Welcome to The Weekly Dirt.
This is our new once-a-week farm update, delivered every Friday. It’s a quick look at what’s happening at Homesteads for Hope: what’s growing (literally and figuratively), what we’ve been up to, what’s coming next, a small moment of joy from the farm, and a short “Did You Know?”
Even on quieter weeks, we’ll be here. A consistent rhythm helps us stay connected, and sharing life on the farm, from the people and classes to the animals, learning, and small wins, is part of how we grow purpose and cultivate inclusion together.
Thanks for being here. We hope you enjoy this new way of staying connected.
Let’s dig in! |
This week, students kicked off a hands-on seed experiment - testing different ways to grow herbs and seeing what works best.
After doing some research, they chose which herbs they wanted to grow and decided how to start them: either using a hydroponic setup or a simple paper towel method.
Both approaches are being tested side by side this week. Some seeds are already showing signs of life, while others are taking their time.
That’s part of the learning - watching, waiting, and noticing how different conditions affect growth. |
Next week comes the transfer stage. Seeds that sprout will be moved into soil-filled mugs to continue growing at home, where students can care for them and watch how they develop over time.
It’s a small experiment with a big payoff: curiosity, patience, and the excitement of seeing something you planted begin to grow. |
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This week, our MVP committee supplied staff with a thoughtful breakfast and lunch as a way to say thank you for all the care, effort, and heart they bring to the farm every day.
Food has a way of bringing people together, and this was no exception—shared meals, smiles around the table, and a moment to pause and feel appreciated. It was a simple but meaningful reminder that the work happening here is seen and valued, and that community care matters just as much behind the scenes as it does out in the fields.
Thank you to the MVP committee for making space to celebrate the people who help Homesteads for Hope grow! |
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Some moments don’t need much explanation. This week, Barb—who has been part of the fabric of this farm for years—spent a quiet moment with one of our ducks, Sweet Baby. She held her close, an easy kind of care built over time, trust, and familiarity.
It’s a small scene, but it speaks to something big: the gentleness, patience, and connection that define life at the farm. |
Seeds carry everything they need to sprout inside them. Early growth is powered by stored energy in the seed itself, not the soil or nutrients. That’s why seeds can germinate on a damp paper towel before they ever touch dirt! |
If you would like to give feedback on this newsletter,
please reach out to: info@homesteadsforhope.org |
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