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Generous donations have enabled the FARM to provide an ongoing scholarship for a local harp student to receive lessons. We are honored to support students in our community.

We are very pleased with the support and enthusiasm of musician and harp teacher, Laura Porter, who will be working with us on this project. In her busy life she finds time for a number of students, as well as being the harpist in residence with the Fresno Philharmonic. After observing her in her work with her students, we see that Laura can be an inspiration to us all. She employs interesting educational methods, including, but not limited to teaching multiple accomplished students at the same time, to foster collaboration and synergy of learning.

One of her students, local prodigy Sage Po is well on her way to a career as a harpist. Current student and recipient of the FARM scholarship, Sara Neff has great interest and potential. We look forward to working with Laura and Sara in their ongoing musical achievements.

The FARM is pleased to be able to donate funds to the Tsi Akim Maidu tribe to support their Maidu language classes at NCTV studios in Nevada City. A check was presented to Don Ryberg, Chairman of the Tsi-Akim Maidu tribe during the Earth Day, 2009 celebration at Loma Rica Ranch in Grass Valley. Above, left to right: Richard Fournier, FARM board member, Lou Meyer, president and chairman Don Ryberg.

While scholars may debate whether this effort comes under the category of linguistics, anthropology or sociology, the Maidu people are strong and are working on their own to preserve their native tongue which is threatened with extinction, as is the Maidu culture should it not be passed on to younger generations. The FARM considers it an honor to facilitate support of the Maidu people in their efforts to maintain the viability of their culture and language.

FARM board president Lou Meyer (middle row, center) with fellow members of the Sierra College Energy Technology Industry Committee, including newly appointed dean of the Nevada County campus, Stephanie Ortiz (front row, second from right). The committee has been designing the first Solar Energy Technician classes for its Energy Technology program for the past year. Introduction to Photovoltaics will be the first course in the Energy Technology program. Classes start the week of August 31, 2009. Jonny Hill (center row, left), owner of Sierra Solar Systems in Grass Valley, will be one of the first instructors of the program. See our links page for more information.

The FARM co-sponsored Whatcha Gonna Drive?, 2008 with APPLE and Power-Up Nevada County at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. Speakers, literature and a parking lot full of alternative-fuel vehicles were part of this well-attended event.

The FARM sponsored and implemented the celebration of the planet on Earth Day for the second year in 2009, with veteran organizer Beth Moore. Congratulations to the Nevada Union students who made this year's Earth Day their senior project... And thank you to Joseph Cornell, author of Sharing Nature With Children (the theme for 2009) for participating in this successful event. Above, left to right: FARM board treasurer, Gail Woodman, president, Lou Meyer and secretary, Terri Hicklin.

In the summer of 2008The FARM sponsored and established the first youth stage at the Grass Valley Farmers' Market, in partnership with A Drug-free Nevada County, Neo and Friday Night Live.

The FARM has sponsored and participated in Ridgestock for the past two years. Ridgestock is a sustainability expo held every summer on the San Juan Ridge at the North Columbia Schoolhouse.

If you would like to support us in our efforts, a tax-deductible donation can be sent to us at: