Category Archives: VVR

It was just so dang beautiful out on @vernal_vibe_rise this evening. The dogs opted to stay at the barn, but I had a solid solo walk after a day at the table in my @scion_design permaculture studio. I scouted some spots for the remaining #pawpaw trees, to be planted tomorrow, and returned home with a feeling of fullness and gratitude. #cyclicalliving #livepermaculture #permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #holistichealth#observeandinteract

Sometimes the #cleanlocalplate is so simple, and SO GOOD: #bootstrapsfarm kale, @vernal_vibe_rise #ossabawlard and #rawapplecidervinegar with @jqdsalt 🥢#farmneighbors #peoplecare#communityfood#theproblemisthesolution #designforthefuture#permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #observeandinteract

Sometimes the #cleanlocalplate is so simple, and SO GOOD: #bootstrapsfarm kale, @vernal_vibe_rise #ossabawlard and #rawapplecidervinegar with @jqdsalt 🥢#farmneighbors #peoplecare#communityfood#theproblemisthesolution #designforthefuture#permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #observeandinteract

Before Winter settled in for real last night, I nipped out to pick an armload of junior rhubarb—and dig a bit of parsley for my kitchen counter. The rhubarb will add a vegetal tint to tomorrow’s applesauce: a mix of wild, found, and heritage varieties.

Before Winter settled in for real last night, I nipped out to pick an armload of junior rhubarb—and dig a bit of parsley for my kitchen counter. The rhubarb will add a vegetal tint to tomorrow’s applesauce: a mix of wild, found, and heritage varieties.

The lushest, happiest herb I have right now. And the kicker? Rosemary tastes especially amazing in the Winter (coming soon). #farmerchef#cheffarmer #biotunnel#cyclicalliving #livepermaculture #permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #holistichealth#observeandinteract

The lushest, happiest herb I have right now. And the kicker? Rosemary tastes especially amazing in the Winter (coming soon). #farmerchef#cheffarmer #biotunnel#cyclicalliving #livepermaculture #permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #holistichealth#observeandinteract

Gather your empty bottles, because I am decanting #kombucha in preparation for the #winterbluesfarmersmarket2020 on Saturday. I will have samples, pints, quarts, and bottle-your-own (the best deal) available. If you have clean kombucha jars from last year’s market, return for $1 off your purchase. #probiotic#localkombucha #gutcare#selfcare#livepermaculture #permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #holistichealth#observeandinteract

This first day of thirty-seven feels pretty dang sweet. No better way to celebrate than with solitude, snow, and this cranberry upside-down cake (yet another favorite recipe made better with buckwheat). First, evening chores, and then a second slice.

This first day of thirty-seven feels pretty dang sweet. No better way to celebrate than with solitude, snow, and this cranberry upside-down cake (yet another favorite recipe made better with buckwheat). First, evening chores, and then a second slice.

I am learning, slowly by slowly, not to panic or struggle when the wind shifts course. My intention for this Solstice was to sit in community with a group of people for whom I have immense gratitude. Yesterday, that plan shifted. In my usual fashion, resistance arrived first. I had my plan in mind, had coordinated a number of other events around this one in order to create time for it, and accepting that it would not happen felt like a stretch.The good news is that I am in the habit of encouraging myself to meet the opportunity to stretch with willingness, and—though it took me an hour or so to adjust—I relaxed into the idea that my Solstice Saturday would be spent solo. The more I passively considered that idea, mulling it over unconsciously for the most part, the more enthusiastic I grew about the prospect of having an entire unplanned day by myself on the land I love. Having just taken a break for a #cleanlocalplate of @vernal_vibe_rise #sprouts + #homemademayo + #mustardpickles with some #eastvirginia tuna, I can report that my #solosolstice day continues to be amazing. Now, back out to squeeze in two more hours of #willow and #pawpaw planting in this balmy, late-December weather. And maybe a fire with the #karakachan pups after dark. It has taken me nearly a decade of farming to understand that rest is just as important as the work. Trust me.Happy Solstice, everyone, and know that I support you in finding some quiet time—solo or otherwise—today, to reflect on what has been and where we are going on this next trip around.#iateitbeforeicouldtakeaphoto#decemberplanting #mychorrizae #earthcare#farmcare#selfcare#theproblemisthesolution #designforthefuture#permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #observeandinteract

To those dedicated and intrepid people who made time for the #winterbluesfarmersmarket2020 on Saturday, Thank You. I enjoyed sharing #lardlips and #kombucha and other live-fermented farm products with you. We had some great conversations and made connections that will live into the future. And to whichever vendor felt the need to chuck their unsold microgreens into the dumpster, please consider sharing them with a hungry person, livestock farmer, or avid composter next year.#feedyourneighbors #localkombucha #gutcare#lipcare #selfcare#livepermaculture #permaculturefarm #permaculturewomen #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #holistichealth#observeandinteract

Rhubarb-applesauce.Cardamom-cinnamon.Zero outside, toasty inside. Sweet teacup by @alisonpottery •

Rhubarb-applesauce.Cardamom-cinnamon.Zero outside, toasty inside. Sweet teacup by @alisonpottery •

