‘Connection with place’ is an increasingly important part of Nialls story and reason for what he does here at Fuchsia Lane Farm. This stems from many reasons, some known and some unknown, he laughs!
“Remembering that as I walk these fields, I might be stepping into the footprints of previous generations of the same family, that can be traced back to the late 1700s, can sometimes create a sense of connection and ‘earthed-ness’ that can cause me to stop and pause,” says Niall. ‘The ‘reaching back’ will hopefully allow us to ‘reach forward’ so that we act in the correct way now, which in time will help sustain future generations who will walk in my footprints when I will be a memory, if even that!”
Recently Niall read an article that referenced the Iroquois Nation in North America and how they acknowledged the place that the Elders held in their community and their deep-time vision which considered, “What would be good for the next seven generations?” Niall believes that this is the challenge and opportunity for us all in this time of change and uncertainty, as we consider and act in new ways, as we remind ourselves of the wisdom that is ‘under our feet’. As we discuss this, Niall explains that this particular field, not the best in agricultural terms, has probably not been disturbed for generations. Sensing this connection and ‘rootedness’ is an opportunity to listen and learn from the treasures beneath our feet perhaps?