The Prairie in Pink Evening Light



"...we need to be lovers again who are more in love with the world than ever. More grateful for existence, for the nourishing and beautiful Earth, for her marvelous creatures, for her suffering, than ever before. More struck by reverence and respect for the miracle of our being here, the gift of existence in this amazing universe with its 13.8-billion-year history...

"Are we sustainable? Only if we 'become sweet lovers,' says Hafiz...Only if we not only fall in love but develop the astuteness to defend our beloved, the Earth, with all of our resources at hand."
2015 - A Year of Engagement
Taking time to connect with our natural home, be in awe and inspired to have the courage to live sustainably, so that all can thrive.

The 2015 Circle Round the Sun So Far:
Record High Temps for January
Green Connections Board
and Turtle Rock Farm Advisory Group lunch on the Pond House patio--
in January!...
...and share and exchange vegetable seeds.
Soon: seedlings!
Winter residents. Canada Geese fly in...
...and many prairie residents come to the feeders.
 
 Beautiful winter skies. 
 
Transition OKC coordinating team,
during their annual planning day.
Robin and Donna Acker,
during Meditation Retreat.
 
         Interesting goings-on in the round-top barn. A coyote comes in to take its last breath...

 
Mindful walking... 
...and mindful working
during Mindfulness Retreat.
Warm, Chilly--and Beautiful 

 

January 2015 was warm--we broke three days of 100-plus years of high temperatures records, (79 degrees one day)--and it was cold: in the teens, snow south of us.  

 

A coyote came into the barn--that's never happened before, that they come that close to our human habitat--and died on a pile of hay. (Blog: Blurring Lines, Ask the Animals) 

 

The drought continues, but we had a whole day of light rain--.6 inch--last Saturday, for which we are glad. While there have been long strings of gray days, we have also seen extraordinarily beautiful skies morning and evening (before and after the cloud-cover) and the clearest, inky night skies, deep with stars. 

 

We have discovered Barn Owl's sleeping place in the round-top barn and marvel at its ability to stand all day, asleep. It's quite beautiful too. (Blogs: Morning Walk and a Long Gaze at Owl, Owl Closer) 

 

Our winter retreats are retreats that can be accomplished indoors, but participants both Saturdays could go out into the natural world during the day. (It was a bit blustery last Saturday, but our hearty participants didn't hesitate.)

 

And the January day our Green Connections Board and Turtle Rock Farm Advisory Group met for its winter meeting, it was so warm--sun-burn sunny--we lunched on the patio!  

 

We are learning to live in the natural world without expectations...and to stay alert to surprises.

 

Soon, Ann will plant seeds in tiny cubicles of soft soil, keep them moist and warm under grow-lights and that will be the beginning of summer's food harvest. She's keeping her eyes on the honey bees (they love the corn in the bird feeders on those coldest days,) making sure they winter well. The barnyard ones--chickens, guineas, goats, alpacas, rabbits--are doing well. We are grateful for their good company, and the fresh eggs and fresh alpaca manure!

 

Ann's Raising Chicken Workshop is on the calendar (see below, and our website) for February, as is one of Pat's favorite retreats: Active Hope--The Work That Reconnects.  

 

We're scheduling individual, private retreats in the Sallie McFague Strawbale Hermitage and group retreats for spring. Coming up too is our Earth Day Festival (April 25) and soon we will be announcing workshops, retreats and events of Transition OKC and Turtle Rock Farm In The City.

 

In the meantime, come see us. It might be warm; it might be cold; it will be beautiful.

We hope to see you soon! 

 

 

 

Beauty, Peace, Wonder, 

Ann and Pat

 


































Workshops and Retreats

Raising Chickens Workshop
February 21

 

 

 

 

Would you like to have your own fresh eggs? Raising a few chickens can be a fun, rewarding experience. Come learn about the different kinds of chicken coops, raising chickens from eggs or getting them from the store, what chickens need to survive, predator problems and more. (And we'll introduce you to our flock!)

 

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $75 retreat fee includes lunch.

9a.m. to 5 p.m. $75 retreat fee includes lunch.  

To register, go to our calendar: 

Active Hope and The Work
that Reconnects Retreat
February 28

 

 

Some days the state of the world can overwhelm us. Despite our intentions, our hopes, our work, we sometimes find that the environmental and economic problems are mounting. Using experiential exercises developed over 40 years by Joanna Macy, an eco-philosopher, teacher and author, The Work That Reconnects helps us look deeply at the graces of life on the planet, face our feelings about the rapid worsening of the environment, begin to develop a vision that will carry us forward, and choose the practical steps we can take to bring about change so that all on the planet can thrive. Pat will lead the group through the spiral that helps us develop a supportive community as well as gather strength, meaning and purpose for our lives at this critical time.

