Update From The Field: James Edmondson (SAA alumnus)

Update From The Field: James Edmondson (SAA Alumnus)

We love our alumni. It is deeply encouraging to learn how our students have gone on to apply the skills they’ve learned here in fruitful ways. We wanted to share with you this note that James Edmondson sent our way…

“I experienced Winter for the first time at the SAA. The often bitter cold was such that any source of warmth was sanctified and relished; steaming bone broth at sunrise, insulated equine gloves for the morning livestock routine and the deific wood fire place all became commonplace necessities of the farm’s winter lifestyle. It’s funny how warm the memory feels, tucked nostalgically into the past, when the experience itself was wrought with a martial sense of struggle to embrace the elements.

This latest Summer season has rekindled a lifestyle I thought I’d left at the SAA: I joined Sweetgrass Grazing and became a shepherd again! Back at the Golden Rule I helped Ruthie King holistically manage our mini-flock of 6-14 Icelandic sheep. With Sweetgrass I became co-responsible for hundreds of the flighty fluffers, grazing around the county on contract with a surpassingly lovely crew. It was marvelous work which balanced the considerations of fuel load reduction, ecological restoration, animal husbandry and client satisfaction. I’m giddy with gratitude for the time spent and skills learned at the SAA for allowing me to participate in wonderful work like this!” – James Edmondson

Here at the School of Adaptive Agriculture we are in the business of equipping the current and next generation with the essential skills in the science, art and business of food production. At this time of year, we turn to our community for support to replenish our scholarships and for funds needed to run the high quality, holistic educational programing we are known for. Your support is vital to our success in 2019. Please contribute to our end of year fundraising drive today and help train the next generation of farmers. Together we will have a greater impact on our local food system and economy in the years to come.