Anna Edmunds

This week I have been doing some more research into the issues that face my local community, as well s the food that comes out of it. The community I live in has really struggled with keeping industry, especially CAFOS, out and preserving the tourist economy that we function of off. This past, and the advocacy that surrounds it, has been a really interesting history to look into. We have also been attempting to source our food more locally, by ordering from local farms and supporting small businesses that have been impacted especially hard during this crisis. This has allowed me to understand the importance of using my dollar to make an impact in my own community. 

This week on eco challenge I really tried to focus on my habits as a consumer. Lately, I have felt tempted to online shop (as a result of not being able to be a consumer in the physical world). I then remember the external costs of these actions and feel a little less tempted. I have, however, noticed how easy it is to access things if there is the money present to pay for them. The other costs associated, in these cases, matter very little. I have also been trying to support local farms, dairies, and businesses as much as possible during this uncertain turn of events for local businesses. My family owns a small business and I think these times have made it very clear just how important it is that we support other local businesses as they do for us. This gives me a much greater appreciation for those working in an economy that prioritizes large corporations over small businesses and their employees who need our support the most. 

I have spent a lot of time this week reflecting on a sense of place. I think this past few weeks is the longest I have gone without getting in my car and going somewhere. I am usually a pretty mobile person and enjoy the ability to escape to new places. From this experience, however, I think I have realized the importance of connecting with places that I would otherwise take for granted. While I do hope to explore many places in my lifetime, I feel like I have been able to balance the scales by reconnecting more deeply with this one. Another part of my eco challenge this week was looking at water use practices. My family's home is growing older and we have been trying to fix leaky faucets! 

Staying at home and in isolation has provided many opportunities to be more intentional with our food. My family has decided to severely limit our trips to groceries stores and as a result we have been able to be more creative with our meals. We have been planting our own greens, are starting our garden for the season, my mom is preparing her 30 beehives for another honey season, and we are looking forward to welcoming laying chickens at the end of April. While we have enjoyed these activities in the past, it is very rare that we do all of them in a season and rely upon them. I have also taken this opportunity to bake bread and learn to make homemade ice cream. I have enjoyed being able to slow down to make intentional food choices and has allowed me to express more gratitude towards the food we are consuming. 

One interesting component of the chapter we read this week was when they spoke about how the solution to understanding the earth as an interconnected system is spending time outside and learning from the natural world. This resonated with me quite a bit and reinforced the idea that spending time outside, and encouraging others to do the same, is important for the protection of the environment. This is always a good reminder and this chapter reinforced a grounding principle in my life. I have found myself gravitating to spending time outside this week and believe that the constant nature of the outdoors has reminded me of the interconnectedness of our world as of late. This week I have made a commitment to spending 30 mindful minutes outside. 

This week I have been thinking a lot about the elections in light of both the climate crisis and the COVID-19 epidemic. Wisconsin's primaries are next Tuesday and I have found myself engaged in lots of conversations regarding theses important decisions that are being made in such a precarious time. I have realized the importance of talking about voting green and researching candidates with the most ambitious climate plans. I think that engaging in these conversations and expressing my fear regarding climate change has been a really good way to encourage individuals to be a part of the solution for positive change on a larger level.