About the U.P. Project

OVERVIEW:
We are a small collective who has ownership of five acres of land in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We plan to develop this land in a way that challenges our current ideas about land value, ownership, community, necessity and survival. We will live on the land for a period of time every summer, starting in July, 2008. This blog functions in two ways: first, as a forum for the exchange of thoughts and ideas within the collective. Second, it will serve as a database (see the column on the right-hand side) of individuals, communities and organizations that have influenced the way this project takes its shape. We encourage suggestions and comments from the public. To leave a comment, click the comment link at the end of any blog post.

WHEN?
Saturday, July 26-Friday, August 8, 2008

WHERE?
Ewen, MI (Upper Penisula)

WHO?
Organizers: Margaret Coleman, Monica Johnson, Deborah Sosower
Approximately 15-20 participants (by invitation only)

WHY?
The urban environments from which we intend to retreat are highly unstable from an ecological perspective and can leave us feeling disconnected or ungrounded. It is our hope to construct a micro-community in a rural setting where natural environmental cycles are more apparent. Our focus is that we adapt our lifestyle to the needs of the land, rather than the opposite. As a collaborative team, we will be able to redefine ourselves through redefining what is necessary to our survival. Thought will be given to many definitions of survival, from physical and emotional to spiritual and even financial survival. In addition, we will reconsider what gives land its value, whether it is cost of real estate or the land's ability to produce commodities or simply its ability to protect us.

HOW?
The first summer we will build living quarters and establish relationships with the Ewen community. We will consider ourselves hunters and gatherers of information about the land from environmental, historical and cultural viewpoints. Each participant is required to engage with and learn from the Ewen community through participating in activities such as, fishing, hunting, quilting, nature hikes, volunteering, etc. A requisite number of hours will be established.
Overall, we will use our time in Ewen to create projects that acknowledge the value of the land.

WE HAVE:
  1. Five acres of land
  2. One cabin (approx. 12’ x 12’)
  3. One empty chicken coop
WHAT WE OFFER THE COMMUNITY:
We will buy all building equipment & materials locally. We will give our respect to their way(s) of life even where it conflicts with our own.

WHAT WE OFFER PARTICIPANTS
  1. Stipend (amount to be determined)
  2. Room & board
  3. Opportunity to experiment with new living strategies
  4. A page on our website to document the residency
  5. A quiet space to live and work


Friday, February 22, 2008

The "Pasty"

A pasty is part of the regional cuisine of the U.P. and, take it from me, they are unbelievably scrumptious. Originally from Cornwall (UK), pasties were created to meet the needs of Cornish tin miners. Tradition claims that the pasty was originally made as lunch for Cornish miners who were unable to return to the surface to eat. The story goes that, covered in dirt from head to foot, they could hold the pasty by the folded crust and eat the rest of the pasty without touching it, discarding the dirty pastry. While there are no completely standard pasty ingredients, almost every traditional recipe includes diced steak, finely sliced onion, and potato. Other common ingredients include swede (rutabaga, called yellow turnip in Cornwall) and possibly parsley. Think: shephard's pie-meets-the burrito. Delicious.
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