Farm Fresh News - May 2019
Take the next step in your quest for a life of meaning and fulfillment! 
In this issue:
Dear Friends,
As you may remember from my March newsletter, April was another whirlwind of travel for me, most of it off-the-grid, with minimal internet access. Hence no April newsletter, for which I apologize.
 
My trip to Texas was filled with some unexpected intensity. Our dance camp was just a few short miles down the road from where a major tornado touched down. Some from our gathering were at a State Park, home to a set of Native American ceremonial mounds. The roof of the building they were inside collapsed on top of them. Although none of our friends were hurt, others were not so lucky. We waited for hours to learn if they were OK, singing and dancing our prayers for all those impacted by the storm's devastation. The next day I drove through miles and miles of homes and buildings that were no more, seeing twisted cars in trees on either side of the road.
 

Meanwhile back home...After a drop down to 34 degrees during a week we typically call 'Dogwood Winter," spring is here in full force and I have spent much of the last couple weeks or so getting the garden in. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, eggplant, the list goes on. In the meantime, we are having one of our best lettuce years ever, and I will be serving home grown salads during the upcoming May conference.
 

Two Starter Hives. The container is called a Nuc, short for Nucleus
 
It was a crazy winter and early spring, with dramatic swings in temperature from the 60s during the day, back down to the teens at night. My bees just couldn't handle it, and consequently I lost all 4 of my hives this winter. I am trying once again, this time going with starter hives called "Nucs."
 
In the past, i have purchased "package bees," approximately 3 lbs. of bees plus a queen, sometimes even having them delivered in the mail. A Nuc is a true starter hive, 5 frames of bees and a queen that has already started laying eggs. The Nucs arrive in a cardboard, or in this case, plastic mini-hive, and after giving them a few days to acclimate to their new surroundings, I transferred the frames to wooden hive boxes. With package bees, even though I am providing frames of honey comb ready to go (called "drawn comb"), the nucs feel much more like I am able to hit the ground running. My nucs are in place in time to catch the May honey flow, and there's a chance these hives may produce enough honey to harvest some from them this season.
 
Come to my June Organic Garden Intensive and find out!
 
Peace,
Douglas
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Laura and Trevor Eustice
 
A few years ago, Laura and Trevor left their home in Maine to go on their first road trip together. Along the way they heard about a stained-glass art installation called the Wholeo Dome, and went to check it out, not realizing it was located at The Farm. As they were admiring the work, some residents here engaged them in conversation, explaining who we were and a little of what this place is about. I guess you could say they were intrigued by what they heard, because they're still here.
 
Note: The Wholeo Dome is currently in storage.
 
After some time at our Unity Center, Laura became the hospitality manager at the Ecovillage Training Center, and Trevor found work with a Farm Contractor, becoming "Residents" of the community. Last year in May they got married, and now they are taking over the management of Mushroom People, a mail order business here in the community. Originally founded in 1976, Mushroom People provides high quality mushroom spawn and supplies to both commercial growers and the home hobbyist, including Shiitake and Oyster Mushrooms.

In addition, Laura has also taken on the organizing and promotion of our monthly Market Day Under the Dome, held the third Saturday of the month, April through October. Laura used her skills in networking and social media, making the April Market Day the largest one so far, significantly increasing the turn out of both venders and the crowd they seek.
 
From Laura, "What has truly enraptured us about The Farm is the world of potential that it holds. In Maine we had big dreams and loads of ambition. But we both didn’t click with college, and living in our area without a degree made it tough to pursue the life we were looking to create. As we began integrating into The Farm Community, our ambition and drive were embraced, and wherever we put our energy into the community we’d see and feel the return from it - and it feels so rewarding! 
 
It’s a fascinating time to be living on The Farm - a time where so many of our conversations revolve around what our future as a community looks like and how we’ll get there. It’s exciting to be a part of that wave heading toward a new form, and growing alongside so many other excited and driven people who are passionate about living in community. 
 
We hope to grow Mushroom People into a thriving cottage industry that would provide more employment opportunities for community members. We have plans to make the space more of a destination, not only for visitors passing through to stop by and check out, but for those who are looking to plug into the community, and for community members to collaborate and grow their own cooperative ideas and efforts."
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June 6-9 Organic Gardening Intensive
  • Hands-on gardening experience
  • Tours of permaculture homesteads and Amish Country
  • A Special focus on Beekeeping and harvesting honey
You really can grow most of the food your family needs.
With this 4 day intensive, you’ll get the hands-on experience and gain the confidence to get started on your own.
We’ll visit other Permaculture homesteads and gardens, including Amish country. Click here to register, or to learn more.
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Join us for the return of my Summer Retreat June 20-22: Dances of Universal Peace, plus swimming, hiking, great food and great music! The idea is to have a time and place where families can come, bring their kids and celebrate life!  You can see a little bit of what's in store on my web site. Let me know if you are interested.

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A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
Let me know your interests. Click here to take the survey.    I look forward to hearing from you.
 
I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
 
Speaking Engagements
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals is to speak at colleges and universities where I can talk to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
 
If you are part of an organization, event, or school (or you just want to learn more about my life's work), I invite you to visit my web site www.douglasstevenson.com, where you'll find information on my lecture topics and how to bring me to speak in your area.
 Thank you for your interest, and your support. I hope to see you down the road.
 
Peace,
Douglas
 
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out to change the world
 new society Order both and save!
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www.awakeningbirth.org - the Web Site
www.awakening birth.net - The Podcast 
Our birth resource web sites for families seeking guidance on subjects such as
  • Choosing a Care Provider.
  • Health and Diet
  • Challenges and Complications
  • and much more!
  • The Awakening Birth podcast is now available on iTunes or at www.awakeningbirth.net
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider. Please like us and give us a good review on iTunes. It helps!
 
GreenLife Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office / cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com 
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
 
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