Spring is always an exciting time of year; the days are longer and lighter, and plant life is ready to burst forth. There is also the element of wild unpredictability in the Rocky Mountains in April, where almost any form of weather can show up. Ben and I were away for most of the winter and arrived home to Wildcat Gardens just ten days ago. We were surprised to see all the blossoms and vigorous green growth already, and that the hummingbirds arrived here before us. Early birds indeed! I was able to jump right into gardening, turning the warm soil, weeding, planting and harvesting. Ben and I harvested the first 2017 herbs (nettle and alfalfa leaf) over a week earlier than we did in 2016. After a beautiful week of almost hot days, I was wondering if we would need to start watering the garden weeks earlier than usual. Then today, Earth Day we awoke to snow; not a lot, but enough to cool and moisten the dry soil. And so another growing season begins for us here at Earthstar Farms.

Every spring I am hopeful of a good growing season ahead with bountiful harvests, benevolent weather and great co-workers. Each spring is like a new birth, a new cycle of hope and potential. But this year 2017, I am feeling something else as well. It is subtle, a quiet shiver beneath the excitement. It speaks to question of what this year will bring, with the rumored challenges against the EPA, and the larger environmental movement in general? I think that all organic growers must feel this shiver on some level. Growing anything organically is already challenging enough, and can be seen as an act of faith in all the systems of nature, government, big business and good will. From this understanding, I would like to invite everyone on this lovely planet to consider every day to be Earth Day. This really is a time to share our resources and wisdom to work together for the health of our planet.

Ben and I spent this past winter in New Zealand. We are fortunate to have a whole alternate life there with our many friends, family and grandchildren. I grew up in New Zealand and still feel a strong connection to basic kiwi values. On this last trip, Ben and I spent time in the Nelson region where I lived in the 70’s and 80’s. Back then there was an active group of inspired, dynamic people involved in growing organic food and working for the larger common good. Coming back over twenty five years later I was struck by the lack of organic produce available in this region. There were packaged organic products available, many of them from US companies, but there was a dearth of fresh organic vegetables. What happened? It is a complicated answer owing to many factors, including a small unaware population, expensive supplies, poor marketing, young people not going into organic farming, new trends in agriculture, etc. But one of the main factors, I believe, is that there was very little government support for organic growers. Big farm incentives went to the farmers of large export crops, not to growers for local food consumption, let alone organic food for local consumption. Over time it became harder for organic growers to make a living and organic produce became increasingly scarce. I do believe that this situation will change in New Zealand, and already see signs of the pendulum slowly swinging. Undoubtedly, those 1980’s NZ organic farmers were ahead of their time. And although the US is a different country in a very different situation, I do see a link to this cautionary tale from New Zealand. Shiver.

Not one to end on a somber note, I am now going outside to the garden, as the sun is shining brightly once again. Time to plant calendula and California poppy seed for an abundant harvest ahead that will be made into herbal medicine. May everyone have a blessed Earth Day every day.