Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of the book Braiding Sweetgrass, talks about the Honorable Harvest (YouTube video, Bioneers, 3:30). With young children, I refer to this as respectful harvesting. The following are key elements in this approach. *Give our attention to and learn about the plants. Learn the names of the plants and their gifts. *Have a plan or purpose in mind. *Talk to the plant. *Introduce yourself. *Use good manners and be respectful. *Ask permission from the plant. *Listen for an answer. *Be aware of the plant’s surroundings to gather information that will contribute to the answer. *Never take the first or last plant you see. Leave them be. *Harvest in such a way that does the least harm and may even benefit the growth of the plant. Harvest only a little bit at a time. *Harvest only what is needed. Do not waste. Use everything you take. *Express gratitude to the plant and say “thank you”. *Give something back to the plant, reciprocate the gift. Leave a gift behind. This could be water, fertilizer, pick a few weeds around it, prune in such a way to help the plant, engage in some form of caretaking. This can be on a spiritual level as a prayer, a song, or a story. *Share with others as the plant and the earth has shared with you.
Remember: “Every breath you take is from plants.” “Sustain the ones who sustain us and the earth will last forever.”