A tribute to Russell Libby: A man of courage

by Angie Wotton
    For several years now a familiar manila envelope appears in my mailbox each December with the return address announcing in a distinctive script that it is from Three Sisters Farm, Mount Vernon. This eagerly anticipated envelope always contains a small booklet of poems and holiday wishes from Russell Libby. I would put the envelope aside and wait until I could get comfortable by the woodstove and take the time to read his words that so simply and beautifully captured everyday moments.
    Russell’s life was so centered on his work as executive director with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association that it was nice to learn about his life on his farm through his poetry as well; thinning the sugar bush, late winter pruning of his many fruit trees, noting the spring birds, sounds on a still summer’s day, a moonlit night.
    Last year, the book of poems was entitled “Each Day.” Russell’s fight with cancer had begun and even in the midst of the unknown, still he took time to note tiny moments. My favorite poem in this is called “Each.Day.Is.A.Gift” and records a line or two of a thought or moment corresponding to each day in June, such as “June 15 – Firefly floating on moonlight.” Russell also spent part of that June in the hospital and recorded not what he was going through but instead noted the beauty of the “spruce trees and beautiful blue cones” outside his hospital window.
    This kind, gentle, humble, passionate supporter of organic agriculture spent most of his life supporting and fostering dreams into reality of building MOFGA into the largest organic organization in the nation and expanding small farms in Maine. I am quite convinced that there is not a certified organic farmer in this state that Russell has not personally encouraged. He was supportive in every way, working on the ground and also behind the scenes legislatively, ensuring a common sense voice for the organic community. He was a gift to everyone he came in contact with.
    This year in November, a pie social was held at MOFGA to honor Russell where he was recognized with an “Americans Who Tell the Truth” portrait by Robert Shetterly. This portrait’s purpose is to teach the courage to act for the common good using portraits and stories of exemplary American citizens. On the AWTT website, Russell presciently quoted, “I want to talk about our shared responsibility to leave this place better than we found it. Not better from a corporate, make-more-money mode, but a place of beauty, a place that gives us great pleasure throughout our days and throughout our lives. Because that sense of beauty, of pleasure in what we are doing each day, is what is going to carry us forward through the difficult times that we live in now, and the more difficult times that lie ahead.”
    Russell Libby passed away Dec. 9, 2012 at the age of 56. Sadly, I received the annual booklet of poems at his memorial service a week later. In his memory, I want to have the courage to act as he did for so long. You can view the portrait of Russell at www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/russell-libby.
    Editor’s note: Angie Wotton loves her work as district manager for the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District. She also raises pastured pork and vegetables with her husband on their small West Berry Farm in Hammond. She can be reached 532-9407 or via e-mail at angela.wotton@me.nacdnet.net