For most of human history, people have been connected with the land that sustains them, and in many ways this connection is breaking down. As I reflect on what I learned in supporting the CSA garden this year, the word that stands out most clearly to me is "connection," and how this really is the essence of community-supported agriculture. It is an opportunity to reconnect.

I have always loved to garden, to be witness to the miracle of a new seedling emerging, feeling how water (love), sun (light) and healthy compost (our trials) create the most beautiful fruits. The garden is a place where I make sense of my life and receive countless lessons. Sometimes the day is gray and rainy, and things just feel dull, but the life and joy in the garden the next day after it's been refreshed with the cool rain reminds me that we need the rainy days -- they help us grow.

I have discovered through planting seeds that inspiring thoughts enter our beings in the same way. They go into the soil of our beings, not to be seen manifest in our lives right away, but all the same they have been planted, and the rain and sun are sure to come and coax them into existence, to manifest in our daily lives. The generosity and provision that Allah has bestowed on us are undeniable: as you plant one small seed it gives back hundreds. When I extend my hands to give, it is helpful for me to remember to give in the same way that I place a seed in the earth gently -- not tossing it mindlessly where it may not grow, and to send love and light along with the gift. I am grateful to have been given the gift to move to the Farm with my family to share in the joy of gardening, not just together, but with our community and expanding family.

The CSA has given us an opportunity to take this love of gardening outward into the world and offer people a chance to connect with a small farmer and eat fresh produce in season. I realize that people do not necessarily become CSA members to get a good deal on produce or even just for local produce alone, but because it is a chance to fulfill the innate desire to be connected with land that is sustaining them. To meet the farmer, hear the news, and see pictures of the crops in full bloom is a joy. To experience the sweet reward when the first tomato ripens and you have been patient enough to wait for it, rather than supporting the consumption of the fossil fuels it takes to ship tomatoes out of season from afar. This is healing for our own spirits and all those that inhabit this earth.

The honeybees that I am helping to care for at the farm have graced us with their presence throughout the garden. Early one morning as I was picking cucumbers, I heard the song of a bee and followed the sound to see him tucked inside a flower in a passionate embrace. How beautiful to see how they were giving to one another, encouraging a healthy, pollinated plant and sweet honey at the same time. To see the bees I have been raising dancing with the cucumbers my husband had planted was a very sweet moment of feeling how divinely orchestrated this awesome creation we have the gift of experiencing is.

Whether you enjoy the gift of your own garden, a farmer's market, or a CSA, I pray you all experience the wonder and delight of watching your food grow and connecting with the rhythm of eating in harmony with what Allah in His wisdom is providing us all the time.

The 2011 CSA will be open for memberships soon. I invite you to contact me at 717-573-2956 or jenhalima@yahoo.com if you would like information about becoming a part of our CSA family.

It was a very successful season -- summer and fall -- for the CSA, for a total of 22 weeks, alhamdulillah. The CSA also provided much of the produce used at Sufi School this year. Amin Mills did a great job managing the CSA, expanding the garden from .5 acre to 3 acres, and grew an abundance of produce. Halima Willett ably stepped into the volunteer Logistics Coordinator position. The CSA circle is already planning for next year. Amin and Halima attended a CSA workshop, making connections with and learning from other CSAs, and are planning to attend the PASA conference in January.

We have two dozen new laying hens. Ahmad, who cares for the hens, excitedly exhibited the first of their eggs for all to see. We're looking forward to having more eggs available for community members to purchase and enjoy. Recently, one of the older laying hens seemed to be missing, then was spotted coming and going from the coop yard. Last week, Ahmad was surprised to discover her returning to the yard followed by 10 little chicks! The chicks are now snug in the brooder and will join the flock when they are old enough, inshallah.

The Bee Group started two hives in the spring and lost one hive in September due to the draught. The hive that survived rebounded beautifully with some extra supplements and a visit from the Pennsylvania apiary inspector. Lots of fun and hands-on learning is taking place and, inshallah, the hive will survive the winter.

Fall is time to get our winter hay in the barn, as well as breeding time for the sheep. Our 15 adult ewes were dewormed and had a pedicure, and now are being visited by our new Tunis ram, with lambs expected in April. It is also time to sacrifice the rest of this year's lambs, which will be done in the next few weeks, weather permitting, for delivery to the Sheep Share purchasers and a few others. The best five 2010 ewe lambs are being kept for breeding in 2011, for a total flock size of 21 sheep to carry over the winter. Their wool coats are now thick and will keep them warm until spring shearing.

