March 16, 2016
Dear Network Members and Friends,

Have your spring lambs arrived? Are your seed orders in? Do you have teachers knocking on your doors asking to sign up for spring field trips?  

Last month was full of learning for FBEN members: at conferences, on farms, and online. March brings more opportunities to grow our practices and open our minds to new ideas for 2016. So go ahead, leap into spring (thanks for the photo, Drumlin Farm!) We invite you to look ahead to the amazing opportunities that you, the network members are hosting or facilitating to inspire, nurture, and promote our work! 

Vera Simon-Nobes
FBEN Coordinator
fben visits Colorado 
In 2013, we met a wonderful farmer/educator from Colorado. In 2014, she came to Shelburne Farms for a three-day workshop.  In 2015, we co-hosted a workshop with her in Fort Collins, and in 2016, we are thrilled to be revisiting the beautiful Farm at Lee Martinez Park to facilitate an action-packed workshop for teachers, farmers and ranchers: Growing Education on the Farm.


fben gathering  Workshop Submissions
We are currently seeking workshop proposals for the 6th Farm-Based Education Network National Gathering, to be held in Concord, MA November 4-6, 2016.  Submit your proposal to present before April 29th!

Day one will be organized in coordination with the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, and promises endless info from sourcing to serving in schools, as well as several dynamic field trips. Day two and three will engage attendees in over 40 workshops in classrooms and outdoors, a keynote address, and of course delicious meals. 

The Gathering is organized by the FBEN in partnership with the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, The Trustees, and the Concord-Carlisle Adult & Community Education.
immersive workshops From CA to NY
Breathe life into standards-based lessons in a garden!  Using Life Lab's The Growing Classroom activity guide for grades K-6, participants in this hands-on workshop in Santa Cruz, CA, experience tried-and-true garden-based lessons linked to Common Core Language Arts and Math and Next Generation Science Standards; practice basic gardening techniques; and develop management strategies for a school garden program. Graduate education units available. More info...

On the East Coast, the Poughkeepsie Farm Project invites teachers to join them for a four day summer institute that focuses on garden integration with literacy, social studies, science, math, and nutrition, and builds knowledge about sustainable agriculture, food systems, social justice, and ecological gardening practices. More info...

In June, we're excited to attend the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, where we are teaming up with an FBEN member from Wisconsin to present, "Connecting to Land and Place through Farm-Based Education". Early bird registration closes March 31! 
funding Opportunities
Under the Environmental Education Grants Program, EPA seeks grant proposals from eligible applicants to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. Applications are due by April 8, 2016.
dairy for every Classroom Course
A Dairy for Every Classroom is a professional development course intended for New England-based middle, high school, and career and technical education teachers who are looking to deepen or expand their personal knowledge, curricular connections, and project-based learning opportunities related to dairy agriculture and the contributions the industry makes to the health of people and their communities. Utilizing a unique learning format, the course includes a three-day residential intensive at Vermont Technical College in July; an independent work project period; and a two-day curriculum retreat at Shelburne Farms in late September. 
website Changes
Have you checked out our new website? We have made some changes and hope that the new site reflects the vibrant, dynamic network that we are. The site invites you to post jobs, share resources and visit the interactive map, and we hope it communicates our story in an effective and beautiful way.  As always, let us know if you have feedback! 
peas In the Classroom
Have you ever considered participating in a pea growing contest? The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture invites your classroom to participate! This contest is to celebrate our book of the year, First Peas to the Table, by Susan Grigsby published by Albert Whitman.
q&a with Ruthie King
"I am motivated by the dire need for new farmers along with the innovative, open source creativity that is being generated among the small scale, organic, agricultural community," Ruthie King, Director of the Grange Farm School writes. "I believe that asking high quality questions is a critical skill, that cooperative creativity and communal decision making are essential, and that there are no silver bullets..." Read more...


featured Photo




































The Farm Institute welcomed their first lambs on March 1st. That means one thing - green grass and long summer days are around the corner! 
in this Issue
Colorado Workshop
Present at FBEN Gathering
Immersive Workshops
Funding Opportunities
Dairy in the Classroom
Website
Pea Contest!
Q&A with FBEN Member
Featured Photo
get involved
 
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job Opportunities
Peterborough, NH

Harlemville, NY

Martha's Vineyard, MA

Waltham, MA

Columbus, OH

Atlanta, GA

Asheville, NC

Weston, MA

Burlington, VT

Fayette County, WV

Milton, MA

Bronx, NY

View jobs page for more!
conversations and 
Resources
Nathan Larson shares core principles for teaching in 'nature's classroom' in this beautifully illustrated resource. 

From 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! 
Events
Santa Cruz, CA
March 16-17

Farm-Based Ed and the Global Food System
Port of Baltimore, MD
March 23

National Service Learning Conference 
Minneapolis, MN
March 30 - April 2

Growing Education on the Farm 
Fort Collins, CO
April 2 - 3 

View events page for more!

Shelburne Farms is the coordinating organization for the FBEN.