It has been quite a long time since I have written a posting-way to looong! There has been so much going on between COVID, family health and personal issues, changes that we have had to make along the way in response, new studies and research, and the everyday busyness of farm life and daily life that has hindered my writing efforts. But I have now been given the impetus to begin writing again which I will share with you in a little bit.
To give a brief update, over the past year, I have been formally studying Herbalism. Something, that years ago as a critical care nurse I balked at as an acceptable form of supporting health, but now has become a huge eye-opening growth opportunity and exciting journey for me. I have learned the importance of growing these herbs not just for the benefits the herbs have to support the body, but adding back that which once grew wild abundantly, and returning that which is becoming endangered. There is such joy in participating in and experiencing the spiritual energy that comes from growing, drying, and using my own herbs, and it gives me opportunity to see my health status from very different perspective.
At about the same time I began my studies, my Bestie had began opening my eyes to the beauty of birdwatching and learning about birds, and to the importance of not just adding any plantings to my yard but adding native plantings which is so important to our local ecosystem including our birds, butterflies, and bees. What I have also learned from herbalism, native planting, birdwatching, and all I have read and learned so far, also opened my eyes to the importance of the reforestation efforts and building back that which interconnects all things.
It has been my long-held belief that we are meant to be stewards of God’s creation; actually, it is part of the Mission Statement of our farm. And in doing so, with sustainability in mind, we can leave a better legacy for future generations. But what is so exciting to me and is part of this journey, is learning how we each are truly connected to Creation, and my embracing this connection as we were intended to be. I am now beginning to see how the herbs, plants, trees, animals, wildlife, and the people I encounter have an interconnection with all of creation and all of creation is connected to me. What an awesome joy and what an awesome responsibility! I’ve learned that in being a steward of His creation, has further implication than my original perspective. I used to have the perspective that it was my responsibility to be a good steward what I put my immediate hands on: our goats, our other farm animals, and the people we encountered because of them. But now I see that how I steward what I put my hand to is connected and feeds into the whole of creation, even if mine is a very small slice of the larger whole. I need to do my part in being a good steward as far as I can reach. Being in nature has always been such an energizing, yet peaceful surrounding for me. Through nature I breathe in life, energy, beauty, and awe. Yet, now, I see and feel things below the surface of this glorious creation, and I am beginning to understand the feeling of life energy that comes from it. What an incredible blessing! One that I hope I can share.
As I stated earlier, I had something that has led me to begin writing again. I am participating in the #ShareHerbalism Challenge with other herbalist of all levels of experience. I learned about this challenge after participating in the Show Your Work to Share Herbalism Masterclass held by Yolanda Joy through her business, Herbal Entrepreneur. I know that part of stewardship is being a community educator and a mentor. And although we have done this for several years with regards to raising and breeding dairy goats and our other farm animals, I realize that there is a much bigger picture. Each of our animals, trees, and plants, each have a purpose in and an effect on our ecosystem, and visa versa. And I would love to continue to share the changes we will be adding to our farm and the benefits (and those difficulties, most certain to come) that we experience.
An important inclusion is the addition of my Medicinal Herbal Garden. Last Spring I began building it, and this year I will expand upon it. It is my wish for the future to have a farm where we can provide tours and education regarding medicinal herbs, including some that are endangered, and also many more native plants and trees. My ultimate goal is to have an official Herbal Sanctuary and Native Plant Sanctuary. But first things, first…So far I have started seeds for the spring: a few more of what I grew last year, but also many new herbs to further expand my repertoire of growing these herbs and learning about them as they grow in our environment.
Most of you are already using herbs, such as drinking a comforting cup of Chamomile tea or using Basil, Oregano, Sage, and Black Pepper in your culinary endeavors. I hope that as I share my herbal journey with you-what I have learned and what I am continuing to learn regarding herbalism, and what goes on behind the scenes in my journey-that you will open yourselves to a different perspective, just as I did, and that you will then begin to experience the wonderful benefits that nature has to offer to us, as it was intended. My wish is that you will begin looking deeper into how these herbs can be of benefit, and that you not only become open to using more herbs to support your diet and health efforts, but you open yourself up to really experiencing these plants as they are in nature, so that you can absorb the blessings and life energy as you experience each these wonderful plants in a new and different way.
