Summer is in full swing and farms are busy, busy, busy! We hope your season is providing bountiful harvests.

We have much to share from the Care Farming Network and hope you enjoy our August news. A few highlights include our Beginning Care Farmer Series, which kicks off in September, and really cool happenings at care farms throughout the U.S.

If you have news to share, reach out to outreach@carefarmingnetwork.org and let us help you spread the word!

Happy August everyone!

We have more than 220 Care Farms highlighted on CFN's interactive online map! This tool can filter by region, showing you a nearby Care Farm where you can click and learn more about them. You are welcome to add your Care Farm to the list!

If you're already on the map and want to update your farm's information, email outreach@carefarmingnetwork.org.

Join us each Wednesday in September as we explore four topics about beginning care farming. Each online session is scheduled from 6:30-7:15 pm (ET). Pre-registration is required, and all sessions are free to attend. 

Dates: Every Wednesday in September

Time: 6:30 - 7:15 pm (EDT)

EquiCenter is a premier accredited member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH), and a non-profit facility serving those with disabilities, veterans and at-risk youth. Equine-related programs offered include therapeutic horseback riding, horsemanship, and Heroes for Horses, a program that uses a variety of equine-related therapies to help war veterans and their families.

In June the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation (GLCF) chose Lynchburg Grows as the 2023 recipient of the Century Fund. This gift will help them toward the completion of their Power Shed renovation, a project initiated as part of their 2019 Capital Campaign for improvements on their farm. Congratulations!!

Allaire Community Farm utilizes rescued animals and a working farm environment to nurture through nature. Their farm is focused on helping special needs adults and children, teens facing mental health issues, veterans with PTSD and families battling cancer. This video demonstrates a super cool "grass mat" which allows for greater accessibility for wheel chairs.  

Care Farm Suggestion: The "CoolBot"

During August's Monthly Member Gathering, Care Farmers discussed how they're being affected by climate and weather patterns. Dustin Watkins, from Bittersweet Farms, shared a neat system they use for their CSA called "CoolBot." This works great for their operation so we're sharing it with others who might be interested!

Learn more about CoolBot here!

At Ease is a highly therapeutic retreat for Active Duty and Veterans who are dealing with combat post traumatic stress, mild traumatic brain injury, chronic pain and military sexual trauma. Retreats are fully funded by generous sponsors, so there is no cost to participants to attend.

Due to our September Beginning Care Farmer series (every Wednesday in Septemer) we will not be hosting a September MMG. See you in October!

You can find CFN on Facebook and Instagram. We're highlighting farms, sharing events, and connecting the network. We also encourage you to join CFN's Discussion Group- it's a fantastic way to receive helpful information from other care farmers in the network!