Embodied Activism: Practical Steps for Creating Emotional and Physical Intimacy with Mother Earth

As part of our Embodied Activism series, lifelong Idaho gardener Angus Hughes will lead an interactive exploration of how to engage our bodies, hearts and minds in acts of love for Mother Earth, while opening our hearts, minds and bodies to the gifts she provides. Fostering reciprocity will be a theme of the exploration; Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer is recommended reading.  Participants will be encouraged to share about their acts of love toward nature, and the reciprocal gifts they have received, as well as set intentions for their future relationship of reciprocity with Mother Earth. Angus will share examples from his own relationship with Earth, including trash clean-up, forest care, foraging for wild berries, mushrooms, and greens, both for his family's sustenance and as a way to contribute to the local food economy. Selling organic garden seeds and fresh mushrooms through local co-operatives, managing the Orofino Farmer's Market, and hosting students through the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms are all part of Angus' recent experiences that he will draw upon.  Angus Hughes was born and raised in the irrigated desert land south of Boise, Idaho. Some of his favorite things to do were: play in dirt and water, climb the cherry tree and watch thunderstorms build. Now at age 34, he lives on an organic homestead in the temperate rainforest of the Clearwater region of Idaho, where some of his favorite things to do are: play in the dirt and water (gardening), forage for wild foods, and play bluegrass guitar.