Reflections

ill always be grateful for the work ive had the privilege of doing, the incredible vessels of knowledge and information that I’ve met and rubbed elbows with in farming community and movement spaces for these past three years. i am so appreciative of where I am now, of the love and support I’ve been surrounded with throughout this year. it is undoubtedly exhausting work to be a farmer. there are so many stipulations, restrictions and setbacks being thrown in our faces by local and federal governments that would much rather have us further dislocated and wholly dependent on it for our own sustenance. make no mistake is it not food insecurity that Black, Native Turtle Island folks, and working poor & immigrant communities face: it is intentional deprivation of resources, it is food apartheid, and it is deadly, it must be named as such as it works to splinter us. of course there’s also inner turmoil which we ourselves & our peers project and externalize within our close knit circles; trauma bonding and abuse of power are very present, but like all other incubating spaces of culture and community, we have yet to fully realize our potential for what authentic accountability work looks like in action. we’re all traumatized by this food system, that is not up for debate! but we must also and always be beholden to one another and open to critique of how and where we may be moving and the intentions with which we are moving. it is our charge to be the keepers of our foods and cultures, because without us no one would eat, we would not be able to live such diverse ways of walking on this planet whether individualistically or in more collective spirit. i have no idea what the coming months will bring me, but am anticipating it to be transformative, painful, loaded with lots of homesickness, excitement, anxiety, periods of waves and harsh winds to battle, but adventure and figuring out my shit and what i have to offer myself and my people wherever else they are. hope me cheesing sparks joy in you