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Dear Network Members and Friends,
For the FBEN, January brings a spirit of renewal and great ambitions for 2016: our 10th anniversary year! We are excited to tackle complicated questions about farmer compensation, nonprofit board development, farm to preschool initiatives, marketing strategies and so much more. But the challenge of our work remains simple: let's get people onto farms! Let's encourage them to be curious as ever. Let's challenge them to dig, smell, taste and build relationships with the plants, animals and people that make up healthy agricultural systems.
In 2016, the FBEN will inspire, nurture and promote farm-based education in so many ways. We're thrilled to have you along for the ride!
Vera Simon-Nobes
FBEN Coordinator
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looking back Looking Ahead
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fben 6th National Conference
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After three years of collaborating on regional gatherings, we are excited to announce the FBEN's 6th National Farm-Based Education Conference to take place in early November on the East Coast! We will release details soon, but you can count on engrossing workshops, inspiring field trips, passionate attendees, and of course, birthday cake. Join us as we inspire, nurture, and promote farm-based education and launch our second successful decade.
We are currently assembling the conference organizing committee! If you're interested in helping review workshops, plan field trips, advertise scholarships and more, please email Vera. Special thanks to FBEN members from the following farms for getting the organizing committee off the ground: Live Earth Farm, Watsonville, CA; Suzie's Farm, San Diego, CA; Common Ground High School, Urban Farm and Environmental Education Center, New Haven, CT; Appleton Farms, Ipswich, MA; and Retreat Farm, Brattleboro, VT.
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winter Reading
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For some, winter offers just enough to time to catch up on good reading. If that includes you, take a look at Food Tank's 2016 Winter Reading List. From biofuels to vegan cooking to a toolkit for women farmers, the list is sure to include many good reads that will inspire your thinking.
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foodcorps Applications Available
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Have you been looking for ways to put your energy towards something meaningful? To address your community's health in concrete ways? To address issues of food justice by getting your hands dirty? FoodCorps is seeking service members who want to build future careers as educators, chefs, community organizers and public health advocates. Applications are being accepted now through March 31.
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funding Opportunities
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 The NOAA Office of Education has issued a competitive funding opportunity for education projects that help strengthen community resilience to extreme weather events and other environmental hazards.
The Lowe's Toolbox for Education offers grants to schools and parent/teacher groups. School projects should encourage parent involvement and build stronger community ties. The next deadline for applications is February 12, 2016.
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farm-based ed Workshop
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"The ABCs of Farm-Based Ed workshop gave me the ideas and inspiration I needed to go back to my teaching refreshed and energized," one workshop participant recently wrote.
There are a couple of spaces remaining in the 2 1/2 day workshop, "ABCs of Farm-Based Education" at Shelburne Farms! Coming up March 4-6, this workshop brings together people from around the country who are looking to develop agricultural education programs. If you are looking for new ideas for an existing program, or are just starting out, this workshop is for you! To learn more or to see a sample agenda, email us.
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q&a with Carol-Ann Hoyte
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Carol-Ann Hoyte recently completed Dear Tomato, a poetry anthology for young people. Originally inspired by her sister, an urban farmer with Why Hunger in New York City, Hoyte put out a call for submissions, and carefully curated the anthology over time. In this month's Q&A, Hoyte shares how she found writers for the anthology, what she hopes young people will gain from reading it, and how other educators can inspire kids to write poetry about food and farming. Hoyte is a children's librarian in Montreal, and includes a few of her favorite books in the Q&A as well.
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job Opportunities
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Lexington, MA
Los Altos, CA
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Winchester, MA
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Finance and Human Resources Associate
New York, NY
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conversations and
Resources
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If you didn't make it to the Young Farmers Conference at Stone Barns, have no fear! You can view the keynote address by Mark Bittman, and several workshops on the Virtual Grange.
In Defense of Food on PBS
Watch it on TV or stream it, this two hour episode based on Michael Pollan's book of the same title is captivating. Join Pollan as he explores the ironic and sad realities of the United States food system, and asks what one should eat to be healthy.
Green Teacher WebinarsFrom nature kindergarten to music to gathering field data on birds with elementary students, these webinars are free and highly informative.
This resource guides you though questions to consider and helpful resources to reference when starting or growing a farm to school program. It is designed for use by schools, school districts, and community partners.
Grow Your Lunch
This approachable and beautiful guide to edible gardening will inspire and teach you something new, no matter your level of expertise. Available for free!
April Zajko, M.Ed. has been creating and expanding this "Farm Unit for Preschool" over her last nine years of living in Vermont. |
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Worcester, MA
January 16
Pacific Grove, CA
January 20 - 23
NOFA Vermont Winter Conference
Burlington, VT
February 13 - 15
The Business of Farming Conference
Asheville, NC
February 20
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