Farmer Meg

one hour no power

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:04:00 +0000

ok so i know it's short notice but tomorrow, july 1st from noon to 1pm everyone concerned about the environment is invited to shut down all power for one hour. that means computers, lights, cars, radio, and even cell phones. initiated by a guy in the uk it is meant, “to raise awareness of our collective ability to tackle climate change through our everyday lives.” come on it's only an hour.

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 18:44:00 +0000

FAREWELL HAWAII!
ALOHA NUI LOA

as Henry said

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:28:00 +0000

Before coming to Hawaii people told me that this trip would change my life and that I would come home a completely different person. Now as I reflect on these last 3 months I realize that that's a lot of pressure to put on this trip and on myself. So not to disappoint those of you that may have been hoping I would come back different but it didn't take long for me to realize that I am the same person in Hawaii as I was in Cincinnati. That's not to say that I haven't grown or that there haven't been changes. There's a little more color to my skin, my hair is a bit lighter (if grey counts as light) and longer. I'm a bit calmer. I've fallen in love with papayas and yoga. I've learned that I am better behind a coffee counter than I am in the coffee field. I can surf, well almost. I can rumba and swing, well sort of. I can rock a weed whacker and I kind of understand 4 wheel drive. This has definitely been an adventure. It has also been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It hasn't been physically terrible, definitely not what I expected, but not terrible. Emotionally though, this has been a challenge. This type of adventure tends to attract similar people. The lost souls, traveling without responsibility and working to discover themselves in the beauty of the land. But I wasn't lost, a searching soul of course, but not lost. It may have been easier to travel 3500 miles from everything familiar if I wasn't leaving a great life behind. As I studied the architecture of time passing I thought a lot about that life and who I am in that life. I realized that while my scenery may change who I am is the same. I am still goofy, passionate, sassy, dorky, and playful. I am still analytical erring on the side of critical. I'm still tough...sometimes too tough. I'm still strong...sometimes too strong. I am fiercely loyal and protective of the people I love. I remain hungry for the truth and dedicated to finding it even when it frightens me. And while hard to keep in balance with my skeptical nature I am hopeful, knowing that I need hope like my own blood. I live with intensity and wear my audacity like a skirt. I am still an idealist, maybe more than ever and I will continue dreaming big dreams. I guess being away from all of the people and things that I have associated with my identity has taught me more of who I am and has helped me to learn my name. Henry Miller said, "I wish to become more and more myself as ridiculous as that may sound." So in keeping with his words, I have grown but really just into myself.

Victory for Ethiopian Coffee Farmers

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:29:00 +0000

Ethiopia has been seeking trademark for it's coffees, Sidamo, Harar, and Yirgacheffe. Last summer Starbucks prompted the National Coffee Association to file an opposition to Ethiopia's application for trademark. Because of this the US Patent and Trademark Office rejected the application. Since then Oxfam America has led a campaign urging Starbucks to sign the agreement. And it was just announced that Starbucks has signed a distribution, marketing and licensing agreement that recognizes Ethiopia’s right to control the use of its specialty coffee brands. This is a great victory for the farmers and could bring them millions more in annual revenue. Yes!!!

Meaningless Blog to Accompany Meaningless Work

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:14:00 +0000

Another day of sorting coffee beans made interesting only by making up games to play. Music is always a trusty friend when you're trying to pass time. So as I began sorting coffee beans this morning I opened itunes and since I couldn't be bothered to make a choice I decided to rely on the shuffle. The interesting thing about shuffling 10,000 songs is that the transitions can be a bit awkward. I find that the computer often chooses things I probably wouldn't. Like that obscene collection of 80's tunes that I really don't want people to know that I have but I just can't bring myself to erase. And then I find that I'm pleasantly surprised by albums I forgot I had or just haven't heard in a long while. Then I start to play games like guess who this band is within the first 15 seconds of the song. If I'm correct then I see if I can name the song and the album. Rarely do I get all 3 correct. But today's transitions have been entertaining in and of themselves. One such strand of songs was as follows:

1. starting out with the always great Neil Young
2. ...moving right into Moby
3. ...so excited the next one was Magnetic Fields
4. ...here was the shocker Nat King Cole
5. ...a tune from Amelie
6. ..."it's a mother&#@%$*" by the Eels
7. ... Jon Brion
8. ...Sufjan
9. ...Ravi Shankar
10. ...DJ Shadow

The abrubt song changes have kept me alert in anticipation for what my computer will choose next.

