|
When you live somewhere surrounded by Public Lands, it's easy to see everything as yours for the the taking so it can be hard to remember that others need it too, and not just other humans. As a life-long forager and wildcrafter, I found myself applying the principles I use when foraging on public lands on the farm, and learning to apply some of the care and attention I use on the farm to public lands. You can read more about it on a series about foraging that I'm writing for Wild Montana here. And, of course, learn more about it at any of my on-farm foraging classes or workshops! When they've been there all our life, it can be easy to take our public lands for granted but they require stewardship, and not just from those paid to do it, but from all of us. Being 'on the land' these last 5 years of farming in a deeper way than I've ever been before, I've seen how much us humans have forgotten that we depend upon these lands for all that we have. Your phone, your truck, your home, everything you own is 'from the land'. It may look very different that a mineral, tree, or animal, but it all once was. Being able to give as well as take, 'care for' as well as 'be cared for' is just as important. Not just as a material transaction, a payment for a service or object, but as a recognition of life, a gratefulness for the giving and the taking. So the next time you step into the woods, the field, our public lands, even if you can't give anything else, give a gift of your thanks, your appreciation, your gratitude for all the lives that had to be taken for you to live. Look carefully in these two pictures and you'll notice a bit more than pretty flowers. They both have bugs! eeww right!? not always. This spider and beetle aren't doing anything bad by being there, they are actually helping the plants by eating or fighting away bugs that want to cause harm to the blooms. While most cut flowers are covered in pesticides to keep them looking perfect and safe from those harmful bugs, it also kills the helpful ones as well as not being too great for everything else. So while finding a few bugs on your bouquet might seem icky, the things you can't see on those perfect-looking store bought blooms is much more eewww.  I got to spend my weekend volunteering to clear trail! (sorry, in case you missed me at Kalispell Market!) It's a fun time helping to make our public lands more accessible for hikers, backpackers, and horse riders. If you wanna get out there too both Wild Montana and Friends of Scotchman Peaks has trail days.
Future Learning OpportunitiesAre you ready to step into the wilderness? HIKE: South Fork of Ross Creek: FSPW: July 2nd FULL! Leave the summer crowds behind as we make our way through the ancient Cedars, following the creek up to a waterfall. It’s 9 miles roundtrip with 1300 feet of elevation gain, a small price to pay for getting away from the hustle and bustle along the nature trail. Get on the waitlist here! Relational Farming: Dragon's Breath Farm: July 9th Our discussion will focus on the 'why' and 'how' behind the systems and methods I have used to develop farming practices that sit within a worldview that recognizes the sovereignty of the land and all the non-humans that live on it. Going deeper than the popular concepts of permaculture to reset our place and belonging as humans in our relation to land. Sign up here! HIKE: Foraging Hike at Spar Lake: FSPW : July 10th Embark on a magical journey through the lush forest, as you discover the hidden treasures nature has to offer. Follow your senses and collect wild edibles, vibrant berries, and fragrant herbs. The crackle of leaves beneath your feet and the sweet scent of pine needles in the air makes this foraging hike an unforgettable adventure.Join staff member Juli Thurston and board member Megan Leach for a fun day on the trail foraging. We will meet at the Big Spar Lake Trailhead. Bring lunch, snacks plenty of water, and a bag to carry your foraging finds! Sign up here! What's available this week?
Where to find it all?
Find me and all the farm goodies both Thursdays and Saturdays. Thursdays from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby & Saturdays from 9-1230pm at the Kalispell Farmers Market
0 Comments
What a better way to celebrate the Summer Solstice than this much flavor! There are three kinds of Basil (Citrus, Purple, & Cinnamon), Basil Microgreens, Onion Microgreens, Fresh Mint, Fresh Sage, and all the rest. I'll be away this weekend, so your only chance to grab some it in Libby this Thursday from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby. Be there or be square and bland!
