Ecological care is human care.

Ecological care is the main soil ingredient so to speak of all cultivation at Yarrow Hill. From gardening and growing ventures, to crafting, writing, and art creation, to vintage, antique, and secondhand sourcing — when nurturing from the soils of ecological care, without a doubt what will sprout will not only be beautiful, but bring healing and nourishment to all of us. ♥︎

A note from Laura:

The home base where Yarrow Hill grows from here in central Pennsylvania is located on the traditional lands of the Lenape, Shawnee, Susquehannock, and Iroquois Nations.

I would like to acknowledge the history of this land — this land which for several thousands of years was inhabited by Indigenous Peoples who practiced reciprocal relationships with it, and then were invaded, horrifically abused, forcibly removed, and forced to assimilate to exploitative systemic patriarchal, capitalist, colonial cultures brought by my ancestral lineage of European Americans. From William Penn’s descendants’ deceit in the 1737 Walking Purchase, to the mass federally-funded abuse of children at The Carlisle Indian Industrial School, to the lack of any official recognition of tribes here today in PA, great injustice and harm has been woven into every county of this state I call home which we must not overlook. This land and its inhabitants since that initial invasion has endured tremendous mistreatment through centuries of intentional and unintentional unsustainable practices that prioritize profit over care. Or rather, prioritize consistent acts made for unsustainable, short-term, individualistic, self-preservation over sustainable, long-term, altruistic, collective-preservation.

It is through deep reflection and by the guidance of Indigenous Knowledge that I strive to take actions that aid in healing and restoration for this land from this traumatic history. I have committed for my lifetime to continue learning by listening to Indigenous voices, watching Indigenous films, and reading Indigenous-penned literature. I will continue to follow and support Indigenous scientists, artists, poets, culinarians, researchers, health care professionals, etc., and continue to connect to and learn more of the history of my own ancient European and all of our shared early Homo sapien indigenous roots.

This land and its inhabitants are resilient. I aim to evolve and adapt to a healthier future for us all by taking actions for collective sustainable growth in this present time, which forever are rooted in compassion, honesty, respect, interconnectedness, nurturing, harmony, and love. It is an infinite pursuit. And it is the the lesson I’m learning from my main teacher, yarrow.