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Dear Friends,
In November 250 farm-based education community members gathered at Shelburne Farms in Vermont for the 5th Farm-Based Education Conference.
On Saturday of the conference we filled the Coach Barn with a labyrinth of yar n to depict the connections amidst attending professionals. Balls of yarn bounced from hand to hand to show how quick and easy it is to stay linked. After 3-days of sharing, dancing, and eating together, strangers became trusted colleagues, collaborators, and future sources of inspiration.
It takes more to connect people than dime store yarn! Going forward, the Farm-Based Education Association will be using five tools to build the Network and continue the conversation.
 | Informal farm program tours and
networking gatherings often with a
potluck or brown bag lunch. |  | Web based learning sessions including
slides, audio, and/or video. |  | FUN conference calls for instant
conversation from your office, home, or cell. |  | 1-or 2-day facilitated sessions focused on a particular issue or topic hosted by a
network member on their farm. |  |
Online discussions and information sharing. |
These tools rely heavily on the FBEA website. Keep informed about updates and materials by joining the Network online. To learn more about upcoming events, please also visit the Events Page.
This newsletter contains highlights from the conference, information about upcoming evens and opportunities, some great jobs, and more.
I look forward to connecting at a Gathering, Webinar, Call-In, Workshop or in a Discussion Forum!
Sincerely, 
Director of Communications and Development |
Events - Save the Dates!
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Farm-to-School and Farm-Based Education
January 10, 12-1 CDT
Free Webinar in Partnership with National Farm to School Learn More and Register
Call In: Apprenticeships at Farm-Based Programs
February 15, 3-4 EDT
Free Conference Call
More
ABC's of Farm-Based Education 3-Day Workshop
Shelburne Farms, VT
March 9-11
More
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Event Spotlight
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 ABC's of Farm-Based Education 3-Day Workshop
Shelburne Farms, VT
March 9-11
More
If you are just starting to explore the possibilities of opening your farm for education, or looking for new ideas for your program, this is the workshop for you.
Shelburne Farms' farmyard, dairy, gardens, and forest will be our campus with the Education Center as our hub. Topics include marketing your farm program to schools and the community, creating a safe farm environment for the public, and meeting teachers' needs.
Discover exciting, hands-on ways to develop agricultural education programs for school groups with kid-tested, easy-to-use activities from PROJECT SEASONS, a collection of teaching ideas developed by teachers and agriculture educators over the past 20 years. FEE: $200 (includes all materials & meals). Scholarships available. Limited accommodations for additional fee. REGISTRATION & MORE INFORMATION: Erica Curry, 802-985-0325, ecurry@shelburnefarms.org
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FBEA Consulting
|  Occasionally the FBEA enthusiastically takes on a consulting project. In 2007 we worked with a New England Farm family to begin their design of a farm-based and forest-based program. In 2009 we worked with the Kalamazoo Nature Center in Michigan to design a plan for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) enterprise and educational programming on their 19th c. historic homestead.
In 2011 the FBEA has been working with the city of Germantown Tennessee to help with the development of a farm based education center project as part of their Parks and Recreation Department. The FBEA provided expertise by facilitating a community meeting to gain input for the project as well as guidance with program development and implementation.
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EatingWell Recipe
| Ragout of Pork and Prunes
 I (Brooke) made this 2 weeks ago. It was delicious, my kids loved it, and there was extra for the freezer (it froze well). Win. Win. Win.
Recipe
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Events - Save the Dates!
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Farm-to-School and Farm-Based Education: The Benefits of Kids Learning on Farms January 10, 12-1 CDT
Free Webinar in Partnership with National Farm to School Learn More and Register
Call In: Apprenticeships at Farm-Based Programs
February 15, 3-4 EDT
Free Conference Call
More
ABC's of Farm-Based Education 3-Day Workshop
Shelburne Farms, VT
March 9-11
More
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2011 Farm-Based Educator of the Year
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We announced the 2011 Farm-Based Educator of the Year on November 5th at the Conference in Vermont.
Congratulations to
Jill Keating, Environmental Educator and the School Field Trip program Manager at Common Ground High School, Urban Farm and Environmental Learning Center in New Haven, CT.
Read about Jill Keating and Common Ground Here.
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