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| A beautiful garden in Arundel, Maine |
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It is refreshing to see the growing interest and focus on sustainability in both print and broadcast media. In a society where so much of our news can be sensationalistic tripe, it's nice to get some good news on occasion. Local public radio stations and college stations across the country and around the world now have regular sustainability features. Sustainability podcasts are growing in both popularity and availability, and print media are regularly featuring articles on local and sustainable aquaculture, agro-forestry and agriculture.
A recent article in The Weekly Sentinel showcases the work of the students and teachers at the School Around Us in Arundel, Maine as they engaged in a three day hands on workshop on sustainability that created a temporary eco-village in a wooded area near the school. I recently graduated my permaculture design course with a mom of one of the school's students, and during the course had the opportunity to tour the school and surrounding community with some of the permaculture pioneers in our area. I was deeply impressed and motivated by the work that is being done there at the school and at nearby Frinklepod Farm, which is run by one of the school's early students and son of the founders of School Around US.
Interdependence. Abundance. Resilience. Sustainability. These are all phrases that we think about when we engage in practicing the permaculture ethics of earth care, people, care, and fare shares. In backyards all around us, gardens are becoming popular again and chicken coops are popping up. It should perhaps be little surprising then when we see more an more articles dedicated to the glories of sustainable local agriculture. Of note, in this line, an article by Craig Idlebrook in the July/August 2014 issue of Northern New England Journey titled "The Egg and I" extols the virtues of backyard egg operations in Maine and how a serendipitous stop at one such operation lead him to discover the wonders of farm fresh eggs and made him a life long fan. It is a charming article and ends with a reminder about the rewards of supporting local agriculture. Hats off to you Craig for this nostalgic and heartwarming piece. In recognition of your support of local agriculture, I would be happy to present you with a dozen eggs free of charge should you stop by my farm stand some day.
Until next time - "Deep peace of the sleeping stones to you"
