Death on the Farm Discussion Series

with Michael Kaufmann

MICHAEL KAUFMANN, GREEN CHIMNEYS

March 23, 3:30–4:30 p.m. EST (Online): Green Chimneys celebrates the dignity and worth of all living things at their farm and wildlife rehabilitation center. Director of Farm and Wildlife, Michael Kaufmann will share the defined procedures they have for engaging and supporting youth when natural animal deaths inevitably occur. Green Chimneys in Brewster, NY offers Animal-Assisted Education and Therapy to children ages 5-18 with trauma histories, high levels of anxiety and psychiatric issues. PART 1 of this three-part series. Register for March 23.

Death on the Farm Discussion Series

with Michaela Ryan

MICHAELA RYAN, NEW VILLAGE FARM

March 29 and April 5, 3:30–4:30 p.m. EST (Online): Michaela Ryan grew up on a farm where adults didn’t welcome her natural curiosity and emotions around animal death. Fast forward many years, and Michaela became an engineer, mother, grief counselor, and, since 2008, a farmer. Today, guided by a belief that our capacity to feel joy is directly related to our capacity to feel sorrow, Michaela welcomes student questions, observations, reflections and beliefs about death whenever they encounter it on her farm. She sees it as an opportunity for students to connect to their humanity and each other. MARCH 29, Michaela will share stories from her work at New Village Farm in Shelburne, VT. APRIL 5, an extended discussion with Michaela and peer farm-based educators.

Register for March 29 and April 5.

Summer Camp Learning Community (Bi-Weekly)

Next date March 27, 10–11 a.m. EST (Online): These informal meetings are time to talk camp! Join FBEN members who run summer farm camp to discuss hiring, registration, camp protocols and more. This year’s community is facilitated by food and culture consultant Ani Steele. Register for 3/27.

WORKSHOP

Responsive Classroom Management in the Outdoors

April 21 (In Person, Santa Cruz, CA): How can we possibly manage 30 students in an Outdoor Classroom?! Participants in this workshop will explore best practices for establishing and maintaining a positive, engaging culture of learning and fun in a garden setting. Together we will experience and discuss setting the tone for equitable and inclusive instruction; garden class routines; station rotations; and specific techniques to maximize student engagement and participation. Graduate education units available. Register now.

CONFERENCE

Inside-Out International Conference & Leadership Series

June 12–15 (In Person, Estes Park, CO): The Inside-Out International Conference and year-round Leadership Series events bring children and nature leaders together for networking, workshops, special events, and a world-class conference. More information and registration.

RESOURCE

How to Plan a Student-Centered Farmer Visit to Your School

A guide for schools to plan and host student-centered visits from local farmers from the Center for Ecoliteracy. Read the guide.

Backyard Basecamp is asking for your help to renovate their partially constructed farmhouse, located on BLISS Meadows, their 10-acre green space in the heart of Baltimore City. BLISS Meadows (re)connects Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to land and nature through urban community farming, nature education programming, and survival skills training. This 93 year-old farmhouse has been vacant and in need of repair since they acquired it in 2019. Renovating it will transform how they farm, store food, grow our gardens, feed animals, and run programs. With your help, they can bring the farmhouse back to life for the community, animals, and Backyard Basecamp. Learn more and pitch in! 

The Awesome Foundation is a global community advancing the interest of awesome in the universe, $1,000 at a time. Each fully autonomous chapter supports awesome projects through micro-grants, usually given out monthly. These micro-grants, $1,000 or the local equivalent, come out of pockets of the chapter's "trustees" and are given on a no-strings-attached basis to people and groups working on awesome projects.

RESOURCE

Grant Writing for Farmers 101

In this workshop, participants gained knowledge/understanding of state/federal grant and loan programs. The instructors analyzed Requests for Applications (RFA), eligibility criteria, matching funds and cost-share requirements, and sample proposals to identify the components of a good application. The event included an engaging Q&A session. Watch the workshop recording from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project.

Job Openings from Members and Partners

• School Garden Educator, Island Grown Initiative, Martha's Vineyard, MA
• Farm and Garden Camp Assistant Instructor, South Amherst, MA
• Seasonal Farm-Based Educators, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT

Are you hiring? Post a job on FBEN's forum.

RECIPE

Afghani Halwa with Ricotta Cheese

Afghani carrot halwa is creamy, decadent and delicious. This recipe uses ricotta cheese and dry milk powder along with freshly grated carrot. Ground cardamom adds lots of flavor. A perfect sweet treat to make with juicy winter carrots. From FoodConnects via Cooks Hideout. Get the recipe.