 Mint tea is a classic summertime refreshment from the heat and fresh mint amkes all the difference
Future Learning OpportunitiesAre you ready to step into the wilderness? HIKE: South Fork of Ross Creek: FSPW: July 2nd Leave the summer crowds behind as we make our way through the ancient Cedars, following the creek up to a waterfall. It’s 9 miles roundtrip with 1300 feet of elevation gain, a small price to pay for getting away from the hustle and bustle along the nature trail. Sign up here! Relational Farming: Dragon's Breath Farm: July 9th Our discussion will focus on the 'why' and 'how' behind the systems and methods I have used to develop farming practices that sit within a worldview that recognizes the sovereignty of the land and all the non-humans that live on it. Going deeper than the popular concepts of permaculture to reset our place and belonging as humans in our relation to land. Sign up here! HIKE: Foraging Hike at Spar Lake: FSPW : July 10th Embark on a magical journey through the lush forest, as you discover the hidden treasures nature has to offer. Follow your senses and collect wild edibles, vibrant berries, and fragrant herbs. The crackle of leaves beneath your feet and the sweet scent of pine needles in the air makes this foraging hike an unforgettable adventure.Join staff member Juli Thurston and board member Megan Leach for a fun day on the trail foraging. We will meet at the Big Spar Lake Trailhead. Bring lunch, snacks plenty of water, and a bag to carry your foraging finds! Sign up here! What's available this week?
Where to find it all?
Thursdays from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby & Saturdays from 9-1230pm at the Kalispell Farmers Market The seeds were sown and now the microgreens have grown! They are back at the market this week with new fun flavors coming soon. The wild greens that I 'let' get big, tender, and juicy are returning with their mild, nutrient-dense flavors. Did you know that Lamb's Quarters, a common garden and farm weed is possibly the oldest cultivated plant in North America?* It has a long history that is deeply intertwined with humans, so why not rekindle that relationship? Turn it from a garden foe into a kitchen friend? It is related to Spinach and can be used anywhere and in any way you would use that favorite green: fresh in salads, cooked into soups or stews, sauteed along with meats, and added to sauces. And because it needs to make it's own way in the world, it's packed with more nutrients than it's pampered Spinach cousin! Find it and all its wild greens friends at the markets this week *Behre, K.-E. “Collected seeds and fruits from herbs as prehistoric food.” Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 2007;17(1):65–73  When you have friendly, free-range, old hens they sometimes make themselves feel at home not just on the farm but in your own cabin. Some farm goodies are happy accidents! These prodigious squashes and a few tomatillos volunteered themselves from some worm bin compost that was added to the dome, but they are so happy where they are that I'm happy they are there too 😆
 What a way to spend a day, searching for roque gophers and dirt bathing. This may be kitty cat heaven! Future Learning OpportunitiesAre you ready to step into the wilderness? Early Summer Foraging Class: Dragon's Breath Farm: June 18th Come learn about commonly available seasonal edible plants in our region. We'll meet the plants, learn about their edible and also medicinal qualities, proper foraging etiquette, and taste the wonders of the wilds. Join me on the farm on the afternoon of June 18th to see what the wilds can provide! Sign up here! HIKE: South Fork of Ross Creek: FSPW: July 2nd Leave the summer crowds behind as we make our way through the ancient Cedars, following the creek up to a waterfall. It’s 9 miles roundtrip with 1300 feet of elevation gain, a small price to pay for getting away from the hustle and bustle along the nature trail. Sign up here! Relational Farming: Dragon's Breath Farm: July 9th Our discussion will focus on the 'why' and 'how' behind the systems and methods I have used to develop farming practices that sit within a worldview that recognizes the sovereignty of the land and all the non-humans that live on it. Going deeper than the popular concepts of permaculture to reset our place and belonging as humans in our relation to land. Sign up here! HIKE: Foraging Hike at Spar Lake: FSPW : July 10th Embark on a magical journey through the lush forest, as you discover the hidden treasures nature has to offer. Follow your senses and collect wild edibles, vibrant berries, and fragrant herbs. The crackle of leaves beneath your feet and the sweet scent of pine needles in the air makes this foraging hike an unforgettable adventure.Join staff member Juli Thurston and board member Megan Leach for a fun day on the trail foraging. We will meet at the Big Spar Lake Trailhead. Bring lunch, snacks plenty of water, and a bag to carry your foraging finds! Sign up here! What's available this week?
