One of my favorite parts of being a zoo keeper was continuing my education through professional development. Conferences and workshops were often the highlight of my year, whether it was a local training workshop or an American Association of Zoo Keeper’s yearly conference. They were not only opportunities to learn new skills, but also a chance to interact with keepers outside of my local circle. There is a tremendous power in engaging with others who love the same things as you, but have had different experiences that they can share. Not only could I go back to my team with relevant info, but also a renewed sense of excitement and purpose in what I was doing.
The past 2 months of being in Michigan have overall been really positive. I think it took a few weeks for my mind and body to slowly realize that this wasn’t just an extended vacation, but a new kind of normal. Though we have spent a lot of time relaxing, John and I have also tried to stay mentally and physically productive. Planning for the next adventure in our life, our farm, can be somewhat overwhelming. We are researching areas we might want to live in, looking up property and houses, trying to decide whether we should buy a house or build our own, how to pay for it, what full or part time jobs can we do, how will we manage the land, grow our own food, become a part of our community. The list goes on and sometimes as I sit on my computer with 15 different tabs up on various parts of this or that, I get overwhelmed, shut the computer, and go read my book. And that’s ok because I know that this process will take time and that everything I do doesn’t have to add up to some important part of this whole equation. It’s ok to spend time reading, watching TV, or hanging with the dogs outside.
This weekend I got to take a major step forward in this new life path. I left John behind (actually, he was in Utah) and I spent three days in west Michigan at the Midwest Permaculture Convergence. Yay, a conference!! For those of you unfamiliar with the word “permaculture”, it’s a systems approach to creating and living a life that works within the natural processes of the planet. Creating human built structures, food systems, and communities that are balanced, energy efficient, environmentally conscious, and resilient. There are a lot of terms that can fall under the permaculture umbrella, like “regenerative agriculture” and “natural building”. That is what we hope Leaf and Feather Farms will become, a place where everything is designed and implemented with a purpose and that each part fills multiple roles, just like in a natural ecosystem. John and I have been watching permaculture based you-tube videos, reading homesteading books, and researching, but this was my first chance to actually talk to people who are walking the walk and to learn from them, as well as all the other participants.
Home sweet home 
Nice view to wake up to
At the Convergence, I plugged in to the local permaculture groups and made connections with a lot of people who are trying to do many of the same things John and I want to do. What made it so awesome is that everyone came from so many different backgrounds and skill levels but we all want to be better citizens of the planet. I took notes, exchanged contacts, and returned home with a better game plan for moving forward with starting our farm. I also camped by myself in an apple field, did some birding, learned about making homes with straw and mud, ate a ton of yummy food, created biochar, and swam in one of Michigan’s beautiful lakes. With all my free time, and hopefully some of my skills, I’m going to help the Great Rivers and Lakes Permaculture Institute organize and expand their collective presence and along the way, continue to learn and network as much as I can.
Straw and cob house 
Yum foods 
Making biochar
One major theme that constantly repeated itself in the various talks and workshops, and that I want to always try to live by, is that we can live life in 2 ways; by default or by design. Will you just go through the motions because that is what everyone does and what is expected? Or will you take a step back to reassess your choices and then move forward knowing that each choice you make doesn’t just affect you, but affects the people and the natural environment around you. It’s not easy, and it takes time and baby steps, but it can be done!
Until next time! – Sydney
Leaf and Feather Farms 