Farm Educator's Roadmap®

What happens when you start farming at 65 for the first time? For Sandy Pond, it became a journey of healing, creativity, and connection. At Sacred Connections at Back Roads Farm in Vermont, Sandy blends organic farming, wellness practices, and art into a one-of-a-kind experience. From CSA shares and herbal remedies to yoga, massage, pottery, and camping under the stars, Sandy shows us what it looks like to truly listen to the land.

✨ In this episode:
🌱 Starting a farm later in life & letting the land co-design
 🎨 Creating sacred space with gardens, art & healing modalities 
🥖 Letting products evolve by showing up & listening
🏕️ Why farm stays help visitors slow down & reconnect

🔗 Connect with Sandy: sacredconnections.earth
🙂Follow her on Facebook: backroadsvt

🌾 Stay connected with Farm Educator’s Roadmap:
📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap
👍 Facebook: Farm Educator’s Roadmap
👩‍🌾 Private Group for farm educators: Join
🌐 Website: farmeducatorsroadmap.com
📖 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program

This week I’m joined by Leslie Forsythe of Forsythe Family Farms in Ontario, Canada. For more than 30 years, Leslie has been blending agritourism, direct marketing, and hands-on programs that help thousands of kids (and their parents!) connect to the land. From pumpkin tours and toddler programs to CSA and even digital lessons, her farm has become a true destination for learning.

👉 In this episode, you’ll hear about:

If you’ve wondered how to make farm education engaging, sustainable, and fun, this conversation is packed with inspiration.

🔗 Learn more: forsythefamilyfarms.com

Connect with Farm Educator’s Roadmap
📲 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap
👍 Facebook: Farm Educator’s Roadmap
👥 Private FB Group: Farm Educator’s Roadmap Community
🌐 Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com
📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program

Not every farmer runs a formal education program—but every farmer has the power to educate. In this episode, I talk with Melisa Oliva, co-founder of Ananda Gardens in Montpelier, Vermont. Alongside her husband, she started the farm in 2015 with a vision to go beyond organic produce—building a farm that cultivates wellness, education, and connection.

🌿 What we cover in this episode:

Ananda Gardens shows us that production farms can be powerful education hubs simply by connecting people to their food and modeling wellness in everyday ways.

📍 Learn more about Melisa’s work at www.anandagardens.com.

🔗 Stay Connected
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
Join the Private Facebook Community
Grab the free guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program

Imagine waking up in a historic Vermont farmhouse, the smell of fresh pancakes in the air, and the sound of cows being milked just steps away. For over 40 years, Beth Kennett and her family have welcomed guests from around the world to Liberty Hill Farm — a working dairy and Vermont’s first certified Green Agritourism Enterprise.

Beth isn’t just a gracious host. She’s a Governor-appointed member of the Connecticut River Joint Commission, a driving force behind conservation initiatives like the White River Partnership, and a recognized leader in rural economic development. Her work has been featured in Gourmet, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, and even Good Morning America.

In this episode, Beth shares the inspiring story of how economic necessity led to opening their doors in 1984, long before “agritourism” was even a word. You’ll hear how she’s blended dairy farming, environmental stewardship, and warm hospitality into a model that sustains the farm, educates visitors, and strengthens rural communities.

We talk about:
🐄 The early days of hosting guests — and how cows, not pancakes, became the real draw.
🌱 Innovative sustainability practices, from recycling heat from cow’s milk to growing dual-purpose cover crops.
👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 How agritourism became a multi-generational family endeavor 
📊 Debunking the myth of “low-skilled” farm work with high-tech dairy tools like cow Fitbits and in-vitro breeding.
🍳 The role of farm-fresh meals in connecting guests to their food — and to the farmers who produce it.
💡 Beth’s advice for starting an agritourism business, including why family buy-in and community ambassadors matter most.

Whether you dream of starting your own farm stay or just love stories about meaningful connections between people, food, and the land, this conversation will inspire you.

Connect with Liberty Hill Farm:
🌐 Website: www.libertyhillfarm.com

Follow the Farm Educator’s Roadmap podcast:
📸 Instagram: @Farm Educator's Roadmap 
👍 Facebook: Farm Educator’s Roadmap
👥 Private Facebook Group: Join Here
🌐 Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com
📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program

🌻 Episode: Coverdale Farm – Where Conservation Meets Hands-On Education

In this episode of the Farm Educator’s Roadmap, I’m chatting with Mindy Brown, Program Manager at Coverdale Farm Preserve in Greenville, Delaware — a stunning 377-acre property where a working farm, thriving education programs, and dedicated conservation work all come together. 🌾💚

Mindy shares her journey from preschool teacher to farm educator and takes us behind the scenes of Coverdale’s programs — from toddler “grown-up and me” classes to teen farm apprenticeships, cooking camps, community events, and even their popular “Chicken Tenders” program where families raise baby chicks at home. 🐥

We’ll talk about how they weave education into every corner of the farm, the role their farm market plays in connecting people to their food, and how their regenerative practices show visitors that farming can improve the land. 🌱

Whether you’re just starting to dream up your first farm program or you’ve been teaching for years, this conversation is packed with ideas you can adapt for your own work.

