Essentials for a Lifetime

This morning I started reading the editorial of one of my favorite publications, "Small Farmer's Journal." Lynn Miller has a way with his words--he is not afraid to publish his truths, radical they may read to some, he writes it anyway. I found my self immersed in his comments on food, the economy, and our complicated government systems. His words seemed familiar. It wasn't until I was 1/3 of the way through the piece that I realized it was the last issue--I had already read these words. But they were no less strong nearly 5 months later, and no less pertinent to my life's work and the work of many others in this country and world.

D Acres has a little article in this most recent issue. It is a basic overview of what we do here, and sheds a little perpective on our farming life and community. It is by no means comprehensive or ripe with the activism that we sometimes feel here. The kind of stuff that Lynn feels when he writes about HOW to leave "today's commerce-driven society":

By taking charge of our lives, by returning to the basics of a self-sufficient existence, by "re-villaging" into communities of like-minded individuals, by growing some, if not all, of your own food, by rejoining the biological world and demanding of applied science that it truly serve humanity and the planet, by rejecting sadism, gluttony, and ingratitude, by disonnecting from electronics and chemistry which deaden us.

It's an honor to me that D Acres has a little article in the Journal. I hope we are able to submit in the future, and really live up to the kind of farmers Lynn Miller is calling for--the self-sufficient farmer that provides "some measure of their own food, shelter, and heat" (and I will add, medicine) and calling that "essential." For it is.

Last month, I was proud to announce the anticipated release of the 2009 Local Food Guide. A listing of farms in the county, what they offer and where folks can get their products. The pictures above celebrate the Launch Event Spectacular held in downtown Plymouth on the Common on June 6th. We want more events likes this--bringing community, family, food, goods, and services onto the same "green." Because we are all involved with each other in some shape or form--to help provide for those "essential" human needs.

Please come celebrate, and help make some good times at D Acres homestead. The Summer is in full bloom for sure and bursting with food and medicine. Visit us anytime! For Pizza Night! For Soup Night! For Farm Feast Breakfast! Bring your friends and family too.

with the warm energy of the Summer Sun,
Regina

Here We Are--We are Here

The Summer season has brought many changes to this D Acres project. The many different ways we love the land are reflected in the many faces who travel through our farmhouse doors, and wander the woodchip-covered paths. This is part of what makes us unique and exciting.

Right now, we're a funny looking bunch of characters--and we're having a real good time!

Spring in New Hampshire

Good Mornin! So if you havent noticed its Spring outside! And its not until I came here to D'Acres that I really knew what that meant. To actually be able to make out a discernable difference amongst the landscape from winter to spring and feel like a surgence of green power took over this land almost overnight is astonishing. Sure the days have gotten warmer but not by my standards. I still think its cold. You see Im from New Jersey. The Jersey Shore to be exact. And when it gets warm out its like summer and everyone is heading to the beach with their bathing suit. But the temperature fluctuates here like a woman trying to figure out what to wear for a party. So to see these plants grow and thrive and double in size day by day is amazing. Where are they getting all their energy from? I want to dig a hole into the ground, stick my hand in it and tap into that source of energy. I know its down there!

But Ladies and Gentlemen and faithful readers....ohh the beautiful flowers! The plethora of flowers on this land. And you would never think it because they can be so unassuming. Yet the joy of stumbling upon one; it would be like finding a pearl in an oyster. It can be so majestic. If you've ever found or seen a Pink Lady's Slipper you'll know what I mean.

They come in all shapes and sizes. Yesterday I couldve sworn I saw the tinniest flower in the world and that's after declaring this statement 3 times already. What's fun and always surprising is how you would never think that there are probably over 100 different species of flowers here because they can be so hidden or found in random spots. Like underneath a rocky cliff or on a mossy rock. They can just spring up from nothing: beautiful, intricate and so delicate. Its remarkable! Everyday I discover a new one and look forward to looking it up in a flower book. I feel so privledged to be able to see, touch and smell these flowers that have seemed for so long to be only found in books. I cant remember the last time I was so excited and awh struck by spring. So next time you step outside stop and smell the flowers! They're there you just have to look.
Peace and Flowers,
Ambra

Eat Local!

