#queerfarming

Hello friends,

I'm a queer, regenerative farmer, running a diversified, collaborative farm. We've been in business for 25 years; I've been manager for 3. One year ago, my mother, who ran the greenhouse and plant side of things, passed away from complications with her Myasthenia Gravis. Since then, I've had to scale down, step back, and give myself and my father, who works alongside me, some time to grieve and reorient ourselves. I am transitioning the farm to one that works within the gift economy, sharing food, labor and building community.

All of this has taken time, and taken funds that we haven't had the capacity to replenish. And so now, after years of giving away food and creating a sanctuary here, we need your help.

This isn't a farm fundraiser - I just need some money to purchase heating oil, firewood and pay for the repairs to my furnaces. It's 5F as I type this, and we're running out of fuel. Our county has no more emergency heating funds left.

I know everyone says this, but every bit does help. All we need is a hand up, to help us hold on as we adjust to our new reality and new farm.

Thank you, and much love,

Milkweed

P.S. If you'd like to explore our work, and see that we truly are committed to our community-building mission, you can check out our blog at The Bittersweet-Milkweed Collaborative Substack.

I've been asked to add a Venmo or Paypal account to this, so here's my Venmo: we're @MilkweedTussockTubers, www.venmo.com/u/MilkweedTussockTubers

And Paypal is: @milkweedtussocktuber

It was so much fun bringing these to Khonsu and seeing his joy and excitement today. 💛

Mushrooms are a key food source we are cultivating here at Ezili's Respite. Looking forward to sharing the abundance!

Dropping the link to my queer, solarpunk, anti-capitalist farm blog again. Costs nothing to join the listserv; if you don't want to make a Substack account, message me and I'll just add you!!

What a delight to be in peak st. johns wort and yarrow flowering season. These medicines have held. us. down., both in body oil and tincture form. St. Johns wort is a potent antiviral and antidepressant. Yarrow is a dependable healer of all assortment of bruises, cuts, aches, and pains. Combined, they're a mighty force.

We have been lovingly observing these plants and harvesting limited amounts from areas where they are growing abundantly and seem pleased to have a haircut. Both plants have been growing strong on the land here season after season. The pollinators are verrrryyy pleased.

Check out the deep red medicine from the st. Johns wort tincture we made last season.... the body oil (olive oil base) has a similar color.

This year, we are experimenting with an alcohol free (vegetable glycerin) tincture, as well as a tincture made with a local 90 proof gin made with local juniper berries and honey we believe will provide additional medicinal benefits.

They pair beautifully with the zesty wild sorrel that we are nurturing in the gardens, and the rhubarb of course.

Grateful for all the learning that emerges with each new growing season:

slow and steady (be dependable)

less is more (inch wide mile deep)

everything is feed for someone (waste nothing)

it's supposed to be pleasurable (release the voices of capitalist productivity from yr psyche and approach every moment on this farm with joy, faith, and gratitude)