Merry Leaflet

We begin a series looking at Merry Lea's place within its surrounding human community. The Merry Lea Sustainable Farm figures heavily in this issue. Also find out who became a master bird bander and who went to Alaska; who received a gift of honey and who gave time to help with sorghum.

Luckey's Landing gets a facelift; the master's in environmental education program concludes ten years and Kinderforest has an amazing year. Who got to go to Tanzania and who had to stay home and think about climate change? Who's an expert on pheasant chicks? On blue holes? What about dumpster diving? Read more.

Merry Lea celebrates the inauguration of a new Goshen College president; staff recall what they like best about winter; students learn about themselves--and leadership--at the Sustainability Summit. Also pick up some tips on identifying trees in winter.

Merry Lea has now been in existence for 50 years. In this issue, we look back on our history of caring for land, educating about the environment and providing a place that re-creates body and spirit. Read about the Sunflower Festival, see old photos, discover how childhood experiences at Merry Lea have left their mark. Also watch our News page and Facebook page for additional photos and memories. Do you have one to share? Email mccn@goshen.edu.

Read about Kinderforest, a gift of goats, alumni adventures, a cornfield encounter and the ways that our history provides us a visionary foundation. See who's coming and going and find a quote from Wendell Berry to ponder.

Read about the new course Merry Lea's Master's in Environmental Education students take on Andros Island in the Bahamas. Meanwhile, what happens on Merry Lea property on a typical spring day? Find out on page 7. This issue also reports on Land Manager Bill Minter's oak savanna planting.

Goshen College students now have three sustainability majors to choose from. Merry Lea faculty are heavily involved in the Sustainable Food Systems and the Sustainability Studies majors. Also meet Merry Lea's new agroecology professors, learn about the challenges of keeping bird mounts safe from insects, and join the master's students on a visit to green Detroit.

Merry Lea's Environmental Education Outreach team launched a new program this fall. Accompany child scientists as they compare a farm with wild ecosystems and learn where food comes from. Also read about a pastor's academy that enabled Merry Lea to share ecological expertise with the faith community; the volunteers behind Enchanted Forest and some new trail shelters.

Read about the strategies used for growing food at the Merry Lea Sustainable Farm and the ways it ties into Merry Lea's programs. The farm is running a CSA this summer and fall; the Pre-K to 12 team is gearing up for a new program there and summer researchers are investigating birdlife and grazing. This issue also includes a feature on Volunteer Doug Vendrely.

This issue of the Merry Leaflet introduces a transition in Pre-K to 12 curriculum from the Farmcraft program to a new experience entitled, Exploring the Merry Lea Sustainable Farm. Staff changes are underway as well, including saying goodbye to Lisa Zinn, who served in many roles for 13 years. In pages 4-6, readers can visit a volunteer training and meet some of our volunteers.