One For The Peace Makers

We had some fellow farmers out last week from Cedar Circle and Cedar Mountain Farms. A few weeks ago, we headed to VT for a tour of their farms, and to discuss ways that we can cooperate to enhance the agricultural vibrance of our region. During their visit to D Acres, we continued that momentum by discussing the concept of a Speaker's Guild that we have been collaboratively working on. In trying to determine who will be the most effective speaker, it was reinforced that our intention was to affect positive change, however it is difficult to know which actions will have the greatest benefit.

With Louie visiting his home town of Greenville, North Carolina this past week, I have been taking care of the pigs. This involves, but is not limited to picking up food waste from town, removing plastic packaging from grocery store produce, sorting food (pigs are not fond of peppers, citrus, or onions), bringing a hand cart full of food down snowy garden paths, the daily ritual of chipping ice from their doors, and bucket washing. Lauren and I had to put Big Momma into the birthing house yesterday because it looks like she is getting ready to have some piglets. Hopefully she will wait until Louie is home. It feels good to do some farm work and be outside again, as the seed catalogs can only hold me over for so long.

While caring for our swinely friends, I reflect upon how I will spend the short amount of time that is my life, and how can this contribute to a positive future. This involves asking questions such as What are we doing to STOP THE WAR, and what are we doing to reclaim the local food system. The answer is that we can always do more. Everyone has some kind of skill that can be put to use to achieve a more just society, in which everyone's basic needs are met, and we are content. By spending more face time with one another, we can rebuild the community bonds that have been traded for a glowing television set. And if you come to the farm for the potluck this Friday, I will not interupt your meal to convince you to buy a new car. So, all artists, tradesmean, educators, philanthrophists, gardeners, musicians, healers, peace makers, and people join together to make our culture thrive once again.

I invite any prospective D Acres participants to check out our website http://www.dacres.org/ to find out more about what we are doing, and how to get involved. Interns and Apprentices, College credits may be available from your academic institution.

"A new way of thinking has become the necessary condition for responsible living and acting. If we maintain obsolete values and beliefs, a fragmented consciousness and self-centered spirit, we will continue to hold onto outdated goals and behaviors. Such an attitude by a large number of people would block the entire transition to an interdependent yet peaceful and cooperative global society. " The 14th Dalai Lama

be