We need to find meaning. We need to be useful. We need to know that who we are matters. I give, you give, we all give.
Farming has inspired all manner of amazing feats in this world, and here’s another jaw dropper that can be traced back to the seat of a tractor: the “monumental earthwork” of Kansas artist Stan Herd.
More than a mere master of crop circles (amazing in their own right), Herd has spent the past 40 years honing a technique of actually planting his enormous artworks, which are best viewed bird’s eye, from high above. The crops, in essence, create the image—with considerable input from the weather, as you might imagine.
“I have gravitated to the idea that the earthworks need to be more than just something to look at … that the background story of mankind’s relationship to the earth, in agriculture, and in stewardship of pristine nature, is what the act of creating the work is about,” Herd explained to Modern Farmer.
The latest of his many creations, completed this year, is a 1.2-acre reproduction of Van Gogh’s Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun in Eagan, Minnesota, comprised of native plants, gourds, oats, and other various natural materials.
For comparison, here’s the original Van Gogh painting (oil on canvas):
Vincent van Gogh, Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun, 1889, via Wikimedia Commons
Now, watch in wonder the video below, which follows Herd’s fascinating method of cultivating Van Gogh’s classic as a commission for the Minneapolis Institute of Art:
He is now drumming up funding for his in-progress collaborative earthwork, Young Woman of Brazil, in São Paulo, Brazil. You can contribute to this sustainable community garden for people who reside in the surrounding favela (urban slum) by becoming a “Root Supporter” via the Herd Arts website.
“I want to see if an image of this sort can add something to the community for the long run,” Herd says. “All art doesn’t have to have a utilitarian purpose, but at their best, I believe my earthworks do.”
Cindi says: That’s amazing! One of my favorite parts of flying ~ okay the only favorite part ~ is looking out at the beautiful patchwork fields that farmers create. It makes me wonder what thoughts go through their minds while plowing and planting. From the air it seems like it would be a time of meditation for them. Maybe so, as every farmer I have ever met has a deep, silent, spiritual connection with earth, life and the creative forces. There is clearly so much more to being a farmer than most realize.
I read about Herd and his projects in Modern Farmer which I read weekly. ( I highly suggest this entertaining and educational website ) His amazing scope of artistry is a wonder to behold. The actual planting and choosing of green matter is an art in itself. He is a visionary and the best landscape architect I have ever come across ( ok , after my grandfather, a visionary unto himself)
Winnie Nielsen says: This artwork is fantastic! I have seen the painting and this bigger than life interpretation is incredible and almost spiritual. I feel quite certain that Van Gogh would have loved to have had the opportunity to see such a take on his painting. Thanks for sharing this today.
Bonnie ellis says: And to think this amazing planting is within 20minutes of me!
MaryJane says: You’ll need to go see it and give us a full report, Bonnie!
Winnie Nielsen says: This vintage picture is adorable. I love the pink chubby cheeks!
Yesterday my youngest finally made it to Florida after a long day of flight delays, changes, and mama and dad sitting at the Orlando airport waiting for something to eventually work out. After we got home late, she came to me and said, I got a shower and now I am going to bed with some MaryJane reading! “Mom, did you see that awesome trailer she created??” Yes, my girl took, on permanent loan, your book on Glamping and has dreams, I think, of having something like that in her life one day! This one definitely has the MJF in her genes! The other one actually has a farm and raises dairy goats. Their Mama? Well, she sort of majored in the MJF domestic skills, including, a deep passion for turn of the century American history and knitting for victory!
Karlyne says: My first thought (well, after how adorable the picture is) is that this child’s parents would be arrested for allowing their child to sit on a roof these days. We seem to have become a singularly humorless society, and so I say to you all at the Farm, who have given us many a chuckle, “Happy Christmas to all – and God bless us, everyone!”
(and that includes you, Winnie!)
Reminds me of that age ( and I even looked like that child- chubby with a dutch boy haircut.) My parents would stencil with flour or sugar , reindeer hoof prints on the roof to show that santa and his 8 tiny reindeer had really come. A very fond memory and yes I did climb up to the roof to see !
