Virgnia Samsel

Over 2022 my priority goals were to 1/ use my current platforms to discuss ecological labor and mental health 2/ begin a writing practice with these purposes 3/ continue building a program for energy work for vineyards and wine business, focus on connection, communication, rest, and celebration.

I am very happy to say that I feel that I have been able to follow through and move forward with these goals, some less, but overall a consistent connection to my focus. I have used this year to build my program/business that develops an energy work/reiki practice for viticulturalists/farm managers/etc. This has expanded beyond wine and into a general look at agricultural care and self. I had a summer program with Montinore in the Willamette Valley and was able to share the work at the Oregon Biodynamic symposium in August. I have also built a website that anchors and presents this work in an open form.

In the fall I traveled a bit and had a few opportunities to present this work to consumer and industry professionals.

On the winter solstice I had the opportunity to present my work to a publication. They accompanied me to Stirm Winery in Watsonville and documented the process. I had the opportunity to present the larger scale potential and lean into the ideas of care of land, system, and self are tied together. Since that article (published end of January) I have had the opportunity to speak with several other publications and media outlets and continue to develop this presence in a larger form.

What I want to build in the following year, is a continuation of this growth but with more connectivity and collaboration.

I also want to have for focus on writing and creative development - potentially finding a format to reach more people (book/newsletter/workshop/etc)

As an individual pledge member it can be hard to stay on track as daily life takes over, changing jobs, financial stress, family needs. I am really pleased to see the work that I’ve done has been consistent even through some gap periods of personal care. Even just having other friends to chat with who are working towards their own pledge focus has been helpful.