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We are a Community Supported Organization
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The response was tremendous and we are grateful for the community support!
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FARM GOODS for SALE!
Ground beef
$6/#
D Acres Herbal Tea
$12/oz.
Garlic $12/#
Available at the farm |
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We are actively seeking to recruit enthusiastic and positively motivated residents at D Acres including TWO
Job Positions
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D Acres Permaculture Farm Newsletter
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We are excited to begin a new year here in Dorchester at D Acres. There is snow on the ground and the days are lengthening.
This winter we have been working steadily on the Red House renovation. We have added a farmer's porch to the south and are rebuilding the porch on the Streeter Road side of the building. We are also adding a ramp to the facility as well as insulating and sheathing the first floor in anticipation of utilizing the building in 2015 as a residential, retail, and visitor center as well as for overnite guest lodging.
As the sun gets higher in the sky our thoughts tend to shift towards the garden. This month we are placing a collective tree and seed order from Fedco which you are welcomed to participate. In February, Satta Sounds returns to celebrate heart day with reggae. Kids Days are a highlight of the winter with several opportunities in the wood shop as well as the woods.
Look forward to seeing you at the farm!
Thanks for your part in this collaborative adventure,
Josh, Jais, Bree, Ray, Dane & Mittens
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We are excited to announce the publication of "The Community-Scale Permaculture Farm" by Chelsea Green of White River Jct, VT. We have been working on the text since 2007 and are relieved to have completed this journey. There are many contributors to be recognized who have made this possible. Many thanks to Beth Weick for her help in preparing the manuscript for submission. Regina Rinaldo organized the photographs and the captions while Marylena Sevigney produced the illustrations for the book. And we are grateful to the staff at Chelsea Green, especially the amazing editor Michael Metivier.
The book serves as an opportunity to document the evolution of our activities here on the farm. With nearly 400 pages and over 250 photographs, this book provides an overview that will be useful to a wide audience of readers. This format allows us to bring the model of a community farm to a larger population, and while we do not provide a model of perfection, we hope that this will stimulate the conversation.
Initial reviews have been very encouraging. Albert Bates, author and founding member of The Farm in Tennessee, submitted this review. "If we want people to live ecologically, get along, and heal the Earth, we need to build a local, ecological economy. Josh Trought's detailed guide points the way to localizing where we get our basic needs and at the same time stay flexible and practical, not utopian-egalitarian. D Acres started with almost nothing, but through permaculture and perseverance, and a lot of hard knocks, it's getting to where it's doing everything right. The Community-Scale Permaculture Farm is not merely a model for farmers or for an education center, but for a great kind of life."--Albert Bates, author of The Post-Petroleum Survival Guide and The Biochar Solution
While we encourage you to buy directly from the publisher, the book is also available to pre-order on Amazon.com. It is exciting to note that the book has risen from a sales ranking of over 1 million to number 83,000. We are also #24 in Ecotourism, #27 in Sustainability & Green Design as well as the #62 most popular book in Agriculture. These figures are truly amazing considering we are 4 months from public release and there are so many fabulous books out there.
We will have copies available onsite and at Artistic Roots in April.
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Every first Sunday of the month, we host a farm breakfast, serving local eggs cooked to order, D Acres' pork sausage, fresh sauteed greens from our gardens, and organic pancakes served with local maple syrup from Brox Farm. Enjoy the breakfast with friends and family, then stick around for a full farm tour at 1pm.
Breakfast served 10am-1pm, Farm Tour 1pm
$5-15 suggested donation
January 4, February 1
Every SECOND Friday of the month! We will serve wood-fired pizza, baked in our cob oven and topped with only the best farm fresh toppings, including fresh mozzarella cheese from Bunten Farm in Orford, NH. After a full belly of pizza, relax and enjoy a thought-provoking film.
The responsibility for the Pizza Nite is shifting to the dynamic duo M&M. Neighbors Michael and Matt and families have agreed to make this event possible in 2015. We are enthused they are willing and able to take this on. Come on out and check out Pizza Night with a new twist!
We will also feature an engaging kids movie. So if you would like a night out, but want to bring the family along, we have a film picked out just for kids to screen during the feature film.
Pizza 6pm, Film 7:30pm
$5-15 suggested donation
January 9
February 6 Special Surprise! Check the website as the date approaches.
Every last Friday of the month, we host some of the best local entertainment in the area. Join us for a potluck feast, and stay for music, poetry reading, joke-telling, and more! Bring a dish, bring a friend, and bring some fun!
