This summer, two Martha's Vineyard organizations, the Noepe Center for Literary Arts and The FARM Institute are teaming up to offer a unique, immersive experience at the intersection of farming and writing. Through writing, you'll explore issues around agriculture, food production, ethics, sustainability and the past, present and future of farming. Staff will offer their ideas for additional resources and experiences on these topics. Applications accepted through June 1.

High school students in Hillsborough, CA released the first of four student-produced science music videos as part of the "Science Rap Academy" in April. The song, "Please Don't Kill My Hive," is a science-ified version of "B****, Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick Lamar.

Farm Aid supports nonprofit organizations that work to maintain a family farm system of agriculture and that promote solutions to the challenges facing rural communities. Grants of $3,000 to $10,000 are provided in the following categories: "Growing the Good Food Movement", "Helping Farmers Thrive", and "Taking Action to Change the System".  Letters of inquiry due by May 1; full proposals due August 1. Grant application guidelines.

As farm-based educators, we're passionate about inspiring people to consider careers in agriculture. One of the biggest hurdles facing new farmers is land acquisition. To address this hurdle, The Greenhorns released "Cooperative Farming: Frameworks for Farming Together" in 2014. It's a collaborative-business how-to handbook based on 42 interviews with agricultural professionals. Whether these issues are pertinent to you now or later, we think it should be on your bookshelf!

(Photo by HIlary Martin)

How does education about agricultural workers fit into your farm-based education work? A new documentary, Food Chain$, may be a useful tool in teaching students and community members about equitable labor practices on farms. The film chronicles an intrepid group of Florida farmworkers, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), as they battle to defeat the $4 trillion global supermarket industry through their ingenious Fair Food program. 

The CIW is a farmworker-led organization based in Immokalee, Florida that has changed the tomato industry from one that ran on exploitation to one that is just beginning to respect the rights of farmworkers. They have done so by pushing 13 food corporations to pay fairer wages and change conditions in the fields. You can follow the group's work on social media, and watch Food Chain$ on iTunes.