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Harvest Moon Education Festival 2023
September 29, 2023 @ 4:00 pm - October 1, 2023 @ 7:00 pm
$30.00 – $120.00
Harvest Moon Education Festival 2023
The 2nd Annual Harvest Moon 3 Day Education Festival
Presented by Eco Acres and in association with Rowanwood Farm
Join us at Rowanwood Farm for the Harvest Moon Education Festival (Sep 29 – Oct 1): a weekend full of practice, training, and sharing. The festival is packed with lectures, demos, ceremonies and workshops. We start on Friday, Sep 29th at 4 pm and end on Sun, Oct 1st at 7 pm.
Currently committed workshops include: fire by friction story and demo, llama meets and greets/farm education, astronomy programs, martial arts, despacho ceremony, plant tours, and more! Participants will also have time to work on any traditional or outdoor skill of their choice. Bring any ongoing skills, projects or training tools you have.
You can work alongside each other by the stream, use the flint knapping pit, practice tracking in the sand, help caretake a working rescue llama farm, work on an Eco Acres school project with us or simply enjoy the community fire and drum circle. Join us for the weekend and experience more with us (and our growing list of partners).
Admission (Includes amenities and all program fees, and campsite if applicable):
3 Day Weekend Passes:
Full Weekend 3 Day Pass (Includes Camping, details below) – $120
Full Weekend 3 Day Pass (Without Camping) – $100
1 Day Passes:
Friday Pass – $30
Saturday or Sunday Pass – $60
Space is limited, so register soon!
Key Details:
- This is an alcohol and drug free event
- Participants must be age 13 and older (Minors MUST be accompanied by an adult)
- Parking space is limited – Groups, please try to carpool to this event if possible
- Certain cars may get blocked in so we will help plan accordingly with individuals. Let us know when you arrive if you plan to leave early
- Bring all necessary camping equipment and gear to keep yourself comfortable
Rowanwood Farm Location: 31 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook, CT
Itinerary: Subject to minor changes
Details of Lectures/Workshops/Programs:
- Fire by Friction (Eco Acres) – Lighting – Learn the stories, see the skills, and watch as this fire is lit and will remain so for the entire festival.
- Wildlife Tracking and Trailing (Eco Acres) – Explore the variety of wildlife in our area through tracks and trails. We begin with a brief overview of the identifying characteristics of tracks and trails, discussing terms, tactics, and what to look for. Participants will learn how to identify different wildlife tracks and trails, and gain insight into the stories they tell.
- Astronomy/Star Tours (Eco Acres) – Enjoy one of humanity’s earliest pastimes: stargazing! Our night sky inspires artists and amazes observers, but also directs how we measure time. It even guides us home, if we know how and what to look for. Experience our blend of story, science, and tradition as we journey on the Grandest Tour of All: Our Universe!
- Natural Navigation (Eco Acres) – opens our perspective of adjusting and navigating an ever changing environment. Understanding certain navigational skills helps you align yourself with the land and establish how to get where you need to be. Natural Navigation is the awareness of tracking directional movement among our surroundings. Journey any place without losing your way.
- Stone Age Fibercraft (Eco Acres)– Learn how ancient people processed plants and trees into string, cordage, rope, nets, weaving, mats, baskets, clothing & more. With exhibit & samples, instructional demo to try hands-on techniques with various natural materials; discussion on respe
ctful harvesting ethics. - Ropecraft: Braiding, Knots and More (Eco Acres) – Learn about various styles and makes of rope. There will be demonstrations and time to try different knots, braids, lashings and other rope tricks and techniques.
- The Art of Mother Nature (Eco Acres) – A new way to see Nature via ‘sacred geometry’, which can assist in plant identification; discussion, artifacts, drawing & outdoor exploring; cross-cultural teachings about the Green Nation
- Farm Education/Llamas (Rowanwood Farm) – Learn about these magnificent animals and get the chance to meet and greet all the farm animals.
- Despacho Ceremony (Muktinath Holistic Center) – We will be offering our love, prayers, and remembrances in a South American despacho ceremony. A beautiful shamanic ceremony that is an act of love and a reminder of the connections we share with all beings, elements, spirits, and sacred places. At the deepest level, it is an opportunity to enter into the essential unity of all things, the living energy of the universe.
- Chi Gung/Martial Arts (CT Wing Chun/Warriors Guild) – We’ll practice traditional Chi Gung body movement and breathing exercises as a warm up. A brief lecture on Wing Chun Kung Fu martial strategy and then we’ll study two person drills covering hand-to-hand skills, and single sword. No experience necessary. Beginners welcome.
- Morning Ritual & Sit – Participate in a morning ritual and sit within baseline to start the day off connected and in tune with the earth, yourself and your surroundings.
- Plant Tours – Journey with us as we explore different plants in season, their edible, medicinal, utilitarian and hazardous properties.
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Herbal Workshop + Tea Making (Herbs Love And Yoga): Nourishing the Nervous System with Skullcap, Lemon Balm, Lavender, and Chamomile – Stressed Out? Sip Your Way to Serenity! Join our hands-on Herbal Tea Making Workshop where you will be introduced to the stress-relief dream team: Lavender, Chamomile, Skullcap, and Lemon Balm. Discover how these botanical wonders work their magic on your nervous system, promoting relaxation and peace. In this inclusive and grounded space, we will explore the physical and psychological benefits of each of these herbs and how to prepare them into a nourishing medicinal tea. Leave with a custom-crafted herbal tea blend made by you during the workshop.
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Herbal Workshop + Herbal Vinegar Making (Herbs Love and Yoga): Liver Support with Dandelion, Burdock & Milk Thistle – Join us for an enriching herbal workshop as we delve into the world of liver support with the powerful trio of Dandelion, Burdock, and Milk Thistle. Explore the spiritual and physical benefits of each herb as well as the role anger plays in our liver health. Craft your very own herbal vinegar to take home with you and integrate into your wellness routine.
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Community Fire and Drum Circle – Enjoy the Community Fire lit at the beginning of the festival, tell stories, share experiences and have fun with a drum circle.
- Open Skills – Work on any traditional/outdoor skill you choose. Bring an on-going skill/project, or work with some of ours.
- Farm Chores – Help to caretake the operating llama farm and learn what it takes to care for these animals.
- Stay Tuned for More!
The Harvest Moon Education Festival Educators
The Harvest Moon Education Festival is a gathering of educators who offer a unique learning experience with a focus on nature, tradition, ancestry, protection, connection and other related topics. The workshop and demonstrations held here provide individuals with a more well-rounded understanding of how everything connects within the web.
- Stephen Kraska – Fire, Tracking, Plants, Morning Ritual
- Gretchen Sancher – Astronomy, Star Tour, Natural Navigation
- Janet Kroboth-Weber – Stone Age Fibercraft, Plants, Ropecraft
- Sierra North – Despacho Ceremony & Drum Circle
- Andy DiGuiseppi – Chi Gung/Martial Arts, Strategy, Short Sword, Staff
- AJ Collier – Farm Education/Llamas/Fiber Art and Spinning
- Alyssa Mancini – Herbs and Plants
For more information on our associates and educators:
https://www.muktinathholisticcenter.com
https://www.herbsloveandyoga.com/
Camping Details: Self Sufficient
Amenities: Rowanwood Farm provides a camping space, running water (non-potable but filterable), porta-potty, cooking fire and limited access to electricity/microwave. NOTE: You must bring any and all camping gear you wish to use. There are no gear rentals on site.
Food: Bring your own food. We provide a cooking fire, but you are welcome to bring a camp stove if you prefer. We are also close to town and grocery stores (and a fantastic deli!).