11. ...Harry Connick Jr.
12. ...Pat Benatar
13. ...Lou Reed

Under the Milo

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 05:49:00 +0000

One of the things this city girl misses is being able to walk everywhere. So today I parked in town and decided to walk the mile to the Japanese Gardens. My plan was to spend some time there with Al Gore's newest book, Assault on Reason. Mother nature had something different in mind. I was enjoying the walk with the wind blowing and the temperature dropping. I felt as though nature knew I needed that walk and was therefore conspiring to make it as pleasant as possible. But the wind seemed to be blowing a bit harder and there was this strange sweet smell to the air. It reminded me of that juicy fruit gum. I looked up and saw the darkest cloud moving towards me. Unphased and determined I continued until I noticed that not only was there a dark ominous cloud moving towards me from the west but there was one coming from the south as well. These clouds seemed to be closing in on me with their fingers stretching out trying to grab hold of me. Then came the rain. I realized I was in trouble. There was nowhere to go and my book was going to fall victim to this afternoon shower. I ran to a nearby milo tree and hid under the canopy of it's large branches. The rain finally settled into a slow drizzle but I stayed under that tree. I found comfort in it's covering. I will always be amazed by how unpredictable nature can be.

And in case any of you are questioning my sanity with the whole juicy fruit thing, it turns out that there were golden shower trees, "sweet peas," lining my walk.

For the Love of Goats

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:21:00 +0000

Since I've been here I have done my best to paint a picture for you all of what life here on the island looks like by using words, stories, and pictures. After seeing something for the second time today I have realized that by leaving this out I have failed in accurately describing this place.
A man walking his goat.
Now as I said this is not the first time I have seen this. The first time was a few weeks ago and I laughed it off thinking it was just some crazy guy who wanted to go for a walk but didn't want to be alone and since he had no other companions decided to put his goat on a leash. Seems like a likely explanation, right? Then when I saw it again today I started thinking that this might be normal Hawaiian behavior.
Truthfully I don't know much about goats and haven't given them much thought but being that I'm one who enjoys looking a little crazy I'm toying with the idea of trading my dog, Kenya for a goat when I get home. If it doesn't work out at least I can get some yummy cheese out of the deal.

Clotheslines and Permanence

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:06:00 +0000

The countdown is on and in case you're not keeping up we are down to 3 weeks, 21 days until I am back on Cincy soil. Truthfully I am a mixed bag of thoughts and emotions. There is something so comforting about knowing that I am coming home, back to my roots, back to my real life, back to my family and friends. But since I've been gone I have had moments of questioning if I could be that wild, free, untamed, nomadic woman inside and maybe stay or go to some other exotic place. I've been here for over 2 months now and while I've called it home it hasn't felt that way. I recognize that I have been holding something back, keeping a part of me hidden. Maybe it's been a way to protect myself or maybe the lack of the familiar made me feel lost or maybe I'm just not cut out for this kind of adventure. Don't get me wrong this has been amazing but it's made me realize that home isn't as much of a place as it is the existence of the people you love. It makes Cincinnati look like the most beautiful place in the world. If I could just transplant the beach it would be perfect. The next few weeks are going to fly and I'm hoping to be present in this place so that I can enjoy the time rather than living focused on how many days until I'm home. With that said there will remain the awareness that soon I will be back and I look forward to remaking a home once I'm there. A home where I can laugh with friends, hike with Kenya, dig my hands into non volcanic soil, have a garden, grow vegetables, knit, sew with mom, drink tea, make soup, and have a clothesline, a real picture of permanence.

Swan Dive into Shallow Fair Trade

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:27:00 +0000

Those of you who know me are already accustomed to my passion and those of you who have been following this blog since I left Cincy are probably pretty familiar by now with my tendency to become a bit ruthless when it comes to all things fair trade, organic, environment, sustainability, etc. I have recently been accused of being an idealist (you know who you are) and this was not complimentary but a general statement about the problem of idealists not being effective in changing things.
After an entry about why I do what I do, where I spoke of what I call shallow fair trade, I have been challenged by those who believe that big companies jumping on the Fair Trade wagon will do more for the advancement of the movement than all of the small companies combined. So I have decided to readdress this subject.
Here is the catch when Walmart, P&G, Nestle, and Starbucks buy into Fair Trade they have the power to introduce it to a larger market but what is lost in the process? The big boys get involved so they can use the label to increase their profit margins rather than supporting the goals of fair trade. And as more of the big corporations enter the mix the more the standards and integrity of the label erode. There is a huge difference between companies that stock their shelves with FT certified products and the companies that live by the FT principles.
This distinction is already evident with Walmart and organics. Seeing the profitability in organics, in 2006 Walmart announced that they were going to expand their organic offerings. The Cornucopia Institute recently found Walmart selling non-organic food products with the organic label. As well as non-organic produce being stocked in the organic sections and shelf labels advertising organic under non-organic products. It seems, not surprisingly, that Walmart has applied it's standard business model to organics. So what's to stop them from doing the same with fair trade offerings?
I guess this is my answer to the people that believe these companies hold more power for change than idealists like me. At what cost?

