"MEN CARE"

Wow, its been 4 and 1/2 months since my last post a few minutes before new years, 2010. Well, a lot has happened since then… I've moved back home to Lawrence, KS in with my brother Troy on family land that my dad owns, where our grandparents used to live. We've got 10 acres here that we are stewarding for the time being, and from my perspective, doing a damn fine job at that. After a last minute ski trip to colorado and road trip to Oregon with my good friend Colin Tisdale at the beginning of January, I took the train to BC to see my girlfriend Andrea. It was an amazing wild week in Vancouver, Salt Spring Island, Victoria and the Washington Coast, but I was abel to wring out that last little desire to travel before settling down for the growing season here in Kansas. So back in Lawrence in mid January I hit the ground running, planning for spring, buying materials, starting seeds, inviting friends to come help and intern, building our team for Karlin Family Farms! Luckily we struck gold recruiting my good buddy Ashton Martin, who came on board at the beginning of February while Troy was in Europe. Our first big projects, after ordering $1000 in open pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds from Baker Creek (rareseeds.com) , was to "break ground" on our 10,000 sq. ft. Market garden addition and to design and build a greenhouse off our south facing garage. We had our first work party March 6th with shining success, we were able to sheet mulch 5,000 sq. ft. and create 10 new 40" x 50' beds in a flash; with the help of a dozen friends, a few pizzas and a cold keg of PBR of course. Our greenhouse started construction in mid-march and was operational by the 1st of April, although it already seemed warm enough by then to do without, i'm sure it will come in handy for future years. Next we had another 5,000 sq. ft section tilled by our friend Darren and his tractor, he and Mike also helped us develop 1000 ft of swale for our 3-tiered "food forest" and wildlife corridor.

Latest happenings have included going to the Earth Day fair in south park, transplanting over 500 baby seedlings into the ground and direct seeding another 1000, with 4,000 still yet to transplant! We've planted over 200 fruit/nut trees and shrubs along our swales. We are finishing construction of an 8' tall deer, rabbit, gopher fence around the south gardens. We are planing a work party this sunday to install our mandala garden on the north side of the house and also build a gigantic biodynamic compost pile. We are still hoping to get a bee hive going, build a cob oven, outdoor shower and composting toilet. Eventually we want to have chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, pigs and cows as well, not too mention solar thermal/ electric, greywater catchment and the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on>.>>>>>>.>>>.>>>.>>>.

If you want to visit the farm or hear more, check us at on our Facebook group "Karlin Family Farms" or email me at bradykarlin@gmail.com Thank you for your continued support!

In other news, I recently staffed a New Warrior Training Adventure (my 2nd staffing, with 1 MOS, and 1 Boys to Men) with my brother Troy and our oldest brother Brent went through the weekend for his initiation. It was an inspiring, intense, heart opening weekend for myself, I learned, I struggled, I grew. On Sunday morning I had to write down my thoughts, feelings and reactions. This is what came through>>..

"MEN CARE"

As Men we Fuck Up A Lot, most of our lives we spend controlled by our anger, fear and shame. Asleep, unconscious, dominated by our shadows. It is time to "WAKE THE FUCK UP!"

Grab your brother's arm and help him stand, in this circle of men where we express our feelings, own our judgements, openly supported in this container of sweat, flesh, strong supple muscles of youth, scarred brittle bones of age. ALL IS WELCOME HERE, we do not care about appearance, WE CARE ABOUT YOU; your little boy's deepest needs, long lost dreams, mature wisdom, fiery passion, speak your truth, show your heart, LIGHT US UP! We will be here when you return from your hero's journey to nurture, embrace you in our masculine love. There is nothing funny or crazy about what we do, though we do have fun and plenty of loose screws. I come because I want to, this time we share is SACRED, having you men in my life means A LOT. It makes the difference between joy and despair, isolation and community. This tribe of Kings, Warriors, Magicians and Lovers are my new brothers. My choice, my word, my intention, creates my world. A beautiful future is beckoning us like the sunrise, let us wear our courage as a cape, claim our noble crown, and ride as knights in shining armor on the winds of change….We are the GROWN ASS MEN we've been waiting for! are you awake?……..Are You Awake??………. . ARE YOU AWAKE???