The Solstice freeze and I baked a cake for the heritage #dominiquechickens and #delawarechickens to enjoy on this new morning. Organic #sproutedgrain and a dusting of #diatomaceousearth and #thorvinkelp to finish. Delicious!#patissierfarmer#lecordonbleutaughtmewell#heritagechickens#heritagelivestock#earthcare#manure#theproblemisthesolution #designforthefuture#permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #observeandinteract

Late-winter uglies in my clean, local skillet: near-equal parts @vernal_vibe_rise lard and #grimesgolden apples, as well as some apples from @alisonpottery and #dildahliefarm with @jqdsalt #dontworrythisisntalliameatingforbreakfast#woodstovecooking #cleanlocalplate#feedyourfriends#provision#healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#holisticcommunity#permacultura #holistichealth#smartnothard#permaculturewomen #theproblemisthesolution

Yesterday, a wise person mentioned the Indigenous tradition of giving gifts on one’s birthday, rather than receiving them. I smiled to myself as I realized that I have spent this week offering presents to others—food made/harvested/preserved by me, on @vernal_vibe_rise —some delivered by hand, some via mail. Most of what I shared was not thanks to my birthday, but because I love nourishing people. I have always felt a deep connection to the power of offering gifts—a kinship that grows the more I practice.May we always be generous with each other, that our hearts may stay limber.

With family on my mind this week, here is a flash back to a memorable #cleanlocalplate at #sintravirginia this Summer. Greens, beans, and tomatoes from @tlberries with fresh #tidewatervirginia tuna and new potatoes, and #heritageeggs from the @vernal_vibe_rise hens. The #niçoiseolives were—obviously—not local. If you have a lead on local olives, let me know—@acornucopiaproject ? #feedyourfriends#feedyourfamily #provision#healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#holisticcommunity#permacultura #holistichealth#smartnothard#theproblemisthesolution

For those of you who did not see my #guerrillasignage at the @wvuextension #smallfarmconference this year, I want to initiate conversations about race and farming in West Virginia. Our state nonprofit Boards (including the @wvfma_ —on which I serve) are far too white. Most of the farmers I know are white. I know that there are #pocfarmers in West Virginia. I have been making the effort to connect with #farmersofcolor in our state and with white farmers who want to do the work to shift the balance of power in our agricultural circles. Do you want to talk about this? Do you have ideas? Do you know people who are already doing this work? #permacultureisaboutrelationships#gettingwiser#learnasyougo #mindfulness #theproblemisthesolution #designforthefuture#permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #observeandinteract #practicalreflection

I just finished meeting with my Sunday writing group and I haven’t laughed so hard all week. Want to join in the fun? Send me a message.

I just finished meeting with my Sunday writing group and I haven’t laughed so hard all week. Want to join in the fun? Send me a message.

Yesterday’s rainy-day #familyfeed included @wildunicornfarmstead butternut squash, @vernal_vibe_rise kuri squash, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and #ossabawlard + #bellsvalleyfarm #englishroastbeef + bay leaves from #dildahliefarm and some I brought back from #zagrebcroatia + the essential @jqdsalt #cleanlocalplate #feedyourfriends#feedyourfamily #provision#healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#holisticcommunity#permacultura #holistichealth#smartnothard#theproblemisthesolution

I am having a tricky time deciding if this is a food post or an art post. Golly, these #pacchoi are beauts, @tlberries –and beyond delicious. Thank you for sharing your incredible #midwintergreens with me.⁠⁠#feedyourfriends⁠#provision⁠#ecopackaging⁠#gettingwiser⁠#learnasyougo ⁠#mindfulness ⁠#theproblemisthesolution ⁠#designforthefuture⁠#permaculturefarm ⁠#healthyfarmer⁠#selfcarewhilefarming⁠#truesustainability⁠#permaculture⁠#permacultura ⁠#observeandinteract ⁠#practicalreflection

A sunny late-January day means the Dominique hens are hot to begin laying eggs again, after their midwinter break. And I’ve been itching for some stand-up-on-its-own mayonnaise.

A sunny late-January day means the Dominique hens are hot to begin laying eggs again, after their midwinter break. And I’ve been itching for some stand-up-on-its-own mayonnaise.

My #karakachan livestock guardian dogs get all of the meat scraps from the @vernal_vibe_rise kitchen. When I am washing up from a meal, I usually grab the #cleanestdirty bowl and use that for any bones or bits of gristle that the pups would enjoy. Sometimes, that vessel, licked clean by the pups, is the container on hand when I have a few more eggs than I can reasonably carry down the hill post-chores. Which is why, in the historical style of my contradictory life, I sometimes end up with a crystal berry bowl filled with fresh-from-the-coop eggs on my gatepost, to be ferried down to the house.#gratefulforeggs #heritagechickens#dominiquechicken #delawarechicken #heritagelivestock#peoplecare#animalcare#theproblemisthesolution #designforthefuture#permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#selfcarewhilefarming#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #observeandinteract

Today, I feel thankful for this magical maple: the dry seat that its base provides while I picnic, the shade from its just-budding branches. I am often amazed by how busy and happening even a small city like Charlottesville can feel after a couple weeks’ stretch on @vernal_vibe_rise with only the animals and an occasional visitor to break my solitude. #urbanedge#theproblemisthesolution #designforthefuture#permaculturefarm #healthyfarmer#truesustainability#permaculture#permacultura #observeandinteract #practicalreflection