Graduation

On Saturday, October 4th,  our 2014 EarthDance Farm & Garden Apprentices were honored with a special graduation ceremony at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ferguson. Valedictorian Tom Townzen and Salutatorian Tiffany Foote delivered speeches about the knowledge and experience they have gained at EarthDance, and Assistant Farm Manager Matt Lebon performed an adapted version of The Community Song. Farm Manager Monica Pless spoke about the inspiration and wonder she constantly regained while working alongside beginning farmers. Founding Director Molly Rockamann tied bandanas around the necks of each graduate as their graduation stoles as they received their diplomas. The afternoon concluded with a potluck celebration of family, friends, and EarthDance staff.

Throughout the season, the farmies have inspired us with their unbounded passion for building health and community through growing food, which they have poured into all of their work and learning endeavors, from hoeing to seeding to marketing fresh veggies. A month prior to graduation, Apprentice Grace Seymour reflected on her time spent at EarthDance:

“I have enjoyed everything about the program from using a hula hoe to driving a tractor, from learning about pests to designing a rain garden, and, of course, from sowing to harvesting. But at EarthDance, I have also found a place of healing, a place to call home, and a community of like-minded people from all walks of life with whom to share life and be challenged to grow. If there is one thing I can keep from this program, it is these very relationships that have become my inspiration to continue to make this world a better place to live.”

They will take the new confidence the program has instilled in them “not just in farming, but with so much in life”, as Apprentice Sue Yeomans expressed, and transform the world into a better place as they pursue ambitions like independent garden consultation and design, community garden planning, and founding a health and wellness store. We are honored to have helped them along the way to achieving such bold dreams and know they have given the local, good food movement a brighter future.

Congratulations, Class of 2014! The world needs passionate farmers, and we know you’ll make damn good ones!

Become a Farmie in 2015

Interested in becoming an EarthDance Apprentice? You can learn more about the program and apply online here: #wegrowfarmers