SEASONAL INTERCHANGE by Michael Aitken

In Winter, when the trees are bare,
We mortals don our winter wear.
In Spring, when trees begin to dress,
We mortals then start wearing less,
Until, for some, with Summer's heat
The role reversal is complete.

The first Saturday in May is World Naked Gardening Day. This year It falls on May 4, 2019, and if you're thinking of celebrating, make sure you consider joining us at Everson Ranch for a day filled with special activities, gardening fun and delicious food!

According to Wikipedia, World Naked Gardening Day (WNGD) was introduced in 2005 as a nudist movement to discourage body shaming and encourage acceptance of all forms of the human body.

But you might argue that naked gardening has been 'a thing' since the garden of Eden.

Why garden naked? First of all, it's fun! Second only to swimming, gardening is at the top of the list of family-friendly activities people are most ready to consider doing nude. Moreover, our culture needs to move toward a healthy sense of both body acceptance and our relation to the natural environment. Gardening naked is not only a simple joy, it reminds us--even if only for those few sunkissed hours--that we can be honest with who we are as humans and as part of this planet.

There's also a scientific reason that gardening makes you happy. Studies suggest that inhaling M. vaccae, a healthy bacteria that lives in soil, can increase levels of serotonin and reduce anxiety. Microbes in healthy garden soil also contain B12 which is key for mental health. So, come on down, wear as little or as much as you would like and lift your mood by getting dirty!!

Event details:

World Naked Gardening Day Celebration, May 4, 2019
Place: Everson Ranch
Time: 10am to 1pm
Clothing Optional
Lunch for gardening participants will follow work session