Day 4
Our fourth day began at Windsong in the early mornin' for some farm chores. The wind was cold on our faces. Some folks collected eggs and fed the animals, others did maintenance around the property. After a fulfilling breakfast with fresh eggs from the coup, we collected ourselves for the productive day ahead. At about 9:00 am we journeyed up to the entrance of the property. Our class met an extremely motivated fellow by the name of Caleb Weaver who began to introduce his background, the organization he is a part of and the proposed project of the day. We built a handicapped accessible path, dual terrace walls created by gathering stones from an abandon cow pasture, and we also dug up rocks, reburied them to stop, redirect, and help water flow. We felt grateful we could forever be apart of the Windsong landscape and community through our collaborative hard work. There was much more to come in the day, the anticipation was evident in all of our eyes.
A twenty minute drive brought us to a complex seed conservatory filled with native seeds from around the American Southwest. Two extremely passionate people greeted us with warm smiles and explained to us the mission of their work. Linda and Morgan have been with Native Seed/ SEARCH since the spring of 2014. The landscape horizon-line was filled with small mountains, fields of golden grass, and an urge to welcome you with the open air. Linda's massive knowledge of the non-profit organizations intent of research and preservation was enlightening to hear.
-The Native Seed S.E.A.R.C.H. has preserved over 2,000 varieties of arid-land adapted seeds, many of them ancient varieties of crops being preserved for Native American tribes.
-Currently a selection of 500 seeds are grown, over a dozen crops during one season.
-The Conservation Farm implements progressive soil preparations using cover crops, and organic bacteria without any use of chemicals or bi-products that may harm the terrain.
-The Farm contains multiple buildings one main, large building that holds all of the seeds being preserved. This building is where crops are separated, seeds are harvested, seed is shelled, and drying methods are taken place. Smaller buildings are on the property, a tractor shed, an adobe passive solar structure, and a chicken coup.
-The property is abundant with innovation. Small projects focused on reusing recycled materials to perform actions that would require very strenuous work are found everywhere. For instance, a contraption was presented to us that was created with old bicycles and basic welding techniques. The contraption served as a water distributing plastic hose collector.
- The Native Seeds S.E.A.R.C.H. organization was co-founded by Prescott College Alum, renown Ethnobotanist, frequently cited author, legendary conservation technique developer, Gary Nabhan. Mr. Nabhan's work with Monarch butterflies, and Native species of plants has created conservation initiatives for the state of Arizona.
-The Conservation Farm brought massive insight to the class and gave us opportunities to obtain an internship to their seed conservation program. The class understood the mission of Native Seed Search and connected with the purpose of Conservation in the American Southwest. The goal as a group is to implement the techniques and lessons in our own lives. The opportunity of understanding conservation can be applied to any landscape on Mother Earth.
-The Native Seed S.E.A.R.C.H. has preserved over 2,000 varieties of arid-land adapted seeds, many of them ancient varieties of crops being preserved for Native American tribes.
-Currently a selection of 500 seeds are grown, over a dozen crops during one season.
-The Conservation Farm implements progressive soil preparations using cover crops, and organic bacteria without any use of chemicals or bi-products that may harm the terrain.
-The Farm contains multiple buildings one main, large building that holds all of the seeds being preserved. This building is where crops are separated, seeds are harvested, seed is shelled, and drying methods are taken place. Smaller buildings are on the property, a tractor shed, an adobe passive solar structure, and a chicken coup.
-The property is abundant with innovation. Small projects focused on reusing recycled materials to perform actions that would require very strenuous work are found everywhere. For instance, a contraption was presented to us that was created with old bicycles and basic welding techniques. The contraption served as a water distributing plastic hose collector.
- The Native Seeds S.E.A.R.C.H. organization was co-founded by Prescott College Alum, renown Ethnobotanist, frequently cited author, legendary conservation technique developer, Gary Nabhan. Mr. Nabhan's work with Monarch butterflies, and Native species of plants has created conservation initiatives for the state of Arizona.
-The Conservation Farm brought massive insight to the class and gave us opportunities to obtain an internship to their seed conservation program. The class understood the mission of Native Seed Search and connected with the purpose of Conservation in the American Southwest. The goal as a group is to implement the techniques and lessons in our own lives. The opportunity of understanding conservation can be applied to any landscape on Mother Earth.
We spent that evening with our new found friends from Patagonia that we met during the week. We shared stories under the stars, ate delicious wood fired pizza thanks to Os, and said farewell to our time spent surrounded by the Patagonia mountains.