Brecht for Plants

By Meredith Kooi

I’ve been reading sections from Bertolt Brecht’s Threepenny Novel to some plants in the greenhouse and garden here at Better Farm.

Greenhouse breath, the rhythm of the reader. Some words to the plants from a page in the glass box. She wasn’t sure if they understood. Better to read to them than talk to them. The pages of Brecht did the talking, replacing words she couldn’t say.

Aloud she spoke to the garden plants. Their stomata-ears exchanged her exhalation for noise. Noise for sound. Sound for words. Words formed sentences that fluttered through their chlorophyll relaying back oxygen to feed continuous exhalations, more words for the plant. An onion trampled by the garden’s other inhabitants, three chickens, unaccustomed to propriety.

Meredith Kooi is a visual artist, writer, and photographer. Learn more about here here. To learn more about Better Farm's betterArts residency program, click here.

A Novice's Guide to Gardening

During the past month I have learned a lot of about gardening. This requires a quick qualifying statement: I knew next to nothing about keeping plants alive when I arrived at Better Farm, so the knowledge that I have acquired is completely relative. That being said, I have picked up a few useful tips along the way:

• Never trust a weed-wacker. It will always let you down. Just as soon as you start to get comfortable with it, to trust it and to rely on it, it will disappoint, fall apart, or simply stop working. This leads me to the next point... 
• Scythes are fantastic. Using one gives you a great arm workout (although if you are hopelessly right-handed like me you’ll end up with a super buff right arm and a lame left arm). They are also great for releasing any pent-up aggression. Just be careful not to chop your legs off in the process. 
• An overactive imagination is a blessing and a curse in the garden. It allows you to get lost in the work, leads to creative solutions, but also leads to unreasonable fears of what is hidden behind tall weeds. 
• Weeding, by the way, is exhausting and boring. It never ends. There is no light at the end of the tunnel with weeding and leaves me feeling like Sisyphus. Mulch gardening, however, has proven to be a good method for preventing excessive weed forests. We’ve jokingly talked about covering the entire garden in cardboard to keep all the weeds down and more seriously about using a natural herbicide that combines vinegar, dishwashing liquid, and oil. Oh and don’t worry, we’ll be sure to keep you all posted about the herbicide. 
• The garden is no place for squeamishness. If you are terrified of bugs, snakes, and Jumanji-esque plants, then reconsider a career in gardening. Although, to be fair, I wasn’t a huge fan of any of the aforementioned upon arriving here and now have learned to tolerate them all. Additionally, there is no room for fussiness in the garden. You will get sweaty, dirty, smell like manure, look like a scarecrow, and ruin your nails. As long as you can laugh at yourself you’ll have a great time. Besides, we have a claw-footed tub here that is perfect for long, relaxing, cleansing soaks. 
• Wear tons of sunscreen and bugspray (the real, heavy-duty industrial kind, the mosquitos seem to get a high off the natural kind), and drink lots of water. Gardening is serious work and I’ve developed some funny tan lines and bug bites that I won’t be able to get rid of easily. 
• Gardening is all about trial and error. It is not for the persnickety—it requires great flexibility (physical and emotional). We have had to re-plant, dig-up, shift, re-think, re-research a lot. For example, Liz and I are staple gun experts now after a day spent trying to figure out how to take the staple gun apart. One could say we wasted a lot of time but we prefer to call it a learning experience (in humility and staples).
•  Always carry a camera. Seriously. We have seen some pretty crazy things out in the garden and a camera helps convince people that we’re not crazy... most of the time. 
• This is perhaps the most important: there is never enough soil, compost, or manure. We go through mountains of all three and yet there is never enough. Although, on the plus side, this does allow us to visit dairy farms...

Why Residency?

Me in the studio at Better Farm.

By Joetta Maue

As those of you that read my blog know I recently returned from a 2 week artist residency up in the NY North Country at a sweet little place called Better Farm.  And as I was preparing to leave a few artist friends started to ask me about residencies and what they are and why I do them. So today’s topic is Why Residency?

artists at Vermont Studio School.

Actually the answers are endless.  I myself only recently came to doing residencies while I have friends that have done a ton of them and their are a few folks that are essentially residency “hoppers” having no permanent residence and just go from place to place.   A few of my friends started to do residencies right out of graduate school as they provide studio space, time, and community. For a number of my friends, both visual artists and writers, the community that they have found has been invaluable. For those of you that do not live in urban areas like NYC it is a wonderful way to start to meet artists and build community with artists that are in those areas- and who knows where that may lead. A number of artists I know met plenty of New Yorkers so that when they themselves moved here they already has a network of people to support them.   To me this is the number one reason for folks who do not live in urban art hubs to attend residencies- build community and have discourse.  Vermont Studio School which is a large scale and very well established artist community is infamous for this.

