In Chilmark last Friday, a queen and a mother, horned and cloven-hooved, died at the Native Earth Teaching farm after a period of illness.

After the tinsel and lights have been put back into storage, Christmas trees on the Island are getting a second calling.

Weedy Wisdom for the Curious Forager by Rebecca Gilbert of Native Earth Teaching Farm is her long-awaited book dedicated to a lifetime love of plants.

In order to save the duck, one must eat the duck. It may seem counterintuitive, but that’s the idea behind Rebecca Gilbert’s latest venture at the Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chilmark.

Thunder Ben David of Chilmark died Thursday, July 25, after seven glorious years as the biggest attraction at Native Earth Teaching Farm owned by Rebecca Gilbert and Randy Ben David. “He was our rock star boar,” said Ms. Gilbert.

Rebecca Gilbert and Randy Ben David have roots - both the
human and botanical variety.

On their farm off North Road in Chilmark they grow root
vegetables such as beets, carrots and onions, and they have wild
root herbs including sweet grass and ginseng.

Rebecca and Randy also have family roots that run as deep as
the rich, sweet soil they cultivate without chemical fertilizers
or pesticides.

Popping Piggies

Popcorn with butter and salt while seated in front of a movie? That’s just so yesterday’s news. How about popcorn with slow roasted pig while watching live capoeira, visiting farm animals or pressing cider. Sounds too good to be true? Well, this Saturday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. all this and more are taking place at the eighth annual popcorn festival and fundraiser at the Native Earth Teaching Farm off North Road in Chilmark.

Whether it’s the economy, the First Lady’s inspiration or just a hunger for fresh, really local food, home gardening across the country is up 40 per cent and seed source businesses are booming. According to food writer Michael Pollan, for an investment of about $80, you will get $600 worth of local, delicious produce in a typical home garden.

But what if you don’t have enough space or for a backyard garden? Consider community gardening.

There are eight plots still available at Native Earth Teaching Farm, along North Road in Chilmark.

Permaculture Farm

The Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chilmark is about to embark on a permaculture project to build a self-sustaining food garden.

The idea is to establish an edible forest by mimicking the structure and function of natural ecosystems while producing perennial food crops and many other products. The community is invited to participate through a series of spring and fall planting parties.