Education and public outreach is an integral part of farm-related work at S&S Homestead Farm. The biodynamic farm is an outdoor classroom for education and training in the principles and practices of sustainability and organic farming for students of all ages. Whether through close interaction with members of the community through CSA, farm tours and demonstrations, or by teaching high school and college students through classes, seminars, internships and apprenticeships, Henning Sehmsdorf and Elizabeth Simpson are committed to education as a primary mission of S&S Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Homestead Farm (SSCSA).
Through S&S Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Henning and Elizabeth hope to educate students and local residents, train future farmers and growers, and encourage the existence of more small, local farms. “Our students have changed the way they eat, the way they spend their food dollars, and the way they look at the world,” says Elizabeth. “It’s our responsibility to teach our kids.”
K-12
Educating youth through week-long intensives, public school classes and workshops is a primary goal of S&S Homestead Farm. The Lopez Island School’s farm-to-school program began here in 2002.
Waldorf
All ages of Waldorf students are invited to the farm for working tours and extended stays. Plans are also underway to create a Waldorf Kindergarten and week-long intensives for older children
WSU and WWU
Henning Sehmsdorf is adjunct faculty at Western State University (WSU) and Western Washington University (WWU) in support of the internship program of S&S Center for Sustainable Agriculture; he helps teach and lead educational seminars through WWU; he conducts collaborative research at the Farm through WSU; and he sponsors individually designed for-credit programs for interns from colleges through the U.S. and abroad.
Workshops
A variety of workshops are offered on biodynamic, sustainable farming practices, food preparation and preservation, and whole health programs.
Farm Tours
We welcome island residents, students and organizations to tour our farm.
Goethe/Steiner
Seminars explore the teachings of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, whose 1924 lectures launched Biodynamic Farming, and the work that inspired him: the studies of plant morphology, theory of color, anatomy, and theory of knowledge of late 18th century poet/scientist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Internships/Apprenticeships
Internships opportunities for hands-on experience as well as research projects on a self-sufficient farm that produces vegetables, eggs, dairy products, meats and livestock, emphasizing sustainability through biodynamics.