BRB FAN-GIRLING OVER THE LAST AMERICAN MAN

The title of today's post- BRB (be right back) FAN- GIRLING (the reaction of a girl after she meets someone she is obsessed with, usually inducing the reactions of shortness of breath, fainting, high pitched noises, fierce head shaking as if in a seizure, and endless blog posts)- all has to do with my meeting of The Last American Man Eustace Conway.

Eustace came to the Furman University campus to speak to us about his life on his 1000 acre wildlife preserve called Turtle Island, located near Boone, North Carolina. There, he lives a completely naturalistic lifestyle that has been forgotten in our developed world. Mr. Conway brings people "back to the basics" in the best way possible- by opening their eyes to the fact that we are connected to the natural world around us, and how we chose to live not only will positively or negatively impact it, but us as well.

While I was listening to Eustace, I was completely blown away not only by how amazing his stories were, but also by how truly humble he was. I think finding someone as genuine as Mr.Conway is a true rarity in life, and should be greatly treasured. He has so many accomplishments, a few including:

Moving into the woods at age 17 and living there for the next 17 winters

At 18, canoeing 1000 miles on the Mississippi River

Completing the entire 2000 mile journey of the Appalachian Trail

Kayakeing the entire southern coast of Alaska encountering whales and icebergs

Setting the world record for coast to coast horse travel in 103 days

and just being super awesome in general

Eustace told us that Earth is the support system for all life. He believes one of the biggest problems with society is the complete disconnect we have to this system. His grandfather is the one who taught him to be meaningful (in my mind I was like yo Eustace same here lets be best friends!). He has a spiritual connection with the land, because of the mutual relationship he shares with it. He beseeches modern society to answer this question to increase their self awareness: How much are we using and how much are we putting back? He warns that society can only consume so much before the cutoff point, which he argues is very near. He profoundly states that- we only have one life and it is an amazing thing, so don't follow like sheep in the wrong direction. He continues "if you don't change the direction you are heading, you are likely to end up where you are going."

Of course I was sitting there silently grinning while also yelling "PREACH EUSTACE" in my head. I had to met him. It was imperative. So afterwards I dragged my friends to the line forming in front of him. Actually, they reluctantly walked down the theater aisle, I jumped over the seats clumsy. We eventually walked onto stage and shook hands with him. IT WAS AWESOME. I felt like a pilgrim out in the woods of The Great Awakening listening to a very nice version of Jonathan Edwards. I swear, Mr. Conway looked right into your SOUL. He asked what I was thinking about doing, and I responded (in somewhat alien language since I was fangirling so hard) "sustainability." He said,"alright, well sustainability is where it is at, it is brings all this together." I just nodded dumbfoundedly since I had his approval. I asked if I could have a picture for this blog, he said "alright blog here we come!" (I died a little inside out of joy). 

P.S- did you know that Eustace Conway is on History Channels hit show, Mountain Men?!? He said he struggled to be on the show, since he does not own a TV. However, it was a good way to spread his message, and he says, if you are going to watch TV, why not make it good TV.

Pictures to follow!!!

Happy Cow Pictures!!

A soil sample that shows how great the soil is with good farming practices 

A field that his cows will graze on.

Farmer Tom :)

Add baby cow to the list of animals I am sneaking into the dorm room.

This pond collects the runoff of the farm and then turns it into the main water source. This way, substances like manure will not enter local watersheds. 

Happy Cows!

The trip back- sporting a happy cow hat

Feelin Farmy Part Two- Happy Cow Edition

Alright so I said this week was very farm oriented. The second place I want to talk about just might be the greatest place ever- sorry Disney World. It's-

HAPPY COW CREAMERY!

This creamery has very a unique story and lifestyle. The owner and founder is farmer Tom Trantham. His story of hard work is utterly inspiring. As he told us about his story, I frantically wrote as much as I could in my scrawl. I will try to relay it back as best as I can and hopefully no misinformation will be given! I have attached the link to the Happy Cow website. Out of all of the links I have put up on this blog, this is the most important. You have an obligation to click on it and watch the video on the beginnings of Happy Cow. SO DO IT thank you :) 

http://www.happycowcreamery.com/

Alright here is my version of the summary:

Tom Trantham bought his first grocery store at 22 years old. He had learned the business from his father. Even though the store was doing well, he was miserable. He expanded the business and bought one of the largest independent grocery stores in San Diego- but found that he still dreaded the alarm going off in the morning. He then decided to sell it all and move back to the south to become a farmer. Everyone in the business told him it’s all about produce produce produce- you have to start producing. With the use of a lot of fertilizers, by 1981 he was one of the top producers in the state, but he was broke. The 80s were a bad time. 1986 was the worst drought seen in the South Carolina region in 100 years. Everything on his land was dried up and burnt to a crisp. It was then that ABC wanted to come out and talk about how the drought is affecting the local farmers. At first he said no, but Tom told us one of the most important things I have heard this year- the biggest problem is our lack of knowledge about the truth- we are misinformed. Because of this, he decided to go on the news and inform people about what corporate America tries to cover up. He showed the news around his farm, and the segment aired that day. After this, a man in Indiana got in contact with Tom and told him he had 8 acres of alfalfa he wanted to give him. The only thing was, he had to come and get it. Well, Tom told us that his little pick up could not carry 8 acres worth of alfalfa. There was yet another miracle as Conoco Gas heard about his predicament and supplied trucks and trailers for him to pick up the alfalfa.

