This issue of the Merry Leaflet introduces a transition in Pre-K to 12 curriculum from the Farmcraft program to a new experience entitled, Exploring the Merry Lea Sustainable Farm. Staff changes are underway as well, including saying goodbye to Lisa Zinn, who served in many roles for 13 years. In pages 4-6, readers can visit a volunteer training and meet some of our volunteers.
News & Updates
Winter 2016
Merry Lea employees participate in a variety of professional organizations and conferences to keep current. Read about their recent travels, including a foray to the Bahamas to work out an intercultural experience for students in the Master's in Environmental Education program. Feature stories on Ryan Minter, Julie Davidson and Rick Bonar round out the issue. These are three of our dedicated volunteers.
“Fun Friday” Focuses on Beekeeping
Students in Merry Lea’s Sustainability Leadership Semester have a chunk of their Fridays devoted to learning hands-on, practical skills. On September 18, the group learned about beekeeping from Dr. Andy Ammons, a biology professor at Goshen College who teaches entomology.
Undergrads Explore Elkhart River Watershed
Students in the Sustainability Leadership Semester currently underway at Merry Lea spent eight days canoeing from Noble County to Lake Michigan the second week of September.
Autumn 2015
Where do Merry Lea's Master's in Environmental Education graduates go after they leave us and what do they do? A Merry Lea education can serve you well in many different locations. Also read about the summer of lightning strikes.
Hess Family Holds Committal Service at Merry Lea
Dr. Dale Hess’ cremains were interred in an orchard he planted and tended at Merry Lea’s Rieth Village, April 27, 2015. The ceremony included a communion service using grape juice from grapes Hess had grown.
MAEE Program Graduates Eight
The eight students currently in Merry Lea’s Master’s of Environmental Education program had front row seats during Goshen College’s 2015 commencement April 26. The students will continue at Merry Lea until May 29 when they will have completed their research projects and practicum teaching assignments.
Birders Visit Muscatatuck
Did you know you can see fish crows and Neotropic cormorants at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis? Merry Lea’s Midwest Birding Expedition, led by volunteer Paul McAfee and staff member Lisa Zinn made a stop there during the April 2015 trip and at least saw the fish crows.
Passing of Dale Hess
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Dale Hess who directed the Summer Agroecology Intensive (ASI) here at Merry Lea. Dale died at home with his family, 4 a.m. Sunday, March 1 after a struggle with cancer.
Spring 2015
This Merry Leaflet examines the ways in which sustainability education permeates Merry Lea's offerings. It also features the last of three sets of "Day in the Life" stories by staff members. Lisa Myers, Janie Beck Kreider, Jonathon Schramm and Bill Minter tell about their work.
