betterArts Presents 'Vino & Van Gogh' Adult Painting Class April 14

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betterArts presents the next installment in its adult paint 'n' sip series, "Vino & Van Gogh", from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Better Farm.

Sign Up!

This class will feature a Vincent Van Gogh theme playing on an image of a tree with swirls, texture and movement. Instructor Maria VanPelt (LaFargeville Central School) will guide students from start to completion using acrylics on canvas.

As always, all materials will be provided and students will be able to enjoy bottomless wine and finger foods.

Cost for this class is $30. To sign up, CLICK HERE.

This class will be held in the betterArts Art Barn at Better Farm, 31060 Cottage Hill Road, Redwood, NY, 13679. For further information, email info@betterarts.org or call (315) 482-2536.

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Nicole Caldwell

Nicole Caldwell is a self-taught environmentalist, green-living savant and sustainability educator with more than a decade of professional writing experience. She is also the co-founder of Better Farm and president of betterArts. Nicole’s work has been featured in Mother Earth News, Reader’s Digest, Time Out New York, and many other publications. Her first book, Better: The Everyday Art of Sustainable Living, is due out this July through New Society Publishers.

Extending Your Growing Season: Hoop Houses, Row Covers, and Cold Frames

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Extending Your Growing Season: Hoop Houses, Row Covers, and Cold Frames

Think of hoop houses, row covers, and cold frames as small, unheated greenhouses that can extend growing seasons in either direction; imagine earlier springs and later summers.

(originally published at Fix.comOriginally published at Fix.com by Christine McLaughlin, reprinted here with permission))

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Equine Updates!

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Equine Updates!

It's been a little more than two months since we adopted Riddler and Storm, two beautiful, senior male horses who were starved for a little TLC. Severely underweight and lacking the attention they deserved, the Arabian and Tennessee Walking Horse were welcomed to the Better Farm family and subsequently spoiled absolutely rotten.

Here's the update.

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betterArts Hosts Successful Snow Hike, Craft Beer Tasting At Better Farm

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Photo/Kenny Lavezzi

Photo/Kenny Lavezzi

betterArts volunteers Justin Chirico and Matthew Tardif last weekend led a group of outdoor enthusiasts on a hike around the Better Farm property beforeand adjacent Indian River Lakes Conservancy preserve. The hike was followed by a craft beer tasting, discussion of the art of brewing beer, and great company.

Many thanks to all who came out! Here are photos from the day.

To find out about our upcoming events, click here.

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Nicole Caldwell

Nicole Caldwell is a self-taught environmentalist, green-living savant and sustainability educator with more than a decade of professional writing experience. She is also the co-founder of Better Farm and president of betterArts. Nicole’s work has been featured in Mother Earth News, Reader’s Digest, Time Out New York, and many other publications. Her first book, Better: The Everyday Art of Sustainable Living, is due out this July through New Society Publishers.

betterArts Offers Adult Crafts Night March 24

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Students will make four magnets and a collage on canvas at the March 24 class.

Students will make four magnets and a collage on canvas at the March 24 class.

An extension of betterArts' popular Paint 'n' Sip series, an adult crafts night from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, March 24, will feature two projects, finger foods, bottomless wine, and great company.

Instructor Maria VanPelt (LaFargeville Central School) will guide students through the creation of four magnets (see above photo), as well as a Mod Podge canvas utilizing collage:

All funds raised through betterArts workshops go directly toward arts and cultural outreach in the North Country. Class size is limited to 20 students. Cost is $30.

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Email info@betterarts.org with any questions.

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, ,

Nicole Caldwell

Nicole Caldwell is a self-taught environmentalist, green-living savant and sustainability educator with more than a decade of professional writing experience. She is also the co-founder of Better Farm and president of betterArts. Nicole’s work has been featured in Mother Earth News, Reader’s Digest, Time Out New York, and many other publications. Her first book, Better: The Everyday Art of Sustainable Living, is due out this July through New Society Publishers.

In Praise of (Wo)Manpower

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One of the elements of sustainability and permaculture is the synthesis of tasks and the mutual benefit of action. This is how decomposition meets growth; flowers provide pest control while veggies give nourishment; and stewardship provides overall health.

In our human quest to make things ever more efficient, we've skimped on sustainability. We've replaced much of our livestock with machines, trading for example horse and plow with tractor and attachments. But the tractor doesn't give manure to the ground, and does zero to maintain soil fertility. Farm animals, living in harmony with plants, feed each other.

We use gas-powered motors to trim back hedges, mow down grass and hay a field. In the process, we reduce our own physical fitness, deny nourishment to the dirt and utilize an ever-depleted natural resource.

But what if we didn't?

Check out the insane video above of the sheer power of human. Then go ahead and sharpen your scythe, cancel your gym membership, and get moving.

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Nicole Caldwell

Nicole Caldwell is a self-taught environmentalist, green-living savant and sustainability educator with more than a decade of professional writing experience. She is also the co-founder of Better Farm and president of betterArts. Nicole’s work has been featured in Mother Earth News, Reader’s Digest, Time Out New York, and many other publications. Her first book, Better: The Everyday Art of Sustainable Living, is due out this July through New Society Publishers.

Backed By Popular Demand, betterArts 'Vino & Van Gogh' Workshops Become Monthly Series

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After hosting two completely sold-out adult evening workshops, betterArts is turning its "Vino & Van Gogh" adult paint 'n' sip workshops into an ongoing monthy series.

In each class, students will be led step-by-step through the completion of a craft, painting, or other art form. As in other adult classes, finger foods and bottomless glasses of wine are made available for all attendees (non-alcoholic beverages also available!).

Upcoming Dates:

March 24, 7-9 p.m. Crafts 'n' Cocktails

An extension of betterArts' popular Paint 'n' Sip series, this workshop will feature a craft accompanied by bottomless wine and snacks. Specific crafts project to be determined! All funds raised through betterArts workshops go directly toward arts and cultural outreach in the North Country. Specific craft TBD, Instructor Maria VanPelt * CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

April 14, 7-9 p.m.: Vino & Van Gogh

A step-by-step painting class teaching technique, color and brush strokes... and featuring bottomless glasses of wine and snacks! Specific painting project TBD. All funds raised through betterArts workshops go directly toward supporting arts and cultural outreach in the North Country. Thank you for supporting this important cause! Instructor Maria VanPelt * CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

For a complete listing of upcoming events, click here.

/ / Comment
, ,

Nicole Caldwell

Nicole Caldwell is a self-taught environmentalist, green-living savant and sustainability educator with more than a decade of professional writing experience. She is also the co-founder of Better Farm and president of betterArts. Nicole’s work has been featured in Mother Earth News, Reader’s Digest, Time Out New York, and many other publications. Her first book, Better: The Everyday Art of Sustainable Living, is due out this July through New Society Publishers.