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About
    About
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    Food + Farming
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    Health + Wellness
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Publications and Projects
    • Accolades
  • Consulting + Project Management
    • Organizational Management + Evaluation
    • Facilitation + Meeting Support
    • Food + Farming Projects
  • Public Speaking
  • Photography
  • Stories from the Field
    • Food + Farming
    • Life + Love
    • Health + Wellness
Wit Meets Grit - Rolling up our sleeves and having fun.
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Highs and Lows.

I have had this quote on my facebook for a while and it is more true now than ever. “I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can’t see from the center.” -Kurt Vonnegut

Although I am a little exhausted from the extreme shift in highs and lows, I am not sure if I would be any happier in the middle.

High: House sitting job that comes with this view…

Low: Billy-the-goat died Friday. Cleveland let me cry on his shoulder and then helped me bury my little friend in true farm style, with a backhoe. I had to leave work early and I couldn’t bring myself to come back until Monday. He will be missed. I am thankful for him teaching me so much about goats, I just wish I had learned it all before it was too late.


High: A whole weekend off (this is a rarity for me)…starting with a house-cooling party… I somehow managed to have zero pics of this fantastical day but close your eyes and imagine a steady flow of friends, dogs, and children… swimming, playing lawn games, sharing food, and laughing. Then Dan and I spent Sunday making food, sharing drinks, swimming, playing video games, and napping.

Low: Medical Bills.

High: Storm-clouds heavy with much needed rain.

Low: Temperatures up to 100 degrees with 100% humidity and heat index up to 120 degrees.

High: Dan got free tickets to see Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes…

And why not one more High: Best email subject line ever… thanks to my awesome Mom…

July 26, 2010by Nikki
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Freeeeedom!

http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/grand_strand/article/wild_chickens_roam_georgetown_streets/228853/#comments

July 22, 2010by Nikki
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Goat Update


Some of you are wondering how Mr. Billy is doing… and I am still not really sure. He has been hiding out in the chicken A-frame shelter, hiding underneath the roosting bars for the past two days, as seen above. Twice a day, every day, I force him to get out and walk around, drink water, and try to eat. Yesterday, Kipp from Burden Creek Dairy came over and gave him once over. His rectal area is extremely inflamed which is clearly making him uncomfortable but he does not have a fever or diarrhea, so there is a little hope. His stomach area is also still swollen but I realized that he might have a urine blockage. Since I needed feed and supplies anyway, I headed out to Tractor Supply where the manager Durwood showed me some basic vitamin “drenches” to give the goats as well as a great website: www.tennesseemeatgoats.com. After talking to a few locals, I found a woman named Casey Price that is with Jeremiah Goat and Dairy on Johns Island. What a wonderful, intelligent, goat loving woman!! She was extremely helpful in talking me through the symptoms and invited me right out to her farm to give me some tools to help the goat. After a lot of discussion, we decided that the most likely problem is Urinary Calculi which is basically a blockage in the urethra. Unfortunately, it is a little late in the game to be diagnosing this and ammonium chloride can help in the early stages but he may already have a severe blockage and need veterinarian assistance. He is still eating and drinking which is good, except if he has a blockage and continues to drink, his bladder could explode! I cannot handle this helplessness! Here is a diagram of the male system:http://goat-link.com/Articles/artimages/male-urethra-goat.gif

The crazy part about goats is that they were one of the first domesticated animals and are currently raised for milk, meat, and skin in almost every country but there are few people in the United States that are professionally trained in medically treating goats. In Charleston County there is only one vet that handles goats and most people do not use him because of the costs. Everyone I have talked to has taught themselves and learned from experience which is crazy considering the goats often suffer. There is a 90% chance that my goats illness is due to uninformed care taking… just today I learned that I should not be giving them corn, too much (if any) feed with molasses, peaches (or any pit fruit), and that they need baking soda/salt mixtures out in their pen. Apparently branches, leaves, and bark are suppose to be their main food (of which I have been given them zero) and they are forages partially to regulate their stomach. They don’t even have teeth on the top of their mouths since they are not grazers! Goats are susceptible to so many kinds of diseases, I don’t know why people would ever keep them as pets unless they had some kind of training or experience handling them first. This is definitely becoming one hell of a learning experience.