MacDowell Colony

Those of us who DO live in urban places like NY,  still benefit extensively from the community, but perhaps for us the biggest benefit is time and space AWAY from the urban busy lifestyle and to have the ability to focus on uninterrupted studio time.  I know that for me- in the city I am busy with social engagements, teaching responsibilities, and trying to make it to all the incredible art events happening-  so I treasure the time at artist residencies to be AWAY from all of that and just be with my work.  I get to breathe a big sigh….

Another reason a number of my artist friends have attended residencies is to prepare for graduate school taking the time of the residency to build their portfolio for the arduous application process and to start getting into the critical discourse that surrounds the MFA.  What I do know is that though the reasons might be varied but the benefit is guaranteed. I highly encourage it.

The Tin Shop Studio.

There are vast difference in residencies and therefore it is up to the artist to do their research- they vary from expensive but highly respected and established residencies, or prestigious but funded residencies such as the McDowell Colony to small scale one artist at a time emerging residencies such as the Tin Shop in Breckenridge, Co.  It also depends on what you need as an artist- the larger scale residencies tend to have more structure and more community but are generally not open to family attending with you. While smaller scale ones seem to have a lot more flexibility.

Textile Arts Center Residency.

Another thing to note is do you have to pay? and what do you get?   Is it a residency, such as the Textile Arts Center residency, where you are getting a studio only, or do they provide housing?

Roswell New Mexico Residency

There are also a few VERY rare but very special long term residencies which provide housing and a stipend so that you have no financial worries and can truly just focus on the development of your work. This include the very awesome and highly competitive Fine Arts Work Center in Cape Cod.

So that is my little tiny primer on residencies. For those of you that have done one please share in the comments so that readers can benefit from your expereicne too. Or if you know of a super good one let us know!

Hope you can get away soon:)

Until next time keep your needle threaded.
Joetta Maue is a full-time artist primarily using photography and fibers. Her most recent work is a series of embroideries and images exploring intimacy. Joetta exhibits her work throughout the United States and internationally, and authors the art and craft blog Little Yellowbird as well as regularly contributes to Mr. X Stitch. Joetta lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, son, 2 cats, and a goldfish.

Filed under: Thread Reviews by Textile Arts Center

Ingredients for a Rainwater Catchment System

By Elizabeth Musoke

So, we have been looking around for a simple rainwater catchment system that we think will be effective here at Better Farm. To me, simplicity is key in design. It's the little, almost unnoticeable details that make a design beautiful and come together. Two barrels just arrived and they are currently being cleaned out. We are also really close to getting the rest of the equipment.

The recipe:

• Attach gutter and downspouts to the Bird House, prep the barrels, attach the barrels to the gutter system, add some highly motivated interns to the mix, stir and await the results.

More information on the rainwater catchment system to come!

Read more:

Ingredients for a Rainwater Catchment System, Part II

Ingredients for a Rainwater Catchment System, Part Part III

Ingredients for a Rainwater Catchment System: The Results!

Agriculture is Somewhat of an Irony

By Soon Kai Poh

In the garden we build trellises and tie strings loosely to the plants so they are able to grow taller and be supported as they do so. This in turn, leads to more opportunities for flowering and eventually pea production; which is what every pea farmer seeks.

Gently guiding the outstretched tendrils of the pea plants into various arrangements so they climb the trellises properly, I realised something: agriculture is Man's way of attempting to take hold and control the course of nature - either by actively transplanting, trimming, grafting, or simply guiding plants onto trellises. Yet at the same time, as farmers who live dependent on the forces of nature (changes in season, weather and temperature) for crop growth, we realise that we're ultimately not in control at all of anything that goes on in this cosy garden of ours. It is both humbling and awe-inspiring to take a step back and marvel at this carefully balanced relationship between Man and nature, which can be somewhat ironic at times; especially when we try so hard to bring things under our control through all manner of technology and agricultural experimentation.

And yes, that is what we do over here at Better Farm every day. Contemplate reality, muse about existence, and:

1. Go swimming in one of the nearby lakes, OR jump off a cliff into them

2. Enjoy the fullness of the Moon

3. Make your own weeding stool because, you know, weeding is better when you weed in comfort

4. Make some home-made bread

5. Enjoy the daily short 5-minute sunset glow

6. Attend a biker rally at Alexandria Bay

7. Mosey around the Art Barn with window scraps (or scrap windows)

8. Hang out on an island on a fine summer's evening - you know, the usual (Thanks David for hosting us!)

9. Set up, support, and of course attend Erica's gallery opening

That should make up for 2 and a half weeks of not blogging. Cheers!

