Volume 3 • No. 17 • New Moon • September 2, 2024
We Shall Overcome—a mural of folk singer Pete Seeger
Jacob Romeyn • Located at Providence Farm
This material is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency, under award number RMA23CPT0013391. www.rma.usda.gov
Click above to join in on an evening in Bellaire with Crosshatch’s Brad Kik and Holistic Management® Certified Educator Larry Dyer.
The single-take, barebones recording follows the two walking (literally) through the process of considering a place—the future site of Hatchquarters. They touch on the land’s history, natural resources, and points of concern within the landscape, as well as relevant social factors and what needs to be built to support a flourishing artist residency and ecological farmstead amongst the moraines. It ends with a peek into gathering all those thoughts and organizing them visually into something equal parts realistic and inspiring, coherent and helpful—one of the most valuable facets of Holistic Management® Land Planning.
The Warp — Ideas and Inspiration
|| 1 || Just around the corner and down the road from our home, there’s an old farmhouse that’s being swallowed by woods and soil. Long ago, the roof caved in. The wood is weathering in place, kept upright by the brick bones of the structure, themselves shifting slowly into new angles. As we drive by, our three-year-old often asks why that old home is falling apart. It’s difficult to answer simply. I recently read Jonathan Rinck’s Beautiful Returns, an interview with Chicago artist and architect Amanda Williams. That Q&A introduced me to Williams’ Redefining Redlining project; in 2022, her project initiated the collaborative planting of 100,000 red tulips on vacant lots where twenty-one South Chicago homes used to be. The red array draws attention and tells a story—a disturbingly common one—of the long-term impacts of racist policy and disinvestment while also renewing a connection to a place that had been severed. According to Williams, it’s “an ask with low stakes” that “infuses joy”:
This is a couple hours to do something that has a beautiful return. But the impact will last much longer.
|| 2 || Just down the road from that abandoned home in Bellaire is the Reiley farm. You might not know the name, but, in a way similar to Amanda’s project—the Reileys were responsible for a feat of planting in this region to the tune of over 15 million trees. Whether I’m aware of it or not, every time I make my way into town I pass by the wooded work of their hands.
Why do woods matter? There are about a million reasons. One angle is explored immediately in Mark Krawczyk’s Creating a Polewood Economy video. He speaks to the “why” of coppicing—what’s the relevance of this particular way of working with trees? Within thirty seconds of posing the question, an expanse of possibilities emerges, ranging from conservation plantings like shelter belts and whittling projects to fill kitchen drawers, all the way to production methods that one’s entire life can be arranged around.
To whatever extent makes sense for the viewer, a sense of possibility is offered about what can be done in a place. My wonder was piqued similarly by this video years ago—an exploration of a mobile woodland charcoal venture in England.
|| 3 || Lastly, folk music, like that from Pete Seeger can have that same enlivening effect. As Amy and Troy Bowditch shared in their Arrowhill Farm Virtual Twilight Tour—old-time music, traditionally created in communal gatherings, adds life to people and place. It fosters hospitality and dovetails well with the work of care. Two of the folkies that I know here in town are some of the most generous people that I know—generous with their time and skills—and come to think of it, they’re some of the most skilled folks I know too. Watch for folk offerings at The Alluvion and elsewhere to get on board.
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 10th Annual Great Lakes Herb Faire—Sept. 6th-8th, Chelsea, MI. While the faire is sold out, there are a few volunteer spots available as well as openings in the Friday morning intensives. Find more info here.
|| 2 || Savanna Institute’s Perennial Farm Gathering will take place in Madison, WI, October 6th-8th. Find more on the in-person gathering, as well as more details on Chef Sean Sherman’s keynote address “The (r)Evolution of Indigenous Foodways” here.
|| 3 || Hankering to work with bees? Weather permitting, the Benzie Bee Guild will continue to aim for bee-ing in the yard on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, at 10am. If you’d like to help out, you can find information here on getting involved.
|| 4 || Grand Traverse Beekeeping Club Meeting—September 5th, 7pm at Oryana West. Find more details on this month’s topics here.
|| 5 || Real Organic’s A World Movement conference is taking place in Hudson, New York, Saturday, September 28th. If you want to catch the twenty-minute talks on food and agriculture held throughout the day and don’t find yourself in NY, there’s an option for live-streaming or gaining access to the recorded footage. The breakout sessions are only available in-person. Find more information here.
|| 6 ||FACT Grants for Farmers—A bundle of resources, including grants, conference scholarships, and opportunities for networking and mentorships, all geared towards pasture-based livestock and poultry farming is available at the Food Animal Concerns Trust website.
|| 7 || Happenings at The Alluvion Between Now and the Next Whole Field include: The Jeff Haas Trio featuring Laurie Sears and Lisa Flahive, Big Fun, Jamie Drake, i.am.james, Reperio featuring Nancy Stignitta, Dane Phillipsen, Ya-Ju Chuang, and Bryan Conger, along with Lauren Murphy and Corbin Wagner, and Funky Uncle.
Find more information at www.thealluvion.org.
sponsored by:
Desmond Liggett Wealth Advisors is a mission-driven, fee-only wealth management company with a simple purpose: to generate exceptional value for the individuals, families, small business owners, and non-profit organizations they serve. Desmond Liggett Wealth Advisors believe in and adhere to triple-bottom-line analysis for portfolio investments, ensuring that they review how a company’s environmental and social values impact its long-term resilience and, consequently, value.
Many thanks to the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for their support of this work.
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