Potluck 6pm, Open Mic 8pm
Free and open to all!
January 30
February 27
Full Moon Snowshoe, Ski and Hike
Once a month hit the woods and get in touch with nature! Starts at 7pm. Please advise if you plan on attending.
February 3, March 5
 | | February Snowshoe Walk at D Acres Farm |
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Strengthening Community Support & Participation
Join us for Volunteer Day! Every last Saturday of the month we work together on various farm projects.
Saturday January 31
Saturday February 28
Farm tasks may change depending on weather and
farm needs.
10am-4pm, lunch included. Contact us to participate.
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KID'S DAYS
A fun opportunity for families to enjoy the farm together! Please call ahead to participate, suggested $5 donation per child for activities. These activities are designed for adult participation along with the child. This program is made possible in part by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Kids Spoon-Making. January 17 1-4pm Parents are required to accompany for this workshop. Pre-registration required.
Trails and Tracks Walk January 19 1-4pm Come explore the trails with Josh as we look for signs of wildlife!
Kids Hearts Making February 14 1-4pm Parents are required to accompany for this workshop. Pre-registration required.
Check the website and facebook for upcoming kids day activities.
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Reggae in The Red House
On February 14th We are excited for the return of Satta Sounds for a heart day performance. This will be his third appearance at the farm and we are excited to bring amplified roots reggae dance music to the farm. We encourage you to join us around 8pm for an evening of sweet sonic and positive vibrations.
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Cooperative buying saves time and resources. The monthly food order is placed every first Thursday and arrives at D Acres on the Tuesday that follows. We order from Associated Buyers and UNFI. To receive regular updates contact [email protected]. There is a facebook group that you can also join the conversation about cooperative buying potential.
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| Fedco Tree and Seed Order |
Cooperative buying saves time and resources. This spring we will be ordering plants suited for New England from our friends at Fedco in Maine. We will be placing a tree and perennial order from Fedco on Jan 15th to receive a group discount. The Fedco seed order should be placed by Feb 26th to receive a discount. Please contact us for further information, advice, and explanation.
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As with the year so changes the composition of the Board of Directors at D Acres. We are thankful for the many years of service provided by Gary Walker of Wentworth NH. Gary has been our Board Chairman and has helped steady the organization through many challenges with careful assessment and thoughtful direction. His able replacement is Bryan Felice of Rumney, a natural building teacher and builder, who was a D Acres resident over 15 years ago. We are enthused that Bryan has chosen to continue his participation for a term as Chairman. We are also delighted that Marylena Sevigney has chosen to participate as a Board member. Marylena is a Plymouth resident who has taken both the Permaculture Design Course as well as the Permaculture Teacher Training offered at D Acres. She also provided illustrations for the Community-Scale Permaculture Farm book project.
To learn more about Bryan and what he does check out this video.
 | | Intro to Natural Building from the Permaculture Perspective with Bryan Felice |
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Traditional square dancing at the Wentworth Town Hall at the corner of East Side Road and Route 25, starting at 8:00pm on the 1st Friday of the month from October to June. Admission is $7, children $4.
The NH chapter of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association is actively educating and making pathways for organic certification and advocacy, young and beginning farmers, and permaculture in our state. See their list of 2014 educational opportunities here: NOFA NH Calendar of Events Artistic Roots 52nd Annual Souper Bowl The event at the Plymouth Congregational Church was conceived several years prior to the other "super" event that time of year. Come on out and get a bowl at this seasonal fundraiser. Over 30 soups available. Jan 31 3-7pm Tickets available at Artistic Roots Visit the web link for information about location, times, and to register. Join G.A.L.A. and Jack Mountain Bushcraft School on the second Wednesday of every month for hands-on learning about everything from bow drills to beer brewing to basic sewing and beyond!
 | | 12 18 14 Dorchester selectboard |
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Permaculture in New Hampshire &
the Northeast
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| Plans are underway for a 2015 NH Permaculture Gathering. The NH Permaculture Guild (aka Yellow Spotted Salamanders) have sent out call for proposals from hosts in the state and received a tremendous response. For further information or to become a part of the planning contact nhpermacultureguild@gmail.com |
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D Acres of NH is a 501c3 non-profit service organization. Our staff, mission and vision are supported by a Board of Directors. If you, or someone you know is interested in serving the community by participating in a volunteer board, please contact
Bryan Felice, D Acres' Board Chair at [email protected]
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'If your life's work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you're not thinking big enough.
-Wes Jackson
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