Farm Fresh News - February 2017
Dear friends, To be of service is give of yourself, to put out energy without focusing on how it will return to you. But the incredible thing about service is that it always does come back to you in a very real way, deep into your core being. The sanity produced by a commitment to service can stay with you, and change the essence of who you are.
The act of service builds sanity because it shifts your attention away from your own needs and on to something or someone outside yourself.
To put it more bluntly, it can simply be a matter of getting off your butt and doing something...
and these days, there is so much to be done.
Peace,
Douglas
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 Cover by the astounding artist Alex Grey |
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The Farm Experience Weekend Dates for 2017 – Register Now!
The Farm Experience Weekend Dates for 2017 – Register Now!
March 24-26 and October 20-22
It was an honor to host the Peace Studies group from Manchester University in Indiana who came for their own Experience in January!
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Manof Peace, a Graphic Novel about the Dali Lama
Man of Peace, is a new graphic novel telling the Dalai Lama's life story, co-authored by William Meyers, a Farm founding member, who was also a transcriber and editor of Stephen Gaskin's first book, Monday Night Class. Below, co-author Robert Thurman (movie star Uma's dad) holds the book with His Holiness the Dali Lama. Man of Peace is available at Amazon. "Amazingly well done. Beautiful art work."
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Farm Profile: Elizabeth Barger, Artist, Activist
Elizabeth is one of our current members who was in San Francisco for Monday Night Class and arrived on The Farm with the original Caravan of buses.
At 80 years young, Liz is a force to be reckoned with, putting the "active' in activist. Only months after getting a new hip and a new knee, she was on the front lines in DC for the recent women's march with her fellow Code Pinko's like Anne Paine and Media Benjamin.
Elizabeth is the publisher of the community's weekly internal newspaper, The Free Press, which keeps us in the know on upcoming events, runs classified ads, and includes updates on Farm members and former members engaged in political actions around the country.
Elizabeth is both a talker and a doer. For many years, she volunteered at our local women's shelter. She has represented The Farm and our nonprofit PeaceRoots Alliance on the board of the Nashville Peace and Justice Center.
You can find Liz every November staffing a PeaceRoots table at the School of America's Assassins vigil at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
She is a constant reminder that age is not about slowing down, that we must commit, and give of our time and our energy in the name of peace.
Elizabeth is both a painter and a poet. She recently distributed a collection of poems, Red Earth Mother, dedicated to the actions and water protectors at Standing Rock.
Below right, a painting inspired by the arch of a tree and its colorful leaves, resonating with this horsewoman's own roots.
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 Photo by Susana Frohman |
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Poems by Elizabeth Barger
Horse Nation
This morning as the sun rose
a great dun sending from the horse nation visited my forest: arched neck outlined under the dark limb of a great tree, head shaped in gold leaves touched by the sun, and dark deep green muzzle with the line of a horse’s mouth serene, patient and forgiving. I prayed with the horse nation to forgive us our careless greed and to protect the water protectors and their gallant spirit riders. I am with you with warm soul fire and love. |
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Standing Rock Update
For the last several weeks there has been a massive celan-up going on at the Standing Rock camps, trying to get all of the debris left from 10,000 people out before the area turns into a mud hole or becomes flooded during the spring thaw. Many of the camps are moving to higher ground on private land. However this has not stopped authorities from raiding and destroying some of the camps, with many arrests.
For the last several weeks there has been a massive celan-up going on at the Standing Rock camps, trying to get all of the debris left from 10,000 people out before the area turns into a mud hole or becomes flooded during the spring thaw. Many of the camps are moving to higher ground on private land. However this has not stopped authorities from raiding and destroying some of the camps, with many arrests.
As you may have heard by now, President You Know Who, who is said to own stock in the DAPL company, has put finishing the pipeline on to his to-do list. Word is a couple thousand Veterans are planning a return. Native American water protectors are vowing to continue the resistance.
Mark your calendar: There is a Native Nations march on Washington planned for March 10.
In January, representatives from the Standing Rock Reservation visited The Farm.
Above, back at the camp, they hold a banner made by students at The Farm School .
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The Peyote Road
a video by former Farm member, the late Gary Rhine In 1978, Gary and I were both privileged to represent The Farm on The Longest Walk, a gathering of Native American Tribes marching from the West Coast to Washington DC.
As it crossed the nation, representatives from tribes all along the way would join, and by the time I met up with them in Pennsylvania, there were about 1000 people. Over the course of the next 6 weeks, the numbers increased to about 4000 as we landed in DC.
The Farm sent an ambulance to assist the people on the walk. I went up with Mark, one of our members who was Muskogee Creek, and we had a fellow from the Onondaga Nation who had been on The Farm learning EMT (emergency medical technician) skills.
 Mark Madrid, left, Jay from Onondaga Nation, center, Me a lot younger Gary was the head of The Farm's EMT crew at the time, and he came up to DC with a large Farm entourage for the last week of the march.
It was one of those life changing events for both of us.
Many years later, Gary moved back to California, where he became a filmmaker, working with Native people to produce several important works. I came across one on YouTube which I share with you here.
Unfortunately, Gary was taken from us too soon when the small plane he was flying crashed.
We miss him very much.
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 Gary Rhine  |
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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 the work at Standing Rock and other important projects and causes. Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
Click here to make a one time donation.
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about the work at Standing Rock and other important projects and causes. Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
Click here to make a one time donation.
You can help keep Farm Fresh going by pledging $2, $5, or $10 a month, or by making a one time contribution.
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 for 2017 is to speak around the country, especially at colleges and universities where I can speak 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.
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals for 2017 is to speak around the country, especially at colleges and universities where I can speak 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.
"With our love, we can change the world!"
Douglas
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March 24-26 Farm Experience Weekend
Inspiration is a key element of personal transformation. Farm Experience Weekends open you up to new possibilities and give you the courage to take the next step in living your life to the fullest! This weekend gives you 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. Learn how community can leverage your ability to live true to your ideals and make a difference in the world. Watch the video. / Farm Experience in Photos
Inspiration is a key element of personal transformation. Farm Experience Weekends open you up to new possibilities and give you the courage to take the next step in living your life to the fullest! This weekend gives you 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. Learn how community can leverage your ability to live true to your ideals and make a difference in the world. Watch the video. / Farm Experience in Photos
Surviving a Trump Presidency:The Conference on Community and Sustainability May 26-28
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. This is one of our most popular events that promises this year to be even greater !
I like to give each conference a theme or point of focus, and as I had to personally come to terms with how a Trump presidency would affect our future, I found inspiration in the many voices of resistance coming from all corners of our country.
It was important for me to acknowledge with a definite sense of gratitude that those of us living in community are in many ways better prepared and able to maintain a buffer of sanity inside our bubble. The Farm was born during Nixon, survived Reaganomics, and endured through Bush 1 and Bush 2. We will keep on keepin' on and remain true to our path and recognize that our ability to maintain a sense of joy in the midst of turmoil is beause of our life together in community.
Folks here and there started saying to me, "You should call your Community and Sustainability: Surviving the Trump Presidency.
It made sense to me. This May 26-28 we will plot a strategy for the years ahead.
It made sense to me. This May 26-28 we will plot a strategy for the years ahead.
In a bit of astounding synchronicity, I am in contact with a group of students and faculty from a class called "Sustainability and the Apocalypse" who are making plans to come the week before.
Let's work together to make this a truly dynamic event! I hope to see you here!
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An Incredible NEW BOOK!
Following 7 years of research, Farm Community member Thomas Hupp uncovers the subtle forces that presently affect Politics, Economics and Your Health.
Only $15 plus $5 for shipping!
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June TBA The Organic Gardening Intensive
Right now I have not made a decision about this event for 2017. Please contact me if you are interested.
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.
Right now I have not made a decision about this event for 2017. Please contact me if you are interested.
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.
July TBA The Summer Retreat
Right now I have not made a decision about this event for 2017. Contact me if you are interested.
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.
Right now I have not made a decision about this event for 2017. Contact me if you are interested.
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.
Oct 20-22 Farm Experience Weekend
Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.
Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.
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www.awakeningbirth.org - the Web Site
www.awakening birth.net - The Podcast
Our new birth resource web site is up. The Awakening Birth podcast is now available on iTunes.
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider.
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!
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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.
Spiral Ridge Permaculture - Workshops and Classes at a Permaculture Homestead down the road
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
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
