Farm Fresh, January 2026
This month's highlights:
This month's highlights:
- Windstorm and the Horse Barn
- Sanctuary Summit April 16 - 19, 2026
- Universal Peace Dance Weekend, April 23 - 26, 2026
- Community Birth Events
- Tribal Village in Thailand
A clear message: visit the Walk for Peace Facebook page
Dear friends,
These are truly difficult and challenging times. Our sense of moral decency is under constant assalt by reckless power and greed. Having just spent time in Taiwan, I have to wonder what message this sends to China, or to Russia and its quest to seize Ukraine.
These actions are in stark contrast to the simple message of peace brought to us through the news media by the Buddhist monks and their walk to Washington. We are reminded that the road to peace begins with each one of us.
A teaching on the early Farm attributed to Japanese Buddhism is, “till the square inch.”
What this means is that the only place to start is by working on yourself. Find a center within that can give you a foundation of kindness and compassion. Open your heart in a way that can be expressed every day to those around you. Become a pillar of strength, both emotionally and in practical ways that take care of not just yourself, but also allow you to move out to the square foot, your family and friends.
Build a strong circle of friends who share your same values. The spiritual “sangha” is where you will find love, and the bonds that will help carry you through difficult times. Eat together, dance and sing together, explore nature together. Find a path of nurturing and healing.
This is how we build the security that gives us the power to act on a broader scale, the square yard, our wider community. The transition from passive to active, becoming an activist, to serve in the places that call to our passion. Consider running for your city council, your school board, then on to State houses. This was the Republican game plan that started in the 80s.
Open your heart. Remember, every one of us can contribute making peace in the world.
Namaste,
Douglas
Douglas
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Sanctuary Summit brings together global music talents, intergenerational wisdom, engaging presentations, hands-on skill building, and spaces for children to grow within the village we dream of.
At the center of The Farm Community is a large dome, the location of the Sanctuary Summit.
We will have Dances of Universal Peace on Saturday afternoon during the Summit. This space can hold 200 dancers or more!
We will have Dances of Universal Peace on Saturday afternoon during the Summit. This space can hold 200 dancers or more!
A full weekend of Dances of Universal Peace! Only $150 per person. Click here to learn more.
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A Winter Storm blows a roof section off the Horse Barn
The following weekend after the storm, a crew of volunteers was at work.
One of our contractors brought over a piece of heavy equipment to lift the roof back into place. It was a great example of community in action!
Visiting a Mountain Tribe in Thailand, Baan San Din Dang!
One of the most amazing places we visited in Thailand was a remote mountain village called Baan San Din Dang, a Unesco World Heritage site. These tribal people speak their own language and have a subsistence lifestyle, growing rice and harvesting wild greens from the lush, green forests.
We rode for two hours up and down winding roads in the backs of covered pickups. The paved road had only reached the village about three years ago, and the community was just opening up to Ecotourism as a way to generate income. We were their first large group of visitors from outside of Thailand.
When we reached the top, it felt like we were on a distant corner of the Earth, with a huge rock bluff towering over the village. The village itself shares ownership of several thousand acres and is surrounded by approximately 25,000 acres of National Forest.
We were greeted by village members under the canopy of a massive tree planted by the village founder.
The tree is a portal to the spirits of the land and water, receiving prayers and offerings. Our guide gave prayers and asked permission for us to walk upon the mountain. On the right, a traditional spirit house for the ancestors.
We all gathered in a circle and learned about their way of life, asked questions and were welcomed into their homes.
Much like the Mayan people of Guatemala, this tribal community does backstrap weaving for the women’s blouses and shirts worn by the men. Even the long dresses worn by the women were woven on a foot loom like in Guatemala. Vegetable dyes give many of the fabrics warm, subtle earth tones. The village really called to Deborah and I and our Guatemalan memories. It’s always amazing to see how the mountain people of the world are connected.
That evening we shared music to the light of a large bonfire. A man and woman sang together, as he played a traditional stringed instrument. Members of our group led dances and everyone participated. This was followed by a rousing rendition of This Little Light of Mine, with everyone dancing and singing. Such a rich experience!
As we loaded up to leave, a large group from the village came down to send us blessings on our journey. Each one of our group sat before a village man or woman as they tied a string around our wrist to remind us of our connection to their home.
The village is mostly off grid, with a few solar panels here and there. However, they have an active social media presence! Check them out on Instagram! baananddindang
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Thank you for your time and attention! Come visit us!
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
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 and the spiritual path.
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Douglas
