WESTON, W.Va. – My sister of another mother – Barbara Volk – definitely lives a rural lifestyle. And, in my view, her knowledge about herbs and their value to people, her humble respect for nature, and her innate teaching ability are unmatched. That makes her a perfect teacher for me, for I knew next to nothing about herbs when I met her 12 years ago. And, I grew up in an urban neighborhood in Clarksburg, W.Va. Presently, Sarah and I live on the edge of downtown Lenoir, N.C. We live in an apartment of a reclaimed textile mill. We could not be more urban for residents of Appalachia.
Our new living arrangement is consistent with our sustainability outlook. However, we have no yard! Our daughter lives nearby with a small yard, so we do have a starting point. Which brings us back to Barbara, a West Virginia Herb Association (WVHA) member and past president. She and I have been participating in an informal, grassroots urban-rural connection since we first met. I believe I benefit much more, for I have learned so much from her teaching – and writing on our website.
I need her help again. How are we going to adapt to this new lifestyle while not giving up on all that we’ve done to improve our health through Barbara’s guidance and teaching? She will know. That is reassuring. But what is more important is that we are bridging that “urban-rural divide” the political class is presently obsessed with. While they give each other headaches trying to figure out how to overcome it, Barbara – and every person I’ve ever met that is associated with the WVHA – has it figured out. Be helpful, welcoming, comforting and embracing – and healing!
In short, she is approachable and more than willing to share her knowledge. What started out as a relationship based on my reporting of the Mountain Valley Pipeline and its impact upon Barbara and her neighbors – as well as the earth that supports us – has developed into a friendship like none other.
So, as I always do, I believe all of our challenges will be addressed and solved at the grassroots level. I believe the WVHA can establish an urban-rural connection in some form. I know we have people eagerly waiting for Barbara to teach here. That is because when we cooperate and help each other, we help cultivate more than knowledge. Friendships are formed, establishing a desperately needed urban-rural connection.
Articles by Barbara Volk:
© Michael M. Barrick. Learn more about the West Virginia Herb Association.
The Appalachian Chronicle 