🌟 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🐓 Everyday farm work as education – why you don’t have to create extra work to create learning experiences
🌻 Programs for every age – from toddlers to adults
🥗 Using your farm market as a teaching space
🌍 Regenerative farming & conservation in action
💡 Building community that keeps coming back year after year

🔗 Links & Resources
🌾 Coverdale Farm Preserve: www.delawarenaturesociety.org
📘 The Farm Educator’s Roadmap Facebook Page: facebook.com/farmeducatorsroadmap
📷 The Farm Educator’s Roadmap Instagram: instagram.com/farmeducatorsroadmap
🤝 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join Here
🎁 Free Guide – 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program: Download Here

In this episode of the Farm Educator’s Roadmap, Christa Hein sits down with Andrea Parent-Tibbetts of Clover Brooke Farm in New York’s Hudson Valley—a one-woman powerhouse running a regenerative fiber farm, an agritourism hub, and a growing online brand.

Andrea shares her inspiring journey from school administrator to full-time farm entrepreneur, walking us through her farm’s transformation from overgrown pastures to a thriving educational and experiential destination. You’ll hear how she built a business from llama hikes and goat walks, created buzzworthy events like "llama yoga" and a llama kissing booth for Match.com, and reached over 3,200 visitors and 225+ virtual guests—including appearances on The Today Show and USA Today.

This conversation is packed with actionable insight for anyone starting or growing a farm education program, including tips on animal training, Airbnb experiences, creating curriculum, and building a strong social media presence. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your land and love for animals into a mission-driven, income-generating venture, Andrea’s story will both motivate and guide you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Resources & Links
🌐 Clover Brooke Farm: www.cloverbrookefarm.com
📸 Follow Clover Brooke Farm on Instagram & Facebook
🎧 Learn more about Airbnb Experiences: www.airbnb.com/experiences
🧠 Learn more about Pet Partners Therapy Certification: www.petpartners.org

Links from the show
→ 🎙️ Follow the podcast: Farm Educator's Roadmap on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more 
→ 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap
→ 👍 Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/farmeducatorsroadmap
→ 🌱 Join the private Facebook group: Farm Educator’s Roadmap Community
→ 📥 Download the free guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program
→ 💻 Visit us online: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com

Lauren Cain of Find Hope Farm in Pataskala, Ohio, didn’t set out to run a 100-goat operation—but her love of animals (and a couple empty barns) led her there. In this episode, Lauren shares how her background in animal welfare science and veterinary medicine informs every aspect of her farm business—from soap-making and herd shares to targeted grazing and goat yoga.

We talk about the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, and her favorite technique for staying ahead of problems: coffee management (yes, really). Lauren brings a grounded, practical voice to animal care—one that’s full of humor, humility, and hard-won insight.

If you’ve got animals on your farm—or you plan to—this episode will give you thoughtful, accessible ways to make sure their lives (and yours) are as good as they can be.

🌱 In this episode:
* How Lauren accidentally grew a herd of 100+ goats
* What the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare mean for farm educators * Why “coffee management” is her #1 animal care strategy
* How she educates raw milk clients through mandatory tours
* The business of goat yoga, soap, birthday parties & brush clearing
* Why observation is the most underrated tool on the farm
* The science behind how animals express preferences

🔗 Links & Resources:
* Find Hope Farm – www.findhopefarm.com
* Goats on the Go – Columbus East – Facebook
* Follow Find Hope Farm on Facebook – facebook.com/findhopefarm

🎁 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program → farmeducatorsroadmap.com/5simplesteps

📣 Stay Connected:
Follow the Farm Educator’s Roadmap on social:
* Facebook: facebook.com/farmeducatorsroadmap
* Instagram: instagram.com/farmeducatorsroadmap
* Join the private Facebook group: The Farm Educators’ Roadmap Community

In this episode of the Farm Educator’s Roadmap, host Christa Hein takes us to Ferguson, Missouri, home of EarthDance Organic Farm School—the oldest organic farm west of the Mississippi.

Hear from Jena Hood and Tiffany Brewer, the passionate interim co-executive directors, as they share how EarthDance is growing more than food. From mentoring youth and training aspiring farmers, to launching pay-what-you-can markets and regenerative practices in an urban neighborhood, this farm is a thriving hub of community resilience, education, and innovation.

