Casey O’Neill is a farmer and owner of Happy Day Farms in Laytonville, Calif. The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mendocino Voice. If you’d like to write your own column for The Mendocino Voice, send your idea to info@mendovoice.com.
When I was a kid our lives seemed steeped in tradition, ways of being in the world handed down through both sides of my family. Ma held to her Portuguese heritage and culinary traditions, making caldo verde and roasting a leg of lamb at Easter. I picked up a love of Christmas from Pops, listening to “Misa Criolla” and “O Tannenbaum,” even though I couldn’t understand the words.
When Ma passed, some of that sense of tradition and heritage went with her, and I am saddened when I think of the loss and my feelings of helplessness in recreating the old ways. And yet, I look at the ways our community comes together to build new traditions, and I reflect on the generational process that moves us all along in this life. I’m grateful to be part of a community that gathers for farmers markets, music nights and other celebrations, these events holding shared joy and that same sense of tradition.
Some of these ways are new, like our Hobbit party in the spring. This morning I’ve awakened in our tent on a misty August morning after a campout at the ranch with family and friends that feels like the start of another new tradition. I’m coming to realize how much it matters to have these celebrations to look forward to, appreciating the moments of connection and the feelings of togetherness in a world that feels increasingly disconcerting.
On Friday night I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion at Mendocino Magic as part of their programming for the Perseids meteor shower. The topic coalesced around astrotourism and regenerative economics, focusing on tourism to places with dark skies and minimal light pollution. When people visit our area to appreciate the beauty of nature and the joy of seeing the stars, they bring needed economic activity to our rural spaces.
As our communities continue to grapple with the changes in the cannabis industry, it feels more important than ever to gather in a shared effort to create new ways of bringing income to our area. What used to arrive in duffle bags now has potential to arrive as part of appreciation for nature and the beauty of our area. If we can work together to craft sustainable revenue streams that support and protect nature and dark skies, we will all be better for it.
Humanity’s original assets are the sun and the soil. The ways in which we shepherd and steward the earth will define our survival and also our happiness along the way. When we engage in discourse and exchange between urban and rural areas, we foster opportunities for increased respect for nature and more support for sustainable environmental policies. It’s hard to expect children who never see the stars to grow up to fight to preserve places where the skies are dark.
And yet, even though our area is known for dark skies, there are far too many greenhouses lighting up the night because people don’t pull their courtesy tarps. The bright lights are problematic for wildlife and disrupt the dark skies that are so profound in our area. Please, if you’re running lights, pull your tarps!
The cool, moist weather feels like fall is in the air, and we’re about to get the coffee going on the camp stove. It feels good to be in community with friends and loved ones, to share the journey and learn from each other as we navigate life. There is deep joy in watching the children play and interact and beautiful moments like playing music as the sun set last night.
I miss Ma and her sense of tradition and family history, and I hold on to what I can remember. I love the many ways we gather as family and community, but I see that we can do better. I’m glad to commit to building new traditions and remembering old ones, for I come to see that this is the glue that binds us and holds us together when times get tough. As always, much love and great success to you on your journey!
Casey O’Neill owns and runs HappyDay Farms, a small vegetable and cannabis farm north of Laytonville. He is a long time cannabis policy advocate, and was born and raised in the Bell Springs area. The preceding has been an editorial column. The Mendocino Voice has not necessarily fact-checked or copyedited this work, and it should be interpreted as the words of the author, not necessarily reflecting the opinions of The Mendocino Voice.