Emily!Duong

Inspired by the Slow Food movement, WWOOF, Michael Pollan and the likes, I knew I wanted some farming experience on my journey. Simplicity Gardens was my first, and certainly not last, encounter.

There are so many things I learned, and still so many things I still want to learn! This photo above, Vyasa and I taichied our way to the honey bees and showed me what and how the bees are doing, how to harvest, the chemistry, and all that jazz. Now I am very curious in making my own mead.

I wouldn’t say this volunteer job was back breaking, it was definitely a lot of hard manual labor, but I definitely enjoyed being outdoors for most of the day. At first I was a bit skeptical, I think we all were. I don’t really fit the physical stereotype of a farmer. Not to mention, I was at first a bit skeptical of getting my clothes dirty. But by my last day, I was knee deep in the dirt, using my hands to dig.

I think the biggest shock I had was how much planning goes into farming. I have so much admiration now for farmers with farms of all sizes. There’s so much managing to do. Each bed, each row, each produce was like Cheaper by the Dozen (cheesy, I know) – there’s so many of them to track and tend.

One of the biggest issues with farms is pesticide. Simplicity Gardens (although not labeled USDA “Organic”) uses none of that. The beds are diversified, there is no monoculture of any one produce. This builds the plant’s immune system so they can better fend off pests and diseases on their own. It’s amazing what nature can do on its own. Sawdust and pulverized seashells are placed down to prevent bugs and slugs from getting to certain plants. Such simple solutions, simple way of thinking.

I was hosted by Aja Thomas and his family (above). His two sons, Vyasa and Gopal run the farm from planting to selling. They all graciously welcomed me into their home, work and life. I will never forget these wonderful experiences – the ninja hen, Aja’s educational Hindu-Anarchist ramblings, Abhaya’s delectable home cooking, all the lessons from the farm, jamming on a travel guitar, and everyone’s sweet nature!

I always thought I was pretty aware of what I’m eating and of food agriculture, but after volunteering here, I have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the work that goes into everything I eat and waste. Now I can’t stop questioning where anything and everything comes from!

Can’t wait to come back to Simplicity Gardens for a harvest season or my next opportunity to volunteer on a farm!

May 2010: Simplicity Gardens at Barnashram, Portland, Oregon;