After years of unpredictable weather and lots of eco-focused events in the region on Earth Day weekend in April that we wanted to support rather than compete with, we decided it was time for something new.
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Realizing that World Environment Day – a time of global focus, care, and advocacy for the health of our planet – falls on June 5th each year, we thought this would be the perfect time to debut “Dirt Day,” our spin on a celebration of the gift of creation.
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And as luck would have it, the weather held, and we were able to welcome nearly 300 of our friends and dear neighbors to learn and play in our backyard this past weekend.
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We were delighted to see so many people of all ages exploring the grounds and gardens, meeting the chickens, and talking with our friends from local non-profit and community organizations working to protect our air, water, and ecosystem!
Why Dirt Day?
As Sisters of St. Joseph, we believe God is alive in our world, in all things, and that “the environment” isn’t some separate thing “out there” that we observe or act upon. It’s part of us, and we of it, from the treetops that shelter us from the hot summer sun to the dirt beneath our feet from which all things grow.
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Dirt reminds us of our origin and humility: “out of the ground the Lord God made…” Our faith affirms our connection to one another, God, and all creation. It also uplifts the ways soil sustains life. Healthy soil is essential to food systems, biodiversity, and climate balance.
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Naming this event “Dirt Day” was our (playful) way of centering something easy to dismiss as “messy” into something vital and at the heart of regeneration, interconnection, and our shared responsibility to care for Earth and the dear neighbor. Another step in the direction of restoring right relationship with the land and with one another.
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Did you stop by for the fun? What was your favorite part? Let us know, and don’t forget to keep your hands in the dirt this summer!
