Last week we trudged down to the stream on the North edge of the Farm to look for aquatic insects.  The children are learning that certain insects cannot survive in water that it not clean.  After finding insects mostly in class two and even some in class one, they know the water is very clean because  class one insects can only survive in the cleanest of water.  Praise God!  We turned over rocks to find black fly larvae, caddisflies, mayfly larvae, leeches, and more.  The children then came back to the classroom and drew what they remembered.  Not just in the river, but all along the way to and from the river, Eddie, their teacher reminded them that they are scientists!  Who is dining at this tree stump and leaving acorn husks behind?  Squirrels!  Who has made a home under this log?  No visible residents today.  Can you feel the great and wondrous expansion in the life of a child…?

Besides weaving science and art with nature, music is also a big part of their week.  Application of patterns and rhythms is important when knowing how to apply math, (Imagine: Counting out loud, making movements with your body, taking turns and staying in rhythm all at once!!!)  but it also comes into play with music and in the instrument they are learning, the ukulele.  Three weeks ago they sang a special performance of the two songs that they themselves had written:  “Coming to America” and “Speaking Japanese.”  Here is a clip of “Speaking Japanese:”

Song: “Speaking Japanese”

A special thank you to all the people who have supported the Farm of Peace and our children’s school, The September School.  You are truly helping to create a precious jewel.

With love,

Rifqa Rebecca Zaban-Boylan

Every time I plant a seed, it leaves me in awe, which seems to deepen with each season. It is a miraculous and mysterious unfolding, which presents such clarity of truth about the caring of our Creator. He is so clearly the Creator, al-Khaliq, the King, al-Malik, as I see a vibrant green leaf unfold from a tiny dry seed; and the generous, al-Karim, as I witness this tiny seed unfold into a large plant, sometimes five feet tall, bearing fruit for many. He is an-Nur, as He sends the light to draw forth this process; al-Batin, as this life that will draw forth is hidden within its seed, awaiting the call; and al-Zahir, as it unveils itself and surrenders to the call to open. I will continue to ponder this and sing His qualities as I plant, and invite you all to come visit the seed shed next time you are at the farm and share your blessings for this new addition.

Jesse Amin is adding an 80-foot-long low tunnel in the field. This is where we intend to start early beets, carrots, spinach and lettuces for our early spring deliveries. All the new growth is exciting, and it’s just the beginning — we have many more seeds to sow!

Our CSA delivery season will begin on May 26, with space for 50 members. We are inviting 10 new members to join us in 2012, so please click CSA tab at the top of the page or contact Halima Willett at 717-404-0326 to sign up to be a CSA member this year, or if you would like more information about our program.

– Halima Jen Willett

Salima

“Come and be in the Love! Open your heart to receive the deep Love, Peace and Mercy” –  Salaam P., participant

Are you curious about the teachings of the Sufi Way or are you seeking to experience those teachings more deeply?

Join Salima Adelstein for Gardens of Truth, a monthly Sufi School at the Farm of Peace.  You will learn from the lives of Sufi masters, study the secrets of the Divine Names and letters, receive deep healing and teachings that allow your heart to open to living a life of greater love with more mercy and peace.

There will be a Sufi healing circle (Dhikr circle) on Thursday evening at 7 PM.  The class takes place on Friday and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM, and on Sunday from 9:30 AM to 1 PM. This month’s class happens on Feb. 9-12.  Come and taste the beauty of your own heart.

Call the Farm of Peace at 717-573-4722 or contact us for information and to register!

“The Love Salima carries is beyond words! Thank you, thank you, thank you! ” — Halima C

A question for leaders in private industry, government and the nonprofit sector:

What if you had access to a perfect advisor who would give you unerring guidance for all the difficult decisions you must make, and who always had the comforting, encouraging message you most needed to hear in times of stress, anxiety, or uncertainty?

The truth is that you have that resource available to you always through your own inner wisdom: All you have to do is learn how to access it!

Foundations of Enlightened Leadership, Jan. 17-18

The Farm of Peace presents a new workshop geared toward leaders in all sectors who may be experiencing dissatisfaction in your leadership role in any way, or if you are simply seeking a way to enhance your ability to take your organization to its full potential

This two-day workshop presented by seasoned, experienced business consultants David & JoAnn Ross, will help you expand your awareness, develop a broader perspective and achieve your highest aspirations. Learn skills and practices that will help you gain greater clarity and insight, helping you to resolve real-life challenges.

Stepping into your true potential as a leader starts with one powerful step!  What are you waiting for?

Find out more here!

