FARMER SPOTLIGHTS

Scott has a farming background and is totally at home in the garden and with animals. We are told that spring is not far away and planting season will begin from seed culture to transplanting so we look forward to another pair of strong arms here at Rosewald Farm.

Scott loves having his own apartment and enjoys cooking when not involved in the day program. He was a very enthusiastic plunger during SONH Penguin Plunge and also has recently participated in the state games, winning two gold medals. He was chosen to participate in the World Games next December in Colorado

Karate is a love of his and he is taking lessons locally. He likes being involved in the community and enjoys Sunday services at the local Methodist church.

Heather enjoys quiet times in her new apartment after daily scheduled programs. She is a collector and is rapidly filling space in her book cases and shelving with dolls, Pokeman collectables and books. She is an avid reader and history buff with special emphasis on early American exploration.

Heather has a wealth of knowledge gained through her love of the written word. Heather is rarely seen without her backpack. As she becomes more comfortable with her new surroundings, she is amazing her mentors with her stored knowledge.

She has a natural yen for mothering and loves to be with the animals and will enjoy the lore of the farm as our spring lambs begin to arrive.

Curtis Phelps joined our staff in December of 2007 and has displayed his multi-faceted talents beginning with acting as farm hand when help was needed using heavy farm equipment in between his regular work of mentoring our farmers. His background growing up and farming until the age of 20, was a great asset to FNE. Curtis has worked in woodshops as a carpenter as well as taught shop safety for 4 years. He has a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts, and has studied sculpture and architecture as well touring the art centers in the U.S. as well as Germany and several other countries in Europe.

Returning to the States he worked with at-risk youths in a residential setting for 2 years. He is one of two mentors who have their CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) Instructor’s certificate and has the required First Aid and CPR certificates. Very notably he is creating an Art Program that focuses on developing artistic abilities of our individual farmers. This becomes a great outlet for creativity often trapped and never tapped to relieve anxieties. At present, the farmers in building D are creating under Curtis’s direction an artscape to display in their unit. A wonderful opportunity for a donor

interested in naming opportunities for Capital Campaign to name this building instead of calling it building D! Curtis also hopes to develop a woodworking shop in the near future.

Courtney Grimes has been a mentor at FNE since December of 2006. Having grown up on a farm in Vermont, she is very much at home with lifestyles at FNE and the beauty of country living. She has taken over as Craft Supervisor and is at this season working with our farmers constructing picture frames, casting stepping stones & stitching and stuffing pillows from the many beautiful yards of fabric donated to the farm. These items will find their way to the farmstand for sale as soon as weather permits. Having been raised with an aunt with significant disabilities, Courtney is an empathetic caregiver who has skills teaching and working with much needed patience. Her love of animals and the joy of sharing the TLC needed in the barnyard is infectious. Our farmers enjoy their time petting and grooming and feeding the animals. There is a sensory satisfaction to caring for animals. Her hope is to help establish a permanent Petting Farm at FNE that can be shared with the children of the community.

If you should detect a little whinny in the background, it is probably my old buddy, Argus, as he receives his senior feed. We are in our 20’s but now that Judy is back, she tells me I will be in training to provide some therapeutic riding come Spring. Have to admit life at the farm has been easy but I am ready to do my bit, if you will pardon the pun! Our pasture was relocated from front meadow to side field during the new construction. We are looking forward to moving front and center this spring.

Our winter visitor to the sheepfold was a ram they call “Surprise”. Guess that means spring lambs will be on the way. Life goes on and the goat herd includes old “Belty” and 6 other goats. Piglets will be here in the spring and then leave for market in November. Our rabbits, Gerri & Cinnamon, wintered well and look for carrots and greens from the farmers’ daily visits. It’s the end of the day and here come our friends with apples and carrots. Once again, many thanks for supporting us, your barnyard friends, as we are an important part of our farmers’ lives!

Remember our barnyard sponsorships: sheep, goats, rabbits, and horses may be sponsored on a monthly basis!

We are beginning a Capital Campaign to raise $1,000,000 for capital improvements. Naming opportunities are available for rooms and buildings for donations of $5,000 or more (call the office for details). Here is what we have in mind:

• To finish off the space in our new building “basements” so that we can expand our crafts and recreational programs ($30,000 each building)
  
  
• To make our older buildings more energy efficient and requiring less maintenance by adding insulation, vinyl siding, and thermal pane windows:
  1. Main house ($35,000);
  2. Caretaker’s Cottage ($10,000);
  3. Carriage House – craft rooms as well as the garage space ($20,000);
  4. Barn – siding only ($10,000);
     

• To re-roof our carriage house and lumber shed ($15,000)
  
  
• To re-roof our beautiful and historic gazebo with new cedar shingles ($5,000)
  
  
• To add a sprinkler system to our main house ($65,000)
  
  
• To add two additional residential buildings – 4 apartments in each building ($375,000 each building)

WISH LIST
Heavy Push Brooms for Barn
Manure Forks 2 vacuums for units, new or used in good condition
Commercial-Weight, Stainless Steel Stock Pans
Frying Pans
Cookie Sheets
Large–size Muffin Pans
Hay, Shavings & Feed
LCD Projector
Laminating Machine
Rear-tine, Walk-behind Rototiller