Imani of Keep Growing Detroit

 

There is a certain feeling of empowerment and resolve that come with sticking your own two hands in the soil and growing your own food. Dusting the dirt off your clothes after a hard day of work never felt so good. To watch your labor generate new life is almost as satisfying as taking a big bite out of a your fresh produce.

Spend some time with the folks at Keep Growing Detroit and you’ll know what I’m talking about. This non-profit organization makes it possible to grow fruits and veggies in the city limits for the people of Detroit. Their focus is to help residents create a healthy relationship with food, spread knowledge about growing and farming, and cultivate a sense of community.

After a few minutes of following Imani around as she worked in the gardens, I sensed her connection with the land. With experience and dexterity, she performed each familiar task as if she were having her daily conversation with the ground. The interdependent relationship between Mother Nature and those who harvest its potential is one that should be respected and never taken for granted.

Included above are some tips to starting your own garden. Take a look at some of Imani’s Carhartt gear that helps her get the job done: Carhartt Women’s Force Equator Jacket, Carhartt Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, Original-Fit Canvas Crawford Dungaree, Wellington Boot, and Soft Hands Gloves. 

A Simpler, More Sustainable Life

This is the time of year for recollecting and being with loved ones. It’s the season for taking a look at your life and feeling grateful. Perhaps it’s just the right time to rethink your approach to everyday. Maybe we don’t need all the odds and ends we wrap up and give to each other. Maybe we just need to take a deep breath, enjoy the nature around us, and connect with the people that mean the most to us.

Last week, I drove through snow and ice to meet up with Suzy Clark at her winter paradise. She and her husband run a 10 acre plot of field and forest called Sterling Homestead. They grow organic fruits and veggies, which they sell through CSA and local markets, and preserve their harvest during the winter months. Suzy and Joseph live almost entirely off the grid with solar power, wood heat, and no running water in their charming cabin.

Without the distractions of television, internet, and cell phones, there is a sense of peace that exudes from warmth of their home. Over a cup of coffee and the smell of baking bread, Suzy and I chatted about the ins and outs of leading a more sustainable life. Their interest in permaculture practices (that’s environmental design that develops sustainable agriculture modeled after natural ecosystems) has taught them so much. What can you learn from taking a peak into Suzy’s everyday? Maybe we all could take some time to disconnect with technology for a bit and really link in to the immediate world around us.

Check out the winter work outfit that keeps Suzy warm during the bone chilling Wisconsin winter: Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Kenai Parka, Women’s Series 1989 Slim Double Front Dungaree, Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, & Women’s Quilt’s Glove. 

Pumpkins are the Best Part of Fall

Oh the wonderful days of falling leaves and pumpkin patches! Believe it or not, pumpkins are considered a fruit. They were named after the Greek word for “large melon.” Pumpkins are part of the gourd family, along with cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini. Think of all the wonderful things we can do with this glorious fruit. Native Americans used it for food and and even made woven mats out of strips of the dried gourd. Pilgrims were known to combine hops, maple sugar, and pumpkin to brew a tasty colonial beer. Early colonists even used the shell as a template for hair cuts. (That’s why New Englanders are sometimes called pumpkin heads.) What’s your favorite pumpkin product? Is it pumpkin pie? pumpkin spiced latte? or adorable pictures from pumpkin patches?

I took my niece, Lily, to Calie’s Acre so she could enjoy the season in her new snuggly Carhartt outfit. Check out Lily’s look here: Carhartt Girl’s Redwood Jacket, Girl’s “Watercolor Horse” Long-Sleeve Bodyshirt, Brushed Fleece Pants, & Kid’s Acrylic Watch Hat. I was decked out in a fun fall clothes as well. This deep wine colored Marlinton Jacket is one of my favorites. The hue goes so well with everything. It might sound crazy, but I consider deep plum colors to be neutral, especially during fall. See my outfit here: Women’s Marlinton Jacket, Dartford Denim Shirt, & Women’s Series 1889 Slim Double Front Dungarees.

Carmella of City Farm in Chicago

Fresh fruits and veggies, right in the middle of the city! City Farm in Chicago takes land that isn’t being used and turns into a productive space. It’s all about sustainability, healthy living, and giving back to the community. This is Carmella, lover of the outdoors. She’s worked at City Farm for the past 3 seasons. Sun kissed skin is proof that working in the midst of nature is good for the body and soul. Carmella always finds a way to work outside, even in the dead of Chicago winters. That’s determination. When it comes down to it, we’d all rather be working in dirt that stuck in a cubicle. Who better to help you get the job done than Carhartt? Carmella is sporting Carhartt Force. A new line that is stain resistant, repels odor, and sweat wicking. It’s perfect for those summer days with your knees firmly planted in the mud while you harvest a beautiful batch of tomatoes.

The Women of Seasons Soda

It’s time to treat yourself and continue your healthy lifestyle at the same time. Seasons Soda, based out of Chicago, makes natural soda out of fresh fruits, herbs, and filtered co2 water. In an effort to keep things local, Seasons Soda has created a closed loop system. Most of their fruits and herbs are from organic, family farms in the midwest. Then after the production process, their compost is reused and donated to Chicago urban farms. On top of that, no sugar or preservatives are added. Lisa and Agata are in on the ground floor of this relatively new company. Pretty exciting stuff to see organizations that make products that are good for the consumer and community alike. To get some soda for yourself, check out Seasons Soda facebook page for their farmer’s market schedule.

Anita from Common Good City Farm

A chunk of paradise in the middle of the big city, Common Good City Farm in DC offers so much to the community. Their goal is to grow food, educate, and help low-income members meet their food needs.

This is Anita, food manager at the farm. Her passion is to help repair the broken food system. Through gardening classes and other workshops offered at Common Good, steps are made every day to make the surrounding environment healthier and more connected. See how you can get involved.

check out what Anita wears while she gets the job done: Carhartt Women’s Annapolis Shirt, Norfolk Tank, Trenton Hoodie, Norfolk Henley, El Paso Shorts, and C-Grip Knuckler Gloves.