Farm Fresh, October 2026
This month's highlights:
This month's highlights:
- The Wholeo dome
- Recent Events: A Wedding and a Funeral
- Dances of Universal Peace, November 5-8
Just down the road, harvest time in Amish country,
Harvest of the Heart, Fall Dance Weekend, November 5-8, 2026
Harvest of the Heart, Fall Dance Weekend, November 5-8, 2026
Hi Friends,
Like many families, it seems like it take a wedding or a funeral to bring us all together, and over the last month, we have had both.
Like many families, it seems like it take a wedding or a funeral to bring us all together, and over the last month, we have had both.
The bride (with her mother on the right) was born on The Farm delivered by the community's midwives. We are honored that she chose to share her wedding and this next important life transition here on the land, surrounded by family, friends, and the midwives who were present at her birth.
It was probably the first time we have had a fancy catered wedding here, white tent and all! Very fun!
Joel Kachinsky, September 4, 1943 - October 10, 2026
A True Communitarian
A True Communitarian
Joel and his wife Roberta, married for over 50 years
For most of our community's existence, Joel was our lawyer, although that was not his original intention. After law school and passing the bar, he went out west to serve as a volunteer with the Vista program on an Indian reservation. From there, he made it to California and attended Monday Night Class, the original meetings that led to the creation of The Farm.
Joel and Roberta, back in the day
When Joel got to The Farm, it became clear that having a lawyer was an essential component that we needed in our kit, and Joel answered the call. He's the reason we are recognized as a church by the state of Tennessee. He set us up with the IRS as a monastery during our communal times, and then navigated the tricky transition when we changed from a hippie commune to a corporation. And then he followed through as part of the team that established the irrevocable Trust that protects our land, still in the name of "the church (small “c”) The Farm spiritual community."
Joel set up the charter and bylaws to establish virtually every one of our non-profits, from Swan Conservation Trust to the The College of Traditional Midwifery, all from a small office in the community, with an open door for many of our neighbors who needed assistance for their "day in court."
Joel believed that community wasn't just an ideal, but a way of life. It meant showing up for one another, keeping your word, standing up for what was right, and protecting the people you loved.
Joel lived by those values with strength, humor, humility, and a whole lot of heart.
The Wholeo - a stained glass experience
Allow me to introduce you to a new heart opening space inside The Farm Community, The Wholeo.
The Wholeo is a 14-foot geodesic dome covered with hundreds of pieces of stained glass. Created in the early 1970s, artist Caroling Geary wanted to explore what it would be like to actually step inside stained glass.
When the sunlight comes through the colored glass, the inside of the dome comes alive with shifting blues, greens, purples, reds and golds.
Caroling described the dome as an attempt to communicate through colored light, and perhaps that is what makes it so compelling.
You don't have to understand all of the symbolism or history to appreciate it. You can simply sit inside, watch the colors move across the glass, and experience for a moment what it means to be surrounded by light.
The Wholeo dome was originally installed on The Farm in 2004, but after years of exposure to the elements, it was eventually dismantled and placed in storage. A group of people continued to care for the Wholeo and work toward finding a way to bring it back. That effort finally came to fruition in 2025, when the Wholeo was permanently reinstalled in a new protected enclosure.This space also has incredible acoustics! As part of our Community Tour during the November Dance Weekend, we will blend our voices together in this space for a truly vibrational experience!
Harvest of the Heart, Fall Dance Weekend November 5-8, 2026
In these challenging times, our dances are embodied prayers. Reap the Harvest of the Heart!
In these challenging times, our dances are embodied prayers. Reap the Harvest of the Heart!
- Chanting and singing together. Simple and easy to learn, with everyone in a circle.
- All meals included
- Check out my music on YouTube to get a preview.
Thank you for your time and attention! Come visit us!
A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
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When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community-based alternatives and the spiritual path. Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
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Douglas Stevenson
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
www.villagemedia.com
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
www.villagemedia.com
My books:
- Out to Change the World! $12 plus shipping
- The Farm Then and Now $19.95 plus shipping
- Order both for just $33 including shipping!
Watch my TEDx Talk: Out to Change the World - Living the Hippie Dream