Gallery Opening Celebrates the Work of betterArts Resident Erica Hauser

Erica Hauser, left, and Jaci Collins. Photo/Mark Huyser

Better Farm yesterday hosted a gallery opening to celebrate the work of Erica Hauser, a betterArts painter-in-residence who visited us all month. Erica works in a variety of mediums and subject matters, demonstrated in her eclectic collection on display last night. She will be missed! We'll let the images from her gallery show speak for themselves:

Many thanks to all who came out, and especially to Erica for making (and leaving) her mark at Better Farm. To see more of Erica's work or purchase a piece, visit http://ericahauser.com. To learn more about the betterArts residency program, click here.

 

DIY Garden Gate

Interns (from left) Natasha Pietila, Soon Kai Poh, Elizabeth Musoke, and Jaci Collins with their latest creation.

On Better Farm's long list of to-do's is a small item to build a gate for our main gardens. For the last year that "gate" has consisted of four-foot chicken wire we peel back and forth to gain entry to the rows of food. No longer!

The interns consulted with builder-in-residence Mark Huyser to come up with a simple, clean, and lightweight gate that would keep critters out and not put too much strain on the 4x4 garden posts holding the gate up. The crew utilized scrap batten boards and leftover chicken wire, along with some screws and staples. All that was left to do was build the thing. No problem:

Carpenter-in-residence Mark Huyser at far left.

Nice work, everybody! Thanks as always to Better Farm's wonderful interns and the amazing work they do.

Awake

By Erica Hauser

I've been subsisting on only 4 or 5 hours of sleep each night, but I still feel so good every day, clearheaded and full of energy and cheer. There's a few reasons for this, of course, the main one being that I get to fully inhabit the life that I want. Following my natural rhythms as I move through my day, clearing the space to create and be free, easy, myself. Or as close to it as I can get, with the mind that I have and all the stuff that's in it.

Yes, I am starting to feel a bit glum about the approaching end of these two months, endings are always hard for me. But that's why I need to do these things, to get used to the changes and to look forward to what's next, which hopefully, is to continue working, wherever I am.

Can't find the cable that connects my camera and computer, but I've finished two more small paintings that I am very happy with, and working on another large oil. I've spearheaded a few 'art parties' in the barn, urging the interns to come down and paint stuff in their free time, and it feels good to provide them the space- not that it's my barn or anything, but to welcome & encourage anybody who wants to be creative, and to be around to help with materials or whatever.

On Tuesday I'm going to hang the work and have an art show. I'll scrub the paint off my knees and we'll have a grand time. I won't miss the mosquitoes but I will sure miss walking into that barn with a cup of coffee and starting my day, painting or thinking or talking to people who make me feel like I AM getting closer to understanding what some of this is all about and figuring out how to make life work better for myself. It occurs to me that this may all be fuzzy because of those 4 hours of sleep 16 hours ago, so I'll retire and aim for clarity in the morning. Today I was thinking about the last essay in a book I just finished rereading, so maybe I'll begin with that thought tomorrow.. or maybe there'll be something else.

Art Show to Celebrate Work by betterArts Resident Erica Hauser

presents the artwork of Erica Hauser

in a gallery exhibit hosted by betterArts, Inc.

Free entry!

Wine and appetizers will be served

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

5-7:30 p.m.

Better Farm's Art Barn

31060 Cottage Hill Road, Redwood

Call 482-2536 or e-mail info@betterarts.org with questions!

For the Birds: Painter-in-residence leaves her mark on the birdhouse

Erica Hauser is in the last week of her betterArts residency at Better Farm. During her time here, in addition to creating many wonderful paintings, culinary delights, and forming close-knit relationships with the crew here, she's also been calling Better Farm's human-scale "Birdhouse" home. In the last week or so, she set about making that home a little cozier by painting the inside walls, then coming up with a sweet four-wall mural of—what else? Birds!

Feast your eyes:

 Here's what she had to say about the process:

I just painted the inside of the birdhouse. I was the first to perch here and feel honored to be able to leave my mark as a contribution to the Farm. Part of it is inspired by a bird mural I did last year, but it (and the other elements) felt right for the space, and I was able to use paint I found around. Today I'm finishing a small self-image in oil using a photo my friend took. Both aspects are outside my realm of comfort, which is why I need to do it even as it evokes some strange feelings. I used to say that the objects and places I paint express something about myself, too. There's still plenty of truth to this but it's starting to feel vaguely disingenuous, as if something inside is trying to emerge.

