New Beginnings

This point in our life brings a cascade of newness springing from two sources: the completion of our time at Ecology Action, and the impending birth of our own child. The ultimate outcome of these transitions allows us the same degree of freedom that we had when we were married a little over five years ago: we find ourselves setting a new course for our lives.

In anticipation of a life together we found our combined vision was for an existence that emphasized simplicity and a degree of self-sufficiency blended with value of community. We decided, in light of that realization, that our first step should be to learn how to raise food for ourselves. That led to our 2005 internship on an organic farm under the tutelage of Steve Moore, a shining star in the small-scale farming firmament. He pointed us, at the end of our internship there, toward Ecology Action's three-year apprenticeship in the Grow Biointensive small-scale sustainable model of agriculture, which we applied for and were accepted to. Finishing the apprenticeship in early 2009, we stayed on for an additional season to learn more and help instruct the new apprentices and interns.

That's what our last transition led to.

Now, having spent five years learning the first aspect of simple living to which we aspired, and having come a long way in many other facets of self-sufficiency, we have the world open to us. I wonder what the next five years will bring.

The only surity is the baby, due in June, and the garden, which is due as soon as we get in the soil towards the end of this week. We expect both to be sources of joy and fatigue, and are as prepared as anyone can think they might be.

And, of course, all this change precipitates a new blog! The Golden Rule Garden blog goes marching on, with Ellen documenting the life and times there. I found it to be an excellent way of processing my own learning, then later a resource for others interested in the many aspects of Grow Biointensive practiced and taught in that setting. In this blog we'll talk about our garden, our teaching, and any creative projects that might be benefitted or benefit others by being aired out on the internet.

Don't worry about the color scheme - that will probably change. I enjoy posting photos, too, but we have no digital camera right now. So if anyone out there has an old one they don't want anymore, well, you know where to send it. Otherwise it will be a bit before pictures become a part of the blog.

There! The hardest part is the first post, and now we may commence blogging...