Entangled Harmonies: Exploring the ecologies around us through biosonification and environmental music-making

In this workshop, interdisciplinary artist and musician Willow Gatewood will guide participants in biosonification --the basics of recording biodata from plants and turning it into music.  Explore how art and technology act as a portal to connecting with the ecosystems in which we entangle. * Participants are asked to bring a laptop or phone (and adapter for a USB if needed) if they have one. Spares are available but limited.  In the fields of Willow Wisp Organic Farm, participants will make field recordings with objects and plants to create instruments and music. Participants will leave with a song and guide for further exploration.  Willow Gatewood is an environmental scientist, interdisciplinary artist, and musician from endless hills and secluded forests of rural Virginia. Grounded in research, their practice includes recycled and bio-based visual art, words, sound, and biosonification (turning processes within living organisms into music and sound). To find out more about their art, visit https://willowgatewood.com or instagram, @willowg_music.

Cover Crops with Greg Swartz

Join farmer Greg Swartz of Willow Wisp Organic Farm for a farm tour and lively conversation surrounding cover crops. Food and refreshments provided.    

“As farmers, we take the long view that while growing food, we should always be improving our soil, increasing the farm’s biodiversity (above ground and below), and contributing to our community. We do this by using cover crops, crop rotation, and creating insect and wildlife habitat. We use no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers and we are Certified Organic by NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC.”  

Greg Swartz leads overall operations on Willow Wisp Organic Farm. He has been farming in the Upper Delaware River Valley since 2000. After seven years as an apprentice on local farms including Wild Roots Farm, Apple Pond Farm, and Gorzynski Ornery Farm, he and Tannis Kowalchuk bought their first farm. In the first couple of years of building the farm, Greg was the Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY). He then returned to full-time farming and hasn’t slept much since. In 2015 Willow Wisp Organic Farm moved 5 miles down the road to the banks of the Delaware River. This new farm has allowed a tripling in production. Greg’s goals are to grow high-quality food, improve the farm ecosystem, and employ as many people as possible to show that farming can be and should be the key to economic development in our region.

Lenape Horticulture & Ethnobotany

Chief Shelley DePaul presents an expansive workshop on her research and knowledge of Lenape horticulture, conservation landscaping, and medicinal plant practices. Shelley De Paul sits on the Council of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania as Clan Mother, Keeper of Language and Treaty Signer Liaison. Shelley has published Three books: Conversations in the Lenape Language, Ethnobotany of the Lenape People and Other Eastern Tribes Book One: Herbs and Flowers and Book Two: Trees, Nuts, and Berries.  As treaty-signers with the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, Farm Arts Collective and Willow Wisp Organic Farm are pleased to welcome Chief Shelley back to the farm in friendship and solidarity with the tribe’s important work.

Proceeds from this workshop with go to The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania.

Family Farm Day

Join us on Willow Wisp Organic Farm for our FREE annual Family Farm Day!  Bring the whole family and learn more about organic farming, join a led tour of our greenhouses, vegetable and flower fields. See how Willow Wisp Organic Farm continues the agricultural legacy in a region with a long history of farming. Group tours at 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm. The day will also include Performances, Face Painting, Games, Cooking Demos and other fun events for the whole family. Remember to wear those farm boots!

Flower Workshop

The day begins with coffee at the barn followed by a led tour by Willow Wisp flower farmers, Tannis Kowalchuk and Jess Beveridge. The attendees will visit the annual and perennial flower fields and learn best practices in growing cut flowers, our favorite varieties, and tips on post-harvest methods.  Participants should bring their own clippers (provided if unavailable). Each participant will select and cut their own flowers from an acre of over 35 varieties of annuals and perennials. The workshop group will then return to the barn for an arranging session with instructions on flower design choices that consider color, shape, texture, and stem placement to build a dynamic and gorgeous arrangement. Participants take home their flower designs. 

Flower Workshop

The day begins with coffee at the barn followed by a led tour by Willow Wisp flower farmers, Tannis Kowalchuk and Jess Beveridge. The attendees will visit the annual and perennial flower fields and learn best practices in growing cut flowers, our favorite varieties, and tips on post-harvest methods.  Participants should bring their own clippers (provided if unavailable). Each participant will select and cut their own flowers from an acre of over 35 varieties of annuals and perennials. The workshop group will then return to the barn for an arranging session with instructions on flower design choices that consider color, shape, texture, and stem placement to build a dynamic and gorgeous arrangement. Participants take home their flower designs. 

Pickling Workshop

Participants will learn how to pickle using two methods: refrigerator-style pickles and water bath processing.  Led by local experts, learn safe and easy methods to preserve your summer vegetables for winter enjoyment. Participation is limited and we request that attendees bring their own jars and lids. Organic farm vegetables and vinegars will be provided.