Waldorf School Community Education Organic Farm

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Farm & Waldorf School

Sunfield Farm & Waldorf SchoolPo Box 85 . 111 Sunfield Ln.Port Hadlock, WA 98339Info@sunfieldfarm.org360-385-3658

Sunfield Farm & Waldorf School, a.k.a. Sunfield Education Association, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Annual Report 2012-2013Thank You to our Donors...AnonymousSara AchilleChoya Adkinson-StevensJuliet Rose Alban VallatAll Points PilatesAtlas TechnologiesHannah BahlsAriana BakerBank of AmericaBarber FamilyJoanne BarneyPhilip Barr & DianeBotticelliBates FamilyTammy BetzkoBlack FamilyMargaret BlankBoeing Charitable TrustTrudy Beth BondAllegra BothellElias Roberto BothellAbigail BriggsKathleen BriggsBriggs FamilyBrotherton FamilyBrown FamilyRobert & Gail BrownHarold & Sheila BrunstadAnita BusbyCalvert FamilyJohn CamastroCarnighan FamilyCarolyn Rose FundCasad FamilyCervenka FamilyChimacum Corner StoreJudith & Brian CoyleDale FamilyErnest & Dorothy DavisNorthwest DentistryDonanberg-Platt FamilyEllen DustmanKathleen DwyerElliott FamilyEnclume DesignProducts Inc.Entelco FoundationSarah & Owen FairbankFarrell-Woollett FamilyFinnRiver FarmFirst Federal BankBodhi FleischerDavid Foster-BreretonGregory & Lorrie FrancisDavid & JoAnn FraserDorothy FrostRichard FuhrmanFrancis Gall

Galligan-Hong FamilyGarling FamilyGelderloos FamilySusan GerkeGesinger FamilyGiedt FamilyGoodman Inc.GoodSearchGordon FamilyJim & Kath GordonMax GroverHarrington FamilyHarris-Pruden FamilyHavens FamilyMaighen HelmerHines FamilyNancy HodgesHowland FamilyTheodore Paul HunterJeffery JacksonJefferson HealthcareLaurie Ann JonesJorgensen FamilyKisler FamilyKitsap BankEleny & Michael KlarKunka FamilyBarry & Ellen LerichLewis FamilyEd & Amy LouchardLillian LovatoLynge FamilyMandelbaum FamilyStephen MartinMaya FamilyMcCleese FamilyMcGregor FamilyDanielle MeyerMichele MeyeringMitchum SMSteve MooreJames & Rose MoranMove Play ThriveEva MurdockEarl & Rena MurmanMarray FamilyKen & Jossy NebenzahlNichol FamilyNienow FamilyChristine NockNourishing Life Inc.Nygard FamilyBarbara OmalevShirley OtisCynthia ParsonNina PascoePatterson FamilyPederson Family

Peninsula Precious MetalIsolde PerryDeAnn PetersonDirk PetersonP.L. & C.M. PetersonMegan PiehlerCharles & Joan PlattPT Marathon Assoc.Price FamilyGwen PurdyQuirindongo FamilyRandall FamilyRessa & Donal ReesCarol RochonRowell FamilyRubin FamilyHeather RushChuck & Karen RussellSu & Dave Baker RussellRust FamilyPeggy & Joseph RyanConstance SegalRay SerebrinRaymond SoldavinGeorge & Sandra SoperSOS PrintingSound MaintenanceGary & Maureen StebbinsStirling FamilyStory FamilyShannon StummSturgis FamilySunshine PropaneJames SwartoutKathleen TamarriTemple FamilyTerada FamilyThe Food Co-opTilth Producers of WAJames & Judith ToughTri Area PharmacyMartha & Libby AtkinsTrolinPeter UglesichVeitenhans FamilyVidal FamilyWells FargoBrad & Carla Main WestDavid & Ruth WhitneyTim & Jan WhyteElizabeth WilliamsMary WilliamsRobert WilliamsRichard WojtRuth WrightJudith Yeakel

Rooted in the Earth,

Reaching for the Sky

We completed our 6th year of Sunfield Farm and Waldorf School in 2012-13. It was a time of steady enrollment of 99 students or more, with a continuation of plans for future growth and positive change as we continue to use our Strategic Plan to manifest our vision of a thriving Farm and Waldorf School.