 

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $75 fee includes lunch. 

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $75 retreat fee includes lunch.  

To register, go to our calendar:

Shepherds' Retreat
March 2-3

A 24-hour retreat for United Methodist clergy and lay leaders. Following the Academy for Spiritual Formation model of morning, evening prayer, eucharist, periods of silent reflection on readings and small group discussion and sharing of meals, the retreat is a time for spiritual renewal for church leaders. For more information or to register, email Rev. Susan Ross at ross-susan@sbcglobal.net or Pat Hoerth at pathoerth@gmail.com

 

Contemplation in Nature Retreat
March 14

Much of this workshop will be held outside, giving participants the opportunity to spend contemplative time in nature. Spiritual practices may include a contemplative walk, lectio divina with nature, Stations of the Earth, Meditation on the story of creation, developing the Sabbath practice of a Sit Spot. Emphasis will focus on learning to pay attention, see, hear, enjoy, get to know the natural world that is our home.  

Pat Hoerth leads this retreat.


9:30 a.m. to  4:30 p.m. $75, includes lunch. 

 

To register, go to our calendar: 
 

 

 

To Learn More about Turtle Rock Farm

MORE OPPORTUNITIES AT TURTLE ROCK FARM 



THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
Leslie Harrison helping with the honey harvest.
And Elena Height, who helped in the high tunnel.

If you, your group or family is interested in helping out or providing a service learning project at Turtle Rock Farm, let us know. It takes a village!

Scholarships are available for youth to experience nature at Turtle Rock Farm, thanks to a generous grant from the Oklahoma Disciples of Christ Foundation.


Call -- 580.725.3411, 580.917.6011
Or email: annbdenney@gmail.com   pathoerth@gmail.com


 How Does One Make Retreat?



  A "retreat" at Turtle Rock Farm is a chance to get away into the quiet and beauty of the prairie.
  It can be a time when you sleep, listen to music, read, walk, visit, play musical instruments, do art, bask in silence, get a       
  therapeutic massage, sit in a rocking chair on the porch, visit with a  spiritual director, explore nature, walk the labyrinth,
  feed an alpaca, gather eggs, garden, kayak or swim in the pond...alone, with friends, family, or with the community gathered
  here at the farm.

  It can be what you need and what you want it to be. We are happy to guide and assist, or give you solitude.



  Turtle Rock Farm on the Road
 
  Making the Cosmic Walk at Camp Egan, near Tahlequah

  We are glad to be able to offer our workshops, retreats and presentations away from our farm. Call or email about a 
  presentation for your group. 


  To reserve your individual, family or group retreat... 
  Or to visit with us about a presentation for your group in another location... 
  email or call: 
  pathoerth@gmail.com -- 580.917.6011 
  annbdenney@gmail.com -- 580.725.3411 
Comments from our wonderful guests...
     
 

"The retreat at Turtle Rock was very peaceful and sacred. This retreat helped me to refuel and to center myself. The atmosphere is conducive to learning--gentle knowledge--very inclusive. Thank you." -- M.R.

"So happy to be the first resident of the new year. What a treat for me! I am praying that this retreat with our Young Adults is just the first of many visits to Turtle Rock. I'm so happy to know you're here and not far away. We are kindred spirits and I look forward to much celebration!!" -- Bill Crowell, Tulsa, Boston Avenue UMC

"This is our fourth stay at the hermitage and visit with you. Each time has been a time of renewal. This short visit is no exception. Our conversation, the simplicity of the hermitage, and the stark beauty of the farm and rolling hills blend together to help bring the peacefulness we need." -- Bill and Jeanne Finely, Silver Spring, Md. and Blacksburg, Va.

"This hermitage is a gracious space-as is the whole farm. I leave grateful for everything-deer and wasps, damp 'possum and faithful dog; greedy goats and trumpeting guineas; laid-back alpacas and boisterous roosters. Sun, then storms; mild breezes and sleet. Happy fishing and beautiful lettuce and greens. Surprise wine and a week's worth of soup.
"This place is much like home without the distractions and anxieties. I take from here the resolve to make home more like this week. Thank you Ann and Pat for providing this space, this beauty, this time of rest. May it continue to bless more and more people as you continue your Great Work of caring for Earth and all her inhabitants." -- Jane Balenger, OP, Heartland Farm, Pawnee Rock, KS

"'O God What a Morning' Deer grazing in the north field, a hawk soaring in the west, no doubt looking for breakfast, a full moon setting in a clear sky, and then a bit later-sunrise. What a show. Thanks God." -- Mary Lou B.

