Month: September 2020

well-being, What is Organic

What Does an Ecological Home Look Like?

Melody Meyer
This is what an Eco-Friendly home looks like in Iceland
Photo by Sharad kandoi on Unsplash

Ecological homes have been growing in popularity in the past few years. And there’s a good reason for it. We see our world in disarray—we are weathering a global pandemic and witnessing drastic changes in our climate. We all want to be part of the solution, and home is a good place to start.

I always wanted to build a new Eco-home but never had the financial fortitude to erect such a structure from scratch. I purchased a small “cabin” in the woods after the great 1989 Earthquake in Santa Cruz, CA. Over the years, I added additional space that included ecological attributes.  

Whether you are building a new home, adding square footage, or you just want to create a more earth-friendly environment, I have a few tips to help you create your Eco-Friendly home base:   

Continue reading “What Does an Ecological Home Look Like?” →
Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, What is Organic

This Holy Darkness Is a Call for Food Policy Change

Melody Meyer
Smoke and Haze fill the West Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash

As I write, the entire west is burning up in historic conflagrations.  According to Meteorologist Daniel Swain, “Around 3.5 million acres have burned so far in California in 2020. That’s around 3.5% of the entire land area of the state and is approaching *double* the previous record for the greatest acreage burned during a single year.”

The air is laced with smoke and ash; the orange sun some days does not come forth. The darkness shrouds me, and the air places a heavy weight on my chest.

The earth is sending us a message in this holy darkness—flames sown by our sturdy two-legged species; we have ingenious brains but hold no reverence for the future.

We act like animals in fights for survival as we subjugate her with overconsumption. Burning fossil fuels, destroying ancient forests for cheap hamburgers, farming with chemicals that add to global emissions.

I believe it need not be so and that we can begin to make a difference.

Continue reading “This Holy Darkness Is a Call for Food Policy Change” →
Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, well-being, What is Organic

Five Habits to Adopt to Keep you Healthy and Productive While Working from Home

Melody Meyer
Photo by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash

It’s been over 5 months of social distancing. If you’re lucky enough to have a job working from home, you probably consider yourself blessed. But staying focused, healthy and engaged in one room can take a toll on our body, mind and social spirit.

Here are five takeaways I have adopted that keep me fit and sane while earning a living at home.

Continue reading “Five Habits to Adopt to Keep you Healthy and Productive While Working from Home” →
Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Molino Creek Farm Ablaze with Fire and Hope – Give Them the Lift They Need to Alight Again

Melody Meyer
Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash

I will never forget the first time I bit into a dry-farmed, early-girl tomato. It was 1984, and I was working at Community Foods, a natural foods collective. A coveralled man offered me a box of these red orbs to sell in our store.

I found them to be a bit small. Since they were organic, which was hard to source in those days, I took a bite.

The sweet, seedy richness exploded and dripped. The very essence of tomato-hood danced in my mouth. They were exquisitely sweet and firm with a touch of tartness—like a complex wine.

The dusty local farmer, Mark Lipson, would someday become USDA’s first organic policy advisor. He is one of the founders of California Central Coast’s oldest dry-farmed organic tomato endeavors, Molino Creek Farming Collective.

Last week, this historic and iconic community farm was ravaged by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that exploded across the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

The pictures of the devastation are mortifying and terrifying!

Photo by Matt Howard on Unsplash
Continue reading “Molino Creek Farm Ablaze with Fire and Hope – Give Them the Lift They Need to Alight Again” →
Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Let’s Tip Towards Reason and Heal This Chaos

Melody Meyer
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

I can’t help but think it’s getting mighty precarious for our big-brained species from where I sit with ash raining down and smoke choking the air. The earth behaves like a petulant child, and we understand why we are the recipients of her fury.

We can choose to retreat for fear of fire and flood, pestilence and disease. Or we can decide to listen to the portend of her message and take action to put things back in order.

It used to be thrilling as a child! The wind, lightning and rain were a sign that mother nature was alive and vital. 

Now, the entire world is in peril, not just meteorologically but psychologically and philosophically: all have all gone off orbit.

Chaos reigns from the depths of both regions of the exterior and interior. While we prepare for the worst of it, yet to come, I serve forth learnings to keep us somewhat on the firm course of reason.

Continue reading “Let’s Tip Towards Reason and Heal This Chaos” →