significant marker in our lives.

We moved to this little Farm 3 years ago, that is May 12, 2007. We took a leap. We left secure jobs (Richard retired in 2007 and me in 2005) and a community which had become family to us over a 32 year period. We were deeply concerned about Human Domination/Destruction of Earth Systems. We had read, researched, and taught much about sustainable life styles. We just had to put it into practice. That practice has been focused on growing as much of our own food as possible, among others.

So here we are. I can report that the learning curve has been steep. We moved from Gardening Zones 3 or 4 to 5b. The Soils, Diseases, Weeds, Bugs, Climate are substantially different. This is our 4th Gardening Season. I can report that we have learned many lessons. Every day, we seem to be making more baby steps, yet the foundation is now in place.

Our lives have been built upon learning, growing, serving. This little event is like an open house saying we are here, we are willing and eager to rise to the challenges on our plate. The "Back to the Land Movement" is arising. Many of the people are at last "coming home". We are among them and we will nurture as much of that energy as we can.

Life is good. Life is beautiful. We surely don't know exactly what the future will hold. Here we go.