A city girl's explorations into sustainable living

Recently I found myself unemployed, pondering what I should do with my life next. All the career books say, do what you love. Find your passion. Follow your bliss. As if there is an answer -- a solution that will allow you to make money doing what you were meant to do. Help the world, help yourself, and make money!

For me, it's not so easy. I'm interested in a lot of things, but nothing that I am willing to invest in enough to turn it into a career.

I'm what Barbara Sher calls a "scanner," or what Margaret Lobenstine calls "the Renaissance Soul." At least that's what these self-help books for the career-stunted tell me.

What I tell myself is that I'm a learner. And what I want to learn about right now is sustainable living. I have a feeling it's what I'm supposed to be doing -- even if it doesn't pay. Even if it COSTS money to do.

I am meant to be a student right now, exploring peak oil, the economic crisis, climate change, sustainable agriculture, community building, permaculture, natural capitalism, Transition Towns, rural sociology, and my own spiritual growth. I honestly don't know where it will lead, or what it will amount to, but I invite you to share my journey.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Sustainable Food Production

I recently applied to the new program in Sustainable Food Production at M State Fergus Falls. I also made an appointment to meet with the program director, Dr. Sue Wika, in early July. It's a year-long, 30-credit program that combines practical farming knowledge with insights from the social and natural sciences.

What got me interested in this program? Well, I've always had fantasies of becoming a farmer. I looked into the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program, but it's not offered close to where I live, so it wouldn't be practical. Also, I miss school. I miss taking classes, interacting with professors, having discussions with students excited about the same concepts and ideas I am. And, the Fergus Falls program integrates sociology... one of my main academic interests. I love the way social scientists look at the world. Learning how to farm while also being with students and professors who analyze things through sociological perspectives sounds really great right about now.

Classes start August 26th, 2010... two months from now!
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