How many staff members does it take to wrangle a rutting ram and a billy goat? Baltic, our ram, was an easy capture, since his penchant for running amok isn’t what it used to be. But, Andy, our visiting billy, had other ideas. Nine people and one and a half hours later, the excited animals were returned to their grazing land.
The “goatcapade” accentuates the labor-intensive work it takes to manage an organic farm—mucking, milking, grazing, pasteurizing, haying, and more—all while caring for crops in the Vermont climate. The effort we put in this past winter and spring to improve upon the farm program, shed light on the work ahead of us. How do we better instill ownership and pride in the many chores that sustain our farms? How do we balance the relationship between production (food for camps) and program (camper experience)? This conversation continues through this fall, as we evaluate results from the summer.
Through our Inclusivity and Equity visioning discussion, we’ve identified a need to focus on Race and Class topics for the next 5 years. This fall, camp directors and I will evaluate our social
justice and Inclusivity & Equity programing to assess what areas need improvement and resources. We are setting a 5-year plan with goals and metrics for accountability.
The Indian Brook name change conversation continued this summer, with time for IB campers and staff to share their perspectives, and space at Fair for community members to speak and listen. This winter, Farm & Wilderness Management Team and Megan Chamberlain, Indian Brook Camp Director, will make a recommendation to the board, and the board will share their decision.
At our fall board meeting we will do long-range visioning on topics such as Teen Programming, conservation of our land and water, and increasing the numbers of our staff and campers of color. We will continue to address institutional racism and cultural appropriation at F&W. We will continue to seek better ways to engage more people in difficult, meaningful conversations before they reach a critical point.
While a quiet breeze rustles through the leaves now turning yellow and orange, I miss the laughter, chatter and merriment of the summer. I look forward to conversations with many of you, at Cider in the Park, Harvest Weekend, Ice-Cutting, a potluck or one of our many other events. Have a wonderful fall and winter!
In peace,
Rebecca Geary
P.S. I’m excited to share that we are at 99% of our goal for the Thrive for 75 campaign. Of course, the last few miles of any journey are often the hardest. Please help us reach 100%!