The New Year and The Old Year

2008 is ending with much uncertainty for many people. Yet more war in the middle east. A shrinking economy here at home. I don't know about you but this is not the future I had envisioned. I could make a list of all the things we might worry about but that won't get us far.

A good thing that I saw happening this year was and is the growing interest that people have in living a more sustainable life style. One way we see this manifesting itself ere on dog Team Road in Vermont is, we sold more heirloom seeds for gardens and more of our organic wheat and barley is being used by home owners for making home made bread from scratch. There's no better way to guarantee access to good, safe, wholesome food than to grow it yourself. You don't need to have all the fanciest equipment or years of study to grow a little food for yourself and your family.

Sprouting seeds on the window sill are signs of hope and the promise of good things to come and brighten your days even in the heart of winter when all is frozen and still. A little organic soil, some trays and some organic seeds and water is all you need. Imagine fresh salad in the middle of the winter, tomato plants, ready for transplant to bigger pots and then outside as soon as spring allows and you grew it all yourself. No running to the store and waiting in the check out line listening to the beeps as the bill rings up. No more $3.00 a pound tomatoes and 3,000 mile salads. more and more people are doing this everyday now.

Like I said, there are many things to be worried about now but it's important to see the good things that are happening too. The seemingly small trends that are emerging are signs of good things to come and collectively, they signal a positive shift in the way we think and relate to the earth and ultimately I hope, each other.