The Farm Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:43:00 +0000

Since 1988 the biotech industry and industrial food corporations have unsuccessfully tried to take away local and state rights to ban or regulate genetically modified organisms and other controversial foods and crops. Failing to suppress grassroots control over food safety laws and labels in the last session of Congress, the big industry boys have now called on their friends in the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry to slip their poison into an obscure section of the 2007-2012 Farm Bill.
The section in question follows:

SEC. 123. EFFECT OF USDA INSPECTION AND DETERMINATION OF NON-REGULATED STATUS.
* Prevents a State or locality from prohibiting an article the Secretary of Agriculture has inspected and passed, or an article the Secretary has determined to be of nonregulated status.

This provision would give the White House appointed Secretary of Agriculture the power to eliminate local or state food and farming laws. What does this mean? This broad statement basically says that if the USDA says something is safe, a state or local government is not allowed to regulate it. For example, there have been a number of counties around the country that have banned genetically modified organisms (see blog archive on soil). If passed in the Farm Bill this provision would void those local laws and set an ominous precedent undermining state rights.

My fellow Ohioans Jean Schmidt, like it or not, is our congresswoman and a member of the subcommittee. If anyone wants to write or call her to let her know how concerned we are and our desire to have the provision repealed here's her number.
P (202) 225-3164 F (202) 226-1992

"A nation that destroys it soils destroys itself." FDR

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:38:00 +0000

Hawaii is one of those unique places on this earth where a fully off the grid, sustainable life seems not only possible but almost easy. Not that I think for one minute that farming itself is easy but that this climate allows for ease in incorporating those types of changes into your lifestyle. There is no heating or cooling here, and because of the hight cost of water most people have catchment tanks that collect and reuse their rain water. At Dragon's Lair our water is then heated by solar panels on the roof of the house. And then there is the food situation. The growing season is year round so you can live off your land without having to rely on canning or preserving. The more I read about the state of our food and land this is becoming all the more tempting. Now of course your trade off for this kind of life is that cost of living in 35-40% higher in Hawaii than the rest of the US. Ouch!

But having a direct relationship with the food I am eating has caused me to think even more about where our country is headed. I find it troubling that the big corporations control so much of the world's food as well as the patents on our seeds. Humans and animals are being poisoned from the chemicals that are being sprinkled over crops and are now contaminating the earth's water, soil, and air. Disease causing bacteria are building immunity to the antibiotics that are administered to livestock in factory farms while those farm animals are living in miserable conditions. GMO's are everywhere: 81% of soy, 40% of corn, and 73% of canola is genetically engineered. Billions of tons of fossil fuel are used to transport our food from one end of the earth to the other and sometimes back again contributing to global warming. Monoculture crops are being subsidized by the government and we are losing diversity, depleting the soil, and putting the land at risk. And family farms are going out of business.

All of this can cause a person to become pretty hopeless. Thankfully the slow food movement, organics, the local food movement and lots of organizations and books are making people aware of how their choices effect not only the enviroment but our health. You can see again why a life in Hawaii is so appealing with the ease of sustainability. I read something the other day that gave me a bit more hope and put a smile on my face. A Federal judge in Califormia set precedent when he ruled that the USDA's approval of Monsanto's genetically engineered "Roundup Ready" alfalfa was illegal. The Judge called on USDA to ban any further planting of the GE seed until it conducts a complete Environmental Impact Statement on the GE crop. Yeah for the environment. There is hope yet.

Real Women Drive Trucks

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Wed, 30 May 2007 05:11:00 +0000

That's my ride and for those of you who have missed my goofiness and uncanny ability to embarass myself, boy do I have a picture for you. Imagine if you will, your's truly over here, used to driving a Jetta trying to drive this pickup. I thought I would make you all chuckle by telling you of my adventure trying to get this sucker up the driveway. First of all can someone please explain to me the difference between H2 and H4? And I think there's another gear on the 4 wheel drive shifter thing but I couldn't be bothered since it was a different letter. The grade of the farm is seriously intense and you cannot hope to get up or down without 4 wheel drive. This posed a problem for me since I didn't even know how to get it into 4 wheel drive. I finally put it in H4, whatever that means, and was up the drive in no time. Then when returning I had to back into the parking spot. I put it in H4 again and went for it, except I was in drive not reverse and whoops there's the fence. So I put it in reverse and took a deep breath. And this is where I would like to have words with the previous owners of this farm. Why did they plant the coffee trees so close to the parking spot? Lining it none the less? I successfully parked that behemoth but I gotta tell you the twig borer are not going to be the biggest reducer in viable crop...the new truck driver will be.

"The War Prayer"

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Tue, 29 May 2007 00:55:00 +0000

This blog is the perfect place to lay my passions, convictions, and political beliefs on the table. But on this Memorial Day I thought instead of preaching about non violent social change and everyone's right to freedom and autonomy I would allow Mark Twain to do the talking.
Here is a poem Twain wrote in response to the Spanish American War.

"The War Prayer"

It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing, the toy pistols popping, the bunched firecrackers hissing and spluttering; on every hand and far down the receding and fading spread of roofs and balconies a fluttering wilderness of flags flashed in the sun; daily the young volunteers marched down the wide avenue gay and fine in their new uniforms, the proud fathers and mothers and sisters and sweethearts cheering them with voices choked with happy emotion as they swung by; nightly the packed mass meetings listened, panting, to patriot oratory which stirred the deepest deeps of their hearts, and which they interrupted at briefest intervals with cyclones of applause, the tears running down their cheeks the while; in the churches the pastors preached devotion to flag and country, and invoked the God of Battles beseeching His aid in our good cause in outpourings of fervid eloquence which moved every listener. It was indeed a glad and gracious time, and the half dozen rash spirits that ventured to disapprove of the war and cast a doubt upon its righteousness straightway got such a stern and angry warning that for their personal safety's sake they quickly shrank out of sight and offended no more in that way.
Sunday morning came -- next day the battalions would leave for the front; the church was filled; the volunteers were there, their young faces alight with martial dreams -- visions of the stern advance, the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the flashing sabers, the flight of the foe, the tumult, the enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender! Then home from the war, bronzed heroes, welcomed, adored, submerged in golden seas of glory! With the volunteers sat their dear ones, proud, happy, and envied by the neighbors and friends who had no sons and brothers to send forth to the field of honor, there to win for the flag, or, failing, die the noblest of noble deaths. The service proceeded; a war chapter from the Old Testament was read; the first prayer was said; it was followed by an organ burst that shook the building, and with one impulse the house rose, with glowing eyes and beating hearts, and poured out that tremendous invocation
*God the all-terrible! Thou who ordainest! Thunder thy clarion and lightning thy sword!*
Then came the "long" prayer. None could remember the like of it for passionate pleading and moving and beautiful language. The burden of its supplication was, that an ever-merciful and benignant Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, and aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic work; bless them, shield them in the day of battle and the hour of peril, bear them in His mighty hand, make them strong and confident, invincible in the bloody onset; help them to crush the foe, grant to them and to their flag and country imperishable honor and glory --
An aged stranger entered and moved with slow and noiseless step up the main aisle, his eyes fixed upon the minister, his long body clothed in a robe that reached to his feet, his head bare, his white hair descending in a frothy cataract to his shoulders, his seamy face unnaturally pale, pale even to ghastliness. With all eyes following him and wondering, he made his silent way; without pausing, he ascended to the preacher's side and stood there waiting. With shut lids the preacher, unconscious of his presence, continued with his moving prayer, and at last finished it with the words, uttered in fervent appeal, "Bless our arms, grant us the victory, O Lord our God, Father and Protector of our land and flag!"
The stranger touched his arm, motioned him to step aside -- which the startled minister did -- and took his place. During some moments he surveyed the spellbound audience with solemn eyes, in which burned an uncanny light; then in a deep voice he said:
"I come from the Throne -- bearing a message from Almighty God!" The words smote the house with a shock; if the stranger perceived it he gave no attention. "He has heard the prayer of His servant your shepherd, and will grant it if such shall be your desire after I, His messenger, shall have explained to you its import -- that is to say, its full import. For it is like unto many of the prayers of men, in that it asks for more than he who utters it is aware of -- except he pause and think.
"God's servant and yours has prayed his prayer. Has he paused and taken thought? Is it one prayer? No, it is two -- one uttered, the other not. Both have reached the ear of Him Who heareth all supplications, the spoken and the unspoken. Ponder this -- keep it in mind. If you would beseech a blessing upon yourself, beware! lest without intent you invoke a curse upon a neighbor at the same time. If you pray for the blessing of rain upon your crop which needs it, by that act you are possibly praying for a curse upon some neighbor's crop which may not need rain and can be injured by it.
"You have heard your servant's prayer -- the uttered part of it. I am commissioned of God to put into words the other part of it -- that part which the pastor -- and also you in your hearts -- fervently prayed silently. And ignorantly and unthinkingly? God grant that it was so! You heard these words: 'Grant us the victory, O Lord our God!' That is sufficient. the *whole* of the uttered prayer is compact into those pregnant words. Elaborations were not necessary. When you have prayed for victory you have prayed for many unmentioned results which follow victory--*must* follow it, cannot help but follow it. Upon the listening spirit of God fell also the unspoken part of the prayer. He commandeth me to put it into words. Listen!
"O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle -- be Thou near them! With them -- in spirit -- we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it -- for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.
(*After a pause.*) "Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it, speak! The messenger of the Most High waits!"
It was believed afterward that the man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said.

100 years later and the things he wrote about are being enacted all over again. American soldiers committing atrocities and torture; authority figures extolling the virtue of America 'rescuing' people from tyranny; the religious duty of the White Man to those poor heathens, greed, and exploitation, etc. Ok so maybe I am using this as a platform. But seriously haven't we learned that violence and aggression only leads to increased conflict?

Twig Borers aka My New Enemy

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sun, 27 May 2007 23:16:00 +0000

I have been working on this farm for 8 weeks now and it has been a huge learning experience. I came to the painful realization Friday that work on a farm, especially an organic farm, is never complete. For the 8 weeks I've been here I have been charged with the task of weeding, either by hand or using a weedwhacker. We finally completed the 5 acres about 3 weeks ago and it felt great to have accomplished something, to see results from my labor. Friday I was to begin a new project, ridding all the infected trees of the twig borers. I set out at the bottom of the farm and as I began I noticed that the weeds had already grown back around the trees. So much for my sense of accomplishment. Never again will I complain about the price of organic produce.
Now about those twig borers or ambrosia beetle or for their technical name, Xylosandrus compactus...
The female beetles bore holes into the branches of the coffee trees and cause a white fungus to grow (ambrosia), and then she lays her eggs on top of this fungus for her young to feed on once they hatch. The hole-boring process causes the branch tips to wilt, turn yellow, and then eventually die. This obviously creates problems for the coffee farmers because the death of these branches cuts back on the amount of viable crop. The trees are most succeptible to the twig borer during times of drought when they aren't getting the nutrients they need and are therefore stressed. The Kona coffee farmer has been dealing with a drought since 2003 so these little suckers have been reproducing in record numbers.
There seems to be no way to control these buggers. The safest way to help is to keep the trees healthy by frequent watering and fertilization. I am currently trying to get rid of the branches that are already affected. The prominent sign of infestation is premature yellowing of the leaves. Once the branches are located we bend them to test for weakness. If infested the branch will break where the beetle entered and then we remove and destroy them.
If my 8 weeks have taught me anything it's that when all the twig borers are destroyed there is sure to be something else to occupy my days. Maybe I will start unwrapping vines...again.

My Other Family...the Chickens

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:09:00 +0000

One thing that is hard to get used to on the farm are the chickens. Watching the way they move can provoke some great laughter and then at 4am when the roosters start crowing and the hens start clucking they become the object of some serious aggression. I'm almost used to the early morning noises...almost. There are still mornings however, when I can think of nothing better than making some chicken enchiladas. Chickens are funny birds. They sleep in the trees and when the hens lay an egg it's chicken mayhem over here. I've learned a bit about them these last few months. For example I've always wondered what the difference is between the eggs we eat and the eggs that become baby chicks. For any of you that wonder the same I have some interesting information for us.
Domestic chickens lay one egg every 26 to 28 hours (about one egg a day) for a period of 4 to 6 days. If the egg has not been fertilized, then the egg cell within will never grow or divide, and the egg will never hatch. The eggs you buy at the supermarket are eggs that have never been fertilized. If the egg has been fertilized then the embryo inside has already divided several times but remains a group of unspecialized cells. When the egg is incubated at about 37 to 38 °C, the embryonic cells differentiate to form a chick, which will hatch after 21 days. If the chickens are being raised to produce eggs, then the hens are kept away from the roosters, and the eggs are collected as they are laid.
Currently on the farm we have about 20 chicks that have hatched within the last week from 2 hens. They are the cutest things you have ever seen. That is until they grow up to make as much noise as the adults.
Yesterday the chickens provided us with an entirely new form of entertainment. We were able to witness their mating rituals. The rooster called the hen, she laid in the grass, he circled her with one wing raised, and then proceeded to do his business. After he was finished, about 5 seconds later, she continued laying while he stood next to her until he was ready to go again. This continued for about an hour until the hen appeared to be lifeless. I guess we'll know in 21 days.

Birthdays

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sun, 20 May 2007 19:15:00 +0000

I exited my mid twenties yesterday, yup. I love birthdays. They bring an opportunity to examine your life, as Neruda says, "with no witness but the moon." I woke up to the waves crashing on the beach and as I dug my toes into the cool sand I thought about this last year and what it has brought. I am so grateful for the experiences I have had and the people that have been and have come into my life. The day was refreshing. I had some coffee, went for a swim, ate banana macadamia nut pancakes and ice cream of course, read, heard from loved ones, and had a party on the beach with my Ohana or Hawaiian family. This will probably be my only Hawaiian birthday and it was definitely a memorable one. Now the day is over and I am still thinking about what this next year will hold. I wish to let go more, to continue growing, understand more, to love more deeply, listen more, breathe, choose bravery more often, believe more, to surrender, to trust myself, to walk eyes wide open, and to become more of my true self.

Traveling

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Fri, 18 May 2007 21:50:00 +0000

When writing about the need to travel Kent Nerburn said, "If we don't offer ourselves to the unknown, our senses dull, our world becomes small and we lose our sense of wonder, our eyes don't lift to the horizon, our ears don't hear the sounds around us, the edge is off our experience, and we pass our days in a routine that is both comfortable and limiting."
Perhaps you have noticed my blogging absence...I have been traveling. I spent this last week hiking and camping across the rest of this island. I can't even begin to describe all of my experiences so I will give a short list of what we got ourselves into.
- driving off road for 2 hours to find 2 remote black sand beaches
- heading to southpoint where the wind has caused the trees to all stretch towards the north
- off roading again to a green sand beach
- camping in Volcanoes National Park
- hiking 12 miles across lava fields
- walking into the woods to find naturally occurring steam baths (think lava hut)
- swimming in volcanically heated pools
- walking 8 miles to an ice cream shop that was closed
- walking through rainforest to waterfalls that drop up to 450 feet
- camping on the beach
There are so many stories and adventures within that list and I am so glad I was able to take some time to see and really experience this amazing place that I am calling home. Since I can't possibly portray this in words please check out my photos at www.flickr.com/photos/farmermeg

World Fair Trade Day

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Tue, 08 May 2007 02:02:00 +0000

Just a quick note to let you all know that this Saturday is world fair trade day. Now would be a great time to learn more about fair trade or to make an effort to buy more fair trade products or to encourage some of the companies you give your money to to offer more fairly traded goods.
If you're looking for something to do this weekend head over to Roh's Street for their Fair Play Fest. These guys not only brew and sell fair trade but they are directly involved with the community of Santa Maria de Jesus in Guatelmala. They will be unveiling the first micro-crop from the farmers of Santa Maria. What a great opportunity to see what you're supporting when you support Roh's Street. Stop by and I guarantee that Les will make you an amazing cappucinno. Saturday nights music includes one of my local fav's, For Algernon. If you're lucky maybe Jason will rock out on the ukelele.
For more info check out their website...www.rohsstreetcafe.com
I wish I could be there!

I miss...

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Mon, 07 May 2007 21:45:00 +0000

I had a hard time falling asleep last night. My mind would not slow to the Hawaii pace that my body has grown accustomed to. And so I lay awake thinking of how excited I am to see Steve this week and just how much I miss the other things in my life, the things that can't get on a plane to come visit.
I miss Monday nights at mom and dad's. I miss sewing with my mom and then enjoying her talent for cooking the most delicious meals. I miss chatting with my dad and learning from his wisdom mixed with the perfect amount of wit. I miss my brother's laughs; infectious and a reminder that we are still children somewhere inside. I miss looking up from the busyness of the Emporium to see my best friend working away on her next brilliant idea. I miss thoughtful meals prepared with Steve; the way we care for one another through nourishment. I miss Tuesdays at Tuckers and Saturdays at Findlay and Sunday brunch with Elisabeth. I miss the gentle hum of the LaMarzocco. I miss making Bill the perfect cappucinno, and sharing espresso readings with Jon. I miss Nancy's spirit. I miss the choreographed dance my fellow baristas and I perform as we move through a rush. I miss Rachel's smile and Shane's hand gestures. I miss Amy's humor and Drew's style. I miss Adrienne's spunk and energy. I miss walking by to see Tony roasting late into the night filling the city with our version of aromatherapy. I miss hikes with Kenya and snuggling with Stella.(my dog and cat) I miss the ease of shared laughter with close friends. I miss walks to Kentucky and bike rides to Northside. I miss Riverside and Song Long and Melt and Udipi and Slims and Aglameses and LaTaqueria Mexicana...
You want to know what I really miss? BATHS!

If I didn't mention you it's not because I don't miss you it's because this was my stream of consciousness associated with my insomnia.

Why I do what I do

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sun, 06 May 2007 05:47:00 +0000

The consumption of coffee has attracted controversy since it's beginning. Most people are shocked to know that coffee is the second highest traded commodity, behind oil. Coffee! The beverage that most people rely on to start their day, or as a vehicle for social interaction, or use for intellectual stimulation is more important globally than most care to think about. But this is why I do what I do. Sure I love the atmosphere of the coffee shop and being a part of customers' lives but I am driven first and foremost by a passion for social change. There is so much talk and debate about the best way to work in this business. Do you buy fair trade or organic or from origin or whatever is cheapest? Everyone thinks they have the answer and in my opinion not many are doing it right.

So here is a brief description of fair trade:
-the trading of goods that creates relationships between producers, traders, and consumers in a manner that producers work in safe conditions, are paid fair wages, and are mindful of the environment
-it is meant to empower farmers in developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the land (harmful agrochemicals and GMO's are strictly prohibited), and developing business skills needed to compete in the global marketplace (use of direct trade)

With fair trade becoming such a hot topic and with companies such as Walmart offering products with the "fair trade" label, fair trade itself has come under scrutiny. Here inlies the difference between what we'll call shallow fair trade and deep fair trade. Because this is becoming such a growing profitable industry it's no wonder that the corporate giants are jumping on. Shallow fair trade employs the same principles as corporate business and some including myself are beginning to question whether this is having an effect on the standards of fair trade. Not to mention the price of fair trade coffee is still terribly low. So fair trade as we know it isn't cutting it.
Now there is a move to buy directly from origin. Great idea! But alone I don't feel that this is enough either. See fair trade establishes regulations that in principle are a great starting point. In the end though it should be more than a label. It is an opportunity to change things globally by valuing people over profit. I would like to see individual roasters work directly with the grower co-op's and show a committment to being a part of the lives of the people whose labor allows us all to be in business to begin with. And let's start conducting that business based on respect and relationship.

A great woman and writer wrote that "there can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do." Now you know why I do what I do and what I'm doing here. If I expect to be a part of change I figured the best way to understand a farmer's toil was to experience it.

Imitating Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Wed, 02 May 2007 07:32:00 +0000

Time seems to move differently here in Hawaii. The days are long and are met with a stillness that upon my arrival was unnerving. For a city girl like me the slow pace made me a bit anxious. Now that I've settled into this strange time space continuum I find it empowering. I spend my days doing work that is filled with silence. It's amazing that if you're used to constant noise how the absence of sound can be so loud. The absence of noise is what strikes you, what causes you to pay attention. I spend a lot of time in the field tearing up weeds and unwrapping vines from the coffee trees. Some of the trees, the ones I call "under attack", take up to 15 minutes to unravel. In that time I find myself thinking about the trees and what it is that may need to be untangled in my own life. I try to imitate the trees, to let go and give myself over to the process and time it takes to become untangled. I have always been someone who spends a lot of time in my head. Im learning that you can be in your head without thinking about your past or planning for your future. This experience is teaching me to be present in my moments.
Most of the farmers I've met have been gentle souls and have had a calm presence. I think their secret is in the ordinariness of their work. The ordinary becomes sacred on a farm. While the labor is intense the reward is a simplicity of spirit and the one thing you don't lack on a farm is time to think. At least not before the invention of ipods.

Surfing Lesson Round 2

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 06:25:00 +0000

Megan's 1st tip in surfing- when the wave takes you under don't fight it. The ocean will always win.
Tip number 2- when you see a wave you want to catch turn away and paddle like hell.
Tip number 3- make sure you are not too far forward on your board or else you will end up head over board and in a lot of pain.
That's right folks. Even after last weeks slice to the foot and racing stripe across my leg I decided to try my hand at surfing again. My goal is just to be able to stand at least once before I leave the island. Last week I rode a few on my stomach. This week I did the same. Then on one of the waves I forgot tip number 3 and it was not pretty. I went under and the board went over and the fin went in. Yup...Ouch! I found myself a bit timid after that and rightfully so but my determination and bull headedness won over and I was back on the board ready to take another wave or be taken. So I toughed it out and on my first wave back I bravely got up on my knees. On my second I was up in a lunge-like position, one knee down one knee up. I decided I would quit while I was ahead. After all, this is an improvement from last week. If all goes well I will be on my feet next week. I will be sure to keep you posted but until then I leave you with this...
MY BATTLE WOUNDS

Roasting Know How

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:49:00 +0000

I was sitting on the lanai this afternoon sorting coffee beans when Bob came out and asked if anyone would like to roast with him. Not wanting to alienate myself from my fellow interns anymore than I already have I supressed my teachers pet of an arm from instinctively shooting into the air. When it was apparent that no one else was going to volunteer I decided I could nonchalantly offer myself for the task. The only problem being the awkward length of time that had passed between Bob's request and my response. Roasting got off to a rocky start when I poured the beans a bit too slowly and with the help of the blower they decided to jump out. Ten pounds of coffee in the roaster minus a few fugitives and we were underway. Bob says, "I'll be right back," and I calmy continued roasting trusting that I would not be responsible for the process through the climax and finish. As the temperature rose and I heard the sound of the first crack and there was still no sign of Bob I began to panic. I have never roasted using a fluid bed roaster before and I definitely didn't want to be the intern that burnt the beans, or broke the machine. I reached deep into my memory bank and tried to remember the temperature that a full city roast should be ready and I went for it. Thanks to my common sense I figured it was probably a good idea to turn the blower off before dumping the coffee into the cooling bin. The coffee looked great in color and the machine wasn't broken so I figured why not try again and roast the rest. I finished another 10 pounds successfully and Bob still hadn't returned. I guess that's one way to train someone. It reminds me of when my folks told me if I wanted to leave the house I had to take the Honda. The Honda was a stick and I quickly learned to drive it. Trial by fire has proven to be effective for me.

You know you're a surfer when...

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:36:00 +0000

That's right folks. Yesterday I had my first surfing lesson from Chris Quinn. He's a haole (white man) who has lived here his whole life. His father was the first govenor of Hawaii and he is wonderfully quirky. He took me out for my first lesson yesterday and it was a blast. I can't stand yet but I got up on my knees once and I became really good at catching the surf and riding it in while laying on my stomach. I came out fairly unharmed, escaping with just some bruises from where the board met with my bones, a pretty serious cut on my foot from the coral, and as you saw a rockin stripe across my leg from the leash. I will hopefully be up on my feet next time and will remember to put sunscreen on my legs.

Happy Earth Day

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 22:17:00 +0000

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."
~Chief Seattle, 1855

Preserving our planet needs to take front stage in the way we live on a daily basis. For example, global warming is an increasing concern that could exponentially worsen if we continue to ignore the harmful effects of fossil fuels. Although our trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and this helps to slow down global warming, by ignoring recycling campaigns and choosing to cut down trees for paper production, we contribute directly to climate change. Irresponsible deforestation is contributing greatly to deaths resulting from floods and landslides. In 2004, as many as 1700 Haitians died as a direct result of illegal logging and deforestation. Cars and other vehicles are the primary culprits behind smog. According to the web site of the Environmental Protection Agency, one in three people is at risk of experiencing respiratory ailments due to smog.

Should we choose to ignore preservation and conservation, our planet’s resources will suffer from mismanagement. The consequences are critical:
-Pollution (air, land and water) from smog, acid rain, animal wastes seeping into our drinking water
-Disease and pandemics such as SARS, bird flu, asthma and other respiratory diseases
-Food shortage impacted by breakage in the food chain
-Poverty - a larger rift will emerge dividing the rich and powerful from the working class
-Homelessness becomes a natural consequence of poverty
-Extinction will accelerate ending forms of life on our planet
Such consequences affect our daily lives in terms of transportation, heating, housing concerns, etc. To minimize their effects an important first step is to become an advocate for the issues that are important to your community.

It is easy to keep up-to-date with the issues that affect our environment. The web provides a wealth of information ranging from the laws before Congress to practical information for home owners and businesses. It also provides many forums where you can not only share information but meet people and be part of organizations that help you to become an advocate for the environmental issues that are important to you. I would encourage everyone to use this day as a starting point for change in your own life. Whether it's by going down to Sawyer Point to meet up with some of the things going on in our city, riding your bike today, researching recycling in your neighborhood, taking your own bag to the grocery store, your own mug to your favorite coffee shop, or just educating yourself on the issues we currently face. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of the land we have inherited. Not everything we do needs to be on a grand scale but the old saying is true, "every little bit helps."
Happy Earth Day from Hawaii!