INTIMATE, INTELLIGENT, HONORABLE PARTICIPATION

Good Ground Foodscapes is much more than a business venture - it's an essential endeavor.

This calling simply plays a part in the big picture... to genuinely embrace God's desires, designs, and creations.

God desires that we love Him, love people, and properly care for His creations (good stewards of nature). God designed vital interconnected-interdependent (mutually beneficial) relationships among Himself, people and nature - for the good of all.

In other words, when we willingly partake in God's desires, designs, and creations; many good changes manifest in the health, wellness, and welfare of people & nature - spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, relationships, families, communities, lifestyles, hobbies, interests, livelihoods, economies, governments, environment, ecology, land, soil, water, air, plants, animals, food, beverage, clothing, housing, products, energy, natural resources.

Proven (tried & true) principles, practices, solutions, and benefits.

THE MISSION IS CALLING

On a mission that truly embraces God's desires-designs-creations by loving, caring & appreciating God, people, and nature. Answering the call that enhances the wellbeing of people, animals, nature, and food by imitating & sharing Jesus, cultivating good & meaningful lifestyles-livelihoods-communities, regenerating ecology, growing thriving food forests, creating healthy soil, and providing excellent plant care. Encouraging whole person (holistic) health by simultaneously addressing various components of wellness: spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, relationships, lifestyle, interests, vocation, surroundings, food/beverage/diet, natural remedies, and physical activity/fitness. Advocating tried & true principles, practices, solutions, and benefits that originate from uncompromising collaboration with God and nature. Demonstrating intimate, intelligent, and honorable participation. Very hopeful others will discover & experience all the abundant goodness that comes.

THE JOURNEY

Hi, I'm Joseph. Thanks for stopping by.

Before moving on I would like to thank Carl Warner for his inspiring foodscape artwork & images seen throughout this site.

Since I was a child I've been drawn to God-Jesus, the outdoors, exploring, adventure, being active, learning, and creating. Starting in my teens a liking for health, wellness, and nutrition developed. Unfortunately back then I didn't have much interest in ecology/ecosystems, biology/microbiology, growing food, cooking, or self-sufficiency.

Later in life I came to truly appreciate the amazing synergy among God, people, and nature. I then fully acknowledged our God-given charge to be honorable stewards over His creations (nature). God enables us to have authority over nature, however with this authority comes our responsibility to rule/steward well. After all, nature and its resources (as well as its by-products) are necessary to survive and thrive. A healthy flourishing world is a need, not a want. Properly valuing & caring for God's creations (nature) certainly demonstrates love for God and people.

So this led to more seeking & learning from God, nature, and people that are proficient in healthy gardening & farming practices, agrosystems (agroforestry & agroecology), land & ecosystem restoration/regeneration, and holistic wellness (whole person wellbeing). This includes biology/microbiology, soil science/fertility, horticulture, arboriculture, composting, irrigation, naturopathic medicine, diet, and other elements of wellness. Some notable food growing systems & land practices are: organic, sustainable, ecological, biological/biodiverse, regenerative, no-till, and permaculture. Although these coined terms/concepts are fairly new, their methods have been successfully implemented by our ancestors all over the world for thousands of years.

At the same time I've been developing agrosystems where I reside, as well as collaborating with others (landscapers, gardeners, farmers, neighbors). Some initiatives include: creating nutrient-rich living soil, compost, vermicompost, teas/extracts, foliar sprays; irrigating with harvested rainwater & high-quality filtered water; growing many various types of fruit trees (from seed) as well as edible, medicinal & ornamental plants; creating wildlife deterrents; pruning, planting, transplanting, harvesting, amending, mulching, weeding, cleaning, organizing, designing, fixing, experimenting, observing, learning, failing, succeeding.

The sights, the smells, the touches, the tastes, the sounds, the interactions, the connections, the experiences of this endeavor have been... peaceful, joyful, hopeful, loving, humbling, healthy, healing, comforting, transforming, meaningful, impactful, creative, stimulating, appealing, satisfying, rewarding. I know that's saying a lot, but it's true. Yes, there have been plenty of disappointments, frustrations, and obstacles; but these so-called problems were just learning/growing opportunities.

Hoping you too will taste and see (try and experience yourself) all the goodness that comes.

WHAT WE DO REVEALS WHO WE ARE

We are given choices and responsibilities. With every choice and responsibility there is accountability, as well as consequences (good or bad). Please carefully consider we will inevitably face the consequences of our thoughts, intentions, motives, imaginations, desires, emotions, feelings, assumptions, perspectives, priorities, values, beliefs, words, and actions. Therefore, lets do our best to genuinely love, care and appreciate God, people, and nature. Strive daily to Be the Good Ground - Produce Goodness