Towering Kube
The mid-west was not a place I expected to like, or remember, or want return to. Growing up in the PNW the Mid-west was somewhere we always made fun of in a somewhat elitist way. Without ever having been there, I took the stereotypes and ran with it. So, why go to the midwest if I had little to no interest? One, it’s on the way to the east coast. Two, there’s lots of farms, and work to be done on farms. Three, and most importantly, Rene’s best friends from college, St. Olaf in Minnesota, still live there.
We arrived to Eau Claire, Wisconsin on July 3rd, to the welcoming home of Dave and Helen. There were other folks there for the holiday and we got to celebrating straight away. Even though I only knew the person I arrived with, everyone in the group was so welcoming, I even forgot to double guess myself or feel out of place. We all ate, drank, laughed and played Kube until the early hours of the morning. There was a certain ease of being there that doesn’t translate into words. We ate well together, and enjoyed the passing of time.
From Eau Claire we made the drive up to Northern Minnesota. To a little town called Tower, where we would spend 10 days on our first WWOOF farm. Becky and Jim Gawboy Run the farm and they have quite a story, (interesting enough for the New York Times to write an article). They are true community leaders and we learned so much from them.
Becky runs an easy but steadfast operation. Every practice has a purpose and she is generous with her time and knowledge (Photos will have captions sharing some of the garden and farm knowledge that was shared). A guiding force for the Gawboy farm is being part of the Ojibwe community. From medicine making with herbs, using what the land offers utilizing every scrap of food, and taking time and energy to give back in return, everything has it’s role and is integral in the farm thriving.
There wasn’t a topic that Becky didn’t know about. And not in a here-say or boastful opinion kind of way, but in a researched and studied way- can site the article and the source and figures kind of way. This include the Line 3 conflict and how the pipeline proposal directly affects her and her community near and far. Of course, Becky has been there, providing food and water to those who are advocating for clean water and movement toward good land relationships.
During our 10 days on the Gawboy farm, we witnessed more of the Life Death Life cycle than in my life thus far total. On our first waking morning there, it was the day for chicken slaughter. Becky made it clear, with this task and with all others, join if you feel comfortable, but don’t feel forced. Find your place in the wheel of things.
*** Please be aware the following photos showcase the slaughter and butchering process of the chickens. ***
In addition to meeting the Gawboy family, including some of their fantastic foster and adopted children, we met a gaggle of great WWOOFers. Several folks from New York and others who have known Becky for several years and were spending the whole summer in Tower.
From here on the Mid-west will be synonymous with people who live whole heartedly, and has helped my heart feel more full. Returning to those places and continuing to invest in those relationships will be an ongoing joy.
-j