Winnie Nielsen says: A few years ago, I was gifted several of these beautiful pillows by you. They are so pretty all piled up on the bed!!
Bonnie ellis says: Oh the elegance, oh the comfort, oh the softness too. Lace is always a farmgirl welcome. Love those pillows!
OOHHH! those pillows look familiar! I sleep with mine you so sweetly gave as a cheer up/get well gift, every night!
Winnie Nielsen says: I never tire of looking at what Mother Nature can create with a little hot and cold!
Bonnie Ellis says: looks like crocheted lace on the leaves. beautiful.
Winnie Nielsen says: That is a bit of Farmgirl Romance I would love to wake up and experience! I’m claiming the tent with Grandmother’s old stove. Coffee would be a must have in these circumstances. LOL!! I bet even Jasper might consider staying for a sleep over.
MaryJane says: G-ma’s cook stove, mid-morning sunshine, third cup of coffee perky from a percolator and pitcher of cream. Close your eyes and you’re there! (I mean, here.) Good morning dear Winnie.
Winnie Nielsen says: MMmmmm, I can taste that sweet thick cream from maybe Daisy and feel the warm sunshine on my face while I am bundled up in a quilt while sitting on the tent porch. Coffee is awesome when you are outdoors and it is freezing cold! Maybe you will have a chance to stop by between cow chores for a bit of warm up. Me? I am working on my newest book “Vintage Knitting: Patterns from the 1940s” and dreaming what I might be skilled enough to try next. They have the coolest Everyday Underwear patterns. “It is sensible, warm, yet well fitting and trim.” Basically it is a camisole and boy shorts set. So darn cute!! They also feature the cinch head band cap similar to what I made for you and Carol. “The turban is fashion’s last word in streamlined smartness and this two-colored design is a reply to fashion’s last word.” Are you enjoying your Knit for victory woolies yet?
MaryJane says: Right now I’m getting 6 to 7 gallons of milk per day and yes, Miss Daisy is one of the bovine beauties who greets me every a.m. That’s an abundance of cream even though Ashley and I make whole milk cheeses. Did I say, CREAM FOR COFFEE? Outdoor camp coffee is the very best. Your new book sounds fabulous. The head cinch has been my friend with our recent cold snap in addition to ear muffs on top of the head band wrapping around the back of my head (only my cows see me). My sockies are too special for everyday outside wear. They are for cozy, comfy evening wear. I just started reading Go Set a Watchman. I think you’d like it. It was Good Reads pick of the year.
Winnie Nielsen says: That’s my Girl, Daisy! She was too pregnant, last I saw her, to tell about how having this next youngin’ was going to produce some GradeAAA milk and cream for coffee!
I’ll look into getting Go Set a Watchman along with the the Emotional calendar today. They sound wonderful!!
MaryJane says: Guess what chicken butt? Carol showed up for work with your headband on. She looks adorable in it.
Bonnie ellis says: What a beautiful shot of snow bliss. Looks so pretty with the lace across the top. You’ve created your own Pinterest for us. Thanks Mary Jane.
Nancy Coughlin says: What a beautiful photograph!
terry steinmetz says: Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
Winnie Nielsen says: Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
marge hofknecht says: And a Happy Thanksgiving to you! As my turkey was cooking, I took a break from the stove and oven and made some tea. Then with cup in hand I sat down at my dining room table and read a few articles out of your latest magazine issue.
Cecile Clausen says: Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. We had a wonderful day with a nontraditional meal with an Italian dinner. Easy and good.
Winnie Nielsen says: This is a new design for bird houses where the front door opens. Have you had any inhabitants yet and if so, which breed chose this option? Maybe the inside has a panel wall to enclose the actual nest?
MaryJane says: I’ve had it for several years and it’s always full of birds in the spring. It was made to look like an outhouse. On the other side is a see-through panel. Mostly nuthatches. Good morning Winnie!!
Winnie Nielsen says: I love that the Nuthatches have claimed this “outhouse” as their own. Having a see through panel was a great idea too.
