…My voice kind of came back at (the workshop). Though I’d begun the diet prior thereto, it was at (the workshop) that my healing really began to take off. Progression was no longer slow, linear. No longer mathematical, but exponential.  I do not feel adequate to the tasks of understanding or explaining what happened, but something very important to me, did happen. I credit Salima, (I think of her as, in that context, God’s engine) the food, all of the people, the surroundings, Sidi and of course, Allah. My voice has continued to gain strength (who knew i could chant for a 1/2 hour straight with gusto!) and I have never lost it again, (thanks be to Allah), though it has had its briefly challenged moments.

This is a huge healing for me. That was July; this is the next January. In the past, in the pre-workshop natural progression of things, within that span of time I might well have lost my voice at least two more times. And yet, since then, not even once.  I still long for silence sometimes, but the longing is different.  Maybe it’s the chanting, which I learned at (the workshop), that helps to quench that need; I don’t know.  But I do know that my body has experienced a healing I had no right to expect and could not have imagined prior to (the workshop). The subtle yet enormously powerful and seemingly perfectly- personally- calibrated- to- me quality of the healing–healing that came full, immediate, like the gift of a warm soft cape on the coldest of nights–makes me enormously grateful.

The above is a description of only one of the many gifts with which I have been blessed since (the workshop at the Farm of Peace). This path often leaves me weeping–grateful tears.”  E.R.

Before all of our energy shifts to planting seeds, caring for them and life back outdoors, we are using the gift of winter to spread the word about the coming season, educate ourselves, and build our team.

There are so many facets to my love of the CSA model, one of which is it’s ability to bring together a team of those supporting a common cause.  It is so inspiring to me that we can support each other in creating local and healthy food systems with such ease.  It is so simple!  Local farms growing food and delivering to local communities, on porches and at community centers.  This is really knowing where your food comes from and reforging an ancient connection that I believe nurtures not only our bodies, but our hearts and souls.

We don’t each need to grow our own food.  But we all eat, and receiving food that is grown chemical free, and knowing where it came from is such a gift.  Especially in a world where the food production system can be somewhat dysfunctional.  We do not need to consume the gasoline it takes to get a tomato from California, when they are growing all around us, in season of course.

In joining this team, you not only receive an abundance of produce you can trust was picked fresh and grown locally, but you support the livelihood of a small farm and continue diversified and sustainable agriculture into the future, alive and well.

We hope you can join us for the 2013 CSA!  As the winter allows us more time indoors to prepare for the season, we appreciate your early enrollment and reservation for spring deliveries.  We hope in the coming weeks to be off the computer and in the greenhouse, planting the seeds to fill your share.

Recent customers have commented:

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“We had lamb chops for dinner – it was delicious!”
— 2012 customer, Virginia

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“[The lamb was] all very much to our liking. … One neighbor called after they had finished off a leg to say how wonderful it was and thank me for letting them know about it. We had chops and rib chops for dinner …. even out youngest (who can be picky) was raving about them…. Thanks for all your work to grow the lambs…..”
— 2012 customers, Takoma Park, Md

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“Please call me when your lambs are available next year!”
— 2012, former restaurant chef, West Virginia

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“My mom cooked a dish … today and it was just so delicious. The lamb meat is exquisite…. Maybe I’ll buy another lamb!”
— 2012 customer, Silver Spring, Md

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!