While actively re-imagining the small piece of Earth I’ve been allowed to steward, I’ve had to interrogate my definition of ‘work.’

There is an accepted definition of what activities can/should be considered work. The degree of importance society has assigned to this work is often commensurate with the compensation. I rarely questioned this paradigm before reclaiming my Ancestral land. I had a socially acceptable- even lauded- job as a physician. That was hard work. Hard in ways I’m still unpacking, but what I know is there isn’t enough money that could tempt me to do it again in that way.

Now I’ve created for myself a job that isn’t even considered a “real job” to most people if they ever even consider what a food grower/land steward does. It is certainly lower paying. To most, the task of growing food is one that is invisible— as are the people who grow the food that magically appears plastic wrapped in their grocery store.

But I’ve decided for myself that just because no one sees or acknowledges the labor doesn’t make it less valuable.

As I’m doing the endless work of a visionary turning a grass lawn in a burgeoning industrial park into a vibrant food forest ecosystem, I remind myself often that “This IS work!” Day & night, 24/7, seen & mostly unseen WORK. Without payment or applause, this is essential, revolutionary work✊🏾.