New Smyrna Beach, Florida's Atlantic Coast. FARM: 2nd official WWOOF farm, hosted by Kirk who grows vegetables for his own nourishment and donates the abundance to a food bank. I chose this farm because I am attracted to water. Kirk's compound is less than 5 miles from the beach, wow! I call it a compound because like Finca Mycol, there is a motley arrangement of living quarters in various conditions of comfort. Some full-time residents in solid walls, some long-term volunteers in trailers, and some just passing through (like myself) on a screen porch. I didn't have to pitch my tent so it was a type of luxury on the primitive living scale. NATURE: In contrast to the gentle water in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean is wild and untamed. In addition, the flora appears more refined and bears the windswept burden of ocean breezes. I would call this central Florida; it did not have the tropical plants that I love and vibed with in Ft Myers and Sarasota. It did have blimps for the Daytona 500, taking over all airways only a few miles north. SERVICE: The week's activity here was seed germination. We prepared tiny coils of newspaper, filled them with a mixture of peat and sand, wet them, and inserted squash seeds into the perfectly cozy nests. Daily chores were weeding the rows of peas and radishes, watering, and cooking group dinners. From what I've experienced so far, the Farming Life lends itself to Creative Expression. We work in the mornings, and late afternoon is when individuals spend time with their craft. Kirk picked banjo. I took a vine hoop and weaved an organic dreamcatcher (photo right). I played my drum and sang silly lyrics to Kirk's music. It feels good to be able to release that potent energy in a safe, healing practice. I offered everyone at the farm: Kirk, Anja a polish yoga teacher, and Ray&Molly a young couple: crystal reki energy healing, and no one accepted. I was shocked. That night, I completed the practice in my dreams :) Before I left, I asked Kirk, "What will you say about me when I'm gone?" He shared lots of stories about past wwoof'ers so I was curious what kind of impression I made. His answer made me smile, "You work hard, and you play hard." My most valuable cargo in my packed car is my mountain bike, and I took it to an off road trail near the farm as well as to the beach. I agreed with his view. My final observation of this experience is the number of teachers I meet on these adventures. A) the farm host, B) the land, C) the other people, and D) myself. Each teacher offers a mirror to my current condition. Kirk's last words to me, "I admire your balance. Your spirituality. Thank you for being who you are, and being a friend." :)
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Finca Mycol is a Permaculture homestead just north of Gainesville (home of the Gators) where the roads turn to dirt and the night sounds are frogs and crickets. I chose this farm as my first WWOOF location because it focuses on wild edibles and habitat restoration. The property is full of huge live oaks coated in glowing Spanish moss. A dainty creek trickles past cypress knees and palmetto palms. Below is a brief photo introduction from sunrise on the farm. Top left: bob's camper (a living unit)-Bob is the resident 'old guy' and ecology expert, he identifies all the plants. Top center: the kitchen-covered, but open air, stocked with dry goods. Top right: example of a solar oven with morning fog in the background over the swimming hole. The kitchen also employs rocket stoves/cob ovens, dutch ovens, and good old fashion cast iron over a fire. Center left: an outdoor shower (covered with palm fronds) with solar hot water heater (the box on the right). Center-Center: my tent set-up under a huge live oak. She gives me good dreams every night :) Center Right: wide angle of the 'living room' of the farm, platform on right is the 'throne' a humanure composting toilet with a view over the property. Bottom row: the 'Yome' a yurt (home) supported with wood sides, which is the full time residence of the proprietor, Michael.
Read more about Finca Mycol at: http://www.growfood.org/farm/997 Learn more about WWOOF at: http://www.wwoofusa.org |
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