2024 Yosemite Gathering
Farm To Crag Yosemite Gathering 2024
On May 3rd – 5th we had an incredible group of 65 climbers, farmers, scientists, artists, chefs, and indigenous leaders at our 4th annual Farm To Crag gathering. Thanks to our title sponsor Patagonia - rain or shine we feasted, harvested, worked, and climbed together.
Introductions – each of our brilliant participants introduced themselves within the 5 values of Farm To Crag – Resilience, Reciprocity, Diversity, Health, and Relationships. We were equally distributed and come to the regenerative food movement for different amazing reasons. This set the tone for a collaborative, thoughtful weekend in a fantastic way.
Farm Tour - From there Lauren and Glikin dove deep into how they create abundance from their land, they focus on growing healthy soil through a myriad of intercropping strategies, cover crops, compost, rotational grazing, companion planting and pollinator hedgerows that leave everyone stoked to help with all the hard work that keeps the farm growing. They are such awesome educators, it is a gift to have their knowledge and skill on our team!
Panel Discussion – The power we have to educate and inspire each other is boundless. Brittany Leavitt an urban farm manager and ED of Brown Girls Climb, Abbey Smith from Protect Our Winters, Ryan Peterson of the Climate Farm School, Andrew Glikin from Raw Roots Farm, and Nathalie Siddique of Outward Wines, all sat on our panel moderated by biologist Ben Ward. Each person elaborated on how they were taking action to save the world, and what climbers might do to help to support the regenerative food system.
Indigenous food pathways – Sandy and Tara from the southern Sierra Miwuk Nation shared some of their favorite plant relatives with us – acorn mash, redbud, serviceberry, and the soap plant! They spoke about how they get to know each plant as you would a friend, one at a time, asking questions and listening, the connection growing deeper over time. Sandy and Tara underscored the need for reciprocity and asked us climbers to always go with good intentions in our hearts and ask permission from our rock ancestors to climb on them.
Pizza night from Matt Dillon’s wood fire oven was beyond flavorful, the delight of nettle and fiddlehead ferns added to all the beautiful local flavors. Massive amounts of green salad, Patagonia Provisions Kernza Lagger and Outward Wines paired complemented the flavors. Evening presentations from Kate Rutherford and the newest member of the Patagonia ambassador team, Tyler Karow, delighted folks and inspired them to join the Farm To Crag family in taking positive action to save reverse climate change through investing in local resilient food systems.
Sourdough Bread Class – Saturday morning after an incredible breakfast of regeneratively grazed Wondernut Farms bacon, yogurt, and cheeses, Raw Roots eggs and greens, and beautiful local bread from Twist, we sat down with chef Matt Dillon for Sourdough instruction.
Farm work projects – Lending the strong arms of climbers to the farmers is one of the ways we show our gratitude and not only invest in buying local regenerative organic food but also invest with our bodies, hearts, and minds, our time and energy! We built a new chicken fence, harvested strawberries, transplanted leaks, spread compost on new beds, built tomato trellises, and more!
Chicken soup for the soul – Ryan Peterson and Nick dove into the kitchen to make chicken soup for the rainy afternoon. Kernza pasta from Patagonia Provisions and a garnish of local cheese and roasted rosemary olive oil warmed up our belies before the panel discussion.
Vegetable Scrap Fabric Dying Workshop – Ashima Shiraishi led us into the realm of fabric and natural dying potential as the rain began to fall, we gathered close to learn about Ashima’s time in Japan studying with the Shabori masters. Each participant chose a technique and dye bath to experiment with. The results were stunning!
Soil Science – Professor Becca Ryles took everyone to the greenhouse for soil science class as the wind and rain lashed the farm. We stayed warmish and dryish while learning about the carbon cycle, nutrient transport, and biochar, among other things. All while standing between rows of delicious spinach and chard
Organic/Natural Wine happy hour With Outward Wines – The rain subsided, and Nathalie and Ryan took over to talk about their experience as climbers and natural winemakers, and what it means to make organic and regenerative wine. What it takes to create a market for this and how they are changing the face of wine with their intentional climate-smart, delicious practices.
Celebratory dinner – The golden rays of sunset brought out the first courses of our Matt Dillon dinner celebrating the local abundance. We all sat in awe of the beauty of the farm and raised a glass to the soil, farmers, and chefs who nourished us. We would not be here without you. And we celebrate each other as the partners we are thrilled to solve hard problems with. The magical beet salad and the rhubarb Danish desert were not to be forgotten!
Sunday morning brought another beautiful breakfast from Lisa Bediant and Emmy Aras Emmerson, they made sandwiches to go, and we headed for Yosemite to all climb together!
Climbing – Sharp crystals under fingers, and joyful encouragement from friends calling out from the forest. This is the same geology that is part of the soil structure that nourishes us!
Closing thoughts – We each read a postcard written by another about the action they wanted to take on behalf of what they had learned at the Farm To Crag gathering. Some of the most powerful came from farmers and ranchers who were blown away that there were people who wanted to support them.
We finished with food ☺ a picnic and a group hug!
Huge thank you to all the supporters!!
Our title sponsor Patagonia really made it happen with help from Outward Wine, Patagonia Provisions, Brown Girls Climb, Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, Protect Our Winters, Patagonia Books, Wild Idea Seeds, Send Bars, Overview Coffee, Black Diamond, Raw Roots Farm, Matt Dillon, and individual helpers Lilja Jelks, Jessie Honig, Ben Ward, Dana Illo, Catherine Johnson, Cassie Papaleo, and Mikre-Ab Abera, Ryan Peterson, Ashima Siraishi, Lillian Crowe, Tyler Karow, Orion Kobayashi, Kate Rutherford and so many more!
Climbers are changing the world, one meal at a time.
Thank you!