Hope you are having a wonderful and restful Sunday. Gotta get up your strength for the big Thanksgiving Feast. Don’t forget to join in the tradition that we started last year of making the Friday after Thanksgiving our Farmgirl National Pie for Breakfast Day! Remember we did that last year and posted what we enjoyed. I posted a reminder on the Forum and several have responded. After all, we know that Farmgirl pies are going to be abundant across our nation and what better way to hold solidarity than all joining in one day of mutual fun and enjoyment. Works for me!
MaryJane says: Did you notice that one of the birds left the door open?:) Not a hugely restful Sunday. After milking, I met up with my dentist today and he pulled a molar I’ve been baby-ing for a month and a half. After pacing the floor the last few nights, I decided the fool thing needed to go and that no amount of baking soda, cloves, hot and cold compresses, Vit C, turmeric, etc. was going heal it. Relief immediately!!! Yes, Pie for Breakfast for sure. Also, I missed my deadline for getting something to my swap partner but it’s going out tomorrow. I didn’t notice until a couple days ago that the mail-out date was the 12th. I’ll send something extra special.
Winnie Nielsen says: Ohhh, what a way to spend a Sunday afternoon! You did the right thing because that tooth sounds like it was damaged beyond help. If you don’t get them out, they just abscess and really wreak havoc on your well being. I hope you will not have any further issues with it. No worries about the swap deadline. We have a bit of a fluid thing about dates as life can get so busy and complicated. I am sure your partner will be excited with whatever you send. After all, part of being thankful for Farmgirls is the fact that we all are understanding and caring about each other. Get better this week so you can enjoy the festivities of Thursday with your family! I am sure it is going to be delicious!!
In the tiny farming community of Conetoe, North Carolina, a pastor with a passion for saving both body and soul has been named one of 10 finalists for CNN’s Hero of the Year award.
Rev. Richard Joyner says a large percentage of his parishioners in this predominantly African-American community of just 300 were suffering (and dying) from preventable, diet-related diseases. “Diabetes, high blood pressure—when we first got started, we counted 30 funerals in one year,” Joyner told CNN. “I couldn’t ignore it because I was spending more time in funerals than anything else.”
He knew a community garden with fresh produce (Conetoe’s nearest grocery store was 10 miles away) would help residents build better health, so he started a small garden with the help of local school kids. Today, Conetoe sports more than 20 garden plots, one covering 25 acres, providing 50,000 pounds of fresh produce a year. Student helpers also sell the produce to local restaurants and stores to raise dollars for school supplies and scholarships. And the kids are learning more than gardening—they’re involved in every aspect of the project, from planning the plots to marketing to learning how to cook healthy meals for their families. And parishioners are healthier. “By nourishing plants, you’re nourishing community,” Joyner told CNN. “It’s one and the same.”
Find out more and watch a video about Rev. Joyner and the community garden project:
Winnie Nielsen says: This makes me tear up immediately! Oh my, what a wonderful gift this pastor has given the lives of his church family. It is absolutely wonderful!! And I love the term Food Desert. It absolutely describes the situation so many people today face in rural areas and inner city ghettos.
Krista says: This was touching. I loved seeing the excitement on the children’s faces as they helped with the food. It is so wonderful when a community can come together to make things better for all. This also goes to show how important it is to have fresh produce in your daily diet. One man’s passion to better the health of his community has drastically changed and touched the lives of many.
Winnie Nielsen says: Ohh, this Photo is absolutely fantastic. I love that trip-color topped with the frosty white. The leaf has the color patterns of Maples but the jagged edge has me thinking it is another species? But then again, there are many varieties of Maples so I am stumped on today’s morning science question.
MaryJane says: Leaves on a snowball bush:)
Winnie Nielsen says: Wow, I would not have guessed that one ever! Thanks.
Bonnie ellis says: No more beautiful leaves left here right now. Only torrential rains, high winds and snow flurries. Beautiful picture Mary Jane.
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
Don’t you love the graphics on coffee bags? I know that I do. There is something so pleasing when you walk into a big coffee store where bags are stashed and coffee reigns. It has an odor that begs to sit with a cup and read a good book for awhile.
I worked for a large coffee importer and we did our own coffee roasting so I always smelled like coffee ! It is as close to an aphrodisiac as you can legally get, and definitely a friend maker at the very least.
That looks like some fantastic crafting supplies.