Philosophy
There are two quotes from the venerable Alan Chadwick which sum up the bulk of my farming and gardening philosophy -
"Feed the soil, not the plant"
"Take care of the edges and the middle will take care of itself"
Both of these simple yet beautiful sayings contain deeper metaphors which could take a lifetime to explain.
If you would like to hear more please contact me !
Cover Crops are the KEY to Organic Gardening & Farming Success -
If you are not sure why, Please send me an email an I will be glad to explain !
"Messenger"
"Messenger"
My work is loving the world.
My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird-
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird-
equal seekers of sweetness.
equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me
keep my mind on what matters,
keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,
which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be
which is mostly standing still and learning to be
astonished.
astonished.
The phoebe, the delphinium.
The phoebe, the delphinium.
The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.
The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.
Which is mostly rejoicing, since all the ingredients are here,
Which is mostly rejoicing, since all the ingredients are here,
which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart
which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart
and these body-clothes,
and these body-clothes,
a mouth with which to give shouts of joy
a mouth with which to give shouts of joy
to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,
to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,
telling them all, over and over, how it is
telling them all, over and over, how it is
that we live forever.
that we live forever.
___From THIRST: poems by Mary Oliver,Boston, Beacon Press 2006