even the clear parts of our minds and hearts seem to equal out to muddy.

Today is election day in the United States, and that's the last time we're going to mention it directly in this newsletter, because we are continually reminded that there is no quick fix to solving the world's problems. The work does not end in the voting booth. It takes sustained effort to abolish the dehumanizing systems in place, and to imagine and build up new ones. 

It will take creativity, care, communication, and coordination. Effort. Trust. Strategy. Patience. Faith. Grief, joy, and pain. 

You do not have to do it alone. In fact, you can't. When we come together to build a web of support, it allows us to work more effectively in unison. We are the only thing standing in our own way. 

In the words of Octavia Butler, "There's no single answer that will solve all of our future problems. There's no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers - at least. You can be one of them in you choose to be."

Recently, we added a section to our tidbits called 'Do One Small Thing', where each week we prompt you to do one small thing to contribute to collective wellbeing. Our first prompt was, 'introduce yourself to one neighbor who you don't already know,' and a newsletter reader responded: 

My wife and I were out walking our dogs when we saw the familiar heterosexual couple out walking again. They each had an accent and this time I stopped to ask them where they were from. Turkey and Germany. Both were professors at the local university.

We chatted for quite some time and learned we had many things in common, namely growing food naturally and cooking healthy food from fresh ingredients. They came over to our house after their walk to pick up tomatoes we offered them from the garden. Gave them a tour of the growing spaces. The husband was inspired again to work on getting his growing space ready for spring. I offered to help.

We sent them home with more fall garden goodies. They, in turn, shared their homemade, incredibly delicious yoghurt.

We made new friends. 

These small interactions build a community of care, which makes a difference and becomes amplified with each action. Keep sharing your stories. We are with you today, tomorrow, and every day after that.

In it together,

Tay + Dor

photo by Christine Han

tidbits...

resources on anti-racism, environmentalism and food culture AKA stuff we're reading / listening to / watching / noticing / thinking about / captivated by this Tuesday . . .
 

Do One Small Thing . . . each week we highlight one small contribution to the type of world we want to live in: this week, in the words of Noura Erakat, "Keep in mind that what you do on November 6th is more important than November 5th." What will you do to build a small web of support in your community in addition to casting a vote? Will you make a meal for someone in need? Give someone a ride? Donate to a mutual aid effort? Call your elected officials to hold them accountable? Check out a book on organizing from your library? Let us know how you will contribute.

Desiree Adaway's election preparedness resource guide also includes important questions for reflecting on what your organization learned from the last two election cycles.

Reminders that our grief and our joy are woven together and a grief spell for being stretched, worthy of these times. 

We Need Grandmother Roots.

Petra from Fruition asks the important questions (plus an ode to the hope and beauty of planting garlic right now). 

Rachel Ricketts providing the type of community care that we need in this election season. 

The conversation on Palestinian Grief and Undying Liberation that we needed via adrienne maree brown's How To Survive The End of the World podcast. 

Save a spot in Not Our Farm's Wintering: Mindfulness & Reflection in the Off Season class. 

Wall art always worth having: 'Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it,' from Pirkei Avot.

Hanna Stubblefield-Tave offers a step by step guide to starting to talk about Palestine in the workplace.

One small thing you can do for liberation is support Black food sovereignty, by way of Sweet Freedom Farm.

View and share this free guide to How to Write a More Equitable Job Post, and stay tuned for new resources to deepen this work.

"Plenty has been written about the economic impact of the pandemic on the food industry, but not enough about its lingering effects on the bodies of people whose mission is to nourish us." Read the latest GFJ Story on the creator behind Anjali's Cup, with words by Nicole J. Caruth and photos by Christine Han.

got a tidbit? drop it here for us and we'll share it in next week's newsletter.