
May 2014

Dear Network Members and Friends,

Have the migratory birds returned to your land? Did your seedlings outgrow their pots long ago? We love learning the signs of spring from our neighbors' in Quebec, our new friends in Austin, our newest FBEN member from Nyrup, Denmark, and from you! We hope spring greeted your region with novel partnerships, fun new resources, and astute reminders of why you do what you do.

Thanks to Modern Farmer magazine for highlighting a touching story on farm-to-nursing home!

The FBEN is excited to share a new tool for members - an elist (like a listserv). We hope you will sign-up to deepen the opportunities for networking.

Sincerely,

Vera Simon-Nobes, FBEN Coordinator,

and the FBEN team

listserv and member networking

In response to our survey earlier in 2014, FBEN members voiced overwhelming support for creating a listserv as a way to facilitate conversation, circulate resources, build social ties and collect research on farm-based education. We're excited about this development and are launching a Google Group List this month!

You will receive an invitation to join, or you can subscribe by sending an email to farmbasededucation+subscribe@googlegroups.com.

farm to cafeteria Conference

Peggy Eppig of Mid-Atlantic Farm-Based Education Network and short course attendees

As the conference approached and registration climbed past 1000, the National Farm to School Network decided to add an additional pre-conference short course to the schedule. The FBEN developed a dynamic afternoon course, "The Farm Visit: an Integral Piece of Farm to Cafeteria Success." Network Coordinator Vera Simon-Nobes teamed up with Emily Jackson, from Growing Minds at the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Peggy Eppig of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation and Mid-Atlantic Farm-Based Education Network, Dana Hudson, of VT-FEED and the Northeast Regional Lead for the National Farm to School Network, to deliver the session and 17 individuals from around the country contributed to a fast paced, informative afternoon. Read more...

Didn't attend the conference?

Plenary and presentation slides are available online!

Resources shared at the FBEN Short Course

Q&A with Wayne Talmage

FBEN member Wayne Talmage took a few minutes to share his thoughts on the "organic revolution", his region's industrial past, and how he transfers knowledge to young farmers on his diversified Colorado farm.

have you met Tractor Ted?

Tractor Ted is the farming superhero who captivates children with his books and DVDs full of fun, adventure and discovery, down on the farm. He was created by a mother and a farmer. The DVDs and books feature real-life tractors, farm machines and animals on real working farms. Tractor Ted has a blog, too, with free downloadable kids activities.

"Like so many great ideas, Tractor Ted in Tractorland came from my children," writes co-creator, Alexandra Heard. "When they were toddlers, car journeys would be delayed, as we would have to stop en route if we saw tractors working in the fields. The children could sit and watch them for hours." If you're looking to get to know tractors inside and out, Tractor Ted may be able to help!

featured Photo