A group of East Winders spent two weeks living and working at two of our sister communities, Twin Oaks and Acorn. Twin Oaks, Acorn, and East Wind Communities are all proud members of the Federation of Egalitarian Communities. All FEC communities have the option to participate in a labor exchange program (called LEXing), which allows members from one community to temporarily live and work at another. Members are able to report the hours they've worked at one of our sister communities and receive credit the same as they would for work done in their home community.
A trip from East Wind to visit the east coast FEC communities is typically arranged once per year, and gives many East Winders the opportunity to explore other communities for the first time. East Winders had a good stay during their LEX trip, and are thankful to Twin Oaks and Acorn for hosting them. East Winders also arrange a LEX trip to Sandhill, another FEC community, every fall to help with their sorghum harvest. Nearby Dancing Rabbit and Red Earth Farm are usually visited during this trip as well. Many of us believe that a strong network of communities is essential to maintain and share our way of life, and we hope to see even more communities join us in the future.
Garden
Summer is well underway, and our walk-in fridge is full of fresh garden produce. Our watermelons and cantaloupes are sweet and delicious, and available in abundance. Thousands of tomatoes have been picked from our garden and processed into tomato sauce, salsa, tomato juice, tomato wine, and more (and they're still coming by the cartload everyday). Peppers (hot and sweet), potatoes, okra, squash, cucumbers, chard, eggplant, and corn are some other garden veggies being enjoyed this summer. Echinacea, sunflowers, roses, feverfew, skullcap, sage, tobacco, and st. john's wort are all in bloom, enchanting our herb gardens.
Drought
This summer has been hot and dry, with temperature rising above 100 degrees on most days and very little rainfall. The leaves of mulberry and sassafras trees have begun to yellow and brown, and dead oak leaves coat the ground and blow in the wind as though it were autumn. The lawns and pastures around community have turned brown and bare. Fortunately, our gardens receive plenty of water and are still green and thriving. Most of us are longing for rain, and the few small storms that have blown through have been welcomed with enthusiasm.
Peanuts
East Wind Nutbutters is now once again producing our famous natural peanut butter. We were unable to purchase any peanuts for our business due to massive droughts throughout the country, but received our first shipment of new peanuts this month. You can check out our nutbutters and other products on our website.