It is a chance to be in the presence of a very holy man, Sidi al-Jamal, our spiritual Guide, and to drink from his teachings and the love that he gives to all. It is a chance to learn from other amazing Sufi teachers. And it is a chance to be in an amazing community of seekers of God, where the feeling of love is palpable! All of this takes place in a majestic, stunningly beautiful setting at the Farm of Peace.

I first came to Sufi School East eight years ago, somewhat reluctantly, at the request of my beloved friend (now my wife). I met Sidi and experienced the profound love that he and this community radiate. Since then, my life has been transformed (for the best) in almost every way. I certainly can’t promise any specific experience to anyone, but I firmly believe you will treasure your time there. So TAKE YOUR CHANCE. — Nuh Ross

Sufi School East, Oct. 13-17, 2011 at the Farm of Peace, Warfordsburg, PA

REGISTER: Complete information about Sufi School East and online registration is available here.
Tuition is $320 for all four days! Special rates for newcomers, young adults.
Free kids’ camp. Special newcomer classes to support your receiving the most benefit from this retreat.

We look forward to seeing you!

“When you find the love, you find yourself. The secret of God is in the love.”

Come –  meet and learn from Sidi al-Jamal, who writes about the love of God in his book, Music of the Soul.

Sidi is an internationally known Sufi Master and spiritual guide from Jerusalem whose heart brings the teachings of love, peace and mercy directly to your own heart.

“If you want to go beyond all that you have been, to find the secret of God, then I am your brother to take your hand and guide  you from the darkness to the light and to the garden.”

Sufi School East, Oct. 13-17.  Find out more  here!

Maryam Hand has been caring for the orchard this past year, putting in some Asian pear and liberty apple trees along with the cherry trees, pears and crab apples. For the apple-lovers, yet another blessing — home-made fresh apple sauce to grace the dinner table. (The donkeys love the apples as a special treat, too.)

Visiting campers get a tour of the orchard

Maryam with apple harvest -- soon to be applesauce

A section of the orchard is devoted to blackberries and strawberries, so special to taste in their seasons.  Maryam has planted comfrey among the rows; it’s beneficial for the trees.

New trees were planted in the spring, and lots of work and care go into the orchard, from mulching to weeding to watering to mowing.

It’s so rewarding to see the trees beginning to become full and sturdy, and replete with their fruits — another of the many signs present on the Farm of the glorious abundance that God sends to us to enjoy.

Maryam and Fawn mulch the orchard

Surprise!  It was white inside.  That was almost two weeks ago, so now I am convinced they really are just about ready and this time he agrees!   We’ll see in a couple of days if the vines are ready to let go.

This is a gift that I so enjoy in the garden:  learning to watch the subtle signs and feel how the plants communicate.  Many fruits will “let go” and drop into my hand as soon as they have reached fruition; a few days early, I’ll have to tug.

Such a blessing to see how life shows us this all the time — when the timing is right, things fall into place, just like the tomato drops into my hand when it is ready.

When we are pushing and tugging to make something open or happen in our life, maybe it’s a sign that it’s time to step back and be patient and let it come into fruition.  White watermelon isn’t nearly as sweet and tasty as a juicy pink one!

– Halima Jen

Our friend, sister Mary El Khatib brought about a dozen youngsters and their parents from the Nur Center in Northern Virginia to discover how carrots and other vegetables grow and to explore other delights of nature at the Farm of Peace. In an overnight Nature Camp organized by staffer Maryam Hand, the kids and their parents enjoyed time in the country and had hands-on experience of farm activities.

In the CSA garden, Jesse Amin showed the kids how to pull onions and carrots, and the kids had a blast unearthing their food!

With Maryam, they visited the orchard, seeing apples and peaches growing on the small trees. Maryam gave the children some of the apples as treats for the donkeys.

Mu’min Shay helped the kids make friends with the still-growing pastured poultry chicks; this is where the nutritious, wholesome meat on our table comes from.

Collecting eggs for breakfast was quite an adventure. Visiting the chicken coop, the children had a close-up encounter with the rooster and hens, and explored the nest boxes for fresh eggs.  In the evening, there was a campfire and of course, toasted marshmallows!

After a full morning of farm adventure — and a yummy pancake breakfast — the children gathered with Dr.  Jeanette Hablallah, who taught them about nature, plants, animals and bugs — and the beauty and awe of the creation they’d experienced on the farm. The children completed their Nature Camp with drawings of their experiences.  We hope all  the children and their parents will come back again to visit the farm!

"I love marshmallows" -- Adam