Alumni Field Program
The Black Freedmen’s Living Historical Farm for Children
Furman, Wilcox County, Alabama
October 16-19, 2008
Center for Whole Communities and CWC alumna Euneika Rogers enthusiastically invite you to participate in a unique gathering for Whole Communities alumni. In celebration of our 5th anniversary, we are beginning to offer a field program to see whole communities work in action and to honor the exceptional work of our alumni. Through this program, we hope to deepen our collective understanding of history, land, people and community.
During our time in Wilcox County with the Black Freedmen’s Living Historical Farm for Children we aspire to fully arrive here, to taste and learn from this place, strengthen community, and be of service. On this field trip, we will:
- Practice the tools of Whole Thinking: Grounding in place, community, contemplation, creativity, dialogue, silence, and story.
- Explore the rich history of the Black Freedmen’s Farm and Wilcox County - journeying together through the past, present and potential of the poorest county in the United States.
- Participate in daily “Wisdom of the Elders” sessions led by the farm’s founder, Ms. Ellen Byrd. The stories will help us re- examine historical conditions—and understand sense of place and community in Furman today.
- Reflect on the application of Whole Communities work in this setting and our home communities.
- Share skills and wisdom - both with each other and the larger Wilcox County community.
CWC faculty member Steven Glazer and alumnus Euneika Rogers will co-facilitate the field trip. Steve will also weave into the retreat his work with Questing— a process for learning and sharing the stories in the land—as we co-create a Quest for the Black Freedmen’s Living Historical Farm.
The cost of the trip is $670 plus travel. We have a limited number of scholarships available and limited space for children to join. Please contact Libby McDonald to sign up, for more information, or to inquire about scholarships or bringing kids.
Email: libby@wholecommunities.org, Phone: (802) 496-5690