On the Human Need to Co-Create with Earth

How growing and grounding can heal us, plus an experiment to try

We inherently know that, as humans, we have a basic need for food, shelter, and sex. It’s difficult to lose sight of those primordial needs. But there’s one, less obvious need, we’ve lost sight of and it happened quite gradually — so much so that most people don’t realize they suffer from a lack of it.

The inescapable human need to cultivate the earth

Humans have an innate need to grow things in the earth. Whether it’s ornamental plants and flowers, herbs, or food crops, our souls long and yearn to grow something.

Most of us living today (at least those of us younger than 80) have spent the majority of our lives living on food bought at a supermarket. Our food comes from many disparate places — foreign and domestic — and we’re typically unaware of the methods used to produce it. Yes, even organic food can, technically, experience exposure to the various chemicals used by industrial producers. The organic certification only “guarantees” those producing it used organic methods.

A view of a small part of our growing space (Source: Gluck Farms, DBA of Gluck Interests, LLC)

But if you grow at least some of your own food, you know exactly what went into the growing process, the struggles you experienced, and how to mitigate these challenges for the next time.

Disconnect with the earth can cause untethered anguish

Whether we know it or not, nature beckons to us and calls us to plant seeds and cultivate them. For centuries, we nourished our families by doing so. Even once grocery stores popped up in every town, families still typically grew at least a little of their own food — not to mention cultivating lovely ornamentals.

Not only does working the earth bring forth delicious things to eat and share with others, it bears rich fruit for our interior lives. There’s nothing wrong with heading to the supermarket to buy food. It’s convenient and stands in the gap of what we may not have a desire to grow or simply cannot grow.

Daily cucumber harvest - about 4 pounds per day! (Source: Gluck Farms, DBA of Gluck Interests, LLC)

Many modern people have grown up with little to no experience working the earth, planting seeds, and enjoying the forthcoming fruits. Shouldn’t we at least reclaim some connection with our land?

Even a patio or balcony container of your favorite herb or vegetable will impart such a joy to your everyday life, you will hardly believe it, at first. Then, I daresay, your desire to grow more and more will become ever more intense. Food is medicine and growing some of it oneself will pull you into a mysterious connection — not only with the soil — but with other people.

Plus, who wouldn’t want to co-create with God by cultivating the earth?

“The Paterfamilias should think a long time about building, but planting is a thing not to be thought about but done.” ~Cato the Elder, 2nd Century, B.C.

On the concept of grounding with an experiment to prove it

There’s a lot of talk about grounding nowadays. The concept encourages people to take the time to intentionally connect with the earth each day. This requires time each day where you have skin-to-soil (or grass, sand, etc.) contact.

Tending to your garden and the things you’ve planted there can fulfill this life-enhancing activity. Just putting your hands in the soil — pulling weeds, planting seeds, or walking around your property barefoot — reconnects you with something greater, something life-giving.

Barefoot and carefree (Source: Gluck Farms, DBA of Gluck Interests, LLC)

A man whom I admire greatly, Dr. Michael Clarage, posted this simple experiment to show that grounding comes with obvious physical and psychological benefits. Try it yourself. We did!

200mV for trees & people

Grounding and growing — these are related and given our current situation, they may save your life one day.