Welcome to Groundswell

Groundswell’s mission is to help youth and adult learners develop the skills and knowledge they need to build sustainable local food systems. Our focus is providing hands-on, experiential learning opportunities with real working farms and food businesses in the Ithaca area. Through collaboration with area schools, colleges and universities, Groundswell offers programs of study for beginning farmers, students, community members, and professionals.

Groundswell is an initiative of the EcoVillage Center for Sustainability Education in Ithaca, NY, which is a project of the Center for Transformative Action. Visit the Groundswell website to learn more about our programs, initiatives and resources.

Friday, June 21

Understanding & Managing Vegetable Pests & Diseases

Wednesday July 10, 5-8 PM, West Haven Farm, Ithaca, NY

Learn to identify some key diseases and pests of vegetables and practice scouting a variety of vegetable crops. Organic control methods and problem-solving for real life farm pest situations.
Instructor: Todd McLane, West Haven Farm Manager
Cost: $45-$60 Voluntary Sliding Scale. To register email info@groundswellcenter.org.

Monday, November 16

Reflections on the 2009 Farm-Based Education Association Conference

By Todd McLane, West Haven Farm Manager

It was a cold dark November morning as I prepared to embark on an exciting trip with Groundswell's Director Joanna Green. We were headed to the national Farm Based Education Association conference being held in Tarrytown, NY.

Although the rigors and tiredness of a long farm season were beginning to show, I was filled with an almost uncontrollable energy. I sensed it in Joanna too (even though we left around 5 am!) I think there was only about 10 minutes where we weren't talking during the 4 ½ hour trip. From Groundswell brainstorms to philosophies on life, we covered it all! Here we were, headed down to the national FBEA conference. I thought that was a pretty big deal. After months and months of volunteer hours by all of the Groundswell Committee, the ship continued to move forward.