09/05/2023
Hey everyone!
We are writing to introduce the new faces behind ypsi farm school. The team is me, Joe (they/she), Danny (they/them), Diana (she/her) and Starling (they/she/he). We live on a little homestead in Pittsfield Township about 12 minutes from Depot Town. We have two cats and a little garden and one million projects! Danny and I have dreamed about starting our own school built upon anti-racist liberatory principles for ages. Where our kids can be free and be in community with others who follow their curiosity and are connected to the land. We are so excited to convene this group of families, unschoolers, homeschoolers, unlearners and life-long learners in our quest to build upon the foundation that Monica's fam has built and carry it forward in our journey.
A little about me and danny.
I'm originally from NYC. I left in my early 20's and have spent my time doing landscape design, farming, writing grants for environmental justice organizations, studying herbalism, completing a doula training, floral arranging and teaching preschoolers in a nature based school. I've been home with our two kiddos since they were born and have experienced the utter joy and complete exhaustion of raising our kids to be wild and free and revolving our days around whats important and necessary to us. As a q***r, black, nonbinary person, raising our kids with this kind of intention is particularly important to our family.
Danny grew up in Ypsi/Ann Arbor and their parents still live in an old farm house one street over from us. They grew up climbing trees, planting giant gardens, playing in rivers, birding, and connecting with nature in this area with their parents and sisters. They are on faculty at UM teaching social work masters students and undergrads. They are passionate about rethinking what education and schooling looks like, how to live inter-dependently with their family, friends, and communities, and how to be more responsible with the earth. rethinking systems and how we participate in institutions is so important to them as a q***r, filipinx, trans person.
A little about the direction of farm school and some things that inspire us:
We believe that unschooling is about breaking generational trauma and encouraging curiosity and supporting a love of learning. For us that means:
a deep connection with place
building confidence around skills
observing, experiencing and manifesting abundance
creating beauty
appreciating each seasons internal and external offerings
connecting with those who came before us, our ancestors and indigenous wisdom
We will be convening the fall session of mushrooms with Mel Havelka (they/them) of Fungi Revival for 6 weeks and then moving into a winter session for November and December where we will explore the light and darkness of the solstice. Get ready for sessions like making natural firestarters, windchimes, snow cones, granola bars for birds, making our own toys and games, foraged wreaths, and warming teas.
We are also looking forward to one time events like going to see cranes migrate and celebrating sukhot (Jewish harvest festival),
Collaborations
We are looking forward to collaborating with our community! That means you and others. Do you and your family do something special that you want to share with others? Make apple cider? Tap maple trees? Shear sheep? Make kimchi? Go ice fishing?? Have traditional skills you want to share? Have generational knowledge you want to pass down?
Thank you Monica, Omar, Naomi and Quinn for entrusting us to move this vision forward as you continue along your journey!!!
Register for classes on EventBrite
Email us at [email protected]
with love and abundance,
joe, danny, diana and starling
