Feeling Thankful in Hastings County
All of us at Harvest Hastings would like to wish you and yours a long weekend filled with family, feasting and fair weather. Hastings County is located on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Huron-Wendat, Anishnaabe, and the Haudenosaunee peoples. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within. We honour their cultures and celebrate their commitment to this land.
Indeed, at our tables we find many delicious dishes that were cultivated and harvested by Indigenous peoples in Canada long before European colonization. The Waterloo Regional Record shared an editorial this weekend, Giving thanks for Indigenous farmers, that is worth reading and taking time to pause, reflect and give thanks –“There is…much to be gained for counting our blessings, for appreciating what the land around us gives back each autumn, harvest after harvest. As part of that we can give thanks to what Indigenous Peoples taught generations of newcomers and how the delectable results of those lessons delight and nourish us — and not just on Thanksgiving Day. Before you dig in, dig that.”
We are always inspired by the actions of our members and want to share more about a special project that’s been happening at Earth Haven Biodynamic Farm. They submitted a fantastic proposal for the recent Stone Soup event at Plainfield Heritage Farm but were unable to attend. Here is a description of their project from Emily VanderWey:
This year we started the Three Sisters Food Sovereignty Project led by Aric Agounie and Logan Maracle of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory [KAYO TENHSEROWA:NEN]. Volunteers gather once a month to plant, care for, and harvest a three sisters garden at Earth Haven Farm. The goal is to grow food, seeds, knowledge, and community, and contribute to developing food sovereignty. We hope to inspire people to grow food together in their own communities, to participate in regenerative agriculture to reconnect with mother earth and each other. Through taking part in the lifecycle of the three sisters, volunteers will be sharing the work and the harvest together. The Tuscarora white corn, Long Pie pumpkin, Blue Hubbard squash, and Skunk beans will be shared between the volunteers and donated to other families within our community.
Corn, bean and squash have been planted together by Indigenous people for thousands of years across the Americas. The plants each play a role in supporting one another and providing nutrients for the soil. In her article, The Three Sisters: what an ancient agricultural technique can teach us about community, Ingrid Steinberg provides this analogy of how this method of companion planting reflects community:
Metaphorically, the Three Sisters are like people working together for a common end. They each bring different talents and gifts to the table. Seen from one angle, the gift of the corn appears more significant than those of the beanstalk — but this bias is corrected when we look beneath the soil and find that the bean plant is working quietly out of sight to provide an essential nutrient without which none of the plants can grow. As Kimmerer says: “being among the sisters provides a visible manifestation of what a community can become when its members understand and share their gifts.”
Indeed, the example set by Earth Haven Farm is precisely that: building and nurturing a community that is working towards a common goal and providing an opportunity for knowledge, understanding and gratitude. The team had their final Three Sisters harvest on September 26 but plans to grow the project for next year. For more information or to get involved, contact Aric or Emily at the farm: [email protected]
Role: Harvest Hastings Part-Time Operations Manager
Hours & Compensation: 40 hours per month, $30 per hour
Location: Work from home (preference given to individuals residing in Hastings County – access to transportation is a must)
Submission Deadline: Send resume and cover to Board of Directors Chair, Jennifer Davis [email protected] by 11:59 PM October 16th
Start Date: October 31st (or sooner, if possible)
About the role:
The underlying focus of this job and the organization of Harvest Hastings is continually seeking opportunities to bring value forward for our members and producers. For more details and full job description, visit our website.
