Dear Friends,
Just as I was formulating thoughts for this newsletter, I received an out-of-the-blue call from our architect. Something about kids, a school bus, a last-minute cancellation. And then the request I could hear him working up to.
“Of course,” I said. “Come to our farm.” He was calling at a difficult time, but how could I say no? One, because he is a great guy, and two, because education is a pillar of Flynn Creek Farm’s mission. It was such a challenging morning, however, that I was only half listening when he went on to describe who would be attending and what their organization was all about.
It wasn’t until their visit that I understood Project Pipeline hosts summer day camps for middle school-aged kids from Madison and Milwaukee with an interest in architecture. The day’s theme of ‘creating space’ perked my ears, but it was their guest speaker, with his generosity and graciousness, who really blew my mind . A co-founder of Unfragile Farm, he spoke to the group about being incarcerated between the ages of 17 and 50 for a crime he did not commit, as well as his years spent in solitary confinement, confined to a cube the size of a small closet. Leaving solitary and eventually prison (with the aid of the Innocence Project) left him with, among other things, an uneasiness with expansive space and an understanding of how important transitional spaces are in order to heal. Unfragile Farm was born from this need.
Although my experience is 100% different, I could relate to how intimidating expansive space can be. There is tremendous responsibility that comes with being a steward of this land, making 420 acres productive while not marring its beauty is something we struggle with all the time. Where to even begin? The architect mentioned above played a crucial role in helping our team begin to plan.
It is a human need to delineate space, creating organization where, if left on its own nature would do its thing. It’s a human need but also a requirement to farm. We must install irrigation and buildings, plan fields for growing and fencing for livestock. We enter agreements with the county and the USDA to conserve and preserve certain acreage, and so they are marked with their own colored sharpie on our big master planning map.
It was only four years ago that we sold our home, letting go of many possessions on the journey toward purchasing this farm. Afterwards, I loved feeling minimalist and the freedom it offered. This clutter-free side of me often competes with the frugal farmer’s voice that says “Better hold onto that, it could come in handy someday.” Nevertheless, as new spaces come to life under our master plan my belief that clean spaces ignite creativity and fill us with a sense of opportunity is reinforced.
We also need to move easily between spaces- both buildings and sections of land - connecting them with paths and farm roads. These byways invite us to walk the land often, the best thing a land steward can do. Alas, the proverb “The best fertilizer is a farmer’s footprints.” To that end, John and I have spent many hours pulling a trail mower behind a UTV, enjoying sunsets and music, navigating new fence lines, and making notes on various things. Being attentive to the changes taking place is extremely important while also giving us great pleasure. It is with the utmost humility, however, that we do this work, trying to move forward without making too many irreversible decisions. I am grateful to our recent guests for reminding me of the varying human relationships to space, taking me out of the weeds and reinforcing the privilege it is to be here.
Writing News:
I will be leaving John on the farm for a few days beginning July 24 to teach at Understory in Park City. Many authors I admire will be attending and participating, including Dani Shapiro! Please come, space is still available!
What I’m reading:
I confess that this farm season along with an addiction to the NYT crossword puzzle have eaten into my reading time. Right now I am enjoying Wallace Stegner’s ANGLE OF REPOSE. I am sorry I don’t have a longer list of recommendations! Maybe you will let me know what you are reading??
Love all of this, Jeanne!
What a challenge it must be to make a spot on this earth your own while preserving its essential nature. Loved this post, Jeannie.