The Connection Between Humans, Nature & Food: Behind the Bandana
In the Beginning
Growing up as little barefooted blonde caretakers who were the sunshine to our family’s farm, we were inclined to take in and appreciate the world around us. Our lives revolved around our stewardship duties to the land while being led by our carefree spirits. Being raised at the heart of where the connection between people and nature flourished, solidified to us the importance of taking care of our environment.
My sister and I pursued our college careers knowing our compassion for animals and drive to make a difference in the world would someday bring us back to the farm. Shortly after graduation, a fire was sparked inside of us. We realized our dream is to continue sharing the experiences from our family’s 4th generation dairy farm and connecting others to their food sources and nature.
We took a leap and Painterland Sisters was born — but we still had to figure out what that meant. What would be our signature product and message? How could we best share our family’s legacy with our community? Then we discovered Icelandic-style skyr and loved everything about it: The quality, the nutrition, the process, and the principle behind it.
Fast forward a few years, and our lives today involve much more than making yogurt. Painterland Sisters Organic Icelandic-style Skyr gives us a platform to advocate for:
- Sustainable agricultural practices for the land, animals and communities
- Women-owned businesses
- The importance of farming and family farms
Our yogurt and bandanas are more than products for people to enjoy. They are meant to educate those who care about nature, their health, and where their food comes from, bringing us all together.
Behind The Painterland Sisters Bandana
The Painterland Sisterhood is built from grit, love, empowerment, and of course…sustainability. We do our part in preserving the land for generations to come and want you to be a part of it, too!
That’s why we designed a bandana that anyone, anywhere can wear. It’s the perfect accessory to everyone from the world traveler who’s goal is to climb a new mountain every year to the full-time stay-at-home mom working hard to give her kids the best life. We all have a part in this mission to connect and preserve nature.
The Breakdown:
The beautiful hand-drawn design features on the bandanas are some of nature’s core elements that we must protect and understand on our mission to create a sustainable world.
The sun: The sun is the center of our solar system and provides many benefits to us as humans as well as the land. It drives the photosynthesis process, allows us to use solar energy, provides Vitamin D for humans as well as animals, and creates warmth to urge us outdoors on a beautiful summer day!
The flowers: Flowers provide our earth with an array of colors sprinkled about the land. Their root systems play a vital role in preventing erosion. Not to mention, plant life provides food for our animals and helps regulate and produce essential nutrients in the soil. Trees contribute to the clean oxygen we breathe, connecting us to everything in nature.
The pollinators: Examples of pollinators include honey bees, wasps, and butterflies. Although they may be small, they are truly the backbone to our ecosystem and environment. Our tiny friends work hard to transport pollen from either a female or a male plant to the opposite type. This ensures that the next generation of plants is on its way!
What does “Sustainable” mean to us?
We practice sustainability by preserving the land, resources, and, of course, building a stronger ecological foundation for generations to come. We strive to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, animals and communities! Mother Earth provides our most basic needs — the least we can do is take care of her.
Connecting with Nature
Getting outside and connecting with nature and our environment helps us gain a greater appreciation for the world around us. It creates a personal connection with the land so that we may feel more inclined to take care of it.
One critical step in connecting with nature is understanding where your food comes from. Choosing responsibly raised and sourced foods is a smart decision and a growing trend. That’s why we work hard to create a personal connection with everyone who indulges in one of our yummy yogurts! We hope that by educating people transparently and authentically about our products, we inspire other producers to do the same.
As Painterland Sisters, we also promote outdoor activities. Just taking a few moments in a day to walk outside and enjoy the smells, sounds, and sunshine can have a positive impact on your overall health. It’s important to embrace nature and be creative with outdoor activities!
United in the Sisterhood Community
However, this movement goes beyond just sustainability. It proves and promotes the connections we have with the earth, soil, vegetation, pollinators, and sun. The bandana empowers us to be our best selves and take its message with us in our everyday lives. By wearing it, we become closer to the elements pictured. We grow stronger together, connected as a sisterhood.
12 Ways to Style YOUR Bandana
- A stylish headband for the park or a party!
- A neck warmer when horseback riding in the winter.
- A sweat rag when bicycling in the blistering sun.
- Dampen it and wear it as a head cover while out in the garden.
- A colorful collar on your favorite pooch.
- As a pouch to wrap wildflowers in during a scenic hike.
- Fold it to your desired thickness for a tight headband.
- Tie a knot and wear it as a necklace.
- Roll it tight and wear it as a bracelet.
- Grab the corners, drape it over your head, and tie it under your hair to shade from the sun in the summer.
- Grab the corners and tie it behind your neck for a western look.
- Tie a bow around your ponytail to add an element of dimension to your next hairstyle.
