Down on the Farm turns 14

This summer, the 'Down on the Farm' column passed its 14th birthday! That's a LOT of stories about all things sustainable ag, nature stewardship, and creativity. The initiative started small and has gradually grown to include a broad regional readership. Thank you for sharing the journey so far with me and our family's regenerative farm! I suspect some of my readers are also writers — or are interested in writing. If you have been enjoying the vibe of the stories, I have some upcoming opportunities to share with you! And feel free to pass the word along to wordsmiths you know. So much of what makes the 'Down on the Farm' stories come to life on the page comes from noticing and capturing the details—the sights, sounds, smells, textures, tastes, and atmosphere of the scene. Captured dialogue, the nature of the light, the vocalizations of animals, the silken sheen of feathers. These bring the experience into focus, rather than just the facts relayed in a void. In writers' groups, I'm often asking for additional sensory detail — help me see/feel/smell the kitchen in this scene? What time of year is it? What are the colors here? In writing, we are often admonished to 'show instead of tell,' but what does that actually mean on the page? HOW do you do that? My upcoming Zoom course 'Draw Me Into Your World: Writing to Build the Movie in the Reader's Mind' focuses on exactly this, filled with examples and creative prompts to help you unpack and explore sensory-rich perspectives and details to increase the realism and impact of your writing. All skill levels and writing styles are welcome. Hosted by Garden of Neuro Institute, you can learn more at https://tinyurl.com/56vtbv8n. But writing isn't always easy. Sometimes our mind can be cruel, judgmental, or worried. I've heard from so many, 'Well, I do some writing, but I'm not a writer.' Writing IS how you are a writer. There's no other way to get there! But I get it, because the inner critic is scared to fully claim this creative role. We'll never be good enough! That nasty voice in our heads chimes is for not writing as well as cuts us when we do. It's a no-win circle. I know, I have that too. This week, I wrote an article for Brain Labs on Medium titled 'Reframing Our Relationship with the Inner Critic: A Study in the Pivot from Endless Combat to Compassionate Reparenting,' which just won their Summer Weekend Writing Contest. Drawing together authors like Julia Cameron, Mark Coleman, Tara Mohr, Natalie Goldberg, and more, I unpack the nature and source of the inner critic and chart a healthier way forward for creatives of all natures. You can read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/yt6e4tw9. With Medium editor and founder of Garden of Neuro Institute Susan Brearley, I'm co-hosting an upcoming Zoom course on this theme, 'Outwriting the Inner Critic: Quiet the Critic and Write from the Inner Mentor.' Not only will we face the inner critic head-on and learn actionable tools to unhitch from its clutches, but we'll also learn how to supplant that negative feedback loop with positive insight from our inner mentor. Wherever you are on your writing journey, even if you're just thinking about starting, we are here for you. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/4tht6dhy. Fourteen years have seen so many changes on our family's farm! So many adventures, misadventures, trials, and celebrations. I look forward to continuing that journey with you, using words to paint pictures, ask questions, call to action, and build community. Here's to more stories to come. See you down on the farm sometime. Laura Berlage is a co-owner of North Star Homestead Farms, LLC and Farmstead Creamery. 715-462-3453, www.northstarhomestead.com