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Every year, we have two days of perfect balance - the spring and autumn equinoxes. These days, when light and dark are equal, provide a good moment in time to reflect on balance and to prepare for the imbalances ahead. This spring equinox at TLC Farm, we are asking hard questions about balance: how do we balance our desire to engage in activism to stop the destruction of the world, with our equally potent desire to create new ways of being that nurture the earth and our relations? To put it simply: how do we balance the "NO!" with the "Yes!"? And are there ways that we can blend the two, so we're not feeling spread too thin?
And how do we come into balance and right relation with this amazing earth, from whom we take so much? Modern industrial culture does not teach us the skills needed to be in balance with the earth, or each other. Where do we find those skills, and live into that balance?
Many questions . . . and there are many more. I can't say we've found the answers, but by asking these questions and then deeply listening - listening to the land, to each other - we're beginning to find ways towards that balance. We invite you to come join us in asking questions, listening, and sharing together in co-creating balance.
In this update:
One of the first ways to get a taste of what’s going on here is through our weekly work extravaganza! We’ve been hosting Saturday Work Parties every week since the beginning of February, and for many of us it’s a highlight of the week (see pictures on Facebook here). There’s something so joyful about tackling a project with friends, new and old, and at the end of the day standing back and seeing the physical result of your shared work.
In February we focused on the ‘Sacred Fires’ of the land. We cleaned up the area around the sauna, reinstalled the hot tub and cold plunge bath, built a beautiful covered changing area, and began work on a wooden platform that will lead from this area to the tubs. To get on the list for our monthly Full Moon Saunas, contact jenny@tryonfarm.org. On the other end of the land, we tended the sweat lodge area, fought back blackberries, and cleared debris to free the end of the driveway from unsightly piles of mystery matter.
In March we cleaned out the barn and workshop, wood-chipped paths, pruned fruit trees, and organized one of the tool sheds. Every week we’ve benefitted from the hard work of new volunteers, introducing ourselves and the land to the people that are drawn to it. We would love to see you on a Saturday! We’ll be continuing these work parties through the spring and summer seasons, and would love to see you come out even for an hour or two.
Yes, the rumors are true! We are planning to build a year-round, insulated, beautiful gathering space at TLC Farm! This inspiring and functional building will be a much needed dwelling for meetings, workshops, yoga, retreats, ceremonies and events of all kinds. How exciting!
The design process has begun (see the photo for a very preliminary drawing of what it may look like), but there are still many large and small decisions to be made. Here are some ways to get involved:
It's that time of year again - baby goats are being born at TLC Farm. This week we welcomed six new baby goats, born to Salal, Nettle and Aster, and have one more pregnant goat who will be birthing within the month.
What does this mean for you, and for TLC Farm? First off, the baby goats are REALLY CUTE, and make a visit to the farm all the better. Please come for a self-guided tour, or contact us at edu@tryonfarm.org to lead a group tour.
Second, we will have more baby goats than we want to keep, so if you've been looking for a goat, we might have the right ones for you (and you have about three months to prepare a nice home for it!). We have both purebred Nubians and Nubian/Toggenburg mix - great dairy goats, or good as backyard blackberry removers.
Third, we will soon start selling fresh raw goat milk from the farm. Fresh goat milk is super yummy, and very good for you! Please let us know if you are interested in getting on the milk list - for both baby goats and milk, contact brenna@tryonfarm.org.
Despite the snow/sun/rain/hail/wind/crazy March-y weather – we know that Spring is steadily unfolding. With it come the advent of the growing season, and a time of work and play on the land that is rich and full. It is in this time that we are accepting applications for the 2012 Work Trade Season (May 1st-October 1st).
We invite you to live on the land and become part of a tight-knit group of other volunteers, using both mind and body to contribute to and learn from the multi-faceted work that happens here. If you can commit to staying for at least one month and devote most of that time to being present here, please consider applying.
As referenced above, we’re doing a lot of work to ready the land for the quickly approaching Spring. We’re looking forward to celebrating our labor, and reveling in the beautified land and budding of life with our annual May festival – BLOOM!
This year, our annual spring festival will be held on Saturday, May 12th .
So mark your calendars, and plan to come out for food, music, fun, and cross-pollinating with many folks doing good work of all kinds throughout Portland.
This is a great way to get the most recent information about what’s happening here at the farm. Work party announcements, design charettes, work shops, etc. are often announced on our Page, as well as little looks into farm life and the most recent pictures of goat babies. Which are, obviously, pretty irresistible.
We recommend calling in advance: 503.245.3847
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays we are open for the public to come enjoy the land, volunteer, take self-guided tours. We are closed on Mondays. If you'd like to stop by another time, please make an appointment.
If you want to participate in the coordination of the exciting things this non-profit is doing, these meetings are the place to be. Dinner included if you RSVP! This is a new schedule; contact us, as dates will likely change over the holidays. Contact: brenna@tryonfarm.org
"Try on life, it fits like a glove,
and feel what it's like to be free.
Try breathing and seeking to be an instrument of love
and encourage one another on the journey.
Give thanks for the land and the sky up above
and pour your energy into building a community."
--from our songwriting friend, Jes Karper
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