The Unsetting of America: Reflection on Stewardship and Sustainability

The Unsettling of America

In The Unsettling of America, Wendell Berry reminds us that the environmental crises we face aren't caused by distant forces alone—they're shaped by the everyday choices we make. He explains how modern society, driven by industrialization and profit, has neglected its responsibility to care for the earth. The result? Environmental destruction, disconnection from community, and a loss of personal connection to the land.

Berry challenges us to reflect on our habits—from the food we eat to the products we buy—and how they contribute to these problems. But he also acknowledges that not everyone is equally aware of the harm being done. For those who are, it's an opportunity to lead—not with judgment, but through education, example, and change.

The solution? Embracing a culture of stewardship. By choosing sustainable practices, supporting local economies, and prioritizing the health of our planet, we can begin to repair the damage.

For Our Family and Farm

So what does this mean for our family and farm? We see stewardship as more than a choice—it's a responsibility and a privilege. It begins with the small decisions we make every day: from product packaging to the inputs we put into the soil, and how we support and engage with our community.

We label ourselves as a sustainable farm, yet we continue to find areas where our practices fall short. For example, we rely on off-farm work to support our family, we buy fertility inputs, and there is less and less time for rest.

Above is the expansion field for more crops and additional space for rotations.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025, we’re committed to turning things around. Our goal is to look at our lives and operations holistically. This means:

• Keeping detailed records and identify waste.

• Experimenting with on-farm fertility using JADAM methods.

• Increasing the use of cover crops while incorporating rest and rotations.

• Intentionally planning personal time to rejuvenate our family.

We must also remember that stewardship doesn’t happen in isolation. As Wendell Berry suggests, our choices ripple outward, affecting those around us. While we already have a strong network of local businesses, we believe sharing our journey and encouraging others will strengthen both our community and the environment.

One example of this is our decision regarding floral foam for installations. With some outside influence, I’ve waivered with the idea of using floral foam. But moving forward, we’ve decided not to use floral foam unless a fully compostable alternative becomes available. By taking this stand, we hope to inspire other flower farmers to explore alternative methods.

Join Us on This Journey

We invite you to read the book and consider your own choices with compassion. Lasting change doesn't happen with guilt and shame, but from a place of love. So whatever you choose,  choose from that place -  whether that's supporting sustainable agriculture, or simply being curious about where your food and flowers come from, or saving and re-using bags at the grocery store. Together, we can make choices that honor the land, strengthen our families, and inspire a healthier future.

PS. The audiobook is AMAZING and FREE with a Greenville Library Card on Hoopla.