This letter is being sent to you during a time in which Covid-19 has caused the world to pause. We hope this letter finds you well, but the truth is we know that many of us are struggling with a myriad of problems, or even with overwhelming heartbreak. Wherever this finds you please know that you are not alone in the physical or mental state you are experiencing. As part of the Wild Earth community, we want you to know how important you are to us.
Instead of our regular newsletter we find it more appropriate to acknowledge this is not a regular newsletter.
During these times, we may know someone who is scared and uncertain of what lies ahead. Maybe that someone is in our household, or is a neighbor we have barely spoken to before. That person might be trying to stay strong through this, while inside they are afraid of what may come.
Community is a winding path that can hopefully lead us through this, or at least help us navigate the future. Let’s show empathy and courage, in the face of whatever may be shown to us. We have power in each of our communities that is profound, and is outside of government or corporate hands. Check in on each other and offer help if you can without expecting anything in return. At the same time, take care of yourself, acknowledge limits and needs, and ask for help if needed.
Many of us have time to work on projects that have sat idle, read books that have sat dusty, and check off things on a to do list that we always wanted extra days to take care of. However, at the same time, we have not experienced any other time in our own lives quite like this. Let’s not be hard on ourselves or each other. Many of us need this time to unplug, zone out, day dream, or rest. Some of us are just trying to survive.
At times we feel productive and should be, and at other times we need to rest and we should. So much importance and pressure is put on us to be busy, accomplish things, and get it all done. As minutes and hours of our lives go by, it is just as important to sit, be quiet, watch a squirrel scurry about, or a flower bloom. What is important is true happiness, and we each find that for ourselves.
We learn a lot about people when they are uncomfortable. We are all learning a lot about ourselves, and we will learn a lot about people who are in positions of government. Some things are going to surprise us, both good and bad. We have an unique moment to practice the values and principles we hold high. We have a tremendous opportunity to learn what will make our communities more resilient. Let’s be on the right side of that in our own story, as well as our community’s story. Please remember to consider all the nuances as we navigate the information coming to us and consider how we can come together to solve problems.
Please consider joining a CSA near you this year. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Farms run their own CSA a little differently from each other, but the model is generally this: You choose a share (sometimes you have the option of choosing a size). You then get that box of fresh produce weekly (sometimes you can choose every other week or twice a week). In most cases you pay the farmer up front at the start of the season (some offer payment plans). This is a way of investing in the risks and rewards of the year with your farmer. Share sizes and what is in the box sometimes fluctuate based on growing seasons, so some patience and adventure is recommended. This is a great way to get your food from a farmer who you can develop a relationship with. Also, with an uncertain year ahead of us, you will have direct access to food even if supply chains become strained. It’s one way to make our communities more resilient!
Here’s an example of a CSA - one of our favorites since we used to manage it! For a listing of CSAs, you can check this listing out, although it’s not all encompassing. Also, you can google “Organic CSA near me” for more options close to you!
To the blooming flowers,
Joe Kilcoyne
Co-founder