We've talked before about the why we chose the thistle for our company name. Thistles grow on the streets and alleys where the women of Thistle Farms walked. Considered a weed, they have a deep tap root that can shoot through thick concrete and survive drought. And in spite of their prickly appearance, their royal, soft purple center makes the thistle a mysterious and gorgeous flower.
We rely on friends and supporters to let us know where they find thistles (scouting) and bringing them to us (harvesting) so we can continue making beautiful handmade paper for our healing oils and new line of greeting cards.
Alex, a Thistle Farmer, shares a story of her latest adventures in harvesting thistles:
On my nightly ritual of stopping on the way home to pick thistles, what a delight to have a policeman stop. My first reaction was panic and paranoia at being parked on the sidewalk picking wildflowers. When I told him what I was doing and did he know about Thistle Farms ....he said "yes," gave a huge smile and just said, "be careful." When I followed with "thank you for not giving me a ticket," he responded "never!" Interesting of all the people who have stopped to see if I was OK on these endeavors, the first to know of Thistle Farms was a policeman. Something's working!!!
But how, exactly, do you harvest thistles? Watch our Harvesting Thistles How-To Video Guide below to see just how easy it is. Plus, if you spot any thistles in your daily travels, you can post them on our Thistle Farms & Magdalene Volunteers Facebook page.
Being a Thistle Farmer means the world is our farm. Harvesting thistles is a way of walking in the world and choosing to love the parts of creation that others have forgotten or condemned.
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