“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.
Dan Hessey is a wonderful friend of Windhorse Farm. He visits us from Boulder, Colorado and has been known to teach awesome programs at the Farm. He was last here a few weeks ago for a gathering of earth stewards. He shared this description and poem with me today.
