A Sense of Place
Eight years after moving to Salida, I feel my husband and I have a good understanding of the topography of where we live. We’re familiar now with mountains, passes, rivers, water sources and ditches. I may not always know the labyrinth of county route numbers, but I’m working on it. It’s important to know the place where you’re planted, which is why a year ago I first joined SOIL Sangre de Cristo. I knew that my understanding of local farming and ranching was limited. I wanted to know more and I wanted to help support food producers at a local level. During this year of Zoom meetings and monthly Speaker Series, I’ve gained some understanding, the back story really, of some of the food producers working here. Now, when I drive north past Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy in Buena Vista, I’ve learned that the goat milk used in their cheese production comes from several farmers based in the San Luis Valley. The Easter lamb we enjoyed with friends this year wasn’t from a supermarket, but from Badger Creek Ranch. And this summer, when I buy fresh garlic at our Farmer’s Market, I’ll know the people who grow it and where their farm is located, through SOIL interactions this year. There’s an interconnectedness I’m beginning to get a sense of and it has much to do with SOIL Sangre de Cristo. I’ve just renewed my membership and look forward to to seeing this initiative grow.
- Jackie Avignon, Salida