A new circle is forming to propose how to create a burial space at the Farm so that our beloveds can be buried here. The group will be looking at county/state laws, shari'a laws, siting, and training in Islamic burial practices (janaazah). Anyone interested in being a part of this project can contact Kamila Dinning at 301-788-3632.

ATTENTION ALL VISITORS TO THE FARM -- IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

You may notice a large stack of hay bales in one of our barns. It is very attractive to children who may want to play on it, but please be aware that the hay is stacked without any firm supports and is unsafe to climb on. The bales weigh 40-50 pounds and are stacked 6-8 feet high. Children climbing up could easily pull one or more bales down on top of themselves with possible serious injury. We are asking everyone to please help keep children away from the hay stack, especially if there are unaccompanied visitors who are new to the farm.

Talking with friends, neighbors, family, coworkers -- anyone we meet -- about the Sufi path is the most fundamental way in which we share what we receive from our experience of Sufism. It's a way of opening the door to invite others to find out more.

Sharing our experience with others enlivens in them the yearning to know that experience. Often, we may have only a couple of minutes to share what the Sufi way means to us. Sometimes, it may be challenging to find just the right words to speak about Sufism in simple terms.

The Community Outreach Circle has been discussing how to help beloveds in our community talk about the Sufi way. We wanted to share our results with everyone, to help us all as we reach out to others. Of course, what we are offering are guidelines: we each need to give thought to what works for us, and also for the person we're talking with, in terms of specific words of love that they need.

What is Sufism?

• Sufism is a path of love that gives you a direct tasting of the qualities of God.
• Sufism is often described as the mystical path of Islam.
• Sufism is the Way of the Prophets from Abraham to Moses, to Jesus, to Muhammad.
• Sufism is a path of Unity. One way this is expressed is that we make no distinction or difference between people or religions.

How does Sufism bring more happiness and fulfillment?

• The Sufi path lifts the veils that cover us from knowing the treasures and beauty that God placed inside our hearts so that we can live in peace and happiness.
• Sufism purifies our heart so that our highest self shows up in all circumstances.

What is the Farm of Peace?

• The Farm of Peace is a Sufi community, a working farm and a spiritual retreat center that is open to all.

Our prayer is for this to be a helpful reference for everyone. If you have any additional suggestions based on your own experience we are happy to add them to this list for the benefit of the community; please email robertshay@aol.com.

The most important thing is to speak from your heart and find the words that feel natural to you. And it helps to, as much as possible, sense what's in the heart of the person in front of you and respond with the words and concepts that will open their heart to hear more.

For anyone who would like to work with the Community Outreach Circle to bring the teachings of the Sufi way to others, we invite you to become a part of our group. Please contact Mu'min Shay at robertshay@aol.com or 717-552-1925.

Your zawiyah includes daily group check-ins with your teachers, writing from Sidi's books, five-times-a-day prayer, and other Sufi practices to guide your heart to turn toward the One. Your inner nourishment is complemented with outer nourishment -- delicious, home-cooked meals and the sacred holding of the International Peace Center.

We'll have our traditional New Year's Eve khalwah on Dec. 31, when all our beloveds gather to be in prayer as the new year arrives.

"Zawiyah is a blessing from Allah -- a chance to leave everything from the world behind so that one's heart can swim in the ocean of Allah." -- L.T., zawiyah participant.

New Year's zawiyah, Dec. 30-Jan. 3. Register by calling 717-573-4722 or write to info@farmofpeace.com. Cost is $130 a day, which includes your room, meals and teachings.

Through the support of the superb team during zawiyah, I was able to bring back my witnessing to Allah, and experience peace and serenity. I walked away with the sense that I had tools to work with and that there was always a way for me to return to God. I learned to catch myself when the nafs is at play with me and turn to my Lord for help. I noticed that my appetite had lessened with the decreased activity of my nafs (!) which left me with more space in my heart. I felt appreciative of catching my pictures and illusions, and be able to live in my heart and taste its beauty.

What a deep gift that was for me! And to this day I feel immensely grateful.

Beet Soup

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 6 medium beets, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• heavy cream

Warm olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onions and garlic; cook until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in beets, and cook for 1 minute.

Stir in stock, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cover, and simmer until the beets are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly.

In batches, add soup to a food processor, and pulse until liquefied. Return soup to saucepan, and gently heat through. Ladle into bowls, and garnish with a swirl of cream.