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Valerie Piedmont: A Reverence for the Earth Throughout her 40 years of homesteading, Valerie Piedmont has embraced ways of living that convey a deep reverence for the earth. Growing food is one of her passions. The way she gardens, both at home and at The Sustainability Project's Emerson Brook Forest Center, reflects this mindset and dedication. Her academic training as a master gardener and certified permaculture designer and teacher, as well as "hands-on" learning (including lots of mistakes, she says), have taught her to follow nature's model for growth. In addition to gardening, Valerie serves as director of The Sustainability Project, promoting a love of nature, environmental stewardship and caring communities; co-owns and serves as human resources and community outreach director for Green Energy Options of Keene; is an Airbnb host; a Solar Sister (musician); and grandmother to Kel, who enhances her everyday experience with his innocence and unlimited appreciation for life. What elements do you consider to be essential strategies for gardening? Though good seeds are important, the process actually starts before planting time. The five main "ingredients" of my gardening method include ensuring the garden beds are host to an ecosystem of microscopic and other soil "critters." Next, I decide what to plant. Companion planting establishes plant relationships for mutual benefit and optimum yield. Then I choose quality open-pollinated seeds sourced from small organic farms (rather than from agribusinesses that produce and include genetically modified and "terminator" seeds in their catalogs). Throughout the growing season, I pay careful attention to the needs of my plants. Are they getting too much water or not enough? Do they look vibrant, or are they showing signs of disease? Are there any pests that need to be picked off? Do they need additional trellising or thinning to invite more sun and airflow to encourage a more bountiful harvest? Last but not least important, I support the pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds, who hold nature in balance. Any tips on how to avoid chemical additives in the garden? Yes! We now know that to succeed in gardening without toxic fossil fuels and chemical fertilizers, it's essential to protect healthy soils that teem with life. In keeping with my efforts to protect the life of the soil, I use a broad fork with five 18-inch tines that loosen and aerate the ground. This "no-till" method makes weeding easy with little disturbance to microbes. I rely on the garden's microscopic residents and earthworms to structure and fertilize the soil, so I avoid compacting the beds with foot traffic. Nature has never relied on garden centers. These businesses developed only after damaging agricultural practices and products depleted our soils. The myriad natural life forms in living earth produce most of the nutrients necessary for vigorous plant development. I add compost and use bark mulch and comfrey leaves to slowly release beneficial minerals and lock in moisture. Mulching captures the rain and prevents nutrient loss through erosion. This is especially important during times of drought and rising temperatures. How important are pollinators, and how can we protect them? Pollinators make a significant portion of our food possible. Unfortunately, widespread pesticide use, along with habitat loss and climate change, has caused a critical decline in their populations. Rather than poisoning pests, we need to create welcoming habitats — beautiful flowering gardens to nourish pollinators and other beneficial insects who work to create vibrant disease-resistant plants. We need to re-cultivate the relationship that existed between humans and the planet prior to industrialized factory farming. There's nothing more important. The earth is our mother, and water is life. It's critical that we honor these truths by showing respect and gratitude so that this beautiful garden planet can nurture future generations of all species. Can you talk about the re-emergence of seed saving and the need for it? During the past century, the diversity of seeds on the planet has been decimated. This year, the demand for seeds has been greater than the supply. Seeds from open-pollinated plants can be saved from year to year. It's time for us to reclaim this ancient, venerable, powerful tradition as part of our broader sustainable community endeavor. Say more about permaculture? The word "permaculture" (permanent agriculture) first came to describe ways of growing food, fibers, building materials, fuel and all the other ingredients society depends on in a way that mimics nature. There are 13 core design principles used to establish ever-evolving perennial gardens that eventually become self-regulating and maintenance-free for generations to come. The permaculture mindset now encompasses all aspects of society with a focus on healing and regenerating the planet. Readers are invited to learn more about permaculture by visiting The Sustainability Project's website www.emersonbrookforest.org, subscribing to our monthly newsletter and joining the Monadnock Region Permaculture Meet-up group.