Dear friends,
It’s hard to believe there was snow on the ground just a few weeks ago! We’re playing catch up here at Fernbrook–the greenhouses are filled with new plants, the children’s garden is getting a “face lift;” peas, lettuce and carrots are in the ground. Construction on our block barn building is scheduled to begin this week, creating a new indoor space for all of our programs. We have a fantastic design for a rain garden in the barnyard which will keep the area dryer and educational. We hope to have all the work completed by the time summer camp starts. Wow! I’m exhausted just thinking about it.
We’re very happy to have Claire Wildermuth as our new full time member of the Fernbrook Education Center Staff. She has put many creative touches on our Homeschool programs and will be coordinating our “Country Wisdom” family programs. Campfires are back at Fernbrook! In addition, Claire has fired up some unique and educational experiences for our Young Stewards, older summer campers (ages 12-14) that are not available anywhere else, that I know of.
Eric has been busy expanding our “Farm to School” programs. We’ve had groups of high school kids from Trenton planting seeds in our greenhouse; the plants will be part of their community food garden in the city. By working with Education Works in Trenton, we’ve been able to keep the summer program at Washington Elementary School open in the city despite budget cuts. Each year more school trips are made to Fernbrook so kids can see first hand how a farm works. We don’t just put them on a wagonand ride them around. They get involved in small groups and make connections to what they’re learning in school.
Upcoming is our third annual Plant Sale. We’ll be open the first three weekends in May; heirloom tomato plants, herbs and all of our nursery stock will be available for sale. Proceeds will all be used for bringing low income children to the farm this summer; an experience that can be life changing for them!
I hope to see you all on the farm soon. I hope you will always feel free to make suggestions and introduce yourselves. We’re always looking for ways to improve our programs. Think of the farm as your own. We are all stewards of the same planet.
Tags: Farmer Q, Newsletter