I like to think that I have a pretty good amount of situational awareness. Not just awareness of what is going on around me, but geographical awareness: knowing where I am, what resources are available to me in the local geography and how to get in and out of places. I take resourcefulness in relation to one’s environment seriously.

When it flooded this summer, family and friends told me that it was being made to sound like Ames was cut off from the world. I replied with, “I drove to Des Moines today. Took the back roads southwest to Polk City, and then went across the mile long bridge.” I was smarter than the flood, and saw other people doing the same thing I was.

So when I heard that my ecofeminism class was going on a field trip to some farms just northwest of Des Moines, around the Woodward area, I was skeptical. I grew up in the Grimes, Johnston area, so I thought there wouldn’t be anything that would catch my attention.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

We visited several places that were great examples of sustainable farming, and how people can treat animals humanly while still using them as a utility for monetary gain. It wasn’t just interesting in the, “That’s neat,” kind of way. It was more attention-grabbing for me in the way that it fit into the Libertarianism philosophy that calls people to come together and support each economically in a tight-nit, local community.

I’m sure the places I was exposed to aren’t the only ones out there. I just need to take the time to actually look. I guess I forgot about the seeking part in the venerable maxim, “Seek and you will find.” I’d gotten lazy, used to the easy quick local grocery chain. The places I’m talking about aren’t going to completely replace chain grocery stores, but they certainly have some foods, lotions and pastries you aren’t going to be able to find anywhere else.

I found it downright cool to go to a place that is self-sustaining and community oriented. They’ve got a friendly down to earth feel that is hard to come by in businesses that aren’t hugely emotionally invested in what they are doing.

It’s easy to forget that places like these mom and pop operations exist. If we want them to stay around it’s important we give them our hard earned dollars, especially in the deep recession our economy is going through.

Don’t be satisfied with just staying in Ames. If you’re new here, believe me, soon enough you’ll need a change of scenery. If you’ve been around Ames for a couple years or more, and haven’t thought to check out the local country side for gems tucked away there, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

I know it can be hard to take the initiative, so I’ll give you some places to start with. Check out Northern Prairie Chevre, Prairieland Herbs and Picket Fence Creamery. They all have websites that can be easily found, and reside a mere half an hour or so drive from Ames.

Don’t be afraid to try new things, to leave our college town and head out for new places. Don’t let yourself stagnate; seek out new things and you’ll find them. The seeking part my take some work, but the finding pays off in the end.