Note from the Founder
2016: Here it is, ready or not! Have you taken the time to take stock of the past year? Thought about what your greatest accomplishments were – either mental or physical? Reflected on lessons learned, sadness grieved, and joys relished? Sometimes we’re so quick to move on and make plans and resolutions for the new year we forget to really pat ourselves on the back or let the significance of the previous 12 months sink in fully. A friend shared this great resource with me on New Year’s Eve that I’ve enjoyed spending some quiet time with, and am still adding more to; it’s called a Year Compass – to close 2015 and plan 2016. My good friend Katie and I even set aside an evening to hang out and just journal in our Year Compass together, reminding each other of how far we’ve come and anticipating changes for the year ahead. I encourage you to check it out, print one off for yourself and a friend or partner, and enjoy a favorite wintertime activity of farmers: reflecting back and looking ahead!
At an EarthDance staff meeting recently, we each shared some of our highlights and greatest accomplishments of 2015.
Highlights of the year:
- Soraya: As a long-time friend and supporter of EarthDance, it’s been rewarding to develop old and new relationships through my work here; returning to EarthDance as an employee instead of a visitor has been a highlight of my year.
- Maria: Graduation for the apprentices was a lovely ceremony, and it was our first one on the farm!
- Erica: Facilitating the fall session of the Junior Farm Crew was an overall life-changing experience for me; I went into this wanting to change at least one youth’s life for the better. I think I had a positive impact on all five of our teens this fall. When they each took home pesto (a dish they’d never heard of before!) that they made and enjoyed at the farm to share with their families, that was a proud moment.
- Monica: The new high tunnel “Levi” which was beforehand a mess of weeds, has been completely transformed in a matter of a few months. We seeded it in mid-Sept and and haven’t spent more than 15 minutes weeding since then because of all of the bed preparation work we did in those two months prior.
- Matt: Crop sales this year $61k crop sales up from $39k last year – a 54% increase from the year before! We have greatly increased efficiency with having two full time farm managers with two full seasons together under their belts.
- Kaitie: Kaitie has met over 700 people on tours and as volunteers as part of her dream job! It’s been amazing growing relationships through EarthDance.
- Rachel: We hosted our first Jeffersonian Dinner in the greenhouse in late April. Incredible volunteer chefs prepared a multi-course meal, and our guests and EarthDance staff shared mission-driven conversation asking big questions about food and justice and Ferguson.
- Molly: This was our first year with a maxed out Apprenticeship class and waiting list! Also, having goats (and our first WWOOFers, Ginny and Meredith) on the farm in May for 2 weeks to clear poison ivy.. (and it worked!) One more: Our overnight field trip for the Junior Farm Crew in August was extremely memorable: taking 8 Ferguson teens to stay at Lincoln University’s organic research farm in cabins, visit Will Witherspoon’s Shire Gate Farm, enjoy s’mores by a campfire, and more!
- Becca: Farmers Formal 2015 was our most successful fundraiser yet! I also enjoyed expanding EarthDance’s network by connecting with new dedicated volunteers and committee members.
In next month’s Cultivator, we’ll share some of our exciting plans and expansions for 2016!
Here’s to a fresh clean slate, with lots of great memories from the past to keep us inspired as we hunker down and prepare for spring!
Rooted in Ferguson,
Molly Rockamann, Founding Director