Flower Arranging

One of the tasks I've been given on harvest days (Tuesday and Saturday) now is to lead a group of volunteers into our zinnia and cosmo flower beds and demonstrate the art of flower arranging. I find it very enjoyable teaching the adult volunteers a new skill they have never had. Basically I lead them into the fields give them a short set of instructions on cutting flowers, let them gather as many as they can, and then more instructions on how to arrange a bouquet. It does get tedious on the days that we need 50+ bouquets. I'm no flower specialist but I do have a fair bit of experience in the area and what is always surprising to me is floral design does not come naturally to everyone. During our small workshop as I watch over the final arrangement of the bouquets, I am always surprised at who is talented at design and who is not. And the best part is that most of the time not all the members pick up a bouquet at distribution so there are always leftover flowers that I go crazy with in decorating the house.


An extra floral bonus at distribution


A lovely bouquet of cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers

Autumn

Indian Summer is here. I’m not sure how long it will last but the leaves on the trees are already changing to their yellows, oranges, and reds. It is an absolutely gorgeous site to see the mountain of Mohonk with its lush forests go through this ancient autumn passage. The summer plants, tomatoes, squashes, and peppers are finishing up and it is now time for the brasicas to mature. We’ve already got tons of kale, collards, bok choy, and broccoli on the way. Everyday I try and incorporate as much as I can into my daily diet from this harvest of plenty. You could say I am nourishing my body and spirit by being here.

Another Adventure

The fields at sunrise



I’ve decided to continue this blog as it seemed silly to me to stop with just including Israel since I am continuing to journey further into my own personal wonderland.

After some intense traveling the last 2 months, all around Israel, Turkey, Upstate New York, Houston, and San Antonio, I’ve finally unpacked my suitcase for a 3 month stay at Brook Farm. I will be completing a work/study there as an agriculture intern. I’ve completed two weeks so far, which I must say was not easy. I am putting some intense hours in each day, as I’ve been starting work at 7am to finish at 6pm, but my body is finally starting to toughen up to these new harsher conditions. And just in one week I’ve already started getting a handle and education in late summer/fall plantings. Brook Farm is a completely different type of farm compared to Hava V’Adam (the place I spent 5 months in Israel). Hava V’Adam is a small educational farm where we grew food basically for our own consumption and Brook Farm is a 5 acre, tractor plowed, CSA farm. On a CSA farm you really feel as if you are the keepers of the vegetables. CSA members prepay you before the season begins to grow and care for their food, so this is a very different practice and thought process being done here.

As an intern in exchange for my labor I receive lodging in the old farm house (my own bedroom and bathroom), all the fresh veggies, eggs, and meat I can eat, and a stipend. It’s a pretty great deal as I’m actually getting to further my education doubly while I am here. I will be listening on an ipod to lectures in my slow hours weeding because I’ve recently enrolled in a distance learning program through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. With this course work (which will be completed in 10 to 15 months) I will be become a certified (by the American Association of Drugless Practioners) holistic health counselor. Where by the end of my course I hope to work on or at CSA farm teaching workshops on healthy holistic lifestyles that will focus on an organic diet and nutrition.

As I’m at Brook Farm I will continue to update my blog to let everyone know how the vegetables are growing and hopefully share some new found wisdoms.


Jimmy Cricket in the bean patch