- State of The Farm Union
- Save the Wholeo - Amazing Art and a Party!
- Bhel Puri - Indian Street food Recipe
Hi Friends,
One of the ways The Farm Community governs itself is through quarterly meetings of the members. The meeting in February is considered our annual meeting as is required by the bylaws of our corporation. In a sense, it sets the tone for the year ahead, identifying large projects and things we want to accomplish as the weather warms up. The quarterly meetings are facilitated by one or two members of the board of directors and primarily consist of reports from various committees. My report below on the annual budget will give you a little insight into the State of The Farm Union.
The Wholeo is a magnificent piece of artwork, a stained glass dome that the community received as a gift a little over 10 years ago. Unfortunately, it needs to be moved to a new location and set up in a way that protects it from the elements while still remaining outside, illuminated by natural light. Read on to see pictures and learn more about the Wholeo project.
My wife Deborah and I enjoy exotic flavors and we first encountered Bhel Puri (pronounced bell - "h" is silent - purr-ee) at a restaurant in Asheville, NC that specializes in Indian street food, by which I mean food sold by street vendors, different from the dishes you might find at your typical Indian restaurant. If you like things spicy with a little crunch, check out this easy to make recipe.
Thank you for your interest and support!
Douglas
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State of The Farm Union
One of the most important aspects of our quarterly meetings is the Financial Report. It provides an overview of the annual budget, both how we did the previous year and what we plan to spend in the coming year. Here are a few numbers for you.
- Annual Budget - approximately $251,000
- Minimum amount each adult member pay each month in dues: $104
The annual budget covers all our projects, from building maintenance and improvements, to road work. It also pays for services like operation of our water system and recycle center, county taxes on the land and public buildings, plus a few salaries, such as people who do our bookkeeping, manage community projects and take care of other aspects of the community.
The good news is, thanks to a growing population, which includes people who are not yet members, but are at some preliminary stage of the membership process, we had a small surplus last year, meaning we took in more than we spent. Any time there is extra income like that, The Farm board will decide whether to add it to our development fund, finance a project, or apply it to the following year's budget, thus reducing the amount members pay each month in the following year.
It is interesting to note that currently the minimum amount members contribute to the community stands at around $100 a month. In 1983, the year of The Changeover from our communal economy to our current collective structure, each person paid $135 a month, with $35 of that amount used to retire the half a million dollars in outstanding debts we had at that time. It is hard to imagine, that over 30 years later, the membership dues remains about the same. That's quite a hedge on inflation!
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Save the Wholeo - A Fundraiser Dance Party on March 21, 2015
The Wholeo is a unique stained glass sculpture that was constructed over a geodesic dome, 14 feet wide and 7 feet tall. It was constructed through the late sixties and early seventies by stained glass artist and photographer Carol Geary, who goes by the name “Caroling.”
In 2004, Caroling and volunteers from Farm created a new installation on the grounds of The Farm School, where it has stood for last ten years. Unfortunately, exposure to the elements (acid rain?) has caused aspects of the structure to deteriorate. Plans are underway to disassemble the Wholeo, do some repairs and move it to a new location where it will be enclosed in a greenhouse or some other type of clear enclosure.
On March 21, the same weekend as the March Farm Experience, we are having a a benefit/party to celebrate the spring equinox and the Wholeo. We plan to have a rocking band! Doors will open at 7:30 and the dance party will take place from 9 PM to 1 AM! Suggested donation: $10 per person. For more information, contact Vickie Montagne at The Farm Welcome Center, or follow us on Facebook Save the Wholeo!
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Bhel Puri - Delicious Indian Street Food
The essential ingredient of Bhel Puri is puffed rice (think Rice Krispies), which you can purchase by the bag at your nearest international market. Many Bhel Puri mixes include other puffed or dried ingredients such as noodles made from chickpea and various types of flours, along with spices. One of the popular mixes can be found online here.
The other key ingredient that you may have to purchase from an international market is chutney. Typically the recipe calls for a mint chutney as well as a tamarind (a type of fruit) chutney, or you can purchase a chutney specifically made for Bhel Puri.
The only cooked ingredient is boiled potatoes, cut up into small cubes. Add all kinds of diced, raw vegies, like green, red, or chili pepper, tomato, red onion and then let your imagination go. I've added avocado and sweet corn as well.
Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl, except the Bhel Puri rice mix. You will want to add it just before serving so that it stay crisp and crunchy. Mix all of your diced vegetables and spices, along with the chutneys, until everything is evenly coated with the chutney sauce. When you are ready to serve, add the Bhel Puri mix and stir one more time.
Be forewarned! The mint and other chutneys can be quite a bit hot!
1 ½ cups puffed rice
½ cup chopped tomato
½ cup chopped onion
¼ cup chopped cilantro
½ cup boiled potatoes
4 chopped red, green, or chili peppers
1 tblsp chopped ginger
1 tblsp Garam Masala (Indian spice)
6 tblsp tamarind chutney (or substitute chutney)
6 tblsp mint chutney
1 cup Sev (ramen noodles)
2 tblsp lime or lemon juice
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Farm Experience Retreats and Workshops 2015 Calendar
March 20-22 Farm Experience Weekend: Spring is our favorite time of year, and attracts our largest number of participants.
April 17-19 Farm Experience,The Land: On Saturday afternoon we'll hike to a waterfall in the 1475 acre Big Swan Headwaters Preserve. The Saturday night dinner and entertainment will be a fundraiser for Swan Trust.
May 22-24 Community & Sustainability Conference: Memorial Day Weekend
Your opportunity to explore the connection between lifestyle and intention.
June 3-7 June 3-7 Organic Gardening Intensive: Five days of hands-on gardening as well as garden tours on and Off-The Farm to visit Amish country, a bamboo nursery and more.
July 15-19 Summer Family Retreat: We'll spend the week swimming, hiking, listening to and playing music, enjoying really great food and each other's company.
September 18-20, October 16-18 Farm Experience Weekend: Don't miss fall on The Farm! the crisp, cooler temperatures are always a special time of year!
Now it's up to you. Register today!
Midwifery Workshops: www.midwiferyworkshops.org/
Swan Trust Activities & Hikes Contact: foreverwild@swantrust.org
Permaculture Apprenticeships: Learn straw, cob, earthbag, turf roofs, bamboo, thatch, clay plaster, adobe, alis, and food self-reliance at the Farm community.
Spiral Ridge Permaculture - Workshops and Classes
Meet your host: Douglas Stevenson
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A weekend to celebrate all those called
in service to mothers, babies, and the miracle of birth.
For midwives, their assistants, apprentices and doulas
The Birthworkers Retreat has been created as a weekend of sharing and networking,
teaching and learning, reflection and empowerment.
The goal is to bring forth energy and rejuvenation, inspiration and sacred experience.
You are invited to attend a retreat that honor those who have chosen this very special path.
Grandmothers, mothers, daughters...Sisters who share a special bond.
The journey of the birthworker is so much more than a profession. To be a Birthworker is truly to heed a calling.
Green Life Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office 931-626-4035 cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