Where to find it all?
Thursdays from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby & Saturdays from 9-1230pm at the Kalispell Farmers Market I'm back...well, I've been back for a week but have been slowly catching up with tasks that got caught up with me while I was gone, *cough* weeding. It was great to be away in a beautiful area camped under boughs of Honeysuckles with Hummingbirds dancing about, feral children laughing, and learning new old things. Where was I? At a Gathering! It is a place to learn ancient craft skills, mostly forgotten or disparaged in a world of walmarts and fast fashion. You'll see people hide tanning, basket making, starting fires with friction, and lots of fun around many campfires at night with live music and stories. But I just heard it from afar as I chose to make use of my time away equally for learning and resting. Literally taking that breath! But now I'm back to the daily chores of weeding, flower harvesting, planting, sowing perennials, and the special projects. Some that are just beginning are trenching water lines to my main growing plots and installing an underground rain catchment system. All part of a grant! But before I get too long-winded, I need to get back at it, cause those chores won't do themselves lol.  Misty mornings means cats are on the prowl through the wildflowers under a thinning moon
Two of my new creations that will hold be in good stead and anything I need to carry: willow basket and pine needle basket. I planted wild Willow last fall and it has begun it's fast march skyward, destined for more baskets. And pine needles are in near endless supply in these woods! Did you know a skilled weaver can make them waterproof with only pine needles and sinew or string?! Future Learning OpportunitiesAre you ready to step into the wilderness? Early Summer Foraging Class: Dragon's Breath Farm: June 18th Come learn about commonly available seasonal edible plants in our region. We'll meet the plants, learn about their edible and also medicinal qualities, proper foraging etiquette, and taste the wonders of the wilds. Join me on the farm on the afternoon of June 18th to see what the wilds can provide! Sign up here! HIKE: South Fork of Ross Creek: FSPW: July 2nd Leave the summer crowds behind as we make our way through the ancient Cedars, following the creek up to a waterfall. It’s 9 miles roundtrip with 1300 feet of elevation gain, a small price to pay for getting away from the hustle and bustle along the nature trail. Sign up here! Relational Farming: Dragon's Breath Farm: July 9th Our discussion will focus on the 'why' and 'how' behind the systems and methods I have used to develop farming practices that sit within a worldview that recognizes the sovereignty of the land and all the non-humans that live on it. Going deeper than the popular concepts of permaculture to reset our place and belonging as humans in our relation to land. Sign up here! HIKE: Foraging Hike at Spar Lake: FSPW : July 10th Embark on a magical journey through the lush forest, as you discover the hidden treasures nature has to offer. Follow your senses and collect wild edibles, vibrant berries, and fragrant herbs. The crackle of leaves beneath your feet and the sweet scent of pine needles in the air makes this foraging hike an unforgettable adventure.Join staff member Juli Thurston and board member Megan Leach for a fun day on the trail foraging. We will meet at the Big Spar Lake Trailhead. Bring lunch, snacks plenty of water, and a bag to carry your foraging finds! Sign up here! What's available this week?
Where to find it all?
Find me and all the spring farm goodies both Thursdays and Saturdays. Thursdays from 3-630pm at The Farmers Market at Libby & Saturdays from 9-1230pm at the Kalispell Farmers Market |
AuthorI'm Farmer Megan with a life full of cackles, clucks, quacks, weeds, crazy kitten, and one tiny, senior, blind dog. Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed