Burst Forth!
As the snow melts, the Earth softens, and things get muddy. Our bodies reflect the energy of the season. We can feel stuck, bogged down, and unable to move during this early Springtime. Let us learn from the example of the seeds beneath the soil and the effort it takes to burst forth and reach towards the sun for renewed strength. We learn from nature how to nurture ourselves. Breath and move towards the light!
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Hi all! Taylor and Clara here!
We're finally starting to see the ground as the snow melts after our first few weeks as caretakers of Potter's Farm. While we've only been here a short time, we can already feel the pull of the land and are beginning to understand why so many find peace here. We feel incredibly fortunate to take care of a place people find so special, and are excited to be stewards of Potter's farm so that it is ready for all to enjoy. As summer weather approaches we expect more hustle and bustle around the farm as people come to visit, and we can't wait!
Clara graduated from Northland College in the Fall of 2019 with a degree in Outdoor
Education. She has spent all of her adult life in the Chequamegon area and considers it home. Being a responsible citizen of the planet has been important to Clara throughout her whole life. She felt an instant resonance with the values and vision of Potter’s Farm as a
place that connects people to the beautiful area that is the Chequamegon Bay. She is appreciative of an intentional space for healing and reflection recognizing, with us, that the world needs more of it. Clara has always considered herself a steward of the land she occupies at any given moment. Clara has a deep love for Lake Superior and the Chequamegon Bay area. She is passionate about encouraging people to get out exploring and finding joy in the outdoors. She envisions this love as a channel to give back to the beautiful land at Potter’s Farm.
Taylor is also a graduate of Northland College with a bachelor’s degree in
Outdoor Education with an emphasis in Natural History and Interpretation. Through his time living and schooling in the Chequamegon Bay area, Taylor has grown fond of the people, places and forests that make up this incredibly unique and special region of Lake Superior. Taylor is excited to bring his undeniable passion for sharing the natural world and the wonder it brings to the community of Potter’s Farm. Taylor brings a well-rounded background of skills essential to caring for a property. He was previously an assistant caretaker at Forest Lodge, a 800+ acre historic estate in Cable, Wisconsin. Through his volunteer work with Historicorps, he learned many practical carpentry skills to restore historic buildings as well as some tactics to prevent degradation to building interiors and exteriors.
Clara and Taylor both have worked at Voyageur Outward Bound in Ely, MN, and beyond what they do with wilderness expeditions, they also do their best to live their values of community and interdependence in their work and homeplace.
We welcome them to our Potter’s Farm family! -
It was refreshing to be together with our People. Lauranne Bailey Bear Woman, Heather Pippin Deer Dancing with Eagle, Bob Bowman EagleHeart, Raven Bailey, Nora Knapik SunCougar, and Grace Keller all met at Potter’s Farm while Marlieke Dahlberg StarSinger was able to join us via Zoom.
We renewed our officer positions for another year. Nora indicated she will renew for 1 more year and then will step back from her seat on the board to focus on her health. If your heart feels called to step forward to join us now or in the future as a Board Member, we are here to meet you and to support you in your yearning!
We reviewed our financial statements and blessed the 2022 proposed budget. There are many programs scheduled for 2022 and we are grateful. Yet, unexpected expenses and rising costs for goods and services are calling for us to choose wisely as we envision growth and sustainability for the Farm. Bob was able to share five years of Historical Trends with us Potter's Farm. This helps us anticipate what is needed as well as affirms that we are managing things in a good way.
Supported by the voices of the People who shared with us in our 2019 survey The Board has spent the last 2 years working along with many other valuable and knowledgeable resources to develop a Strategic Plan for Potter's Farm that will carry our community into the future. Much of our time together at the recent board retreat was spent developing a design to accomplish the primary goal of our overall plan: Building Infrastructure and Improvements. We sat with the land, taking the space to listen to what She is asking of us as we assemble our resources and begin to take action on our strategies. With that goal in mind, we will soon initiate a Capital Campaign. More to be unveiled as we move through the process.
All this strategizing helped us realize it was time to update the Vision Statement of Potter’s Farm to be in alignment with our forward thinking plans. Just like the germinating seeds beneath the Earth, so too is the science of creating just the right statement to represent the Farm. Look forward to the big reveal next month!
After the creative energy and enthusiasm of our work together, we connected in a fun way by playing and making meals together. We visited with some of our community supporters, Roy Settgas GreenJaguar (former Board member and friend of the Farm) along with Melissa Martinez, the Washburn Chamber of Commerce Director who joined us for some of our meals.
And so, there is much more to come. We are pushing up our collective sleeves and digging in. We left happy and full of joy, along with our list of action steps for what we seek to manifest. -
Save the date!
We will once again gather together as a People to Love the Farm with our talents and volunteerism on August 12-14, 2022.
If you are not familiar, this is the annual work weekend hosted by the Board Members where we invite the People to come and stay for free in exchange for helping with projects that need attention. Last year we completed a bridge on the trail to help make it more accessible along with other projects to generally improve the beauty of our spaces. This is an excellent time to introduce a friend or loved one to the Farm. In addition to working together, we also include time to play together. We know many hands make light work. We hope you will join us!
We look forward to seeing you in one of the many upcoming events at the Farm. Until then, know that we are all one in the infinite sun…forever, forever, forever!
Questions, comments, concerns? Contact Us!
In Service to You,
The Board Members of Potter’s Farm
Lauranne Bailey, president
Heather Pippin, vice-president
Bob Bowman, treasurer
Raven Bailey, secretary
Members at Large:
Marlieke Dahlberg
Grace Keller
Nora Knapik