Week 4 at United Plant Savers' Goldenseal Sanctuary

May 29, 2016

Week 4 at United Plant Savers' Goldenseal Sanctuary

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
in the Goldenseal shade house.

I really can not believe we have already been on this gorgeous farm/sanctuary for a month! Please slow down, time! This week we did some pretty labor intensive work, and I actually loved it. It feels so good to see results from productive physical labor, and putting our bodies to work. It was also nice knowing if at any time we were overwhelmed, tired, or too hot, we could bow out, or take a breather. ;) Manual labor is definitely a lot different than sitting at a computer on the phone for 9+ hours a day; I must say that I am feeling so alive!

Monday morning's hard work!

S'more time

Monday we were back at the old shade house- the area that we’ve been gradually disassembling the previous three weeks. This time, our task was to dig out all the old posts, and rip up the landscaping fabric that was laid under the beds. One thing about having so many people vs. working alone- you can get stuff done, quickly! Team work is a real and important thing; we have learned and continue to learn a lot about each other’s preferences, ideas, and systems as to what works and why. These were pretty big posts (over 8ft?) and were buried about 2 feet deep. After a lot of heaving and hoeing, we were able to get them all out and placed in a spot for being cut into firewood later. In the afternoon we worked cleaning up the beds around the yurt that showcase the medicinals we have on property. We weeded a lot and planted some seedling Liatris and a Black Cohosh near the porch area. Monday evening we made a fire at heart pond, fished, had some good conversation, and yummy s’mores!

So many native medicinals and edibles in this shot!

Tuesday was so much fun, we had our hand mowing class with John! We watched a few basic instruction videos on how to use a scythe, learned all the maintenance and care of your scythe blades, then we got to cut some hay! I definitely felt a [Knechtion] to my ancestors during this process (and during this entire trip, of course), but this day, I was busy showing off my tattoo with the lion and scythe (The same one my Dad had, and sister has, the Knecht coat of arms- Miss you, Daddy!) Later that day we did various small projects around the sanctuary including weeding a pretty Goldenseal bed, washing the tractor (playing in the water), organizing some potting supplies, and setting a large stone at corner of our new bridge. Felt great to get several miscellaneous tasks out of the way!

The Crew - post a morning of Scything

BEAUTIFUL Spotted Salamander!
(Ambystoma maculatum)

On Wednesday there was the infamous, invasive Multi Flora Rose, the thorny vine-bush that takes over anything it can. It has been making its way deeper into the special parts of the woods, so we’re doing our best to keep it away from the medicine trail and surrounding areas. While working on a MFR root ball, I found the most beautiful Spotted Salamander! It was a pretty big one, at least 5 inches. Chip said he had never seen that type here, so that is a great sign! That afternoon, Tanner from Rural Action came back to give us a class on Ramps and Goldenseal. We also got to plant about ¼ lb of ramp seed at the Sanctuary. That felt great to actually plant something instead of ripping it out! ;)

Thursday was a planned visit to the local dairy place, Snowville Creamery. There was a scheduling conflict, so we did some trail work instead. Hanging signs and labeling along the trails, and we took a hack saw to cut large limbs of a fallen tree off the trail. When we were headed back...

THAT’S WHEN WE SAW THEM:

(Laetiporus sulphureus)

One of the most amazing and gorgeous things I’ve ever seen, a huge cluster of perfectly ripe Chicken of the Woods mushrooms!!!

(Laetiporus sulphureus)
Juvenile picture of the above Chicken of the Woods cluster.

Reagan spotted the juvenile just about a week prior, and then led us to the mecca! I am so happy I was able to be a part of this harvest. When I first started getting into foraging, herbalism, mycology, etc., Chicken of the Woods is one of the first I found out about, and always desired to find and taste! (There aren't many in North Texas from what I can tell.)We harvested, with permission, over 5 lbs of the beautiful cluster (leaving the base in place so these babies will continue to come back), and headed back to the yurt to show off our treats! Nora sautéed some up for us, and it was delicious!!! It does have a slight chicken flavor, but more so in the way that chicken will pretty much absorb any flavors you add, also the texture is very similar to chicken. It really is great! Better than I expected actually. We got into some miscellaneous tasks that afternoon, I raked the hay that we scythed the other day, Marti mulched the front bed with some of the hay, trails were trimmed, firewood was sorted and moved, some weed-eating (and eating weeds hehe), and other various chores to help maintain the grounds and prepare for events that will be taking place here at the sanctuary in the coming months.

Beginnings of a Valerian Flower Essence <3

Friday’s are my favorite... we’re off and always in the mood to explore and make medicine! I spent the morning meditating with a beautiful flowering Valerian, and then started a flower essence from her. I also hit the reclaim to collect another good portion of Red Clover and also harvested some Comfrey. I'm going to take both home with me for some Linds Blends! While collecting, I stopped at the heart pond for a break and took a dip to cool off, the temps are finally rising so it was great to actually wear shorts and a tank, get some vitamin D, and get some swimming in!! Later, I finished up my flower essence and put the herbs out to dry! One of the neighbors is out of town for the weekend, so we got to farm-sit! Mostly check up on and feed all the animals, including dogs, cats, chickens and goats! Happy we get to have that experience. Farm life is definitely simple living, and I love it! A much, much different feel than growing up in the suburbs; priorities out on the farm are a lot more focused on living life, showing love and respect in your community and your land, and just enjoying the atmosphere and company…

About to go for a spin!

Saturday was a pretty full day for us! We had a graduation party to attend, and were also hosting a potluck for some of the UpS community members! Meredith and I hit up the farmer’s market early, got some good stuff there, I got a hand carved, reclaimed walnut wood Spurtle!!! (I've been wanting one for forever- per Rosemary Gladstar's recommendation! wink, wink). Then we came back to the sanctuary, went for a nice swim in the pond (it’s hard not to when its sunny and 90’s!), got ready, and Reagan, Meredith and I walked next door to Ciara’s graduation party! Ciara is Bea Wood’s great granddaughter (the Wood family owned this property before UpS acquired it, so they still have property and homes next door). One of the Amish families next door also attended, and we got to take a ride down the road in their horse and buggy! It was a lot of fun, and an unexpected surprise for sure! This Texas girl has never been on an Amish carriage before! Plus, it wasn’t a tourist trap type of ride, it was genuine family friends swapping experiences! Thanks Sam and his beautiful Family! We said bye to Ciara for now, then came back to the yurt to prepare for the pot luck!

Siphoning our mead!!!!

One of the meads we made was ready, so we siphoned that into a clean jar and had a small tasting! Pretty impressed! It actually was not sweet at all, but had a Champagne/sake-ish taste (we used champagne yeast). I am so happy with how it turned out! We will be trying our other brew later next week too! For the potluck, I made some sautéed Chicken of the Woods, Reagan made a squash curry with a home grown squash she brought, Meredith made Buckeyes (chocolate covered peanut butter balls, an Ohio delicacy), and we had some various fruits, dips, crackers, etc. We had no idea what kind of turn out to expect because we procrastinated a little on getting this date set up, and never confirmed with anyone except for Chip and Amy... We had a great turn out actually! Just the right amount of people, and everyone brought something, all tasty, fresh, and healthy foods! We had some drinks, and had a fire too! I just love it here; I’m so impressed with the community that surrounds The Goldenseal Sanctuary and the individuals we’ve gotten to know. The energy around this place is something that I only hope more people can experience in their lifetimes. Not necessarily specifically here, but wherever it is that they’re called to. I am endlessly happy this opportunity came together for me. I couldn’t imagine not having been here during this past month!

Friday night sunset in the hills

Here we are at Sunday. my day for writing and reflecting. This upcoming week should be great, specifically Monday- UpS was invited to be one of the non-profits represented at Rising Appalachia’s concert in Columbus!! We were already planning on attending the show, and now we get to set up a booth and have a deeper interaction with the ladies of RA, plus their [like-minded] audience! So Excited! I saw them perform a few A-cappella songs at the SE Wise Woman's Herbal Conference last fall, so this will be great!