Yesterday I did something unusual for me… I went and got a haircut.

Normally, I cut my own hair at home to save money. But I’d heard that the local beauty college only charges eight dollars, so I made an appointment.

Sitting in a smock under the bright lights of the beauty college, I settled into the swiveling chair. A young woman sectioned off my hair with a plastic clip, and as the scissors began to snip, we started to talk. She shared with me that she was from the Salinan Tribe, native people of this land on the Central Coast. She spoke about her family, about growing up here, and how much has changed.

She shared that many of the native plants her family once relied on for food don’t grow well anymore because of the shifting climate; and that grape cultivation, which is extensive in this area, has lowered the water table, making droughts worse and fueling the fires we face every year.

She shared her frustration at the destruction, the inequality, the passivity. When I asked her what her tribe’s message is to the people living here now she paused.

Holding her scissors in mid air she took a breath and said: “Plant a garden.”

Grow nourishing food. Grow any natives you still can. Develop a reciprocal relationship with the land.

Those words have been echoing in my mind ever since. Plant a Garden.

Because after five years of building a food forest, I’ve come to the same truth.

When we look at all the problems facing us today - it’s just too overwhelming.

But when we look at the heart of the problem - it’s so simple. We are not in harmony with earth, and therefore not in true harmony with one another or even ourselves.

When I first began this food forest, I never imagined how transformative planting a garden would be. I can’t say it changes everything. But it has shifted my worldview. It has helped me step into sovereignty, into my power, and is guiding me into a life more aligned with truth and reciprocity.

And maybe that’s what the world needs most right now… more people connected to Mother Earth, standing in their power, and choosing to live in reverence with the land. Starting with whatever we have.

Because it’s not how big our project is that matters, it’s how profoundly it transforms us.

I’m going to be silent for a bit on my channel and newsletter - there’s a lot happening at Goldifarms right now (big surprises in store). On Monday, we start the 4-Week Food Forest Experience, if you’re interested in joining us you can check out here. I’d love to see you there.

🧡 Erin

P.S I really enjoyed this quote I came across by Zach Weis, whose water cycle restoration work I deeply admire:

"In the face of challenges, remember that nature is not something separate from us - we are nature. Our landscapes are reflections of our choices, our focus, and our collective consciousness. Our efforts are not just about restoring the water cycle; they are about restoring our relationship with mother Earth.

As you navigate the complexities of ecosystems and engage in the art of restoration, trust in the wisdom of nature. Approach your work not as conquerors, but as humble listeners to the whispers of the wind, the rambles of the rivers, and the sensory language of the soil.

Together, we are part of a narrative that transcends individual actions. It is a story of healing, rejuvenation, and deep reverence for the intricate web of life.

Let your work be a love letter to the Earth, a testament to our ability to collaborate with nature rather than exploit it."