Previously, we mentioned that our vision is to be more food secure by growing, raising, and hunting our own food. To do so, we hope to own our land and have the land provide the food for ourselves, our family, and our friends. Our mission of sustainability and food security is a lofty one. My grandfather would even say that our dream is a “pie in the sky.” However, I think that just the act of working towards this goal is worthwhile. The more we can rely on the land for our food and the less we rely on the grocery stories, the better for us and for the land. So, our goal may never be 100 % actualized, but we may be able to eat more sustainably and ethically.
Our dream for our garden is to grow a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, organically. What we are envisioning for our garden relies heavily on crop rotation, companion planting, and square foot gardening. Additionally, our land management requires chickens, goats, and pigs to graze and fertilize the land. With a system of compost in place to rejuvenate and fertilize the soil, we should be able to sustain food production on even a few acres. All this may sound very familiar to you. We are looking at the ways our ancestors farmed the land and turning to their wisdom to guide our plans.
While horticultural practices are invaluable, we also want to care for the native plants, animals, and insects too. I have been researching and planning a wildlife friendly native garden that will be a haven for local plants, birds, and insects, while also being an oasis for us as well. I want to design a garden for every season and provides edibles for both wildlife and humans. Planting native species in a garden and allowing areas to grow wild is a balancing act that can be sustainable and low maintenance, once that balance is struck.
Getting to know that land is an important first step in creating harmony with nature. Native spaces in the yard can be an excellent way to forage wild blueberries, Saskatoon, rose hips, and even mushrooms. Sometimes a hard lesson to learn is that if we take care of nature, nature will also take care of us. We can deepen our relationship to the land by understanding how it grows and embracing that wildness instead of trying to tame it.
Hunting wild game is another way we can embrace what nature provides, while also advocating for the conservation of wild spaces in Alberta. To us, hunting is about more than the sport. Hunting is about spending time in our native forests, learning about the animals that live there, and using everything we harvest. Even though hunting is a huge part of our lifestyle, we accept that it isn’t for everyone. Each person should have the choice to decide what is best for their life. These are the choices that we have made for ourselves.
We hope to share our gardening, foraging, and hunting stories with people who share our passion. We are privileged with the knowledge that we are at the beginning of this adventure and want to share with you every chapter of this journey.
Follow along with us through our website and Facebook page @wildhearthacres