Sophomore Farmers will Keep it Fresh with EarthDance on the Mueller Farm
As many of our farming mentors point out, farming is a life-long learning endeavor. However, a season of even part-time farming is plenty of time to fall in love with it. The collaborative environment of the EarthDance Organic Farming Apprenticeship proves especially fertile ground for some of our apprentices, and each subsequent year since the program’s debut, some of the Freshman Farmies have chosen to rejoin the program as sophomores. EarthDance is pleased that this year, eight members of the 2011 apprenticeship class will return to the farm to continue their agricultural education.
Just as first year apprentices do, the “Sophomore Farmies,” will each devote some of their time to field work or farmers market selling, but they will also pursue independent projects in areas of particular interest. Second year apprentice Jody Vogler plans to cultivate a traditional Native American Three Sisters Garden, featuring heirloom corn, squash, and beans at EarthDance. Last year’s early riser, Ann Owens, will continue her habit of frequent early morning trips to the greenhouse. As Greenhouse Coordinator, she will create a guide to greenhouse pest management to be utilized by future classes of first-year farmies. Sophomore Laura Vetter will explore natural crafting with plants and other found items on the farm; Katrina Gillespie will develop displays to inform visitors about the Mueller Farm’s rich history; Faith Labeaume will study herbs as medicine; Anna Gall will help train new marketeers at the Ferguson Farmers Market; Engineering student Maria Stoica will investigate permaculture design at the farm, and Tim McHale will help keep EarthDance blooming as he supervises flower production this year.
Stay tuned for updates on all of these exciting projects: we think that 2012 will be a fantastic year for all of our beginning Farmers.
