Farm Fresh October 2021: Biko Casini and Rising Appalachia, L'burg

Farm Fresh News - October 2021

In this issue:

Lawrence County Tourisim
The music of Biko Casini
and Rising Appalachia

Dear Friends,

As I may have mentioned before, to the wider world, The Farm is who we are, a gestalt community in which the whole is created by the sum of its parts, many individuals each contributing in some way to that whole simply by living here.

So, it is interesting to note that The Farm is prominently featured in "Lawrence County, your guide to explore," a publication by our county. Actually, it's the county next door. Physically we are in Lewis County, but Lawrence is where we do most of our shopping and business.

I am not sure when they started including us, but it as been for a number of years, which means they see The Farm as something positive for Lawrence County, and people are encouraged to come visit us.

Because this is how they see us: " Businesses and nonprofits created at The Farm reflect the desire to have a positive effect on the world. Interests include a dedication to spiritual living, vegetarianism, sustainability, service to others, and non-violence."

We accomplish this by each one of us doing our part, setting an intention. And in the end, we get back what we give our attention.

Peace,
Douglas

P.S. I have included these articles in the Press section of The Farm Community web site.

https://thefarmcommunity.com/lawrence-county-tennessee-2021/

https://thefarmcommunity.com/2021/09/03/lawrence-county-tennessee-2017/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Biko Casini, Artist, Musician, and Spiritual Revolutionary

Biko Casini was born in the late 70s back when The Farm had a satellite community in Ireland, at a time when we were attempting to extend our influence into Europe. There were a few families from Tennessee, but the Ireland Farm gave people from many other countries a way to be with us in community.

Biko was named after Stephen Biko, an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa who was murdered as he and his people struggled to find freedom under brutal oppression.

Biko played drums, a trap set, in his teenage years, but developed a particular aptitude for hand drums. He followed up on this passion, traveling though West Africa to learn from village drummers.

For several years now he has been the "world percussionist" for Rising Appalachia, a very popular band featuring sisters Chlo and Leah Smith, playing at festivals and clubs all over the world. If they come near you, it is a performance you won't want to miss.

I often stream their videos on YouTube, as well as music from Biko's own album, when I want to hear music that is upbeat and easy on my head. Rising Appalachia's music merges "multiple global music influences with their own southern roots," built on a foundation of conscious awareness that advocates "for social justice, racial justice, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights."

Which is a good fit for my "brother and nephew" Biko, because he is a visionary, one who carries the spark of why The Farm was created. Check out this video interview with Biko from backstage at FloydFest. He gets it.

excerpted from Three Minute Storyteller: FloydFest 2017
"This video opens with the first nugget that Biko drops on me. ‘Our courage [to imagine things being better than they are] has been wounded,” he says, “because our values and our ability to live our values has been disconnected.”

"He and Rising Appalachia have an intuitive understanding of the mix of solitude, inner reflection, community building, and allyship necessary to ground successful social justice movements."

Biko Casini on aligning your values with your actions - 3 Minute Storyteller

"In this video, he responds to my question about how he nourishes his soul to keep the dreams alive in the face of a world that seems hell bent on destroying itself... (and) of the cynicism that comes when you no longer are daring to dream.

With disarming wonder, and soft, loving eyes, he spoke of inspiration he draws from the global community of artists, activists, farmers, healers, and warriors, who are busy building an alternate world."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k79WVQo2xs&list=PLd5DabGiBw1qbSlXywGts-bFr2-zInrSZ

You can listen to the album, as well as watch live performances by Biko and Arouna on YouTube.
Be sure to listen to Champions, written and sung by Biko. One of my favorite tunes.

Follow Biko at https://www.facebook.com/biko.casini

Visit the Rising Appalachia web site for tour dates, links to music and more.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives and the spiritual path.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!

You can help keep Farm Fresh going by pledging $2, $5, or $10 a month, or by making a one time contribution.

Click here to make a one time donation.

Let me know your interests. Click here to take the survey. I look forward to hearing from you.

Check out my newsletter archive, going back to 2012!

Peace,

Douglas

Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com