Food is Freedom, Why I’m Parting Ways With The East 40 Garden

Social pressures on speech, safety, and food spaces have motivated me to grow elsewhere

I have chosen to bid farewell to the East 40 garden. I’ve collected my belongings and left wildflowers and herbs for the next gardener. Thank you to everyone at the East 40 and to everyone who has also parted ways for creating this space for us to develop good grower skills.

Given our history, I appreciate the efforts made to start this beautiful garden. I have fond memories of growing food and flowers on the college campus in good company and in precious solitude. With grace, I think it’s freeing to embrace the creative idea that “not everything is workable.” This wisdom is inspired by my father Walter Heath, the retired co-founder of the Center for Clay and Fire where artists will continue to process clay from the garden, make pots, and fire their creations in the wood kiln on site.

With this wisdom in mind, I believe it’s natural that not every community can be fully supportive of every individual. After 10 years of teaching, growing, and creating a family history with the college, this community is no longer workable for me. Gardening is centered around growing food and flowers, and there are also significant social issues being explored…