Wild Wanderings Blog – February 16, 2012

Hello everyone!

I appreciate the responses and emails I’ve received from my first post….many thanks! A question I’d like to address…How does “Traditional / Primitive” skills fit into farming / prepping etc? Well, obviously traditional fits well into the homesteading and farming mind-frame. But what about primitive? Sounds a bit outdated…doesn’t it? This is something I’ve struggled with for years promoting my School and programs. The word “primitive” simply means “first.” This early technology and hands–on experience made it possible for us to survive! Simply, we wouldn’t be having this interaction otherwise. Living off the land (or more accurately, with the land) was the only way that cultures survived.

The very word “Survival” is another interesting word. I can think of no other that conjures up so many different emotions in people. Everything from “cool” to “yuk” comes to mind for most folks. The word Survival is kind of like a skunk…it either attracts or repels. Yet, without that knowledge and wisdom we wouldn’t be here. Survival is your birthright! Having the skills to take care of your self is empowering. Technology promised many things, but clearly we’re seeing that it is a double-edged sword. Many people (I’m being polite here) have absolutely no clue how to provide for themselves. Most can’t even name 5 plants that grow in their front yard. The truth is, FREE food and medicine is everywhere!

Survival shows are all the rage in Hollywood these days. Since the show “Survivor” many others have sprouted. I laugh at them. It’s always the same… pitting man against this evil entity “Nature” in a life or death struggle to make it out alive. What a joke! That’s where our ancestors lived! They weren’t trying to get out of the woods…they were thriving there. What a concept? Somewhere along the line we’ve become disconnected. The fact that 50 million Americans are on food stamps speaks for itself. When did we, as a society, decide that relying on others was a “good” thing? Wow!... easy to see what a bad decision that was.

As I stated in my first post last week, I’m much more drawn to wildcrafting than farming. Funny, because I’m currently living on a 300 acre organic farm. Honestly, since I’ve been here I’ve been learning a lot about growing crops and raising animals. I view it as a good balance. That’s really where the real wisdom and power lies. Blending both worlds is a perfect marriage. Wild edibles are in great abundance here and grow alongside of the crops…how perfect. I truly look forward to learning about canning and such. Prepping, I feel is really important, but real power comes from your experiential knowledge. What’s in your head is more important than a stockpile of food you may have to protect…

Starting next week, I’ll be covering wild edibles as they become available. I’ll provide photo’s, general info and resources (recipes etc) to help you gain the confidence to properly identify and utilize these wonderful gifts of Nature. Having a few extra feathers in your cap is always a good thing:))

Richard Cleveland lives in Asheville, NC. He is the founder and director of Earth School. A self-trained Naturalist, fishing and nature guide, he has taught traditional native skills to thousands of people, of all ages. For info about his programs visit www.LoveTheEarth.com