Introductions

 Seriously, Who am I?

    I've always been the weird girl, I have ALWAYS felt different, like I didn't fit into any circle, square or mold. We humans are all so different I realized, and I'm sure there were so many other kids standing right in front of me who also felt so different.  Us weirdos are out here grown up in this world, pursuing our passions, caring for our families, looking at the world from a different perspective so we can make a difference in our world.  And our worlds are rich with so many pursuits, so many people we think we can't make a difference.  I learned along the way that doing something I love can lead to making a difference in my world, my sphere of influence, and that is enough for me, to make change in my community for my family and friends.    

    So who am I?  I mean, gosh, I've been asking myself that my whole life. So far, this is what I have come up with. The not so strange part of me likes books, nature, plants, and art. The completely strange part of me loves foraging, macabre, supernatural, dark cottage core if there is even a name for the combination of subjects that interest me and there are many more not even listed here.  My favorite holiday is Halloween and I love horror movies, and I know I 'm not the only one. I'm extremely interested in mushrooms, plants (deadly and medicinal), animals (strange and unusual types for sure) reptiles and insects, history (especially Native American and Ancient Egyptian), mixed with artistic expression, rock, and heavy metal. (I do like other music too! I mean come on, I grew up on country and classic rock.) I love making ceramics, painting, and drawing.  

    I also really love food and cooking it.  But here is the thing, I realized I like high quality food.  Guess what else, not many people produce quality, nutrient-dense, organic, non-gmo food around the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Don't get me wrong, farmers producing quality food are out there, but since making the decision to pursue our mission to farm, I'm discovering more people on the coast want the same food I am looking for too.  So, who am I?  That's a great question...

         Hello Friends!

    My name is Danielle Novick, I'm obviously the writer of this blog and I'm the owner of a farm in South Misssissippi called, Farm, Evolve: A Permaculture Farm.  I grew up in Mississippi in a small community between Gulfport and Ocean Springs called Woolmarket.  I went to public school and got a college degree, did all the things "they" say you need to do to be successful.  My family on my mom's side was pretty involved in the community as they ran a metal recycling company, and they still do own a metal recycling business to this day, just in a different location. I grew up working in the metal recycling industry which is probably where I get my can-do attitude, and I have no problem working hard for what I want in life.  I have a husband, Justin, and we have two children together. Two boys.  I homeschool.  I really do fit the hippie, crunchy mom vibe but just more of a wild creature who watches Buffy the Vampire the Slayer and drinks too much coffee.  And more science-backed, because I like science.

    If I'm honest with you guys, this is the scariest thing I have ever done.  We are going all in on this adventure. We are giving up financial security, insurance, 401K, and all the things that can come with a steady job. My husband left his comfortable job that paid very well so we could pursue a life that makes us happy.  Money isn't everything. Pursuing your passions, spending time with family, building community, and so many other things are much more important.  How many of us remember the memories made with our family, our parents, our own kids over the materialistic things we acquired during those same memories.  Look guys, don't get me wrong, some "things" can be core memories too, like art supplies, stuffed bear, or books, or your favorite blanket or jacket.  Everyone has their "Thing" that just is a comfort.  I just don't crave exorbitant and impressively complicated things in my life, I want memories and experiences because it is the only thing my soul gets to take with me to the next life.

    So if you crave authentic experiences, real-life people, and growth in all things, welcome to my place in the world, welcome to my realm of influence, all humans are welcome here. 

    You know the who, but what about the why?  Why would I give up all the comfort of a steady job to farm?  Did you know the average age of farmers today is around 65?  We need healthy, nutrient-dense food and we need it not produced hundreds of miles away from where it is to be eaten.  I don't want my meat to travel farther than I have. I don't want food that is sprayed with more chemicals than I even keep in my house.  I want my community to be able to sustain ourselves in any emergency.  We need people who have new ideas.  

    I want to farm food so I can provide healthy food that heals not only my neighbor's bodies but also heals the land I grow on.  Every decision we make on our farm is to make the environment better for wildlife, people, water, plants, and the planet itself because the type of radical farming that we do is different.  We are running a regenerative permaculture farm that grows healthy meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and plants.  We want to provide a place for others to learn as well.  If the type of farming we do interests you, we want you to be able to learn how to do it from us.  We want our friends, neighbors, and community to be able to not only come together, but be resilient in a crisis.  If you get your food locally, you will always be emergency proof.  

    I'm going to tell you one more thing about me, I consider myself a Libertarian. I believe in constitutional liberty.  I think the government has too much influence in all the wrong places.  People should be able to choose, and that means in all things, their food, their life, their jobs. I know how this is going to sound, it is going to sound quite conspiracy theorist but I want to get it all out in the open.  I don't think the government has "the people" the actual citizens in mind when they go about their government day.  I think they have corporations in mind.  I think they have lobbyists in mind. I think they have the 1% in mind.  But us, nah man.  I'm not going to do what they want, I'm going to do the opposite of that.  I'm going to pursue natural health, health gained by eating healthy animal meats, fruits and vegetables, not sick confinement raised animals that were sick when they were slaughtered and therefore work towards making me sick.  I'm not against western medicine, but I will tell you, herbal medicine isn't to be laughed at either.  I have found just as much or more relief from herbal medicines and I can make a lot of them for less than ten dollars.  I don't want to depend on a government that doesn't care about me for my most basic needs, so I want to work on creating a system in my community that doesn't need government influence.   I know some of the things I say or write will ruffle feathers for some people, and you just aren't my people.  So good day sir!  But if what I am saying speaks to you, then stay for a while.  Get to know me a bit.  Learn from me and the community we have.  Do the things that the government doesn't want us to do.  It's the only way we can be strong without them.

    As you can see, I believe in freedom.  Do you?