It's Voting Day!

I know, GROAN - right? No one wanted another election during this stupid pandemic, but here we are.

If you've been with me for any amount of time here at the farm, you'll know that I take my role as an engaged and informed citizen seriously.

Apathy, is - frankly - a cop out, and one we and our kids can't afford. Rather than wallow in (the abundant number) of reasons why we should give up, I prefer to hold tight to this belief:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead.

This pandemic has given us one more reason to be at odd with our neighbours, family and friends. We're fighting over vaccines, government control of our personal freedoms, the divide between the haves and have-nots, this stupid election and all the gross cynicism it represents.

First of all - I want to say, no matter where you stand on any of these issues, what your beliefs are around Covid or where you fall on the political spectrum - You're welcome here. Always.

We can disagree and still love and care for one another, feel compassion and share the same goal of a brighter future for our kids.

I also hope as we go to the polls today, we'll remember that none of these things we've fought about this year will matter if we don't have enough to eat, access to clean water or fresh, clean air.

This summer Climate Change, just in our province :

• Burnt down my cousin Jeremy's entire community
• Destroyed the entire town of Lytton
• Killed over a million chickens and turkeys in the Fraser Valley
• Killed nearly 600 of our fellow citizens in the extreme heat

Our hay mow in the barn should be full of hay right now. It is empty.

The drought took our local hay harvest, the fires took many hay fields in the interior and drought and heat has taken up to 70% of the feed crops in the Prairies. Farmers are selling off cattle across the country because they simply can't feed them. I don't yet know how we'll feed our sheep and cows this winter.

This can all be healed. We know what we need to do. It starts with voting for our one and only Home.

In hope and solidarity.

As always.

Best,

Stacey