While the plants are dormant we can do both the garden work of harvesting willow, but also the big picture work of how we want to grow our community.

EartHand has spent the last year (not-so) quietly doing some deep-dives into understanding what our values are as well as researching systems for collectivizing ourselves. We are thrilled to bring this work back to the community for consideration and adaptation so we can co-create space for more individuals to step in and hold the labour of keeping the community functioning as a supportive community we are all proud to be participating in for our skill learning journeys.

Throughout this research time, an idea that kept popping up related to how our work circles around tending the two Environmental Learning Gardens of Trillium and Means of Production. The gardens are what we think of as the source for our Urban FibreShed, but how to think of the circles of individuals that gather with us all on varying learning and sharing journeys? I started to think of this as our SkillShed…. The collective of individuals who show up in various ways bringing what they can to join events or learning opportunities in a variety of ways.

Are you interested in being more involved in creating your dream SkillShed, a community formed around both tending the learning gardens, that also tends to our collective in a mutually supportive environment? I hope you can join us in person at the Strathcona Community Garden Eco-pavilion on Saturday January 25th from 10.30am to 4.30 pm. This date will also be an opportunity to hear back what we have heard folx are interested in learning with us this year!

space is limited, please get a ticket early here!

We have also set the date for our virtual AGM on Saturday Feb 22, a virtual meeting that will also be the unveiling for 2025 program lineup. Get a ticket here to join us!

And regarding all that willow to harvest… over the coming weeks we will have periodic semi- impromptu harvests as the weather forecast and schedules allow. Often this will be on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Are you interested in joining in?

email earthandgleaners(at)gmail.com with willow in the heading and I will send along an invite to our Slack channel where all the good stewardship things get posted.

Meanwhile, I hope to spend as much time in the weeks ahead with view from the trees something like this…

Wishing us all a gentle year for 2025.