By farm family member, Ashley Hirsh
I grew up in a conventional American household in Las Vegas, Nevada. The nutrition of my youth was S.A.D. (Standard American Diet.) Meals came out of boxes or cans and our idea of a refreshing beverage was an ice cold Pepsi. When I left home and began my journey across the country and back again I learned a lot about healthy lifestyle. I longed to live in a community that valued slow food and connection to the Earth. When I arrived in Mount Shasta, I knew I had found such a place and celebrating the Summer Solstice at Maagic Mountain Farm on June 21st felt like part of a dream come true.
My family enjoyed our three minute walk to Maagic Mountain Farm and arrived at 8:30am to find an already festive gathering. Friends and neighbors chatted around bistro tables graced by bright calendula bouquets. The spread of farm fresh victuals was astonishing! Hard boiled chicken and duck eggs, fresh baked bread, homemade goat cheese, butter, and yogurt, sun ripened cherries, sticky sweet preserves, crumbly buttered scones… AND LATTES… made by goats… with help from Leslie.
I stood transfixed, coffee cup in hand, waiting for the “melted ice cream goat” to take the milking stand. Once in position, I handed over my mug and in a few squeezes had a foamy, creamy, and delicious latte straight from the udder, quite a marvel for this city born girl with a country heart! I savored my beverage while my two year old enthusiastically accepted the responsibility of goat brushing. If you are a parent, you know what a miracle it is to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and have your child otherwise occupied…
I can’t explain how grateful I am for the blessing of this farm and the joy we feel participating in it. Knowing there are people like the Ellorin Family working in an open-hearted, labor of love, community centered way makes the future feel brighter than many would have us believe. In the moments when I get caught up in what is going on “out there” it helps to remember the people doing good work right here in our neighborhood. No matter what we are going through, good people doing good work persist and there is always Maagic just around the corner.
