MLK Day: A Day of Service

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is,

'What are you doing for others?'”

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On January 18th, the Farm School Community celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by doing service for those in need in our wider community.

One group cleaned up the grounds and garden of the Fauquier Family Shelter in Warrenton. The work inspired some of the students to suggest bringing vegetable seedlings grown by Farm School students to the Shelter's garden in the spring.

Another group helped to organize and price donated goods at the Fauquier Food Bank's Thrift Store. This group also enjoyed the work, and appreciated the element of recycling while also helping those who need access to lower cost household items and clothing.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is often quoted as having said: "Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education." Setting aside time to recognize the needs of others around us, and to lend a hand to those in need, builds character.

The Farm School students returned from their service projects on Monday filled with optimism.

"Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Food, Inc. Makes an Impression

Farm School students, faculty, and parents attended a showing of the film Food, Inc. in Warrenton, VA with a follow-up Question and Answer session with Joel Salatin. The film made quite an impression.

At breakfast and lunch the next day, there was a lot of talk about food choices and analysis of where the ingredients for our meals were grown.

While the movie painted some pretty dire problems in the US food system, the students noted that they were proud to be a part of the solution - raising our own pigs for pork, chickens for eggs, and garden for fresh and healthy vegetables and herbs using sustainable farming practices.

Buy Fresh Buy Local Market in Warrenton

The Farm School participated in the First Friday Buy Fresh Buy Local event in Warrenton on a Friday night in August. The bus and chicken were big attractions for children of all ages (and a few adults as well!). Here's a photo of Mona Nixon, Mountain Laurel Montessori's Head of School, getting to know the barred rock hen.

We now bus from Warrenton and Marshall!

If you live in or around Marshall or Warrenton, VA, it is now easier to get to both the Farm School and Front Royal campuses of Mountain Laurel Montessori School! We have morning and afternoon bus routes to transport children to both campuses. Please call the Front Royal campus for more details: (540) 636-4257. We are able to take Farm School students on a rolling admissions basis, so check us out any time of the year!