Dear Network Members and Friends,
Whether you use this time of year to plan ahead or reflect back, we invite you to think outside the box when considering your program partners in 2014. Take a moment to look at the FBEN program list or facebook feed to admire the work your neighbors and peers are doing, but also think about who is not in our network (yet).
Maybe 2014 is your year to finally offer that new family program, develop a Counselor in Training program, or bring preschoolers, musicians, yoga practitioners, elderly community members or artist groups to the farm. 2014 could hold a chance to explore relationships with retailers and wholesalers, link-up with a nearby bed & breakfast or hotel, develop a value-added product, adopt community investors, scale up or scale back.
Maintaining focus on your programmatic pieces while being open to exciting new partnerships is challenging and exciting. Whatever 2014 holds for you, we invite you to lean on the network behind you!
Wishing you a creative, fun and productive new year,
Vera Simon-Nobes
FBEN Coordinator
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fben Year in Review
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Thank you for making 2013 a wonderful year! Your work has touched many, many people near and far. Read our year in review.
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Q&A with FBEN Members
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Skai Juice joined the FBEN in 2013 and took time to answer a few questions about Muevete Puerto Rico, a non-profit founded to encourage Puerto Ricans to live healthier lives. The organization is linked with the Luquillo Farm Sanctuary, which aims to expose children to a new paradigm in learning and includes education based in permaculture techniques, organic and sustainable living, plant identification, hiking in the rainforest, surfing and beach time and other cultural excursions. "What is special about us is the fact that there is no one else dedicated on the island to creating such a program as the Luquillo Farm Sanctuary," Skai writes. Read more q&a and note that the farm is just getting off the ground, so keep an eye on these folks!
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got Films?
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Weather keeping you inside? Maybe it's time to gather with community members, coworkers or family to catch up on some of the many available educational and inspirational films! Consider these options for public screenings or private showings, and add your own recommendations!
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The Last Shepherd tells the story of
Renato Zucchelli, the last traveling shepherd left in Milan, Italy.
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welcome Farm Stay U.S. Members
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In 2014, the FBEN extends a warm welcome to farmers who are members of Farm Stay U.S., a site that helps consumers find accommodations on working farms across the United States. As travelers seek deeper, richer connections with their food, many small farms have opened their doors to visitors for festivals, tours, workshops and accommodations. Opening a farm stay is an enormous endeavor, but many find it can add economic resilience to their farms. Get to know the farm stays in your area.
...we realized that sharing the lifestyle is our niche. Many people might like to have a farm experience without buying the farm (literally). Just being on a farm is good for the soul. And each person that stays on a farm helps support a cultural tradition that is under severe economic threat. - Scottie Jones, farmer and Farm Stay U.S. coordinator
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farm to cafeteria Scholarships |
The National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Powering Up takes place in Austin, Texas April 15 - 18. The conference will convene a diverse group of stakeholders working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of food and agricultural literacy across America.
The scholarship deadline is fast approaching! Scholarships cover the costs of conference registration only. Applications are due January 31, 2014!
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conference Presentations
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We've posted many of the workshop presentations from the October, 2013 Farm-Based Education Forum to our Slideshare account. While the FBEN site is great for simple files and discussion, the slideshare account can support large files. View presentations at the link below and upload your own!
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featured Photo
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| Busy kids at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans work together to assemble a healthy rainbow. |
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regional Gatherings
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Mid-Atlantic Farm-Based Education Gatherings
March 3 Fox Haven Farm Jefferson, MD Curriculum and Collaboration March 12
Montpelier Farms
Upper Marlboro, MD
FBE Management: Students to Stats
March 26
MD Ag Resource Center
Cockeysville, MD
Farm-Based Education: Curriculum and Collaboration
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conversations and
Resources
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A guidebook of activities, essays and resources by Shelburne Farms
Building Farmer-Teacher Teams
The Mid-Atlantic FBEN is promoting collaborations with school systems to produce curriculum that is relevant and meaningful to students and their families. They are forming teacher-farmer teams to create the Chesapeake Food, Farm, Bay Curriculum, a multi-year partnership to design and implement many great educational and fun experiences on the farm!
Contact Peggy ([email protected]) if you are a farmer or teacher from the Mid-Atlantic region and would like to participate!
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Worcester, MA
Jan. 11
Dorchester, MA
Jan. 11
Online
Jan. 13
Westampton, NJ
Jan. 14 - Feb. 25
Pacific Grove, CA
Jan 22 - 25
Online/Essex, VT
Jan. 23 - May 29
Jefferson, MD
March 3
2013 saw several FBEN regional gatherings!
Add or view events on the Events page.
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job Opportunities
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Pocantico Hills, NY
Nevada City, CA
Sylvestor Manor Programs Coordinator
Shelter Island, NY
Accokeek, MD
Corinth, VT
Wiscasset, ME
Farm Educator
Buckland, MA
Advanced Apprentice, Education Coordinator
Galena, MD
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Shelburne Farms serves as the backbone organization for the Farm-Based Education Network
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