July 21, 2010by Nikki
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Goats with bloat.


Billy, Peanut and Bob (Black, Tan, White).

Every morning I spend an hour or more playing with my three darling goats at Josephs. I never have quite enough time to build them the palace they deserve but I try to spoil them with greens and horse feed. Sadly, my little guy Billy hasn’t been feeling so good. When I came in on Saturday he didn’t come running with the other two and just stood wobbling looking a little drunk. By the time I got into the pen, he had laid down and was coughing. His little tummy is so bloated I feel like he might pop! I have spent the last three days trying to figure out what is wrong and what I can do to help him. The kind folks at Burden Creek Dairy have been helping diagnose and treat the little guy…but its still a mystery. Taking care of goats is so intimidating because there is so much that can go wrong. I have to admit I considered taking him home so I could check on him during the night so I won’t stay up thinking about him. Hopefully he will pull through, so keep your fingers crossed for my little darling goat friend!

July 20, 2010by Nikki
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Articles to Share.

Here is a little ditty about women in farming:

http://www.rodale.com/women-farming?page=0%2C0

Where are all the farmers?
My new favorite magazine:

http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/


City Farms in Detroit

And finally, if you are in the south and looking for a great Newsletter… check out this one.

July 18, 2010by Nikki
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Page 1 of 212»

Get in touch!

Nikki@WitMeetsGrit.Com

Eye Candy

wit_meets_grit

Perspective. The last two years have provided it i Perspective. The last two years have provided it in spades. I've always known the people in our lives matter but in the past it always felt "safer" to be independent and keep a bit of a wall around myself. This approach also made it easier to put my career ahead of everything else. At the end of the day, society has long rewarded the "busy" workaholic, the overachiever, and the self sacrificer. I've been lucky enough to have a career I love, working alongside people I can call friends, and be able to make a difference. Yet it is even easier to overextend yourself professionally when you love what you do and the people that you serve. Pregnancy, motherhood, and this pandemic (especially the family getting COVID) all came together to give me one hell of a reality check. There have been oodles of good times, giggles, and pleasant surprises but also A LOT of work and abrupt change. I've always believed that change is good but it sure is hard when you are living through it. Despite the challenges and heartache (and because of them), I've grown to deeply appreciate the people in my life, including myself, but especially those closest to me. The amount of love, consideration, and support I've been shown has deepened my commitment to nurturing those aspects life not found on a resume. Big love to the people in my life.
A little nature therapy and floral pallette cleans A little nature therapy and floral pallette cleanser to bring some positivity back to social media.
The sweetest harbinger of winter. This year our sa The sweetest harbinger of winter. This year our satsuma overflowed with enough fruit that we were able to harvest 15 pounds to send to our friends at @growfoodcarolina (even after Wren bit into about 6 oranges before I could catch her). It was fun being back on the farmer side of things, if only for one sale.
Feeling gratitude for another turn around the sun, Feeling gratitude for another turn around the sun, although admittedly the last two years have probably aged me at least ten. Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and parenthood have all broken and reshaped me in ways I am still coming to terms with.  To say the experience has been humbling and life changing is an understatement. It has been an incredible dichotomy of being pushed outside of myself while forced to look deep within simultaneously. I've spent the majority of my life focused on growing professionally and often ran out of time to nurture my spirit. My daughter has been a gift in so many ways, the most surprising one....her influence in helping me to take care of myself so I can better take care of others. Cheers to personal growth and self discovery no matter how uncomfortable and disorienting in can be...and to the family and friends who have helped support me while I figure it all out. Most of all, thank you to my amazing mother who brought me into this world 38 years ago and taught me what unconditional love looks like.
🌞 Happy Spring 🌞 🌞 Happy Spring 🌞
Happy Floral Friday! Thankful for farmer friends l Happy Floral Friday! Thankful for farmer friends like @feastandflora for bringing flowers into my life while my garden takes a little baby break.
Hurrication vibes. Grateful for a safe sanctuary i Hurrication vibes. Grateful for a safe sanctuary in the storm, especially now that we have our little bird. Road tripping with a 3 month old, two dogs, and a cat is not easy but somehow we made it to Greenville and back. Our nest in Charleston made it through the storm just fine (minus a few plants). My heart goes out to those who didn't fare as well, especially all of those on the islands 💓.
When a flower captures your mood perfectly. These When a flower captures your mood perfectly. These first few months of motherhood are channeling the wild and chaotic energy of the Passiflora. There is nothing like having a tiny human to put things into perspective and force you to use every minute wisely. Currently sleep is top of the list (something passion flower can help with).
Orange you glad it's almost the weekend? Orange you glad it's almost the weekend?
May Day...Beltane...Floralia. Today marks the half May Day...Beltane...Floralia. Today marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. While I may not dancing around a bonfire, I quietly celebrated the seasonal change today listening to the birds and tree frogs, admiring the flowers in the garden and feeling my darling little baby kick.
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At 35 weeks along, we've been trying hard to prepare the nest for our little bird. Work has kept me incredibly busy, so the time is slipping away too quickly and I'm almost surprised to find myself so pregnant. .
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Soon I will be celebrating a new season in  my life and one of the greatest adventures yet. Thankful to have @danfield42 by my side and incredible group of family and friends supporting us.
Yes, I'm growing more than a garden and no there i Yes, I'm growing more than a garden and no there is not a watermelon under there 😉. We are expecting a baby girl the first week in June and I'm getting excited-terrified-overwhelmed for this next grand adventure. .
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The last several months have been challenging both physically and mentally, making me so thankful for the support of family and friends.
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This is only the beginning of the journey with my darling @danfield42 and our little bird. Shout out to everyone who has showered us with love and positivity!
Spring is in the air! With a little one on the way Spring is in the air! With a little one on the way, my ability to handle the pollen or dig in the garden has been limited but it won't stop me from a good nature stroll and flower forage.
Farm Feature Friday. While my work centers around Farm Feature Friday. While my work centers around food systems, I often find myself further from the field and more on the organizational development and operations side of things. When I have the opportunity to visit farmer friends, yes even in winter, I jump on the chance to get outside and revisit farm life.

