Our Story

EarthDance is a non-profit organization, with 501c3 status through a partnership with The Open Space Council, whose mission is to grow and inspire local FARMS—Food, Art, Relationships & Music, Sustainably! EarthDance farms at the historical Mueller Organic Farm in Ferguson, MO.

Since 2009, EarthDance has operated a season-long educational apprenticeship program which trains participants in sustainable agriculture from seed to market. Apprentices engage in every aspect of operating the small farm – from seed propagation in greenhouses to transplanting, weeding, harvesting and selling! Apprentices learn soil fertility principles, organic pest and disease management, proper harvest and post-harvest handling techniques, direct marketing, and CSA operations.

Our History:

EarthDance first appeared to the public in April 2008 at the St. Louis Earth Day celebration in Forest Park, selling EarthDance Tees (organic cotton, recycled cotton, and bamboo shirts) at the Sportsprint booth to raise start-up  funds for the organization.

In September 2008, The Open Space Council became our fiscal sponsor, giving 501c3 status to EarthDance, and enabling us to receive tax-deductible donations. The Open Space Council is an organization that works collaboratively to conserve and sustain land, water and other natural resources throughout the St. Louis region.

In 2009 EarthDance inaugurated the part-time training program for 12 beginner farmers. In our second growing season – 2010 -  we expanded the program with 31 apprentices and almost double the acreage – to grow more local, organic food and farmers for the St. Louis region. The 2010 apprentices also acted as the first share-holders for our pilot community supported agriculture program (CSA) year.

EarthDance is currently embarking on its 3rd season of its Organic Farming Apprenticeship program, and in 2011 will be offering a CSA to the public for the first time!

Our Vision:

We envision productive local farms where creative endeavors can bloom alongside flourishing produce. We envision former strangers cultivating the land together and growing relationships in addition to sugar snap peas. We envision an Artist-in-Residence and a Musician-in-Residence living on EarthDance farms to gain inspiration from its beauty and to share their talents with farm-workers and farm-goers. We envision individuals from all walks of life coming to EarthDance Farm to learn skills in organic farming and gardening, to taste a fresh-picked blackberry, and to see where their food comes from. We are dedicated to seeing this vision through to reality.