During the All-Staff Meeting in May, faculty, staff and Board of Director members gathered to envision a new way for structuring the organization that would better reflect the goals, ideals and needs of Sunfield. There was a desire to focus on a non-hierarchical, consensual governance style that would feel more inclusive, with every voice being heard. The administrative structure was reconfigured so there would be a School Coordinator, Farm/Community Educator, Finance Coordinator/Bookkeeper, and a Development Coordinator. A Leadership Team would replace the Management Council, consisting of the new coordinators and a represen-tative from the faculty. The Leadership Team would make day-to-day decisions regarding the management of Sunfield Farm and Waldorf School, reporting to the Board through the School Coordinator. The search would begin during the summer to find the right people to fill these new administrative positions.

The Binding Site Committee worked hard all year to create the written response to Jefferson County’s Department of Community Development’s questions about the Sunfield Farm and Waldorf School’s site plan and design drawings.

A modular building was moved on-site to become the office, which led to space for the Middle School: Grade 6/7and Grade 8 in the building that had previously housed the office and Grade 5/6.

Farmer/Educators Verity Fitzsimmons and Neil Howe left and in March, Nicole Witham arrived as the new Farmer/Community Educator. She worked hard to prepare for the busy planting season that would lead to summer abundance and the CSA program.

A Message from our Board & Administration

President of the Board

Forming Strong Foundations for Future Growth

Board of Directors:Mike Garling - PresidentJude Rubin - SecretaryTom BrothertonLaura LewisBeth Ann O’Dell

Staff:Shelley French - Finance CoordinatorVivienne Kuehl - School CoordinatorJake Meyer - Organizational DirectorMichele Meyering - Administrative AssistantNeil & Verity Howe - Farmers/Educators

Faculty:Monica Boucher - Swallows Nest KindergartenKoshalla Flockoi - Sunflower KindergartenIsolde Perry - Main First Grade TeacherMolly McGregor - First Grade AfternoonMaryAnne Hinton - Second/Third GradeRuth Mandelbaum-Pope - Fourth/Fifth GradeBeth Ann O’Dell - Sixth/Seventh Grade Helen Curry - Eighth/Ninth GradeMonica Van Loon - SpanishKarli Elliott - Kindergarten AssistantJocelyn Hanbey - Kindergarten AssistantCynthia Parsons - MusicTammy Betzko - Buttercup Parent-Toddler Class

Sunfield Farm is another essential facet of Sunfield Education Association. Offering farm-based community education programs for all phases of life that enliven understanding through activity: facilitating connection between community and the land where their food is grown. Our eighty-one acres encompass pasture, hay fields, forest, wetlands, and crops. It is also home to Nubian goats, Cotswold sheep, and a flock of laying hens, Tamworth pigs, and Angus cattle. These creatures play an integral role on the farm and in educational programs, aiding our educators in weaving the basic principles of biodynamic agriculture into their lessons.

In the 2012/13 season our abundant landscape and diverse livestock population supported Sunfield Farm in producing: certified organic berries, fruits, herbs, and vegetables, as well as free range eggs, pasture raised beef, heritage pork, goats milk, and wool. Many of these items we directly marketed to our community through CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) a social agricultural movement facilitating direct connections between the producers of food and those who consume it. We also maintained our relationship with local retailers such as the Port Townsend Co-op, Chimacum Corner Store, and Farm’s Reach Cafe.

This year Sunfield Farm continued onward, yet came to a point of transition, welcoming new Farm Manager and Educator, Nicole Witham, her partner Blake, and their two Labs, Jim and Sissy. Nicole is eager to see Sunfield Farm fulfill its goals and potential and consistently coordinates with administration and faculty to manage all aspects of the day-to-day farm functions as well as ongoing future strategic planning. We are pleased to welcome our new farmer, who attentively lives and works on our land.

After getting a very belated start on the growing season Farmer Nicole and her enthusiastic crew of interns navigated what ended up being the hottest summer in fifty years. Each Wednesday beginning in June and running through mid November Nicole and the crew harvested, washed, and packed CSA shares for their 25 to 30 members. With the challenges of heat and an unreliable irrigation system the farm crew had to work extra hard to ensure the crops were still productive, which sometime meant hand watering each plant one by one. Even with the challenges of taking over the management of a farm the crew was able to grow over thirty varieties of veggies successfully, tomatoes being one of the favorites of the season.

Sunfield Farm

Total Income - $581,532Total Expenses - $615,324

$73,675.00

$10,247.00

$21,307.00

$17,209.00

$437,369.00

$21,725.00$69,391

$128,344

$15,759

$316,022

$85,808

School - $316,022

Farm - $85,808

Debt Service & Taxes$69,391

Management & General Expenses - $128,344

Community Education$15,759

School - $437,369

Farm - $21,725

Grants - $10,247

Fundraising - $21,307

Community Education$17,209

Donations - $73,675

2012-2013 Financial Information

Our VisionThe mission of Sunfield Farm and Waldorf School is to provide programs in education and sustainable land stewardship that engage the hands, awaken the mind, and nurture connections between the earth and its inhabitants.

