Loving the World Back to Wholeness

If you've ever gotten the change to hear Robin Wall Kimmerer speak, you may have heard her address the covenant of reciprocity between humans, animals, and the land: giving to nature as it gives to us in the sacredness of this mutual relationship.  The principles of reciprocity are at the core of regenerative farming practices.

If you haven't read her beautiful book (and New York Times Bestseller): Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, we highly recommend it!

There is also an adapted version of Braiding Sweetgrass: for Young Adults, which a teacher on our farm team has used in classrooms (for any interested teacher or even parent out there!) It can be modified to suit your particular class/child level!

It invites the idea of learning "or remembering" another way of being in the world that has been "buried by the noise of the world and the commodification of nature".  It reminds us that we can be good medicine for the land and how to share our unique gifts to "contribute to the well-being of the world".  Amazing messages for the time in which we find ourselves in this important era of history.  

We thought we'd include some of her reflections, along with photos from our farm.  They speak to the spirit behind why we do what we do here at Crane Dance and why any action, thought, or unique gift given by anyone in this spirit truly matters: 

A message to YOU:

  We want to thank you...

• for reading our newsletters (we know it takes time); 
• for caring how your food is grown (we know it's not always easy or convenient); 
• and for supporting the higher cost of meat grown humanely and restoratively (we know you understand but it is still a sacrifice.) 

We've said many times and we'll say it many more: we couldn't do what we do without you. This partnership enlivens us. And in this new day, treading this beautiful earth one foot in front of the other, we are learning (or relearning) the mindset and bounty of a reciprocal relationship with the land and animals. 

We are here, with purpose, all of us together.  Giving whatever we can, with love and conviction of heart.  And we are made abundant in reciprocity simply by remembering this is who we are. There is no separation, no lack, in the relationship of giving and receiving.  Only gratitude and the realization of a deep belonging to this earth, to life and our place within it, and to one another ♡.