This weekend, we spent the morning chasing baby bantams chicks at the homestead of our close family friends. Their home, in fact, was the first place that welcomed me into the Driftless. A place so dear to my heart built over time, infused with their magic, love and creative spirit. They, when young like us, lived on this piece of land in a trailer and over the years have build the most magical and loving place. Their story served as sort of blueprint + inspiration for our own dreams for our land.

I’m so thrilled to share a new series here, Garden Folk, a collection of garden notes, stories, interviews from humans who love to grow to feed their families, communities, and their souls. Through growing plants and working in the soil they are rekindling their relationship with the earth and cultivating beautiful spaces.

I cannot believe summer is coming to a close. back to school is this week for us here in the midwest. time has flown by, it feels as if I was just watching the first nettle pop through the ground. so much has changed and shifted. both kiddos have grown taller and wiser and more into themselves. we have all learned, played, laughed and cried this summer and deepened our relationships with plant allies growing on our little homestead.