Navdanya. The name was chosen as a play on Hindi words: “Nine
seeds,” “new seeds,” and “new beginnings” are all proper translations of the word "navdanya." Today I arrived at the farm without
my travel companion(s) and a few days later than planned. A month here stretches
before me, both a vast length and a short speck of time. The area is gorgeous: fresh air, beautiful plant life, shades of the Himalayan foothills in
the background. When I arrived, the temperature was probably above 60 degrees
Fahrenheit, but it is rapidly cooling off. It was warmer than in Delhi, but
I have now donned my winter coat again.
Upon my arrival, I was immediately treated to lunch, followed by registration and a farm tour. I made friends with one of the calves and a few of the puppies. Along with another volunteer who arrived last night, I was introduced to many new plants whose names I have already forgotten and will, I am sure, slowly re-learn over the next few weeks. The seed bank is gorgeous with the plants hanging from the roof (one method of seed-saving; Navdanya tries to model economical and multiple forms of the different methods they use so that the farmers they train can develop the methods that work best for their circumstances). There has already been talk about lessons on composting and seed-saving particularly for us interns/volunteers.
Today begins my journey of digging in to where I am. I have spend a lot of time over the past few months dreaming, and I’m sure I will not be able to completely escape it here. But my time here will be dedicated to digging in to what I can learn specifically in this place, at this time, and with these people. Or at least to do my best to do so.
Upon my arrival, I was immediately treated to lunch, followed by registration and a farm tour. I made friends with one of the calves and a few of the puppies. Along with another volunteer who arrived last night, I was introduced to many new plants whose names I have already forgotten and will, I am sure, slowly re-learn over the next few weeks. The seed bank is gorgeous with the plants hanging from the roof (one method of seed-saving; Navdanya tries to model economical and multiple forms of the different methods they use so that the farmers they train can develop the methods that work best for their circumstances). There has already been talk about lessons on composting and seed-saving particularly for us interns/volunteers.
Today begins my journey of digging in to where I am. I have spend a lot of time over the past few months dreaming, and I’m sure I will not be able to completely escape it here. But my time here will be dedicated to digging in to what I can learn specifically in this place, at this time, and with these people. Or at least to do my best to do so.
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