A lot has happened since the last update. We hosted two great community tree planting days, CFI’s Outreach Director Zach Melanson kick-started our annual tree-planting fundraiser, and CFI’s Executive Director Jeff Schnurr finalized the purchase of Whaelghinbran Farm, 600 acres of restored Acadian forest and organic farmland that CFI has been working hard to acquire.
But I don’t want to talk about any of that. Not right now, anyway (but soon). What I really want to get to is the yurt. Yes, while all these exciting developments have been busying CFI’s small staff, I’ve been charged with putting some of the final touches on the yurt (What’s a yurt? Check this out).
There have proven to be many final touches. The birch poles that we’re using for the latticed walls and the roof needed to be stripped, sanded, drilled, and tied. There are over 120 poles on our yurt.
Unroofed and unsealed, but on its way
I’m not quite finished yet. Nearly, though. This week we plan to build the door and test-run our ring – two key structural components. Once we (fingers-crossed) successfully assemble everything in the backyard of the CFI office, we’ll move the structure to Whaelghinbran where it will be used as accommodations for the farm’s summer interns.
Mentor Susan Tyler with our farm interns. From left: farm manager Gavin, and interns Aviva, Ryan, Heather, Nick, and Hannah
CFI is excited to be hosting five farm interns at Whaelghinbran this summer. Under the mentorship of Clark Philips and Susan Tyler, these young farmers will work and live on the land, producing organic veggies to sell at farmers’ markets (we’ve got a CSA, too) in Saint John and Kensington, NB.
Though the construction process has been trying at times, it’s very satisfying to know that the structure will be put to great use. The yurt will be one small part of Whaelghinbran’s new education-centred infrastructure. With these new structures the farm will take on a capacity to facilitate apprenticeships and workshops designed to assist interested individuals in learning the skills needed to live and work sustainably in the Acadian Forest.
Speaking of which, the 2012 summer workshops series line-up is almost complete. Check this space in the coming weeks for updates on what we’ve got planned in Sackville and at Whaelghinbran this workshop season.
Until then, enjoy the sun!
