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Winter Botany Workshop – Session I

Jan 6, 2022

This winter, the Farmscape Ecology Team is repeating (perhaps with some additional tweaks) the “Woody Plants in Winter—A Self-guided Course”, which they created last winter. They will return to Crellin Park and PS21 in Chatham and reflag the trees. You can...

hawthornevalley

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Hawthorne Valley Farm seen from the air (looking n Hawthorne Valley Farm seen from the air (looking northeast) in the end of June. The barns, store, and school are surrounded by vegetable fields, pastures and hayfields, and forests. Nestled into a landscape with a significant component of unmanaged (or lightly managed) land, the farm supports a diversity of wild plants and animals and—in turn—is supported by the surrounding nature. 

Thank you to Ben Madey for letting us fly with him!

#farmscapeecology
One of the many recent stunning sunsets we’ve ha One of the many recent stunning sunsets we’ve had on the farm 🐄🌾
We are hiring for a Fall 2022 Intern position at H We are hiring for a Fall 2022 Intern position at Hawthorne Valley's Visiting Students Program, where you can engage children in hands-on, authentic craft, farming, and cooking activities! For more info, follow the link in our bio.
Our latest podcast episode is live! During this ep Our latest podcast episode is live! During this episode, Martin interviews one of Hawthorne Valley’s longest standing coworkers, Gary Lamb. Gary is currently the director of the Hawthorne Valley Center for Social Research and its Ethical Technology Initiative. Over his 36 years of employment at Hawthorne Valley, Gary also served the Farm Store manager, school development and admissions director, and high school economics teacher. His professional background includes a degree in civil technology and mathematics, and employment in the fields of building construction, medical technology, and manufacturing. His most recent publication, A Road to Sacred Creation: Rudolf Steiner’s Perspectives on Technology, Volume 1, was released in August 2021 by SteinerBooks.
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From an explanation of Steiner’s idea of social three-folding, to the impact of technology on education and the future of humanity itself, to a discussion about the ultimate uniting social force needed to allow humanity to benefit from technological advances, this episode is sure to leave you with much to consider.
Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program invites Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program invites the public to Summer Field Days at the Creekhouse (1075 Harlemville Road, Ghent NY) on July 2, July 23, and August 23 from noon to 4pm.
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Summer Field Days will feature butterfly house and native plant garden tours, a native plant nursery, and a variety of pop-up displays and hands-on activities for all ages, such as mammal skull and insect identification, an historical weather station display, and a 3D diorama of the Columbia County landscape with projected stories. Visit the Farmscape Ecology Program website for updated descriptions of the activities being offered before each event.
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Summer Field Days will be staffed by the Farmscape Ecology Program’s research scientists and interns, and is also an opportunity to learn more about their ongoing exploration of the ecological and cultural landscape of Columbia County, NY and the surrounding area. Be sure to bring your natural history questions!
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All events are free and no registration is required. There is limited onsite parking, but the Creekhouse is an easy walk from the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School parking lot.

#farmscapeecology
This male Luna Moth was found by the Farmscape Eco This male Luna Moth was found by the Farmscape Ecology Program summer interns Timo and Kelly on a moth light they used to explore the night insects on the farm. Luna moths are massive with 3-4.5 inch wingspans. Adult Luna moths do not eat during their short life as winged adults, having stored fat when they were caterpillars eating leaves of a deciduous trees. Luna moths are rarely seen because they are nocturnal and their adult life lasts only a week in early summer. Luna moths overwinter in their chrysalis in dead leaves in the fall alongside many other butterflies, moths, and other insects—in order to protect these insects be careful when raking leaves and do not burn them.

#farmscapeecology
Twice a year on a biodynamic farm – at the begin Twice a year on a biodynamic farm – at the beginning and the end of the growing season – a special preparation, called Horn Manure Field Spray 500 is applied. According to Biodynamic Federation, “The horn manure preparation acts on soil and root growth, promotes microbial life and the formation of humus. As soil structure is improved, the soil can absorb and retain water and nutrients more easily.” Horn manure is manure from a healthy, lactating, female cow that was transformed after having been placed in a cow horn and buried in the earth for the duration of a winter.
 
Earlier this month, Hawthorne Valley Farm welcomed a special guest farmer (and formerly a long-time head vegetable farmer at Hawthorne Valley), Katy Lince, to lead the 500 preparation stir and spray. The method consists of diluting the aged horn manure preparation in water, and stirring it rhythmically for exactly one hour. Application occurs immediately after the stirring is completed. We used the bucket and branch spray method this year. When it comes to the preparations, working together is part of the biodynamic commitment, so stirring the preparations with a group of people, each with a bucket, is a great experience. We’d like to thank everyone that came out to help that day!

#farmerfriday
Which @hawthornefoods ferment are you buying next? Which @hawthornefoods ferment are you buying next?! 🌈 

Find us at this weekend’s Green Markets, full schedule linked in bio! 

📸: @grownyc_manhattan

RSS Recent News

  • Senior named as one of Capital District Sports Women of the Year Class of 2022
  • Farmscape Ecology Program Discovery Leads to “Journal of Ecology” paper on Advancement of Spring
  • Hawthorne Valley Farm Store now accepting BerkShares
  • A Conversation with Basilica Hudson
  • Hawthorne Valley Farm Plants 350-foot Hedgerow Featuring…Hawthorne!

About Hawthorne Valley

Hawthorne Valley Association is a diverse nonprofit 501(c)3 organization committed to social and cultural renewal through the integration of education, agriculture, and the arts.

Accessibility Statement

327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075
Phone: (518) 672-7500

Our Initiatives

 

  • Hawthorne Valley Association
  • Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School
  • Hawthorne Valley Farm & Farmer Training
  • Hawthorne Valley Farm Store
  • Children’s Programming
  • Alkion Center
  • Center for Social Research
  • Farmscape Ecology Program
  • Walking the Dog Theater

Recent HVA News

  • Farmscape Ecology Program Discovery Leads to “Journal of Ecology” paper on Advancement of Spring
  • A Conversation with Basilica Hudson
  • Hawthorne Valley Farm Plants 350-foot Hedgerow Featuring…Hawthorne!
  • Change in Leadership at Hawthorne Valley Board of Trustees
  • “Roots to Renewal” features Hawthorne Valley Farmers
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