Jo Smith is a self proclaimed generalist who juggles life as a twin mama, market gardener, yoga therapist and active contributor to her tiny Tasmanian community on Bruny Island. Jade and Jo shoot the breeze about farming life & decide that despite the hardships, she wouldn't trade it for the world - even the wind. Join them for tangents and truths of this beautiful, grounded, physical and dirty existence at the bottom of the world.
Episode Summary
Growing food for others and to navigate mental health
Being a twin mama, type A, vata personality
Finding solace in the garden letting mother earth heal
The endless lessons that are taught by gardening
Learning to surrender to the reality that there’s no control
If we nurture mother nature she nurtures us and then we can nurture others
Seeing gardening as being a nutritionist
From no knowledge about growing food to feeling deeply connected to land
Keep growing food no matter what the success or failures
Learning from others regardless of fundamental beliefs
Considering water, wind, soil type and access to markets before going into farming/growing
The truth of country life - it’s bloody hard
Farming is the LONG game - Don't get into farming if you’re seeking instant gratification
10 years to build up the soil as a no dig garden
Wanting to grow food rather than go to the shops
Prioritising self care; daily meditation, nightly restorative yoga, excellent diet,
Starting with 2.5 x 2.5 metres to learn the art of gardening before expanding into market scale
Reminding ourselves that we can’t do it all
Having $ to set up a farm and juggling that balance
Sharing the farming experience honestly,
Hope driven by the increasing enthusiasm from people who want to be part of the change
Identifying and sharing the ‘WHY’ behind our lives
It took a couple of years to recalibrate her pace and become comfortable with the quiet
The art of entertaining yourself - taking ownership of our leisure time
Yogic Dharma - your life purpose
Reconnecting back to self
Building self belief and learning to really listen
Circular reciprocity
Living naturally and sharing with others as her way to offer service
We make change by creating communities of sharing wisdom and knowledge and playing the part that we are supposed to.
Living in community requires incredible patience, tolerance and open mindedness
Embracing identity as ALL the things that we are not just the curated brand
Being YOU
Becoming adept at adapting
Being an intuitive generalist rather than an academic specialist
Not pretending - Finding your flow
Leaning on community
Re establishing our culture to acknowledge those around us
References
Thanks to our podcast partners:
Buy the Book
Futuresteading - Live Like tomorrow matters
Shout out to the rockstars who smooth the sound
Open Door Studios
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