Today I had the pleasure of squeezing in a very quick visit to @wildhopefarm while in Chester, SC. Wow, what a slice of farm paradise!! Caught up with my friend Shawn Jadrnicek and met Katherine "Peanut" Belk, who together shared the plans for their new wash pack line and loading dock. This beautiful diversified fruit & veggie operation focuses on a CSA farm share (including Charlotte, NC) and one farmers market but they also host dinners, wellness retreats, and birding walks. Definitely a place to revisit when there is more time! 
Last month I caught up with Laura Mewbourn at her farm @feastandflora in Meggett, SC while interviewing her for an article. Her flowers have been featured in all kinds of amazing bridal floral images and her efforts with @lowcountryflowergrowers have really paid off. It is incredible to see how much she has in production and awesome to see her employing other new young women in farming.

Check out their great IG feeds and give them some love 🌱💓
Building community in the food system...one confer Building community in the food system...one conference, one meeting, one meal, one person at a time. @southernsawg #ssawg2019 bringing together so many inspirational people.
SC --> GA --> AL --> MS --> TN --> AR road trip to SC --> GA --> AL --> MS --> TN --> AR road trip to the @southernsawg #ssawg2019 conference with a pit stop in Birmingham to check out @jonesvalleyteachingfarm
Bald Head Island was hands down the coldest beachc Bald Head Island was hands down the coldest beachcombing of my life but well worth it to see dolphins putting on a show while we explored the odd variety of flotsam and jetsam. Throughout our  treasure hunt we reminisced about the years living on a sailboat when so many of the islands were still wild and everything was an adventure.
The government (and most of Washington DC) may be The government (and most of Washington DC) may be shut down but thankfully the @usbotanicgarden is still open. Their conservatory is home to awesome plants like this cleistocactus winteri and its noodley appendages.
A new year unfolds full of hope and potential. A new year unfolds full of hope and potential.
Baby Kelley...coming to Charleston in June! The do Baby Kelley...coming to Charleston in June! The doggos have mixed feelings about a new sister...the cat refused to get in the picture. @danfield42 and I are so excited to grow our little family 😊
This one goes out to all the plants I accidentally This one goes out to all the plants I accidentally forgot to bring inside or didn't cover in time.
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