Big thanks to Erica for leaving us this extremely beautiful piece of art! We're excited to share it with all future visitors to Better Farm.

To learn more about Erica Hauser's work or to commission a piece, click here.

DIY Topsoil, Potting Soil, Fertilizer, and Cardio Workout

The real heroes of Better Farm's dirt mission: Rocky Top Dairy Farm's beautiful cows.

The interns at Better Farm said they needed more dirt. Figures—with twice as many garden rows as last year, oodles of tires to be converted into tomato homes, rotating planting schedules for herbs and salad greens, and flowers such as morning glories seeking big planters from which they'll do their bidding, the main ingredient was in high demand.

We've  already used regular ol' bagged topsoil, dug-out and lovely fresh compost, worm dirt from the Thousand Islands Bait Store, and donated compost manure from friends. So how could we do something educational and new while accessing some black gold for Better Farm's garden?

Simple: shovel it ourselves.

So the other day three vehicles packed to the gills with humans, shovels, and bags headed out to Rocky Top Dairy Farm, a local venue in Redwood owned by the wonderful Eric and Linda Walts.

 

The farm boasts 30+ cows, more chickens than I can count, and ducks galore (it's a great place to buy local milk and eggs). It also, inevitably, has a lot of manure. Where that stuff's been sitting a while is the richest, blackest earth you can imagine, chock-full of nutrients. Eric was gracious enough to point us in the right direction and we set to work:

Soon Kai Poh (far left) and Jaci Collins (far right)

Soon Kai Poh

 

After about an hour we had what I think will be more than enough to get us through the rest of the season:

Elizabeth Musoke, left, and Natasha Pietila with the day's bounty.

 So back we went to Better Farm, where we unloaded the dirt just in time: As the last shovelful left the back of Karl's truck, the rains came. Stay tuned for updates on the garden!

 

Special thanks to Eric and Linda Walts at Rocky Top Dairy Farm, Karl Frizzell for the use of his truck, interns Natasha Pietila, Jaci Collins, Elizabeth Musoke, and Soon Kai Poh; and Sarah Herold, Nicole Caldwell, Fred Ciliberti, and Greg Ciliberti for shoveling. Rocky Top Dairy Farm is located at 45972 Olney Road in Redwood, N.Y.

First Week as an Intern

Elizabeth Musoke stands with Better Farm's garden mascot.

By Elizabeth Musoke

So in my goal to find sustainable solutions for informal settlements and promote sustainability, getting an internship at Better Farm is my way to fulfill my quest! I'm hoping to focus on rainwater catchment and learn numerous other things as well.

It was a long day of traveling: from staying up late to pack (and not really sleeping-my fault), catching my flight at 6 a.m. to Chicago, then Chicago to Syracuse. I then waited at the airport in Syracuse for another 5 hours (but there was free Wi-Fi, so yay!). I caught the bus to Watertown and finally arrived in Redwood.

It was great to finally get here. It is awesome up here! Redwood is idyllic and charming. I love the trees and fields…not to mention all the surrounding bodies of water! Meeting everyone has been great! As soon as I arrived the other interns, Jaci and Natasha, helped me carry my stuff and got me settled in. Everyone has really been amazing and friendly. The people here at Better Farm are incredibly multifaceted and talented. It is honestly quite amazing! The locals I have met have also been very welcoming.

I have already learned a great deal since I have been here: from the types of vegetables that grow in certain months, how to make clay earth more conducive to planting, trellis construction, mulch gardening and much more. I have started looking into a rainwater catchment system...and I shall put more information up as we go along. We are going to try and install rainwater catchment systems on the birdhouse and possibly other structures. Painting or decorating the rainwater basins could be a fun activity that could involve collaborating with artists (and anyone else!).

The past week has been awesome. I have not done this much work outdoors…ever! But it feels great and satisfying! I look forward to working with a fantastic group of interns and everyone here at Better Farm!

For more information about Better Farm's sustainability internship, click here.

Interns Volunteer at the Redwood Historical Society

Natasha Pietila, left, and Jaci Collins at the Redwood Historical Society.

During a bike ride a few weeks ago, interns Natasha and Jaci discovered the Redwood Historical Society, a community group housed in the former Redwood National Bank.

The ladies toured the building, learning about Redwood's history and local lore. They also tried on some vintage regalia:


They were so enthused about the whole operation, Natasha and Jaci returned the following week to volunteer alongside other Redwood residents and help to clean the building. Dusting, sweeping, organizing—Better Farm's interns brought their enthusiasm and shared their hard work with the community.

Many thanks to Natasha and Jaci for lending their help and support!