A Conversation with Ariel
Molly: What brought you to the farm?
Ariel: I came to the farm because I always wanted to get experience with what small scale agriculture looks like in the US. When I was little I was really interested in permaculture, and though now I’m more focused on my botanical career, I’m still fascinated by ways of growing food, especially in scientific innovations of farming and topics of sustainability. I wanted to work on a farm that has animals, which was very new to me as I never ever even grew up with a dog. I feel a lot of guilt as someone who occasionally eats meat, and wanted to understand what raising animals looks and feels like, ethically and practically. As I had some free time in my summer between jobs, and I love Maine, I thought that going to a small scale regenerative farm would not only give me that vital experience, but connect me with Sue and Holly’s old-time fiddling culture (I’m a cellist) and ways of living off the land with activities I enjoy (bread baking, hiking nearby, fermenting).
Molly: What has surprised you most about volunteering at the farm?
Ariel: Perhaps it’s how easy it is to get adjusted to new rhythms, even with foreign experiences for me like working with animals. Although the first few days felt alien, by the end of my 3 weeks I felt comfortable with the farm rituals: feeding the animals, checking fences, filling water, doing whatever needs to be done. And the non-glamorous aspects I enjoyed, too–waking early, working with lots of animal waste products from cleaning out chicken houses to dumping old meat in a hole. Although I was just a temporary volunteer and didn’t experience the full seasonality and hard work of farm life, I’m grateful to Sue and Holly for the immersion they provide.
Molly: What is your relationship/connection to the land and farming?
Ariel: As I previously mentioned, I'm currently a botanist, and I’ve wanted to be one since I was little. It started when I planted a seed in an indoor pot at age 10. I fell in love with it and the process of growing. It catapulted me into the world of greenery. And I was sure that Daisy (my zinnia, lol), had sentience beneath her still exterior. This neurobiology interest then morphed into horticulture, then permaculture and agroecology. Over time I got more interested in ecology. This is all to say, understanding nature and plants has been my central goal in life for years, and I love to learn about new topics. From the microbial science of fermentation to bryophytes (my specialization in botany), or larger scale systems of conservation, to of course, agroecology. My scientist desire to learn plants and explore ecological connections is heightened when I read, think, or participate in agriculture, whether in my small 5 by 5 foot garden bed, or the entirety of Tir na nOg farm. Essentially, I see land and farming as ways to nurture my curiosity in science as well as a deep sense of place and certainty. As long as I know the names of some plants and systems around me, I feel calm and connected to the land.
Molly: What do you hope to see change in our food system in the US?
Ariel: I’d like to see more people buying local produce. This includes eating seasonally, as to shorten the distance that food travels to US consumers, as well as make us more aware of the cycles of plants and their products. Some of this is possible with more education in schools about farming, nature, large scale agriculture, etc. And, US consumers are eating less meat and sourcing the meat they do buy from small scale farmers who use organic and humane, and more sustainable practices. Of course, too, less food waste! Buying ugly vegetables and using all parts of produce and meat. Circuiting the supply chain so what’s not sold is given to people who need the food rather than dumpsters.
Molly: What is your favorite food from the farm?
Ariel: All the variations of breakfast that Holly made. I looked forward to the egg-in-a-holes (many names for that one), or the sourdough crumpets (so good), or egg sandwiches with bacon from the farm. I also had my first beef hamburger here, and steak, which was delicious and interesting!
Molly: What is your favorite memory or story from the farm?
Ariel: Playing harmonica to the cows every evening around sunset. It was such a wonderful ritual and I like to think that they enjoyed it, too.
