Dear Mount Academy family and friends,
Regenerative agriculture is a farming method that focuses on soil health. Instead of costly inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, regenerative farming revitalizes the soil, providing nutrients for crops and livestock – a modern mimicking of the forces of nature that built soil for thousands of years.
Academic agricultural courses
This year we are offering two classes in which students learn general and regenerative agriculture concepts: Environmental Science and AgriScience, both taught by Mr. Steve Robertshaw. On the north end of campus there are fifty-one plots on nineteen acres set aside for testing these concepts. Using regenerative methods, students are growing vegetables and cover crops, and raising livestock. Diverse crops are planted to break up compacted soil and Angus cows graze and fertilize the ground, just like herds of bison did in past centuries. Laying hens provide fertilizer too, as well as natural disturbance to the leaf cover and elimination of unwanted insects.
Afterschool agricultural clubs
Ag Club, which runs during the afterschool club time, is supervised by Mr. Dave Mercer. Some students focus on the skills and responsibilities required to look after the garden and care for the livestock. At the same time, other students work with Mr. Wayne Shirky and Mr. Joe Ben-Eliezer to keep our lawns and athletic fields beautiful and healthy.
In Mr. Mercer's words, "We know that the food from healthy soils tastes better. We also know that the rise in health complications from highly processed food is reaching alarming levels. Our next challenge is to understand the connection between healthy soils and healthy people. Until then we’ll enjoy the fruits of our labor as we eat our homegrown Egg McMuffins, or home-grown beef with fresh salad, a side of baked potato, and pumpkin pie."
Meanwhile, Ms. Deana Kaiser and a group of young ladies are involved in activities at the beautiful new barn, built by the Outdoor Construction Club. Daily chores include cleaning the barn, grooming, training and feeding the animals, maintaining the pasture, and upkeep of tools and equipment. The barn houses three horses, a donkey, two cats, and three potbellied pigs (we have lots of room to grow). Landscaping around the barn uses regenerative agriculture too: animal manure is collected and returned to the soil through composting and vermiculture. These students will also learn how to safely operate machinery such as generators, mowing equipment, and RTVs as well as caring for small animals, and growing flowers and vegetables.
Our hope is that all students involved in the agricultural program will leave with knowledge and practical skills to last a lifetime, and respect for the awesomeness of creation.
In other news
Thanks to all parents who joined us for Parents Night yesterday evening – we look forward to seeing everyone else next week.
Mount Academy was featured in an article on CNN this week: America’s blood supply is in crisis. Here’s how school blood drives can help. We’ll be in touch soon with details on how to sign up for our next Blood Drive, scheduled for December 7.
This coming Sunday, students and staff will participate in an American Cancer Society event, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Our Concert Band and Chamber Choir will perform, and everyone else will join the walk.
Prayers for peace
Above and beyond all these events and activities, as we watch the horrors of war unfolding in Israel, the Ukraine, and beyond, we think of the millions of men, women, and children who suffer, and pray for peace. Here is a timely piece from the Bruderhof Communities that you might appreciate.
Best wishes to all for the remainder of this week.
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