Farm Fresh News - April 2013 |
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In this issue:
Hi Friends, |
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The Farm's cemetery is steeped in history and our traditions surrounding death and loss flow in sync with the community's philosophical approach to so many things: simple yet sincere. I often feel it is during our times of grief and sorrow that we truly come to understand the depth of our friendships and the bond we feel as family that comes from a shared life in community. Peace, Douglas Farm Experience April 12-14, Experience The Land! |
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Can't make this spring's conference? |
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| Farm Experience Retreats and Workshops | |
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| Farm Experience Weekends: The best overview of the green life, providing the inspiration you need to
fulfill your life goals and live your dreams. Learn more... |
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| Farm Experience: February Saturday afternoon will feature a cooking workshop. Whether a confirmed vegan or simply seeking new recipes to better health, you'll find yummy new foods, easy gourmet recipes. |
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| Farm Experience March Spring is our favorite times of year, and attracts our largest number of participants. |
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| Farm Experience: The Land April In addition to our regular Experience Weekend activities and tours, 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. |
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| The Farm School Family Fest May Music, Tours, Hikes, Games, More! |
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| Community & Sustainability Conference Memorial Day Weekend in May Your opportunity to explore the connection between lifestyle and intention.. |
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| Organic Gardening Intensive June A week (or weekend) of hands-on gardening as well as garden tours on and 0ff-The Farm to visit Shiitake operations, a bamboo nursery and more...more |
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| End of Summer Family Retreats July We'll spend the week swimming, hiking, listening to and playing music, enjoying really great food and each others company. Special beginner and advanced Tai Chi workshops. www.greenliferetreats.com |
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| September Don't miss Fall on The Farm, the crisp, cooler temperatures are always a special time of year! |
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| Now it's up to you. Register today! | |
| Midwifery Workshops: www.midwiferyworkshops.org/ |
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| Swan Trust Activities & Hikes Contact: foreverwild@swantrust.org |
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| Permaculture Apprenticeships: Learn straw, cob, earthbag, turf roofs, bamboo, thatch, clay plaster, adobe, alis, and food self-reliance at the Farm community. |
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Elder Care: A Sacrament of The Farm ChurchSacraments are universal life experiences shared by all people which bring us in touch with spirit and sacred energy. Western Culture has systematically taken away and removed many of these sacraments from our lives at the expense of our humanity and compassion. One of the best illustrations of this is the isolation and abandonment of our elderly in nursing homes. Traditionally elders have always played an important role in the family dynamics, remaining in the home to be cared for, surrounded by members of their family. Ideally it is a blend of individual independence combined with the same loving care they gave to us as children. Currently there are 6 "moms" in their 80's and 90's here on The Farm. They often get together to enjoy each other's company and are regular participants in The Farm's various social activities and events. |
 Farm members join with the "mom's" for a round of cards. |
My 86 year old mother moved here 6 weeks ago. One of the first steps was to evaluate and eliminate some of the meds that were making her feel depressed and sleep all the time. Before coming here,she was no longer able to drive, making her stuck at home with nothing to do but watch TV. Now she is able to help in the garden, plant flowers, participate in community activities, and take walks on her own in the country sunshine. Like several other of the women here that are similar in age, she lives independently in her own place, but we get together for one or two meals each day and do lots of things together. Her transformation has been amazing. I am very grateful to all my friends who have become her friend, providing support for us and the other seniors here in so many ways. |
 My mom Betty |
The Passing of Life: Funerals and Services at The FarmA couple of weeks ago The Farm was shocked by the sudden loss of one of our members, from what we believe was heart failure sometime in the night. A young 66, Larry was a quiet person, always to be seen with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. Larry had been one of the original members of New Buffalo, a 60's commune in New Mexico. Stories of Larry are included in several books about life there. It was where he and Marilyn first met. |
 Larry and Marilyn photo by Anita Whipple |
I recently received a letter from a college student asking about the rituals and ceremonies of the hippy culture when someone passes away. I could only answer her by describing what we do, not from the repetition of ritual, but more of a straight forward process that just feels natural... from the heart. Ideally, when someone passes here, they are at home surrounded by family and perhaps a few close friends. Soon after, most of the time, our members are not embalmed and are either buried in a pine box (built by one of our members) or are cremated using a local cremation service, whatever the choice of the family. For the service, friends and family gather at our cemetery. A family member or friend will lead the service, saying a few words. Usually there is a song or two performed by various members of the community. It could be Amazing Grace, something original, or any of a number of songs. |
 photo by Anita Whipple |
| People will usually tell stories and share memories.
Those attending the service are invited to help with the burial, adding a handful, a shovel full, or several shovels of dirt until the hole is filled. Most of the time, people will then go to a home or our community center to continue being together and sharing. Food and drink will be served. Friends will often bring food over to the family for about a week after the passing to take this burden off the family in their time of grieving. Our cemetery has over 80 people resting there. As a child and then a teenager, I didn't really relate to cemeteries. Funeral homes seemed to be about money and business. Now with so many of my friends and family in our cemetery, I have come to better understand the meaning of the words "hallowed ground." |
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Thank you for your time and attention!
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| ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ | |
Green Life Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259
Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office
931-626-4035 - cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
