Dear Curiosity Journal,
I was away from the farm for our first sap boil, visiting one of my mentors, Harriet Behar, who is training me to write conservation plans for WWIC (Wisconsin Women in Conservation). Visiting her farm and learning from her wellspring of knowledge was nothing short of inspiring and I look forward to helping women landowners address conservation concerns, create the beautiful spaces they envision, and pursue cost share opportunities through NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) to support them along the way. When I returned home after dark, Rufus was just coming out of the woods. His real time sap report included a good flow, his love for the sound of the rolling boil against the quiet of the woods, Balio posted up next to the fire, and a startling warning bark at dark, echoed by a chorus of disgruntled racoons. We’re not the only mammals with a sweet tooth and Balio takes protecting the sugar very seriously.
~Joy