Apart from all the Educational Psychology work, Shiatsu and Chi Nei Tsang sessions and teaching Buddhism and practicing yoga and meditation, I am also developing my skills in Horticulture. And today I got a place as a volunteer Trainee Grower in ‘Plants and Production’. I am delighted!

It all started in May 2022, when I started a Level 1 City and Guilds Horticulture course at Organiclea, a worker’s cooperative north of Chingford. I had heard about it because it was where I was getting my weekly bag of locally grown, seasonal organic veg.

As a new year’s resolution, in January 2022, I had signed up to Organiclea’s Fruit and Veg Box Scheme . I wanted to contribute to minimising the disastrous effects of the climate emergency in this essential way – to be the change I wanted to see in the world. I had come to face the truth that the lives of all living beings on the planet are at risk of extinction. So many ‘tipping points’ have been passed… we are facing mass species extinction…. what can I, as an individual, do about it?, I wondered.

I decided to be conscious about the food I ate – I was already eating as a vegan and wanted to do more – and Organiclea’s food is produced with in reach of the city, without the harm caused by pesticides, herbicides – and not linked to animal farming, which is cruel and environmentally destructive. For the amount, variety and tastiness of the food, this was a cheaper and easier way to get quality produce. And the energy that was imbued in the food was exquisite, complex, ‘happy’ – another blessing!

Back to the Horticulture Training story… after doing Level 1, I realised that I loved horticulture. Even more, it was really lovely just being on the farm and bonding with the plants and the soil itself and being part of this community.

In July, at the end of the course, a group of us encouraged each other to go to an open evening where we could learn more about the Level 2 course. We filled in a long forms and did an assessment there and then and pick a course. I decided to go for the Level 2 in Practical Horticultural Skills – after all, I needed to learn the basics and it was on a day of the week that I could do. I was delighted when weeks later, I received an email offering me a place on the course.

I decided I would need time to practice more on the farm. I did one of the monthly Volunteer Induction Sessions – I think it was the first Wednesday in September 2022. And just like that, I was free to come on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11am and do some volunteering with anyone else who was there too. I chose to go on Wednesdays. Here’s a picture of one session on the farm, in September when the leeks are ready for harvesting.

In October, my Level 2 Course started and initially it was a bit tricky, getting into the new vocabulary, learning to use the tools properly, making compost and making leaf mould. I also learnt how to use secateurs properly and got my first pair of secateurs. I tried my best to keep up with the homework and prepare for the assessments. There were interesting people to talk to when there was the chance – it was enjoyable way to spend the first few months of my ‘semi-early retirement’.

By the time we finished the first term’s work, it was December, and our final practical assessment of the year was to prune fruit trees in winter!

That night the temperature dropped and it snowed. We came to a snowy white Organic lea that was more beautiful than ever.

Here I am next to my little apple tree, all set to start the pruning!

So then came Janaury 2023 and I joined up on the New Entrants Start-up Scheme (NESS) – that is another story.

Then I heard about some volunteer trainee placements and looked into it and decided to give it ago and apply. I did the interview yesterday and today, 15 March 2023, I got a call to say that I have a place: I am going to be a Trainee Grower in Plants and Production. I am amazed. It has all happened so fast.

I’m following my heart, seeing where it leads, catching and honouring the thread of grief, hope and blessings for all beings throughout all time and space. And it is leading to the soil, to the earth, to the plants and animals – human ones included – all Earthlings.