Nestled in the low lying region east of the Coastal Range and west of the Cascades lies a near forty acre spread of farm land also home to one of the intentional communities here in the southern valley. Many of these communities have come into existence in this progressive New Age haven of the Pacific Northwest. The land on which I currently reside is the dream for sustainably minded agriculturist, dreamers, half baked ex Deadheads, and urbanites looking for a reprieve from city streets, urban sprawl, and noise. But there is a danger in bringing individuals from such various backgrounds under the banner of a "farm community" where very little farming is done and what has been done the past six years has all the hallmarks of reckless endeavors after long sessions over the bong. The actions have all the force of a great notion absent the passion and commitment to see the notion cultivated past the point of initial excitement. Before leases were signed the issue of starting a C.S.A. was broached and permission granted. But like most else verbal permission is undone by unspoken reservations and withholdings.
This self styled "farming" community has a philosophical foundation coming from a German commune called Zegg. The point of emphasis for Zegg (and the owners of this land) is that of polyamory, love, and openness in relationships (read free love) none of which I was interested in, being more "conventional" in relationships. Upon moving onto the property questions where asked about comfort level with other peoples sexuality which made little sense to me at the time being respectful of whatever types of relationships people chose to have given they are responsible and positive even if those types of relationships are not what I chose for myself. How this philosophical underpinning relates to farming will be developed in coming segments. But here I wish to draw a line. One cannot have a community which is agrarian in nature if the predominant philosophy is one dealing with sexuality namely sexual "liberation" which, in this context, looks more like unfettered hedonism. Yes, there will be much plowing and seed sowing occurring but very little of that to the actual soil. I am not saying that polyamory is not a valid form of relationship but I am saying that a hedonistic(pleasure above all) approach to sexuality cannot translate to a proper relationship with the land which involves discipline, single minded devotion, and a long term commitment to a single portion of the land. There are no closed systems or as my dear teacher at the ranch always said: "If you want a disciplined horse, you have to be a disciplined rider. If you want to be a disciplined rider you have to be a disciplined person. If you want to be a disciplined person you have to have a disciplined life." One cannot farm well (or allow the land to be farmed well) if the other portions of ones life are not handled with discipline, care, devotion, and self abnegation.
No comments:
Post a Comment