A Harvest moon History
A Harvest Moon History is a podcast series devoted to exploring the History of Clearwater Manitoba and the Harvest Moon Society.
Episode 1: Planting the Seed
The Harvest Moon Society and Festival is the culmination of decades of building community and developing relationships through rural research and revitalization projects taking place in and around Clearwater, Manitoba. The story of Harvest Moon Society is very a much the story of Robert Guilford and Celia Guilford. Pioneers in practicing organic, sustainable agriculture in Manitoba, Robert and Celia were essential in creating the collaborative vision and conditions that would result in the creation of the Harvest Moon society and festival. In this podcast Robert Guilford and Celia Guilford tell the story of the rural and urban connections they made which helped form the Harvest Moon Society.
Music by Ridley Bent, Timmy and Phil and The Reverend Rambler.
Episode 2: Fertile Soil
The Harvest Moon Society could not have existed without the community of Clearwater, Manitoba. Known for their hard work, generosity and volunteerism - the residents of Clearwater have maintained an active community throughout its existence. In the early 2000s Clearwater faced a difficult era, the school, elevator and local store all closed. The coffee shop - the central meeting place of the community was in disrepair. Despite the adversity the community of Clearwater effectively rallied together - managing to save the store, repurpose the school and buy a new restaurant. In this podcast Jo-Lene Gardiner, Rhonda Barr, Joan Odlum and Valarie Pogson talk about the spirit of Clearwater and how it was essential in the creation of Harvest Moon Society.
Music by Riel Gentlemen's Choir featuring Alexa Dirks, The Reverend Rambler, The Living Room Band and Stage 3 “Stage of the Free” Players.
Episode 3: Initial Growth
In early 2002, a group of Winnipeg film makers, academics and musicians made a documentary focusing on the impact of modern large scale farming practices on rural communities. The drive to premiere the film “Seeds of Change” in the town of Clearwater ultimately became the catalyst that brought together urban and rural organizers to create the very first Harvest Moon Festival. In this podcast festival organizers Ian Mauro, Robert Guilford, David Guilford, Celia Guilford, Jo-Lene Gardiner and Molly McCracken talk about the first years of the Harvest Moon Festival and how it developed over time.
Music by The Joey Landrith Trio, The Reverend Rambler, Vince Andrushko, Sweet Alibi and Blonde Goth.
EPISODE 4: FROM THE GROUND UP
For over a decade the Harvest Moon Society, made of up of rural and urban, farmers, organizers, and educators have worked collaboratively together with the community of Clearwater on a variety of educational, research and revitalization projects. In this podcast Harvest Moon Society organizers and project participants Robert Guilford, David Guilford, Celia Guilford, Ian Mauro, Jo-Lene Gardiner, and Molly McCracken provide an overview of the Harvest Moon Society’s collaborative initiatives. This episode also features the voices of Joe Wasylycia-Lies, Lancelot Coar, and Katrina Froese.
Music by Riel Gentlemen’s Choir, Double The Trouble and The Wouldnots.
EPISODE 5: CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
Clearwater has had a long vibrant history of volunteerism with organizations such as 4H, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Women’s Institute. The Clearwater W.I. is nearly a century old and still active, offering rural educational programming and activities for the community. Clearwater Women’s Institute members Jo-Lene Gardiner, Joan Odlum, Alice McLaren, Rhonda Barr, and Valarie Pogson talk about the history of the Clearwater Women’s Institute, the activities of group and the importance of the W.I.’s legacy.
Music by Stage 3 “Stage of the Free” Players and public domain music from Library and Archives Canada: Down in the Old Cherry Orchard – Hayden Quartet, Old Time Waltz Medley – George Wade and his Cornhuskers , The Maple Leaf Forever – RCA Victor Band, and Covered Wagon Days – Melody Kings Dance Orchestra.
EPISODE 6: Harvesting Ideas
Fostering permaculture food systems has long been part of the mandate of the Harvest Moon Society. Through local food initiatives, farm practices, activism and educational programming the society and its members have been working to connect local farmers and their food to consumers in environmentally responsible ways. Featuring the voices of Jim Saunders, Robert Guilford, David Guilford, Roy McLaren, Jo-Lene Gardiner, Molly McCracken, Annette Desmarais, Tim Stevenson and Blythe Boese; in this episode you’ll hear about issues surrounding organic farming, food systems and food sovereignty and how the HMS has factored into a larger food movement.
Music by Riel Gentlemen's Choir, Stage 3 Stage of Free Players and Basic Nature.