Reflections on the 2025 Fellowship of Preparation Makers Gathering in Viroqua, Wisconsin
By Daniela María Escudero
Note: As recently suggested by Robin Wall Kimerer in this article, I have used ki and kin as pronouns for non-human beings in nature: ki for the singular and kin for the plural.
There is true magic in creating a space—physical and spiritual—that fosters fertile soil for all kinds of learning, growing, and evolving. Recently I was invited to reflect on how creating a community is much like creating a being that has needs and demands and much like the farm must be cultivated and tended. At the Fellowship of Preparations Makers Gathering, held January 30 through February 2, we came together and we created a being, and, for a few days, we fed ki and experienced ki’s growth and evolution.
There was a confluence of knowledge and experience that flowed down many rivers, gathering in Viroqua, Wisconsin. And this being, ki, our gathering, soaked it all up as we stirred waters with deep open-hearted conversations, curious questions, and authentic expression. This diverse group of individuals, teachers, students, farmers, artists, and entrepreneurs each brought their own perspectives and stories to share and gather from each other. Our elders were many at the gathering and so were the fresh eyes of a beginner, both young and old. People who grew up living, breathing, and eating biodynamics, and others who came from more conventional practices. We all met each other—willing to listen, witness, and learn. More ...
By Daniela María Escudero
Note: As recently suggested by Robin Wall Kimerer in this article, I have used ki and kin as pronouns for non-human beings in nature: ki for the singular and kin for the plural.
There is true magic in creating a space—physical and spiritual—that fosters fertile soil for all kinds of learning, growing, and evolving. Recently I was invited to reflect on how creating a community is much like creating a being that has needs and demands and much like the farm must be cultivated and tended. At the Fellowship of Preparations Makers Gathering, held January 30 through February 2, we came together and we created a being, and, for a few days, we fed ki and experienced ki’s growth and evolution.
There was a confluence of knowledge and experience that flowed down many rivers, gathering in Viroqua, Wisconsin. And this being, ki, our gathering, soaked it all up as we stirred waters with deep open-hearted conversations, curious questions, and authentic expression. This diverse group of individuals, teachers, students, farmers, artists, and entrepreneurs each brought their own perspectives and stories to share and gather from each other. Our elders were many at the gathering and so were the fresh eyes of a beginner, both young and old. People who grew up living, breathing, and eating biodynamics, and others who came from more conventional practices. We all met each other—willing to listen, witness, and learn. More ...
