Basically, “let things go to seed, harvest the seed, sell the seed pods to the flower markets, sell the cleaned seed to the seed markets.” What would otherwise be waste from seed production goes first to the local food bank, incorporated into flower arrangements, or finally gets composted and incorporated back into the soil. She said, “My purpose here is to feed the community, so harvest the lettuce that isn’t the perfect type for seed production and make that for lunch, which makes sense to me.” Her system is compiled around grain, flowers, and mixed vegetables. Bartholomew has found that this system allows her to strike a healthy balance. Of Golden Rule Garden’s three-acre garden, about 15% is dedicated to seed production which grows alongside food and flower production. Bartholomew’s purple amaranth and redhead quinoa being grown for seed When she started to garden was when she began seeing all the parallels of how seeds and cultures have traveled through history and shaped our world today. Working with John Jeavons was an important piece of the puzzle of where she would end up. A Multicultural Studies major in college she now found herself part of the Ecology Action crew managing teaching gardens and learning about intentional communities. Despite having deep roots in agriculture, it wasn’t until later in life that she found her way back to it. To her, she sees the bigger picture in these fields.īartholomew grew up the daughter of a wheat farmer in the Intermountain West. Despite the drag of the summer heat and the endless lists of things to be done, she is unfazed. Her eyes smile as she looks over the rows of crops planted with gentle intent to feed and nourish her community. Nestled in a valley in Northern California since 1968, the property is very diverse – from open farm land, fruit and nut orchards, riparian areas, ancient redwoods, oak woodlands, and forested hillsides. On most days she can be found tending the garden at Christ’s Church of the Golden Rule. Ellen Bartholomew (second from right) and her crew at Golden Rule GardenĮllen Bartholomew is always up to something.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |