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21 January 2011
San Francisco Friendship Circle visited the farm in honor of Tu Bshvot, the Jewish New Year of the Trees. This week, the trees of the earth turn one year older. One more year of wildlife habitat, windbreak, and food forestry. And on that very same page, we rejoice this week as Hayes Valley Farm celebrates one year of existence. What an amazing alignment of celebration!
The Friendship Circle works to cultivate community amongst special needs children and their families, while at the same time providing leadership opportunities for middle and high school students. Children are partnered with mentoring teenagers in an effort to meaningfully contribute to each other's lives. Today’s friendship circle focused on the connection we share with trees and the connection shared amongst all living creatures.
We introduced ourselves in welcome circle, and each new friend chose the name of a tree as his or her nature name of the day. Olive trees were in plentiful bloom, as were fruit trees like apricot, cherry, and fig. Garden Educator Janelle chose to personify the oak tree, and one perceptive Friend connected oak tree to Oak Street which borders the farm. Trees of all forms and manifestations surround us everywhere, she said.
We meandered the farm- up the onramp, down the berms, through the compost station, across the river, and up to the cob oven. I’ve given the farm tour a number of times, and I’m amazed how it grows in new dimensions with each new group of participants. The farm tour was reinvented today in the context of trees- the strength of their roots, the shelter of their canopy, and the nourishment of their fruit. We were inspired by the following Tu Bshvot agenda:
A Tree's New Year Checklist:
- Did I shelter the seedlings that live in my shade -- so they will grow up to be a next generation like myself?
- Did I grow towards the sun as a tree should, reaching up higher and higher towards that which I can never grasp, but which nurtures me all the same the more I strive towards it?
- Did I make sure my roots remain firmly planted in the soil that nurtures them, and did I drop my leaves there in the fall to give back life to that which sustains me?
- Did I ensure that my fruits were sweet and nourished all that came to enjoy them? Did everyone walk away from me with a smile?
- Did I bend gently in the wind, accepting what G-d sends but never breaking or giving up hope?
- Did I grow in strength and wisdom with each new ring this year?
We closed the morning with snacktime- fruits of the earth- and songtime- melodies of our souls. Thank you, Friendship Circle, for reminding us to celebrate the trees.
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Over a thousand volunteers, neighbors, and community members have helped coordinate the farm efforts.
Looking forward to the next time,
Miryum