Reflecting on My First Spring in Elkins

This winter in Elkins was bitter. With COVID isolation and many, many snowy days, the arrival of spring was rejuvenating. During the heavy snow in January and February, it began to seem like the winter was going to be permanent, but finally, spring came suddenly. I have never felt the essence of spring in such a visceral way as this year. In a matter of weeks, the snow melted and vaccines were made available, giving Elkins a new vitality. Eager to be outside and experience Elkins, I interacted with nature and my environment more intentionally and in new ways.

Spring in West Virginia is synonymous with ramp season. It’s as if spring isn’t officially here until “Ramps” signs pop up at restaurants and on stands along the roads. Although they’ve received broader recognition in recent years, ramps are native to and celebrated in West Virginia. Ramps are associated with the end of “starving time” because they are some of the first springtime plants to bloom, rescuing families as they run out of their winter food supplies. Even for those (like myself) who rely solely on Kroger for sustenance, ramps are a widely enjoyed aspect of West Virginia culture. During a normal, non-COVID year, ramp festivals and dinners would take place throughout the state.

Elkins locals, Madalyn and Clint, took me into the woods to dig ramps. After hiking into the woods for about 20 minutes, we reached a creek with bright green ramps poking up along the banks. We clambered along the sides of the creek and began digging. The growing demand for ramps can result in the over-harvesting of the wild population, which is only in season for a brief period every spring. We were careful to only dig a few from a patch and then leave the rest to grow. I’ve read about some of the dilemmas implicated in the food industry between food waste and balancing profits/demand and sustainability. It was interesting to think about it on a micro scale through my own experience. 

Not only was this my first time digging ramps, but it was also my first experience harvesting any type of food. My dad and step-dad had gardens at various points throughout my childhood, but I never personally grew or harvested anything. It was satisfying to know the origins of my food and feel like I worked for it. It made me think more critically about the labor behind the food I buy. After digging and cleaning the ramps, I was eager to finally cook them. I felt a weird connection to my food that I’ve never experienced before; a satisfaction in cooking something that I pulled from the Earth and a pronounced recognition that it was once alive. I made lemon, ramp pasta. 

In addition to drawing plants from the Earth, I also planted something for the first time this spring. I participated in Elkins Tree Board community plantings at Glen Dale Park. Alongside other AmeriCorps and members of the community, I helped dig holes and plant a variety of trees in groves across the park. I’ve enjoyed returning to the park to see the budding trees, utilize the space, and feel a connection to the trees. While I’ve been able to appreciate the beauty of nature in the past, I don’t think I’ve been able to begin to grasp the labor, planning, and knowledge behind parks, gardens, and food in grocery stores until this year. Although I’m not quite ready to set up my own garden, I did purchase my first plants: strawberries, cilantro, basil, and rosemary. 

Spring in Elkins has given me a greater appreciation for the environment and recognition of the importance of sustainability. After four years at an urban university, this spring gave me more hands-on interaction with the Earth than I’ve have in years. The environment in Central West Virginia has shaped the culture and traditions of the people here by influencing diet, lifestyle, and values. It has been a privilege to learn about some of the traditions and participate in them. These first experiences digging ramps and planting have made me feel capable and also forced me to refocus on things, like food availability and green spaces, that I often take for granted.