Conscientious Animal Harvest Workshop
As a conscientious, regenerative minded community, we try to continual work towards harmony with our environment. In order to do this, some of us choose to forgo eating meat; others choose to do so but with as much care as possible, understanding the place for this within the ecosystem, as we are creatures part of the ecosystem.
For those who engage in carnivory in our community, this sensitivity to our food and ecosystem means choosing to work with farms who carefully and kindly raise their animals in sustainable ways; recognizing and involving the animals healthily in the ecosystem of this land.
Once the animals are raised, we buy them directly from the farmer with a fair, respectful agreement that works for us and the farmer. We buy the animals: not the meat, as we are taking ownership of our own consumption.
We then gather as a community to harvest the animals. The animal slaughter is done by a shochet, kosher slaughterer. This is done for two reasons: One, our community is diverse, and we are inclusive, respecting each of our individual life paths and traditions. Two, the kosher slaughter is built on the idea of minimizing the trauma to the animal during the slaughter process and treating the taking of the animal's life as sacred.
During the slaughtering process the animal is not moved to a factory, but only just out of sight of it's pen and held by caring individuals, with me, as a reiki master, giving reiki to, again, ease the transition.
Once the slaughter process is done, the community works together processing. All parts of the animal are used. We have follow-up workshops after this to help us develop more skills in using every part of the animal. In the past we did tanning and tallow soap making. This year I am working to organize another tanning workshop and a Natuve American bone art workshop. Anything not used by humans is eaten by other animals. Nothing is wasted out of respect for the life taken. The process of butchering takes about two days.
This process is not light or easy. It changes you and your relationship to meat. It connects you to that which you consume face to face. No longer will it be just a tasty thing to fill your belly. Instead, being part of the process will beckon you to use the energy you eat in a respectful way. You will undoubtedly think about what your role is in the ecosystem and thereby grow in connection and understanding to the great circle of life.
In this early spring workshop we will be harvesting sheep and goats. If you wish to participate, please let me know. We have some animals or half shares of animals left to buy. All are welcome to respectfully participate, even if you just want to watch for a little bit. I will have my kids with me the second day. The workshop will be held at Kelly's Working Well Farm. If you have never been, it is well worth taking a peak at this cool space.
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