{"id":287,"date":"2021-04-25T23:24:46","date_gmt":"2021-04-25T23:24:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.evergreen.edu\/tmtaa-portfolio-f20-alegra\/?p=287"},"modified":"2021-06-02T04:22:43","modified_gmt":"2021-06-02T04:22:43","slug":"week-five-mid-quarter-excavation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.evergreen.edu\/tmtaa-portfolio-f20-alegra\/week-five-mid-quarter-excavation\/","title":{"rendered":"Week Five: Mid-Quarter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sunshine day<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This week we will continue weeding in the herb garden, culminating in a group excavation project of many of the herbs which have buttercup growing through the middle of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garden Work & Research:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

04\/27\/21: <\/strong>Sun in Taurus, Moon in Scorpio<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today I was unfortunately unable to make it to the herb garden because of some health issues. However, Le’Allen was there to start weeding the peppermint bed where we will eventually excavate a couple plants and put them back down in a clean bed. Since I will not be gardening today, I wanted to take the opportunity to expand on my interest in biodynamics, why I think it is an important view point, and its connection to traditional ecological knowledge, as well as its implementation and examples of successful farms and gardens using the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My natal chart, cast when I was born and given to me by my mom<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Really my interest in biodynamics started with my deep love of astrology. I believe that astrology provides us with a beautiful way of better understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us. It uses a set of symbols that characterizes the archetypal, base energies that are at play in all facets of reality, and can be referred to to understand the movement of energy through any given time, place, person, or situation. This is helpful when working with plants because they are primary producers, the creators and transformers of all usable energy on the Earth. They are intimately connected with the movement of the planetary bodies through space and in relation to our Earth. We, of course, are also just as connected, however, the rise of rationalism and atomistic thinking has fostered a forgetfulness of this fact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In action in biodynamics, this sometimes takes the form of noting the zodiacal positions of the Sun and Moon on a farm journal, which informs us of the angular positions of both planetary bodies, singularly and in relation to one another, at any given time. The angle of the Sun has a direct effect on plant growth so will allow the farmer to plan accordingly and understand through symbols what is happening around them, while the position and phase of the moon is deeply connected to water uptake and intake in plants. It also allows for an understanding of the energetic signature which is at play during any given time, which can be related to the growth cycles of plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other aspect of biodynamics that draws me in is the philosophy and view of a farm as a whole living organism. Instead of looking at a piece of land and crops as separate units, each functioning individually of one another in service to only capital and human need, I believe that farming and gardening should be about stewardship, tending, and care for the land and those who are on it, not simply about pushing a commodity. The return is only as great as your initial investment, so if you spend quality time, approach your task with love and respect, everyone benefits. The land becomes more fertile and whole, and in turn produces more nutritious, healthy, lively foods. Biodynamics recognizes that each farm system is an individual, and strives to listen and cultivate an ever changing relationship that is beneficial for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This view of agriculture and the world is not new. It spans centuries and lifetimes, and forms the backbone of many Indigenous worldviews and cosmologies. Robin Kimmerer in her book Braiding Sweetgrass says, “like Creation stories everywhere, cosmologies are a source of identity and orientation to the world. They tell us who we are. We are inevitably shaped by them no matter how distant they may be from our consciousness” (7). In the Western world we have been steeped in colonialism and Christianity as the backbone of our worldview, even if you are not religious, it permeates all of our systems, capitalism most especially. Our story tells us that nature is full of danger and sin, that it is there for us to pillage and plunder, that it is separate from us, and that in order to be provided for you have to slave and compete with all of those around you for the limited supply that is available. I feel that most of us, hearing it this way, would disagree that that is how the world works. I feel as though our beliefs and feelings align more with what Kimmerer speaks of in her book, co-creation and generosity, abundance and gifts that are inherent in everything the world offers. The Earth loves us back. It shows it in the emergence of a seeding after weeks of waiting, in the first red tomato on the greenest of vines in summer, the promise of a pumpkin inside a yellow blossom. In order to come back to ourselves, to begin to untangle the knots of colonialism, imperialism, patriarchy, inequality, and suffering in our world, we have to come home to our Mother. This I believe is what biodynamics strives to do, in a scientific sort of way, bridging the gap between rationalism and mysticism. They are both getting at the same thing, people for centuries didn’t need science to prove the things they knew, they simply listened and watched and learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A beautiful example of a working biodynamic farm is Westwood Estate Wines<\/a> located in Sonoma, California. Biodynamics is quickly becoming a more popular choice for many vineyards, especially with the rise of consumer demand for organic and alternative farming practices. They were awarded the Demeter Biodynamic certification in 2016, and the CCOF Organic certification in 2017. Their vineyard is managed by Philippe Coderey, a viticulturist from Proven\u00e7e with decades of hands-on experience working in vineyards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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