C E R T I F I E D O R G A N I C
Dorchester, New Hampshire
D
Acres of
New Hampshire  |
In 2010, our educational programming will focus on Service & Reflection. In focusing our year on Reflection & Service we are looking at enhancing the benefits of community, group functionality and at the importance of productive communication. We will use the theme of reflection to facilitate the improvement of our organization’s operations. Moreover, we will use this internal process to demonstrate alternative means of organizing, communicating, and building consensus to the wider community. By offering trainings and workshops on these topics we are educating the public and ourselves on positive and constructive means for group processes. There will also be workshops on traditional arts such as blacksmithing, woodworking, fiber arts, food preservation, and printmaking. In additional to our complete schedule of workshops and events, D Acres is collaborating on a fantastic fun day of Baker River Appreciation on July 10th, 2010.
There are always new and exciting things going on at D Acres of New Hampshire. Here's a look at the projects we will be working on this year...
Solar Hot Water Research Project and
Weather Station Learn more: D Acres Hosts Innovative Solar Research Project Check out the current D Acres weather at: UH-OH Severe winds have damaged the system http://www.dacres.org/weatherdata/dacreswx.htm
Blacksmithing Blacksmithing at D Acres began in the era of Delbert Gray. Delbert and Bob Thayer took lessons from renowned blacksmith Dimitri Gerakaris during the craft revival of the 1960s. In 2003 D Acres began an artist in residence program with the Sam Payton the initial woodworker in residence. In 2007 Joe Vachon came to D Acres as the first blacksmith in residence after some undergraduate exposure to the principles. During his two year residency at D Acres Joe served the community with workshops, exhibitions and cottage industry while further developing the actual shop and professionally as an artist. Joe graduated in 2009 and we are currently considering options to further utilize the Blacksmith shop and equipment.
Garden Bed & Pasture Expansion The past ten years we have been working hard to develop the educational infrastructure of D Acres. Each year we have added more garden space, more farm structures, more educational opportunities, and more hungry mouths! This year, we are putting special emphasis on increasing our garden areas for food production and increasing pasture area for the grass eaters. Garden expansion activities will include sheet mulching new areas, planting, and ensuring that our existing beds are properly maintained. Pasture expansion will include a new fenced area south of the Ox Hovel.
D Acres is implementing a cottage industry program focused on the production of wooden crafts and furniture. The program is oriented toward training interns and apprentices in the production of wooden crafts and tool safety. The program is also designed to produce high quality, attractive wooden crafts and furniture, for sale through retail outlets as well as through our website. The emphasis is on utilizing wood that is sustainably harvested onsite or purchased from local businesses in Dorchester, NH.
The staff at D Acres are excited to expand our mushroom cultivation project. The program centers around both annual and perennial species. Mushrooms can serve as an important component of a small farm system, providing food, utilizing byproducts of the forestry program (such as sawdust, stumps, small diameter wood and species unsuitable for cordwood or wood-crafting), as well as producing value-added products such as tea and tinctures. In addition to cultivation, we will offer educational workshops on mushrooms to be taught by D Acres staff members as well as by experts Dave Wichland and Terry Anya Hayes.
Sustainable Forestry with Oxen The 2003 season marked our first year utilizing large animals in our sustainable forestry program. August and Henri, our highly photogenic 8 year old Jersey oxen, just love the idea of replacing the skidder! As the boys grow in strength and manageability, the program continues to expand. In the past year we incorporated "the boys" into a variety of farm projects including pulling their cart, a rock sled, and logs through the woods.
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