For Robert, memories of childhood time spent on a dairy farm have resurfaced as we spend time in the garden and practice what we have learned from the folks and the land at Hayes.

 

We have been involved with the farm in several different ways over the years, volunteering, learning, observing, building relationships with volunteers, staff, and interns, and in 2021 Julia took the Regenerative Farming Internship (RFI), which was a life altering experience for us both.

 

The next summer, we were extremely fortunate to steward our friend’s land along the Wolastoq in Gagetown, where we put our RFI knowledge to good use, operating a small market garden, growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers, guided by the teachings we learned at Hayes. Our work was guided by three goals: feeding ourselves, donating food to the community, and selling some of our products at local markets.

 

We are so excited to be part of the U-Grow program at Hayes in 2023. This summer is going to be a great learning experience for both of us. The land at Hayes, which lies on the traditional and unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik, is truly magical, and it is regenerative just to be there. We can hardly contain our excitement as we begin to start our seeds for the growing season, and are so grateful to be back on the land, to share this space with other growers and learners, and to continue to grow food for ourselves and the community. We have both developed a newfound appreciation for doing things a bit slower, observing, and connecting with the task at hand, as well as the sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing that we can lower our emissions and become more self-sufficient while doing something that brings us joy.