Sunfield offers educational programs for all phases of life that enliven understanding through activity, recognize connections, harmonize academics with artistic and social activity, and kindle wonder. Sunfield Waldorf educators honor the individual spirit and recognize the development needs of each student they teach.

Our biodynamic farming principles are a model of sustainable agriculture. We strive to enrich and replenish the soils, nourish a diversity of crops and animals, and work to restore ecosystems to their natural state.

The fields, forest, and wetlands of Sunfield Farm and Waldorf School serve as a learning environment that demonstrates a healthy balance between nature and humanity and allows participants to serve as stewards of the land.

Visiting Schools ProgramThroughout the seasons Sunfield Farm hosts several school groups of varying ages. Perhaps the most notable this year was the first High School class to join us here at Sunfield. The Environmental Science class from Chimacum Schools came in November and the experience was great. The students were given a broad whole systems view of the farm and the conservation elements. They also participated in two hands-on activities.

FIELD Internship ProgramSunfield Farm also continues its presence in Jefferson County as an educational host farm for seasonal interns. Our internship program is partnered with the Jefferson County Farmer Innovation, Education, and Leadership Development (FIELD) program developed by Jefferson County farmers and Washington State University (WSU) Extension. Interns are an invaluable and integral part of the farm. Our three- to nine-month farm internship program provides educational work experience in sustainable agriculture. Within a supportive and unique working environment, Sunfield interns are exposed to a variety of tasks that change throughout the growing season, gain many new skills, and become competent at completing a wide range of farming chores as they prepare to become the future caretakers of sustainable farms.

Plough Days JamboreeThe Third Grade Plough Days Jamboree is now an annual Sunfield Farm event, held in the beginning of October, in which many regional Waldorf schools participate. Close to a hundred Third Graders piled onto the farm this year, participating in all sorts of educational farm activities, including: horse drawn ploughing, milking the goats, tending the sheep, cows, and chickens, making compost, grinding grain, and turning in covercrop. Students, teachers and chaperones also camped out overnight on the land, enjoying the full farm experience.

Summer Camps & Shepherds 4-HSunfield offered several summer camp options this year. The Seedlings program, serving children ages six and under, allowed for leisurely hours of play and activities in the fields and forests. The Pioneer Camp’s six to nine-year-olds enjoyed traditional crafting. The Sunfield Shepherds 4-H group met throughout the summer to deepen their understanding of sheep and goats and participated in the Jefferson County Fair competitions.

Wilderness Survival SchoolTaught and lead by the CedarRoot Folk School, Wednesday evening classes continued on our land. Boys and girls who participate learn wilderness survival skills from local experts while receiving the benefits of good old-fashioned outdoor time.

Community Education

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Farm & Waldorf School

Early Childhood ClassesThis year there were 35 children enrolled in Sunfield Waldorf School’s three early childhood programs, which offer a wonderful entry into the farm and natural surroundings of Sunfield, and a welcoming introduction to Waldorf education. The Swallows’ Nest Kindergarten children are welcomed by their teacher, Monica Boucher, and her assistant, Jocelyn Hanbey. The Sunflower Kindergarten is lead by Koshalla Flockoi, and her assistant, Karli Elliott. Together the classes gather for a welcome circle, and then head off to the woods. Along the way there are many animals to visit with: cows, sheep, goats and chickens come up to the fences in greeting. The children are constantly observant of changes and discoveries: the first crocus, or a trillium in the woods, the ants that become active in the spring. On a frozen winter day there is much excitement cracking the frozen puddles into gleaming shards of ice.

Through these daily walks the children of the early childhood programs not only strengthen their limbs, but also become naturalists, developing an intimate connection with the natural world that surrounds them. When they arrive back at their classrooms they are hungry, and ready to sit down to eat their lunch at the carefully set table. The classrooms also reflect the world of nature, with wooden toys, stones, shells, and silks. Here the children have the opportunity to do watercolor painting or make crafts. They often use the products of the farm in their activities, gathering bean seeds, or washing and carding the wool from Sunfield’s Cotswold sheep.

Molly McGregor holds the Buttercup Parent-Child Class for families with children from birth to three and a half, once a week. After singing songs and doing an activity together, they too go and visit the farm animals, a highlight of the class.

