​Community

Raising children has always been the responsibility of the 'village' - until the last few generations.  21st century parents are increasingly isolated and feel social pressure to compare and conform in order to 'successfully' raise their kids.  

​We strongly believe that a big part of this back-to-nature/at-home-in-nature 'revolution' includes creating a VILLAGE, a like-minded community where a parent can once again feel comfortable trusting their own instincts, and their child's instincts, and have a trusted community with which to share, struggle and grow as parents and as a family.  

The Village

Community Collaborative
An important part of our evolving program, our Community Collaborative is designed to nurture the wellbeing of our community by facilitating communication and inspiring parent participation in the children’s experience at Sprouts/Seedlings. Through our Community Collaborative, mothers, fathers, grandparents and other relatives can offer their talents and love for our Sprouts through various volunteer opportunities. All parents of children currently enrolled at Sprouts are considered members of the Community Collaborative. In addition, any relatives of the children or community members with an appreciation for supporting the wellbeing of children in their community and agricultural/environmental stewardship are welcome to join and participate as well. Community Collaborative events are held throughout the year and are a wonderful opportunity to meet and connect with other parents, be involved in your child’s education/experience and learn more about how you can help our program and community to grow and thrive.

Family Fridays

On the second Friday of each month, Sprouts families are invited to gather with teachers and attend to any chores that need to be done to help maintain the yurt, yurt yard and forest play space.  Parents with special skills or project ideas should contact Lisa or Christine beforehand in order to put their talents to good use. It's a great time to get to know each other better and share in the satisfaction of doing work together that is beneficial to all. We encourage families to bring a healthy snack to share.  Tea and water are provided by the teachers.

Sitting with Sisters

An important part of the Sprouts community is the feeling of being part of a larger family. Sitting with Sisters, which takes place on the first Friday night of every month, conveys the depth of our commitment to creating a community of support with and for the families participating in Sprouts.

Sitting with Sisters is a time for the Sprouts mothers to join Lisa and Christine in an informal setting to relax, talk, get to know one another and support each other in all the tumultuous, gratifying, frustrating and joyful parts of our lives. The sisters may do handwork for the Sprouts program, prepare a meal for an expectant mother, put together a basket of needed items for a local charity or dive into a joyful art project, but most importantly - enjoying one another’s company.

Seasonal Family Festivals

Harvest Dinner (October):

Our Harvest Dinner is the first family festival of the year, bringing all of our Sprouts families together at the farm to enjoy the bounties of the Tangerini's CSA harvest.  This potluck, farm-to-table feast will include dishes made from vegetables harvested from Tangerini's Farm.  Our Harvest Dinner gives us all an opportunity to get to know each other, meet other members of the Sprouts families and break bread together in celebration of our Sprouts community and the harvest.

Lantern Walk (November): 

In early November, we gather for a lantern festival, a quiet festival filled with magic.  It is our seasonal celebration that marks the diminishing light of the season; fall into winter.  We gather with our lanterns as a symbol of how our inner 'lignt' can combine together to create a brighter light to guide us through the dark winter and into the coming year.  

During the weeks prior to the festival we will spend time preparing beautiful lanterns, which are a symbol of the inner light.. The day of the celebration we gather at dusk, enjoy a nourishing meal together in the greenhouse, light our lanterns, and sing songs as we slowly walk to the Sprouts yurt where we will gather around a fire for a special story and warm cider.

Family Campfire (January):

January is the time of the Family Campfire.  Our families gather to celebrate the return of the light and enjoy the gifts of being out in the winter landscape.  Depending on snowfall, families can trek to the Sprouts yurt with sleds, snowshoes or skis, where we will light a fire (the symbol for the inner warmth we have carried with us throughout the winter).  We will roast bread on a stick and enjoy a hand  craft, warm tea and sweet treats.

Earth Day Fest (April):

The Sprouts Earth Day Fest is a celebration of our connection to Mother Earth and spring! An opportunity for Sprouts families and their friends to come together and celebrate Earth Day by working on the farm, building a new 'green' component of the Sprouts program (compost bins, rainbarrel/gutters, etc), bringing clothes and stuffed animals to donate and more. Earth-inspired crafts and games, farm-fresh snacks and great company are the finishing touches of  this eagerly anticipated annual event!  

Mothers' Brunch (May):
Spring is a magical time at Tangerini's farm and in the forest.  The farm is 'waking up' with activity; preparing the beds and the farm, and planting seedlings for another abundant growing season.  As the Fairy Forest, Frog Pond, and Cattail Cove come alive with bird songs, spring peepers and new growth, we celebrate the love, care and support of all the Sprouts' mothers.
All of the special women in the children’s lives: mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and caregivers, are invited to the farm as guests of honor for this celebration. The celebration takes place during program hours on a day prior to, or on, Mother's Day.  The children will create gifts, decorations for the greenhouse and prepare a sweet treat and snacks from the farm.

Our Wishlist:

Check out our Wish List and let us re-use what you don't use!!! 

Our Generous
​Community Supporters!
Thank you for your generous donations and discounts!!
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