What You’ll Learn:
* The rich history of the EarthDance farm
* How EarthDance transitioned from a family farm to a nonprofit teaching hub
* The structure and impact of their flagship apprenticeship and spring training programs
* How they connect with local youth through Farm to School and field trips
* The story behind their innovative “Pay-What-You-Can” farm stand
* What regenerative farming means in an urban setting
* Advice for aspiring farmers without access to land
* Why building food systems in community is the future

About the Guests:
🌱 Jena Hood is EarthDance’s Director of Agriculture and Education, blending a background in social work with years of hands-on farm training.
🌻 Tiffany Brewer is EarthDance’s Director of Impact, with roots in public education and a decade of experience strengthening food access in St. Louis.
Together, they are cultivating a farm that grows food, farmers, and future food leaders.

Resources & Links:
🔗 Visit EarthDance: www.earthdancefarms.org
📸 Follow them: Instagram | Facebook

🎧 Learn more about the Farm Educator's Roadmap:
www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com
👥 Join the private Facebook group: The Farm Educator’s Roadmap Community
📱Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
🎁 Grab your free guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program

In this episode of The Farm Educator’s Roadmap, we meet Sean McKay, an urban farming visionary whose path into agriculture was anything but conventional.

Sean grew up on a sheep farm in rural Ohio but didn’t feel a connection to farm life—until a college plant biology class changed everything. Since then, he’s turned a third of his backyard into a thriving urban farm, launched the Garden District Cooperative (a nonprofit linking gardens, food pantries, and communities), and now manages eight gardens around Columbus, Ohio—all while teaching plant science at the very college where his journey began.

We talk about:
• How Sean’s creativity as a musician translates into landscape design and farming
• Growing 700+ pounds of food in a city backyard
• Turning abandoned lots into community spaces that nourish and heal
• Supporting hospice residents with flowers grown in honor of his grandmother
• Creating accessible opportunities for new urban farmers
• Teaching the next generation while fostering resilience in local food systems

Sean’s story is rich with inspiration for anyone dreaming of growing food, building community, or creating change from the ground up.

🔗 Connect with Sean and the Garden District Cooperative at www.gardendistrictcorp.org
📍 Find them on Facebook: Garden District Columbus, Ohio

🔗 Stay Connected with the Farm Educator’s Roadmap
• 🖥️ Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com
• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/farmeducatorsroadmap
• 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/farmeducatorsroadmap
• 👩‍🌾 Join the private group: facebook.com/groups/farmeducatorsroadmap
• 🎁 Grab the free guide: farmeducatorsroadmap.com/5simplesteps

Episode Title: Cultivating Connections: Vera Simon-Nobes and the Farm-Based Education Network
Guest: Vera Simon-Nobes, Coordinator of the Farm-Based Education Network

In this rich and inspiring conversation, host Christa Hein sits down with Vera Simon-Nobes, a lifelong educator and community connector, to explore the many branches of farm-based education. Vera shares her incredible journey from attending her first NOFA-VT potluck conference as a college student, to co-founding tiny farm startups, to helping launch nationally significant networks that uplift farm educators across the country.

You’ll hear about:
• The Farm-Based Education Network (FBEN) and how it supports over 4,600 members through peer learning, workshops, and resource sharing
• Vera’s work at Shelburne Farms, where she splits her time between teaching, farming, and organizing national programming
• Her early work in food access through Cooking Matters in San Francisco and how that shaped her equity-centered lens
• The beauty and purpose behind her micro-business, Rhubarb Leather, which turns local hides into hand-stitched art
• Her growing interest in language, justice, and kinship with nature, inspired by the writing of Robin Wall Kimmerer
• A powerful vision for reparative justice and her hopes to support BIPOC-led land trusts and education initiatives Vera’s story is one of creativity, purpose, and deep care for people and the planet.

Whether you’re new to farm education or looking to deepen your practice, you’ll find wisdom, inspiration, and joy in this episode.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:
• Farm-Based Education Network – free to join!
• Shelburne Farms
• Cultivating Joy and Wonder – Shelburne Farms early childhood resource
• My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem
• Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust
• Cooking Matters
• La Cocina

📬 Connect with Vera and the FBEN:
Website: farmbasededucation.org
Instagram & Facebook: @farmbasededucation

🔗 Stay Connected with the Farm Educator's Roadmap
🌿 Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com
📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap
📘 Facebook Page: facebook.com/farmeducatorsroadmap
👥 Join the Private Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/farmeducatorsroadmap
📥 Download the Free Guide: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com/5simplesteps