Volume 3 • No. 11 • New Moon • June 6th, 2024

Without expectations, I started watching Grazed & Confused, shared by Daniel Marbury and the Swedish Savory Hub (as in Savory Institute). The film opens with the briefest of introductions to Jörgen and Josephine, two farmers in Jämtland, Sweden, and then transitions to a five-minute montage of historical footage. The vintage clips span industrialism, agriculture included, and other wonders and landscapes, some natural and others terraformed, all accompanied by classical music with operatic baritone. The intro clues you in—there’s an honest story here, but it won’t be spoon-fed. Grazed & Confused begins by inviting the viewer to interpret and draw connections.

The film is unpolished, it’s beautiful, it’s nostalgic, profound and thought-provoking, and it’s important. It’s about holistic land management and disconnect, Sweden too, vision and vocation, shepherding, and the Western mindset. The mountainous region of Jämtland is a long way from here. Still, I see parallels between the summer ski slopes intentionally grazed bordering the Swedish town that relies on tourism and the glacial hills, forest edges, grassy runs, and tourist draw of the town I call home. And I also see that the quandaries and opportunities presented in the film are some of the same ones that exist here. By sharing all of this, what I mean is—I loved it.

So, yeah, we’re thinking about sheep. We’re thinking about a lot. Click the thumbnail below to watch it or read on for a brief Q&A with Leo Labady, who did the shooting, editing, sound, production, and editing for the movie.

Checking in with Leo

Hi Leo. What drew you to Fjällbete initially?

For years I was really fascinated by regenerative agriculture, how one can correct past mistakes and make a system better. Having spent a summer previously at a vegetable farm, I was especially curious about experiencing a different way, farms with grazing animals, and the synergy between pastures and grazers. I finally found Jörgen's farm through the Savory network and contacted him if I can come and work for some months at his operation. He was very open and welcoming and said yes!

How'd you connect to Josephine and Jörgen? When did you know that you had something worth sharing?

Apart from working together we had a tremendous amount of conversations. It was an eye opener for me seeing how they view the world around them, and the importance they put on integrating people back into the land. Restoring the broken connection between the cycles of nature and people was way bigger than "only" keeping sheep for their meat. I felt these ideas were addressing the main issues we are all facing today, and was trying to fuse my experiences into a coherent story.

What was challenging about the process?

Originally the agreement was that I go there as an intern, to be part of the farm team running day-to-day operations. After a while I started filming all sorts of events happening. At times it could be demanding to balance between the two, because in most situations I was also needed as a herder. You can't just stop a flock of 500 animals to try to get the perfect shot...

How would you describe the film stylistically? Are there any influences that you would point to, whether in film or any other mediums?

Being very much in the moment I needed to act fast so a lot of the things were very instinctual. For lack of more professional tools I basically used a small action camera and my iPhone for all the shots. I wanted to emphasize these technical limitations, resulting in the grainy, shaky footage. I tried to avoid being too "perfect" and sterile, and was more interested in a poetic style of documentary, where you have time to get the feeling of events. The style and filmic qualities of Kubrick, Lynch and Nolan were deep influences in the final cut.

How has Grazed and Confused shaped you?

I was profoundly affected by the time spent with Josephine and Jörgen, reevaluating a lot of things I thought were important before. I think everyone would benefit from spending some time with these people as they—I believe—are on the right path to a more just and real way of living. I am deeply committed to continue highlighting stories and people who challenge the status quo and are actively seeking to restore our disconnectedness.

Thanks so much for your words and work, Leo!

The Warp — Ideas and Inspiration

|| 1 || We’re already in deep. There’s plenty of weftage below. I’ll keep this short.

Thanks so much to those who shared feedback on A Way In. There’s a lot more to the conversation. Do things change when we’re talking about the arrival of hydrilla in Michigan, “one of the most feared invasive plants in the country”? (My short answer is no.) Why does a recent study show significantly fewer “alien species” on indigenous-managed lands than comparable spots? What’s going on with assisted migration projects aiming to give trees, shrubs, and other plants a leg up amongst rapidly changing climate conditions, soil conditions, forest fragmentation, and more—endeavors explored in this Minnesota based wrote-up, or, more local to this region, the Assisted Tree Range Expansion Project (ATREP)?

|| 2 || Another take: Observation, perspective shifting, and questions of consumption might be ways into recognizing and better relating to the surrounding flora and fauna. That’s not where it ends.

A reader mentioned that what A Way In speaks to is a choice to enter into long-term handwork and harvesting to promote balance. They wisely noted that that commitment doesn’t fizzle out at the edge of whatever land you might be managing. If you choose to let autumn olive flourish, say, maybe twenty acres of it, you’re likely enlisting your neighbors in a new predicament—spray, leave alone, hand labor, etc, if they aren’t already experiencing it. This enlisting raises big questions about consent, community, and neighborliness. It brings up the necessity of talking to your neighbors—those around you who you likely didn’t choose. That likely involves its own work and the establishment of some kind of relationship.