Today from 4-6pm at the Common in downtown Plymouth we are hosting a launch event for the the new 2009 Pemi-Baker Valley Guide to Local Foods, Farms and Homegrown Goods.

Many of the local farms featured in the guide will be present to share their goods and their knowledge.

Hope to see you there!

Grey

we know how to party

Last night was awesome. Black Bear Moon West African Drum Ensemble, an "all species" costume party, blacksmithing at the bonfire, and wild behavior. It's amazing how the group energy builds throughout the night. Such a good feeling.

Hope to see you at the next one.

-JV

Not the New Guy Anymore!

Hello -

JJ here and I have been the new guy for the last 3 1/2 weeks here @ dacres.org. We had a new person start Friday, who you just might hear from soon.

My first few days were full of new ways of doing things for me and continue to amaze and challenge myself in different ways - Never think you have nothing left to learn!

So what are some of these challenges?

-Slow down and hurry up
Having my own computer consulting business and being part of the world of instantaneous gratification, being able to slow down, feel deeply what needs doing and then doing it without distraction, is what I mean by slow down and hurry up.

There is a sense of urgency to all that goes on here as the growing season is short and the work never-ending. From planting, transplanting, cleaning up after farm animals, sorting out problems with electrical fences, finding and fixing issues with solar driven irrigation and a multitude of special projects, keep us all very busy.

Also, due to my business, the fastest internet connection available, plus a redundant DSL connection, makes the satellite internet here seem like dial-up! There are several computer-related projects I am involved with and they help to keep work balanced between outside and inside work.

-Appreciate deeply all that you have
This relates to relationships (A shout out to my wife Beth and daughter, Kira) who are back in Florida while I participate here @ dacres. Housing is included here as my "dwelling" here is a yurt with a small wood stove from fourdog - Add two batteries, one 5amp/hr battery charged by a 7w solar panel and a larger 60amp/hr battery charged by a 60w solar array, provides for basic lights, fan, music, computer and keeping my air bed blown up solid. I am really living large compared to some of the folks living here in small tents. Check out the photo of the yurt and you all can see how this fits into the dacres environment.

Food also falls into this category as we tend to eat primarily what the garden is producing at any given time. My absolute favorite is the rhubarb which is already extremely prolific and my taste is for it fresh and raw directly cut from the plant! That tang cannot be found with other foods nor from store bought rhubarb...

-Do not waste ANYTHING
Almost everything I have encountered @ dacres has been used and re-used and used again. Bean trellises (I got the repair many rather than re-build them from scratch as I was initially inclined), buckets, boxes, zip-lock & plastic bags and on and on. Think hard before you throw something away as you may be able to re-use it!

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Nature abounds around the farm and surrounding area - I have taken many bike rides and hikes that continue to amaze me with the variety this part of New Hampshire has to offer visitors. This being Memorial Day Weekend, we have been very busy with Hostel Guests, campers and I got to do my part and make more than 6 dozen scrambled eggs for more than 30 guests this morning (plus all the cleanup that goes along with it! -ok ok, I did have some some help ;-). There was also pancakes, buckwheat, kale and blueberry dressing along with dacres maple syrup. What a nice way to help so many people start the Sunday. eh?

Plus, after 3 1/2 weeks, I had my first guest stay with me for the weekend - Another shout out to Joseph who left just a little while ago back to NY.

There is so much more to tell, so why not come visit and find out for yourself?

All the best and live lightly,
-jj
www.dacres.org

Bebe Rocket

This is Bebe Rocket, the newest member of the D Acre's family. At two and half months and approximately thirty pounds, Rocket, a baby boar, has been welcomed with open arms.

It is such a treat to check on him every morning and see him snuggling with the other piglets.

Peace,

Grey