Farm Fresh News - January 2016
Four couples share a household with Uncle Bill (center) in The Farm Report 1975.
Hi Friends,
As I passed through the transition into a New Year, I found myself getting reflective, in awe of life's complexities.
 
As one of the younger "psychedelic relics," at 62 I am getting to the age where I'm old enough to have seen a lot of things go down and play out, and have gained an understanding on the level of karma that can be created by what might seem to be a series of small decisions or unforeseen circumstances.  
 
At the same time, I also recognize more than ever, that life is short and holding back leads to missed opportunities. Hitting the pause button can mean that life simply passes you by and goes on anyway, with or without your participation.
 
I have a core belief that one of our primary purposes in life is to love and be loved.
Give love, give of yourself and love will find its way to you.
Peace,
Douglas
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Blast from the past: The Green River Farm 1975
I'm in the center back row (dark eyes), behind my wife Deborah and son Jody.
We were a Farm satellite Community of about 15 to 25 people.
Check out the article and more pictures form the Daily Statesman, Columbia, KY
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WE DID IT! THE LAND OF BIG SWAN HEADWATERS PRESERVE IS FREE AND CLEAR!
JOIN ME FOR THE NOTE BURNING PARTY APRIL 16, 2016

A big thanks to everyone who gave their support to Swan Conservation Trust and Big Swan Headwaters Preserve, a 1400 acre nature preserve that surrounds The Farm. Come for the April Experience Weekend Discover the Land, April 15-17, when we'll tour the Farm, participate in the Market under the dome, and hike the Big Swan Headwaters Preserve. Saturday night we'll have a community dinner, live music, and you can help us celebrate as we say goodbye to the bank note on Big Swan Headwaters Preserve.
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Food Forest Proposal Moves Forward
Mulching and fertilizing the blueberries.
 
During a recent community vote, a proposal was approved to devote a section of acreage to the development of a Food Forest, a multi-layered approach to growing edible crops. Rather than the mono-cropped system of traditional orchards, the Food Forest intermingles species to complement space, reduce diseases and pests, and to increase yield and variety.


The Food Forest will be developed on a field along our main road that has been several years in preparation, using key-line plowing to increase water retention and establish contours. It will be adjacent to Unity Acres, a fenced garden area and food project brought into being by a courageous and energetic member of our community, Mark Hubbard.
 
Mark has been supplying the community with organic sweet potatoes and winter squash out of the Unity Acres project, selling his produce through The Farm Market and directly to members of the community.


Volunteers, WOOFERS, and fellow gardeners help with the planting and harvesting.
 

Mark was also the driving force behind the construction of the Unity Center,
designed to provide temporary housing for interns and prospective members.
 

The Unity Center has two, studio apartments upstairs.
Downstairs features dorm space, a large community kitchen, and on the third level down, a shower/toilet facility.
Plans are in place to build additional cabins on the grounds adjacent to Unity to expand the number of people it can serve.

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I hope you'll make the effort to take a first hand 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!

Thanks again for your time and attention.
Douglas
 Spread the word. Spread the dream! 
Out to Change the World and The Farm Then and Now

Out to Change the World
The Farm Then and Now

Order both and save!

Farm Experience / GreenLife Retreats and Workshops  2016 Calendar

 

March 25-27 Farm Experience Weekend 
The Joys of Spring: One of the of the most beautiful times of year to visit The Farm. Looking forward to endless potential and possibilities.
April 15-17 Experience the Land
In addition to our regular Farm 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 Conservation Trust.
May 4-8 The Organic Gardening Intensive
5 Days of hands-on gardening and immersion in permaculture, as well as garden tours on and off-The Farm to visit permaculture homesteads, a bamboo nursery, the nearby Amish community, and more.
May 27-29 The Conference on Community and Sustainability
Co-sponsored by the Fellowship of Intentional Communities (FIC), this weekend is an immersion in all things community and achieving a lifestyle in line with the values of sustainability. One of our most popular events that promises to be even greater this year!
June 15-19 The Organic Gardening Intensive 
A different segment in the gardening season. 5 Days of hands-on gardening and immersion in permaculture, as well as garden tours on and off-The Farm to visit permaculture homesteads, a bamboo nursery, the nearby Amish community, and more.


July13-16 The Summer Retreat 
Like a Farm Experience but with more time to go swimming, hiking, plus kid activities, workshops and always GREAT FOOD! Fun for the entire family. Watch the video.

August: Taking a break

September 16-18 Farm Experience Weekend
Celebrate the Equinox: The best overview of life in community, exploring green building and solar technology, organic gardening, midwifery, alternative education, starting a small business, and so much more. Watch the video / Farm Experience in photos/ 
Oct 16-18 Farm Experience Weekend
Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.

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

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

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