Grades ClassesThe academic year of 2012-2013 was celebratory for Sunfield Waldorf School in that they heralded eighth grade graduation for ten students of the founding class, several of whom had been with their teacher, Helen Curry, since Kindergarten. The eighth grade year of elementary school studies, can be viewed as the capstone of the Waldorf grades curriculum. Rudolph Steiner inspired Waldorf Schools to educate students to bring peace in the world through developing a deep understanding of one another’s humanity. Sunfield’s Grade 8/9 class was able to uncover a profoundly human perspective to their studies of modern history as they interviewed veterans of wars, a victim of the holocaust, and read original letters written by a soldier in the American Civil War. The class further prepared themselves by participating in learning and practicing non-violent communication.

These students graduated from Sunfield as well-rounded and capable individuals: singers, musicians, artists, actors, and writers; strong in academic skills, articulate, able to write a good essay, understand computer technology; row longboats, handle woodworking tools, milk goats and hike mountains. Our alumni now attend Port Townsend High School, the Chimacum Pi program, Port Townsend’s Ocean program, and the Seattle Waldorf School. Many return to Sunfield to participate in the well-loved festivals, or help on the farm and in Ms. Curry’s Grade 1/2 classroom.

The value of being of service, strongly upheld in Waldorf education, was also an important focus in Beth Ann O’ Dell’s Grade 6/7 class of twelve students. To deepen their understanding of the principles of Medieval knighthood, the students performed community service projects and took on added responsibilities at home. They also each learned a new skill. Their studies of Medieval history culminated in a knighting ceremony and participation in the regional Waldorf Schools Medieval Games held at Brightwater School in Seattle.

Sunfield Waldorf SchoolGrades Classes Continued...

The Grade 6/7 class examined the far reaches of the universe in their astronomy studies, and the fine details of a candle flame in their studies of physical science. They also took a broad perspective of observing the influences of world geography on the history and economics of an area. In their math studies of economics, the students developed a class business marketing Italian cooking herbs. This wonderful aromatic project was successfully brought to fruition in time for Christmas sales.

Ruth Pope’s Grade 4/5 class of twenty students utilized the fields, forests and wetlands of Sunfield for their studies of botany. On our diverse campus, they were able to extend their observations throughout the changing of the seasons. The Grade 4/5 curriculum focus on local geography and history provided the students with many adventures beyond Sunfield by searching for Dragon Tracks throughout the county, an imaginative educational program provided through the North Olympic Salmon Coalition. Learning about the expeditions of Lewis and Clark assisted the class with navigating the mountains, rivers and plains of United States, geography described in journals that they wrote of the journey.

The Grade 4/5 students thrived in the rich variety of learning experiences, from tying intricate Celtic knots, to becoming adept at fraction calculation, and presenting a delightful performance of “ Charlotte’s Web”. The most treasured experience of the year for this class was their study of local Native American tribes that culminated in attending the regional Waldorf School’s Potlatch on Whidbey Island, which continues to live in the class’s memory as a powerful learning journey.

It is a joy to welcome MaryAnne Hinton to Sunfield Waldorf School; She brings to our school extensive Waldorf teaching experience and many artistic gifts. Ms. Hinton took the Grade 2/3 class of nineteen students. This year they made excellent progress developing strong foundational skills in mathematics, language, and reading. The students studied place value and became very enthusiastic working with large numbers: adding, subtracting and multiplying with double and triple digits, and more. By the end of the year all the students were writing their own short compositions based on stories they had heard in their main lesson work. In the spring the students worked hard preparing a special garden in which they planted patches of heirloom grains. This project will be shared in the fall with Third Grade students from regional Waldorf schools who will be participating in the Third Grade Plough Days Jamboree.

At the opening day assembly, on the first day of school, ten new Grade 1 students passed under a bridge of welcoming arms of all the grade school students. Each student of the new class carried a blooming golden Sunflower to be given to their teacher, Isolde Perry. Learning to form letters, understanding the quality of numbers, and the nature of the four arithmetic processes are the foundations of Grade 1 learning that are powerfully brought through the imagination, and develop into strong skills in writing, reading and mathematics. Teacher Molly McGregor led the afternoon activities, which were largely spent in the forests, fields and wetlands of Sunfield Farm doing nature-related activities and observing the cycles of nature.

At the end of the school year the Grade 1 students were delighted to go on stage to give a rose to the Grade 8/9 students at the graduation ceremony, beautifully depicting the generational spiral of growth that our maturing school is now developing.

The middle school students perform a dance at the May Day Festival.

A third grade student proudly binding all of his artwork together for display.

Handwork is an im-portant aspect of the students weekly rhythm. All age groups partipipate in this creative outlet.

Caring for the farm animals is a daily task for students. Younger students work with chickens and rabbits, while older students may work with pigs and cows.