[notes from a landscape of Thanksgiving]

This is a landscape of Thanksgiving. A place where a tradition of annual community gathering around the harvest takes place. Even as a landscape architect and foodie, I didn't really grasp the meaning of the other half of Thanksgiving aside from cooking and chowing down: the collective harvest. A couple of weekends ago at two separate events around San Francisco, I took part in two such events: my cousin's cattle branding and friends' olive harvest. Friends and family gathered from around the state and country to help out in exchange for the chance to show off skills or a new horse; eat, drink, and be merry; and tell tall tales with good company. However, more than anything else, I now realize, they come to be a part of something that is much greater than any individual effort. They come to feel helpful, to feel a sense of purpose, and to feel a sense of belonging to a community of people who have shared a completely unique experience. 

Images of the harvest from George and Kit Lee of Mendocino County's Chatham Ranch: 

Persimmon tree (Diospyros spp.) famous for their gorgeous fall color and late fall crop. 

Not only was I inspired by the event, but I was equally impressed by the quality of their trees and the stewardship of both their land and of their crop. The difference in taste and health benefits between olives that are picked and processed by hand is undeniable. The final product: 

The second event was the annual cattle branding hosted by the Baldwins in Rio Vista, California. Although my preoccupation vaccinating some 200+ head of cattle distracted me from taking pictures of the branding itself, I did eek out a couple of sketches and images from the after party. I feel lucky to have been part of these and look forward to helping out at many future collective harvests. I hope you get to also.