After this, Tom was finally caught up on his debt, but in 1987 he still needed money from the bank for fertilizers. With his current situation, he was denied. This next part Tom claims actually happened:

He said his 17 year old cow could sense something was wrong with him, so she called a meeting with the other cows. She told the other cows that “Tom is meaner than a goat,” we must not be producing enough milk. The cows looked over and saw a neighboring field filled with oats and other wild plants. It was then that the cows decided to break out of their fence and eat the plants on the field. Like a stamped the cows trampled over the fence and starting grazing on the discarded land. Even though this field was not fenced, none of them left. Tom said he saw this happen and had decided to just give up. The cows were not producing milk, and now they were breaking out. Instead of getting his cows together, he went inside, defeated, and watched TV. It was then that something crazy happened. The next day, after the cows were back in their enclosed area, they produced 200 lbs of milk. He let them graze again and they produced 500 lbs more. After researching this phenomenon, Tom figured out that he had been feeding the cows the wrong nutrients. When he fed them, he gave them the whole plant. However, after looking at the field the cows grazed on, he saw that they only ate the top part of the plant. This is because the top part is the most nutritious and digestible part for the formation of milk. The bottom part of the plant is basically just a woody material that provides support, which inhibits the cows from producing milk. Further, he found that the cows could eat the top half, the horses the bottom half, goats could the remains, pigs would come and eat the roots, and then chickens would get any scraps. This way, an entire field can be utilized!

Farmer Tom has practically zero waste- everything is a resource. He has not used chemicals for over 26 years. Big corporate companies use animals like a machine. The average cow for them is good for about 3-4 lactations. Tom has cows that are over 15 years old. For 17 years he worked a 16 hour day 7 days a week because he believed in what he was doing. He says that milk does unbelievable things when it is not contaminated. After drinking his milk, I could not agree more. I’m guessing my classmates were happy as well since we all bought gallon jugs like the world was about to end. 

More Pictures of the Furman Farm

COMPOST

Notice Gandalf the White chillin in the background

BRUCE

Gabby!

Feelin Farmy Part I

AYO PEEPS!

This week has been quite eventful. Everything revolves around FARMS!!

Farms and gardens play a very important role in my life- I absolutely love them.  My two grandfathers always had a garden. I can distinctly remember running after them in the hot Alabama sun, wanting to help in any way. I remember how prickly the okra was on my fingers, and how I would sprint away from the billy coats as they tried to eat my shirt. The biggest thing I remember about the gardens is how much work went into them, but how selflessly my grandfathers would give the actual “fruits of their labor” away to friends and family. Sometimes the humidity in Alabama is so thick that it feels as though you are breathing in water. My grandfathers worked in that, not because they needed the food for survival, just so they could share it. I think this is a big attraction about farms for me. Farmers might be growing their crops for income, but it is a lifestyle, and there is love behind it. Sadly, both of my grandfathers passed away within weeks of each other my junior year in high school. I think they would be very pleased with how garden savvy I have become.

SO! The first agricultural plot of land I would like to highlight upon is the Furman Farm, located behind the beautiful Shi Center for Sustainability. My task for the week was to volunteer at least an hour towards working on the farm. Before coming to Furman, I thought Miracle Grow, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and all other cides were needed for proper food production. Well, I was wrong. Actually, these are not required at all, and they do more harm than good in the long run. I could go into great detail about the evils of the farm practices listed above, but I’ll save that knowledge for my next Earth and Environmental Science exam. I have attached a website called "Sustainable Baby Steps"- its is super great in describing the effects of chemical fertilizer. http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/effects-of-chemical-fertilizers.html

Walking up to the Furman Farm, I met Bruce, the farm manager. He is a very kind man, and was more than happy to show me around. The place is amazing! It was teeming with life that was developing to its fullest extent without the harsh use of chemicals. Instead of artificial chemicals to support growth, the farm uses its own compost. This is basically a huge pile of dark soil-like material that consists of food and paper waste (especially form the Furman Dining Hall!!) and organic matter. I shoveled the compost into a wheel barrel and placed it on some newly planted vegetables. While doing this, I stepped in a huge ant bed. Before I knew it, ants were covering my shoe, and if there is one thing you need to know about me, it’s that Elly and bugs do not get along. So yes, I lost my environmental cool for a second, it happens. My friend Gabby went to go get some coffee grounds to cover the bed. The coffee grounds are a natural and safer substitute for pesticide. The acidity does not bother us, but it will effectively kill the ants. I said, “SCREW THE COFFEE GROUNDS, BRING OUT THE BUG ZAPPER SRAY!!” I had a lapse ok?! However, I got my cool back, remembered I love the environment and all its creatures, and I think because of this, did not receive one ant bite.

After the compost, I helped Gabby plant about 32 baby brussel sprouts. Once we were done, I was told to go get some tea to water the newly planted sprouts with. I was super confused, like Milos Tea?? That stuff is good; I want to drink it not pour it out. Well it isn’t actually tea… I what looked like a giant trashcan and peeked in. Inside, there was brown liquid sloshing around. Do not be grossed out because it smelled so good, like mint! Apparently this is what the farm uses instead of a miracle grow type substance.  It is basically like liquid compost that they make themselves.

I only worked on the farm for about an hour, but in that time I gained massive respect for those who are out there every day. It is a hard business, and one that I think society tends to overlook. The Furman Farm is doing an amazing job growing all their food in a sustainable fashion. I think the farm is able to coexist with its surroundings in ways that others cannot. Without the use of agrochemicals, not only will the soil prosper, but also the well-being of the entire place. I hope to volunteer again soon, and see how my brussel sprouts are doing! Now I just have to start liking them….

Before the compost

After the compost