A little holiday helping out

“Everybody on the farm supports education year round, so I feel like this is our turn to support other farm enterprises."

-- Linda Wellings, Director of School Programs

It's not elves. At this time of year, our staff shifts around a lot to get out the holiday cheddar, hams, and gifts. So if you're looking for School Program Director Linda Wellings or Keely Deutsch from the Children's Farmyard, you'll find them in the cheese department, where they're busy several days a week packing up orders alongside other educators and farmyard staff. And if you've placed an order over the phone, you've probably spoken to Janice Heilmann or Vicky Dilley from the Inn. It's all part of the Farm's efforts to economize, and, well, it's fun!

Farmyard Educator Keely Deutsch and Educator Laura Viani packing up some cheddar.

Shelburne Farms Board Member Julia Alvarez wins award

“How fortunate Shelburne Farms is to have Julia in its midst. Her combined talent, passion and humility are unparalleled."

-- Nan Jenks Jay, Shelburne Farms Board Member

Julia Alvarez, a Shelburne Farms Board Member and writer in residence at Middlebury College, was recently awarded the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Literature. As the 14th recipient, she joins a distinguished rank of previous awardees, including John Updike, Joyce Carol Oates, and Norman Mailer. Julia is the author of the best-selling novels How the García Girls Lost their Accents, ¡Yo! and In the Time of the Butterflies, among other works. We are extremely proud of her achievement, and grateful for her nearly 10 years of service as a Shelburne Farms Board Member. Congratulations, Julia! Read full press release from Middlebury College.

Farewell to Apprentices

Shelburne Farms is a learning environment not just for children, but for young adults pursuing careers in the environment, education, and agriculture. Every year, a talented group of 5 post-college apprentices join us for 6-12 months, enriching our programs and practices. Most move on to new ventures in November, so we thought you'd like to hear some of them reflect back on their time here.

Liz Gleason, Education Apprentice
What an amazing eight months! Being here has confirmed my suspicion that I should have been born in Vermont. I’ve loved taking kids to search for salamanders, play camouflage in the woods, build compost piles, struggle through teambuilding exercises, and cradle chickens. One of my favorite experiences was in Discovery Camp. We spent most of our free time building a fort in a clearing, and our kids were totally thrilled to be working: they wanted to be lookouts, search for the best sticks, and go on berry foraging missions to make dye. It affirmed for me that the most important part of environmental education is just playing outside.

Colleen Kent, Education Apprentice
One day in Adventures this fall, I visited the top of Lone Tree Hill with a few kids, and took a moment to just observe them. Two little ones were playfully throwing milkweed into the wind and at each other. One boy sat on the memorial bench looking at Lake Champlain. I could tell this little guy was really having a moment. He even hushed another student so he could have some peace. Then I tried to start moving the kids back down the hill. “Calling all Adventurers!” I yelled. Without moving from his seat, the boy turned to me and asked, “Awww, can’t we just have one more minute to look at the beautiful lake?” How could I say no to that? It was one of those moments when you wonder who is teaching who, and it is a testament to how powerful our programs are at Shelburne Farms. I want to always remember that experience.

Marianne McCoy, Education Apprentice
I’ve learned the most through the youngest children – their honesty, sincerity, humor, compassion and caring. From them I’ve learned to play more, trust more, share more. Children really are the best teachers. I’ve learned that sometimes the strongest personalities need the most sympathy and encouragement. I’ve learned from the most extraordinary educators and staff here at Shelburne Farms. One of my favorite funny memories was one early morning in the spring, when I helped Evan [a fellow apprentice] move sheep from behind the Breeding Barn. The sheep got loose and we had to wrangle all of them back. Evan fell in a mud puddle, got stung by stinging nettle, and a sheep pooped on his head!
 

Shelburne Farms cultivates a conservation ethic by teaching and demonstrating the stewardship of natural and agricultural resources. We are a nonprofit environmental education center, 1,400-acre working farm, and National Historic Landmark.
1611 Harbor Road • Shelburne, Vermont • 05482 • www.shelburnefarms.org • 802-985-8686