Kim Barlow

Kim came to the farm in 1995 I think… She came to attend the Ecoforestry School of the Maritimes, one of the many WHF experiments over the years. She was the first woman in the program and was affectionately referred to as the eco-girl. She lived with her grandmother on the Branch road and would often ride her horse, Wentzell, through the forest to the Farm. Kim was an inspiration to me in my teenage years, a hard worker, fantastic musician and kind friend. She taught me to play banjo, introduced me to Michelle Shocked and showed me how cool it could be to be  girl on a farm full of eco-boys! Thank you Kim. xo

http://www.kimbarlow.ca/

After posting this last week I got a letter from Kim… Here is what she had to say-

“Last night I dreamt about Margaret and Marguerite, smiling, working in the dirt. Good to see you again! I planted my garden yesterday. I start one every spring, even though I’m usually away all summer touring with bands. For the last few years I’ve had a tag-team garden with a friend who’s away at university. I start the tomatoes and basil in February or March, then Sue comes back from school and takes over while I’m on the festival circuit.

My six month apprenticeship at Windhorse Farm:  Deep, soft moss and huge trees and lush green; blackflies covering my face while my hands are too busy to brush them off; those big good-natured horse, lots and lots of wagonloads of sawdust that we shoveled onto the trails; and strong-willed farmers with a compelling vision.

I grew up a quick horse-back ride through the woods from Windhorse Farm, but when I started working there I saw Nova Scotia in a new way. My family moved to NS from Quebec when I was little, and I  grew up awkwardly both local and “come from away”. Windhorse Farm is a dynamic experiment in meshing these two worlds. I loved working with the old-timers who taught us how to use a whipple tree and back up two horses and a wagon, who with bemused affection watched the newcomers fill in hayfields with nut trees and brush fences. There was tension and debate, and fun and good work happening all the time, and lots and lots of learning.

The Yukon is home now, but whenever I make it back to New Canada to visit, I walk down Wentzell’s Lake Road to marvel at Jim and Margaret’s dreams unfolding. When I have visitors with me, I bring them here for a  taste of what Nova Scotia could be again, starting in this 160-hectare corner of old-growth forest and lush, food-filled gardens. Happy growing season. “

Andrew Hazelden

“In 2006 I spent a month as a volunteer working in the gardens of Windhorse Farm. Jim and Margaret Drescher welcomed me into their space and I really benefited from their warmth and kindness. Living at Windhorse was an amazing experience for me as I learned so much from everyone on the farm.

I worked with Jamie Mulligan-Smith, the garden manager, and Jake Wentzel in April and May to prepare the gardens. I learned how to sow seeds in the garden, transplant young plants to the greenhouse, and uncover and prepare the perennial beds. I also did a little work to help Danielle who ran the Windhorse Farms Plant Nursery. Every day I learned new techniques and ideas. I was involved with some interesting projects like “sod conversions” and even got to do a bit of carpentry work to build some trellises for the beans to grow on. I also did some repair work on the old wooden garden shed.

Mornings started early with meditation and mindfulness exercises at Juniper and then I made my way over to the greenhouse to start the day. Every day as I went past the big old red barn, the chickens and horses were a delightful sight.

I lived in the Happy Jack cabin at the top of the hill in the woods. I learned how to make a fire and used a wood stove for heat. The photovoltaic solar panels on the cabin’s roof provided all the light in the evening which was perfect for reading a book or entertaining visitors. Every day I drew my water from the dug well by the cabin using a bucket lowered down on a rope. The water was crystal clear and had a cool refreshing taste.

Spending a sunny afternoon in the forest was always an amazing thing to experience. I would often wander the paths that wind their way throughout the forest. Often I sat near the stream and gazed at the water pouring over the stones. It is a wonderful feeling to take in the calmness of the forest. It is amazing how one can relax and unwind oneself in the company of nature. The forest makes you feel really connected with the environment as you experience the smells of the trees and the sounds of the birds. When you exit the forest you are left with a positive energy that livens your day.

I enjoyed the time I spent with Jim enormously and I really appreciate how he was willing to generously share his knowledge and wisdom with me. I gained a new appreciation for the woodlands when I was invited to follow along with Jim and a group of environmental studies students as he guided them though the forest and shared his ideas on forestry.

Some nights I would hike up to the pasture and watch the stars and the moon. The sky at Windhorse is unbelievably clear and magnificent due to the lack of light pollution. The light of the full moon would be enough to illuminate the paths through the woods. I would often lie down in the grass of the pasture, staring up at the night sky. I remember vividly that the starts of the milky way stood out brilliantly overhead.

The Windhorse fire circle is a special place, especially when it is shared with a group of good friends. I can recall in my mind’s eye one event more than any other. One night, near the end of my stay at Windhorse, when Jamie the garden manager brought out her fire spinning poi and performed an amazing fire dance around the fire circle. A few people were playing musical instruments and everyone at the fire circle was singing along. As Jamie danced to the music, the interwoven patterns of the fire spinning poi created glowing incandescent arcs and helical patterns in the air.

I think back very fondly of the times I have spent at Windhorse Farm. I’m always left with a special feeling that Windhorse is a magical place because of the unique combination of the great people who call it home and the natural, unspoiled beauty of the environment.”

Here are a couple great shots of Andrew with Jim and one of him with Scott Fotheringham. Thanks Andrew for your story. Hope to see you back at the farm soon.