Thinking that one’s response to introduced plants is a totally solitary endeavor is like thinking that you won’t be affected even if tech automation significantly reworks the shape of labor, economy, and wealth simply because your specific job is AI-proof. We live in networks, and what shapes others shapes us, whether we like it or not.

|| 3 || Amid compiled and connected threads, here’s a reminder to keep some space open. Say no, refuse to overthink, get some rest, do something fun. Let your faculties recharge and your own thinking surface unprompted.

Discernment, capacity for quiet, and the ability to be present and reduce stimulation are all muscles. If you aren’t lending brain space to something that I or someone else offers or watching something placed in front of you—here’s a pass. You’re exercising a needed muscle. This is a reminder for myself as much as anyone else.

The Weft — News and Events

We’re heartened by a wide-range of expressions of resilient communities and gatherings. Here’s a smattering of regional events and happenings that reflect that diversity, collected for your consideration. Choose your own adventure!

|| 1 || The Alluvion is Hiring. Do you have the chops for development and sponsorship? How about an abiding love of art and music? Learn more about joining the A-team, and apply, here. Applications are due June 23rd.

|| 2 || Save the Date! The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference, now in its 25th year, will be coming to Benzie County on and around Monday, August 12th. Keep an eye out for more on the farm tour-centric, Grow Benzie-hubbed happenings.

|| 3 || Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology, Up North Pride, and MiGen Present: The Long Memory Project. The opening reception, June 15, 6pm, is free. Tickets are available for the 7pm gathering afterwards featuring a panel of artists and elders and accompanying performances. Those tickets and more information are available here. Work created through the project will be on display at Commongrounds from June 8th-July 15th.

|| 4 || Tonight (June 6th)! Monthly Grand Traverse Beekeeping Club meeting. Swarms and Splits and Strategies. Expect a lively discussion and to share stories and swap theories on how to best channel the productive energies of colonies. Meet at Oryana West, in Traverse City, from 6:30-8:30pm.

|| 5 || The Anavery Farm Store is Now Open. Find pasture-raised meats, local cheeses, pastured eggs, organic flour and more Tuesday-Saturday, 1-6pm at 6071 Secor Road, Traverse City. They’re also hiring for multiple positions ranging from web/marketing assistance to hands-on farm work. Find more on Anavery Fine Foods and contact information here.

|| 6 || The Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance’s ISKN (Indigenous Seed Keepers Network) is offering 2024 Spring Grower funds. Find more on the one-time $2,000 stipends, intended to be used in any way the recipient needs to support their seed access and sovereignty work, here.

|| 7 || NDN's 2024-2026 Community Self-Determination grant is now open. The program awards up to $250K over two years for Tribal Nations, Tribal Communities, Indigenous-led Organizations, and Grassroots Movements working to Defend, Develop, and Decolonize across Turtle Island and related Island Nations. Registration to apply closes July 15th. Find more information here.

|| 8 || Summer Ag Container Recycling—June 25th. Rinsed agricultural containers will be accepted for recycling at locations in Ellsworth, Williamsburg, Traverse City, Bear Lake, and Sutton’s Bay. Contact Lauren Shaffner, MAEAP Technician at the Grand Traverse Conservation District for more information.

|| 9 || Nature Fest—June 8th, 11am-2pm, Elk Rapids. Music, workshops, food, crafts, storytelling, and over fifty booths featuring nature oriented organizations. Find more information here.

|| 10 ||Summer Solstice Farm Fashion Show—Thursday, June 20th, 7-10pm in Sutton’s Bay, featuring Nykamping’s Spring and Summer collection and showcasing natural materials dyed with natural dyes, many of which are grown locally. Find more on the event here.

|| 11 || The Water is Life Festival will be held on Saturday, August 31st, from 12-9pm. Find out more and register for the family friendly, free celebration of water and connection on the Petoskey waterfront here.

|| 12 || The Alluvion Summer Line-up is Out Now! Happenings at The Alluvion Between Now and the Next Whole Field include: The Jeff Haas Trio featuring Laurie Sears and Lisa Flahive, Viridian Strings, Mike Mangione & band, Allie Kessel, Funky Uncle, The Howard Levy 4, The Long Memory Project, Big Fun, Mindful + Musical with Miriam Pico: Intergenerational Class, Tilt Think Comedy, and the Ellen Rowe Octet.

Find more information at www.thealluvion.org.

|| 13 || Marqueetown Road Tour—the 100% Made in Michigan independent film hits the road. Portraying the fascinating history of motion pictures through one iconic screen - and featuring dozens of Michigan locations and characters—Marqueetown is a true story of chasing your dreams, redefining failure and success, and reembracing the enduring magic of cinema. Find upcoming dates and venues here, or check out the trailer here.

The Whole Field • Volume 3 • No. 11 • New Moon • June 6th, 2024

Checking in with Leo

The Warp — Ideas and Inspiration

The Weft — News and Events

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