"What a wonderful weekend. I needed to get away from the big city life to think, pray, read, meditate. I found the right place for it. This place is good for my soul. I will most certainly return here. Warm blessings." -- Garrick Voth, Oklahoma City

"Strawbale Hermitage must have been a long time dream which called for much hard work as it came to life. Thank you for your great effort. It is a most peace-filled, comfortable and charming place. I am grateful for these three days surrounded by the sounds of nature and covered over by a dome of blue with lazy clouds. God has blessed me here. May God bless you also. Thank you." -- Susan D.

"We enjoyed the pond and watching the stars and I liked catching grasshoppers, kayaking, listening to the sounds of nature." Mason, Maranda, Bryce and Sherri 
 
"Thank you. I have had a balancing and purifying experience; hoping to take some of it back with me. As Persing said-the zen you find on the mountaintop is the same zen down below. I appreciate the opportunity to live in this special place for awhile." -- J. 

"Thank you so much or making me feel like family during my 2-week WWOOFing stay! I'm so glad I got to know you and learn from all the great projects y'all have going. I've met some incredible people and activists while here, which is a huge inspiration." -- Hannah

"Quiet, restful, beautiful sunset...I could go on and on. thank you for sharing this wonderful retreat with us! The beekeeping seminar was fun and educational too. Wish we could have stayed longer. Good friends, good food, good fellowship-what more could one ask for? Can't wait to come back!" -- Nancy and Steve

"Awoke to a thin covering of snow and brisk cold north wind-the changing of the seasons. Thank you. Thank you for this place of respite, renewal, encouragement!." -M.L.B.

"First glimmers of light
The hoot of an owl
The words of my teacher
This house made of earth
Many things made by loving hands
I am encouraged
To put my hands to work
And to know the work as good,
As enough for today.
Small steps are still steps.

Hearing the owl in this moment-
Is a step, a connection.
Morning arrives and I am awake
The farm offers its gift
And I am here
To receive it
With a grateful hear." - Pat W.

"Thank you for this in-between time, time to sink into solitude -- accentuated by the drumbeats/heartbeats of our friends from the north who are here to practice saying no to violating the earth. I will leave with their music, and the soul-full music of this place, in my spirit..." Susan

"I like feeding the alpaca and playing in the sand." -- Cohen, age 6

"Thank you very much for showing us the farm and taking us on a hike. I really appreciate it." -- Eden, age 9

"This was a great place to stay. I'd give it a 10 out of 10. I learned a lot while having fun. Best Mor-Mor Camp ever!" -- Colton, age 11

"Thank you for giving us your time and energy. You have made an investment in us! We certainly did "praise God under the open skies" in the labyrinth, the fields, the creeks, in our unstructured play and with each other. Hallelujah!" -- Gala, age 67 (aka "Moder")

"Thank you for this in-between time, time to sink into grieving and solitude-accented by the drum beats/heart beats of our friends from the north who are here to practice saying no to violating the earth. I will leave with their music, and the soul-full music of this place, in my spirit..." -- Susan

Read More...
in support of

 
GC logo
 

 
Green Connections' Earth Day Festival 2013
 
Green Connections is a 501c3 Not-for-Profit corporation committed to helping people connect with Earth and learn to live more sustainably. We welcome the opportunity to bring their programming to Turtle Rock Farm.  

 

 

You may send tax deductible donations to Green Connections, 5900 CR 90, Red Rock, OK 74651. Or you can donate on the Green Connections website. Or, go to our website - www.turtlerockfarmretreat.com - and click on Green Connections, and use Paypal to send your donation.  




Meet our board members:

Green Connections: Vicki Rose (treasurer), Elizabeth Box Price, Dorothy Gray, Pat Hoerth, Ann Denney, Mary Moloney, Shauna Struby (president,) Tom Temple   

 

Turtle Rock Farm Advisory Council: Barbara Hagan, Bruce Johnson, Corey Williams  

 

 


Transition OKC is a program of Green Connections. Find out more about its work on its website: goinglocalOKC.com

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www.turtlerockfarm.wordpress.com
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5900 CR 90, Red Rock, OK 74651· 580.725.3411