Plastic Goes Up On the Hoophouse!

There may have been snow and ice on the ground in the morning, but by the afternoon it was 80 degrees inside the hoophouse!  Eric Plaksin, co-owner of Waterpenny Farm, volunteered his day to teach us how to put the plastic on the hoophouse.  

The first step - getting the plastic up

Ron Makela, owner of Yellow Brick Road Construction, 

has spent countless hours volunteering his time to build the structure.  

Working together to pull the plastic up and over

Thank you to both Eric and Ron 
for your time, energy, and patience!! 

Securing the plastic with "Wiggle Wire"

The Hoophouse For The Hungry is a joint project between Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School and Plant-A-Row-For-The Hungry (Rappahannock Food Pantry).  Hal Hunter generously donated the hoop structure, and has helped coordinate community volunteers.  

Eric teaching how to add the "wiggle wire" to the bottom 

 We will raise fresh, healthy food year-round to be eaten by students at Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School, and to be donated to the Rappahannock Food Pantry.

Helping out

The idea is simple and makes a meaningful impact: plant an extra row in your garden to give to those in need who might not otherwise have access to fresh vegetables.  

Trimming the plastic

 If you are a gardener and want to "Plant A Row For the Hungry" go here for more information:

Plant A Row: http://www.gardenwriters.org/gwa.php?p=par/index.html 

Plant A Row Rappahannock County, VA:
http://plantarow.rappahannock.com/

Trimming the plastic and getting ready to staple and add the furring strips

Farm School Always a Home to Alumni

Some schools in our area were closed for President's Day.  Students could have stayed home.  But not our alumni - they came to spend the day with us at the Farm School! It was wonderful to see four of our alumni (current High School Sophomores and Juniors) joyfully jump right back into the routines of the day (and give us a challenge on the soccer field!).

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School alumni visit during the Winter Coffeehouse

Five Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School alumni also spoke to a full house at our parent night last week.  Here is a sampling of their reflections on their Montessori experience:

Clayton (high school Junior): "The best thing I learned at the Farm School was the ability to learn and to make sure you really know the material.  You can ask your teachers anything and no one will make fun of you."

Rory (high school Junior): "Getting to interact with people, to be really good friends. That was one of the best things about Mountain Laurel."

Jimi (college Freshman): "The best thing about the Farm School is the relationships you build with your teachers.  There is no reason to be scared about telling them your weaknesses.  You just go ahead and get help."

Phillip (high school Junior): "The maturity and responsibility you get at the end of the Farm School were the best parts for me.  My teachers now see that I am someone who can be trusted with responsibility, so they give me more freedom."

Ursula (high school Sophomore): "I found out who I really was.  That helped my develop confidence in myself.  I learned to accept who I was and that has helped me."

Students create artifacts inspired by study of Ancient Greece

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School students have been studying Ancient Greece. Each student has developed expertise of a particular Greece city-state.  The students will demonstrate their knowledge through research papers, persuasive essays, and a "meeting of the minds" in which they will try to convince a council why their city-state is fit to rule all of the Greek world.

   

Creating a mosaic inspired by mosaics from Ancient Greece

In addition, each student is creating an original artifact inspired by their research.  Here are photos of the students hard at work on their artifacts and research.

Students collaborate on research and creation of artifacts

Creating a map of the Delphic League - mixed media

Students learn to extract DNA

Thanks to microbiologist and Farm School parent Dr. Lilburn for leading a DNA extraction lab this week!

The 9th year Biology students have been studying genetics and heredity. The lab was such a great opportunity that all of the students in grades 7-9 participated.  We extracted the DNA from dried peas (a nod to Gregor Mendel).

Biology students preparing for the DNA protocol

Students pour smashed pea mixture into a test tube

Students add rubbing alcohol

The white strands are the pea DNA!