Let’s say you just had a wonderful, deep draught of crystal-clear, cold well water after a long day of working in the field. Would you have to say just which drops slaked your thirst the best?
So, I’m tempted to invoke Deep Draught of Crystal-Clear Cold Well Water Amnesty with respect to our national gathering and merely steer you toward the video and text resources that captured the proceedings.
A wonderful few days of sharing and learning and listening and collaboration it was, contributing to a vital public conversation about how we can all work together to bring money back down to earth and support the new generation of small-food enterprises.
But I won’t … invoke Deep Draught of Crystal-Clear Cold Well Water Amnesty, that is.
I want to share three remarks made during the proceedings that are representative of the broader conversation and the broader movement.
Winona LaDuke, on what her dad told her: “You are a smart young woman, but I don’t want to hear your philosophy if you can’t grow corn.”
Marco Vangelisti, contrasting a beautiful, mature tree, a clear-cut forest slope and a pallet of 2-by-4s: “The economy values what it kills.”
Raphaël Souchier: “Never use your brain until you are sure it is rooted in your heart.” (Now, this is surely one of the most ridiculously reductionistic bits of paraphrasing in the history of paraphrasing … .)
These snippets make a small but heartfelt offering of gratitude.
A special thanks to Mary Berry for gracing our gathering and enlightening us as only she can.
For Carlo Petrini, a smile, a wow, a hug. We suspected the money-dung-reciprocity-Sancho Panza connection, but I doubt any of us had ever seen it acted out as vividly and beautifully.
To the 39 Earthworm Angels who invested another day immediately following the public festivities, a special thanks for the spirit of commitment and collegiality that allowed to us push forward as a group. It is a pleasure to report that among other outcomes, nine of us committed another $60,000 to Revision International, completing its funding round and complementing the $50,000 it won via the Mamma Chia Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This is a harbinger of effective Earthworm Angels collaboration to come.
And for those who have seen the May 1 New York Times article about the event, I would like to add that there was no “bellowing” from the podium and no “frenzy” in the audience. There was, however, more than a little good will and affection and a wonderful spirit of engagement throughout the hall.
On behalf of the staff, board, steering committee and all of our local Slow Money leaders, another round of thanks to everyone. Together, we’ve taken another significant step forward.
Sincerely,
Woody
