We’re launching a new campaign called Show Us Your Land to create a space to share stories and build community.
If you are a farmer or home grower, we’d love for you to share a photo and story from this year’s growing season.
Fill out the form below to share your photo and story, and keep an eye on our social media for our Show Us Your Land posts!
Agatha’s Story
Our first Show Us Your Land story comes from Agatha Hannah, OGS’s Director of Communications & Programs.
“Until recently, I ran a successful farm business raising pastured livestock in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. I hand-milked four dairy cows for a 40-member dairy share, raised thirty hogs for processing into salami and cuts for the Farmers Market, and rotated 350 laying hens through all of the pastures and hayfields to provide 100 dozen eggs per week to local stores.
After a stint on leased farmland, I moved my family and livestock to join an intentional community, where we practiced “nomadic neighborhood farming” – a phrase coined by a fellow community member. With a moveable milking stanchion and portable fencing, I rotated the cows in and out of my neighbors yards and adjacent pastures.
This land was originally occupied by the Tutelo Tribe, evidenced by the multitude of arrowheads and pottery shards found with each tilling of the garden. These days, we try to pay our respects to the original stewards of this land by continuing to cultivate their traditional purple corn and bean varieties and saving the seeds after a bountiful harvest.”
Author: Carrie Moran
Carrie Moran is the Director of Systems & Communications. They hold a Masters of Library and Information Science from Drexel University, and their professional background is in the world of academic libraries. During their library career, they focused on using empathetic user experience design methods to create safe spaces for people to learn, both in person and online. In addition to their work at OGS, they are a co-owner of Harmonize Your Health, a holistic wellness company whose mission is to introduce their community and clients to a variety of healing modalities that are aligned with respect for our bodies and this beautiful planet we live on.