SDC10280
The crew at EarthDance Farms
Molly Rockamann was the subject of At Home's July-August End Note (she shared her 10 favorite local eco goods with us, including Irie Star's perfumes and Kakao chocolate). She was also profiled in St. Louis Magazine's 2009 green issue. What merited all this coverage? For the most part, it was EarthDance Farms, a working organic farm up in North County that's about more than just the produce. Molly likes to say they "put the culture back in agriculture," by "bringing the synergy of local activists, artists, business owners, dancers, educators, event planners, farm apprentices, local residents, organization leaders, musicians, and youth together to create a fully sustaining community farm."
If you are curious about gardening and farming, and think you might want to apprentice to become a small-scale grower, you should check out EarthDance's "Freshman Farmie," program, which is now gearing up for the 2010 season. Here's the info, straight from Ms. Rockamann herself:
"In 2009 EarthDance inaugurated the part-time training program for 12 beginner farmers, and we're excited to announce that we'll be expanding the program for the 2010 growing season with 25 apprentices and almost double the acreage - to grow more local, organic food AND farmers for the St. Louis region. We've also hired experienced organic grower Vicki Lander to serve as the EarthDance farm manager!
The foundation of the program will remain the same:
1. Field work on the historic Mueller Farm in Ferguson
2. Selling produce at farmers markets
3. Enrichment sessions / workshops on various farming topics in-depth (from farm-scale composting to planning a farm business)
4. Field trips to local farms
An additional benefit for 2010 apprentices is that they'll become the initial members/shareholders of our pilot CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program - receiving a hearty share of the produce we grow together each week of the harvest season.
Several of our 2009 'Freshman Farmies' will become 'Sophomore Farmies' in the program, building upon the knowledge they gained this year on the farm! (Others are going on to grow on their own, or with farming partners.)
At this year's Pesto Festo we were fortunate to raise enough scholarship funds to offer 3 scholarships to low-income individuals who could not otherwise afford to do the program. We are seeking current food pantry users to apply for the scholarships.
Applications can be found on our website, and are due December 15th, 2009. www.earthdancefarms.org."
So if you've read The Omnivore's Dilemma or seen Food, Inc., and literally want to get your hands dirty, here is your chance. Check out footage of the first crop of Freshman Farmies here, and if you are interested, EarthDance is encouraging folks to attend one of the two "So You Want to be a Farmer?" info sessions they've set up, the first at the Ferguson Library auditorium (35 N. Florissant) on December 8 at 7pm, and at the Schlafly Bottleworks Crown Room (7260 Southwest in Maplewood) at 7pm on December 9. --Stefene Russelll
