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Farmer Wellness Sampler

• Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Gather with fellow farmers, earth-workers and growers from across the Fingerlakes to make new connections, invest in self-care, and expand your toolkit of wellness practices before launching into the growing season. The Farmer Wellness Sampler will take place at the Foundation of Light in Ithaca, NY on Tuesday, April 29th from 5 to 7:30pm. Our facilitation team of farmers and earth-workers will lead sessions featuring Qigong longevity exercises, instrumental sound healing, co-creating with cut flowers and Kripalu-style yoga. This free event is hosted by Growing Together, a project of the Cornell Small Farms Program, CCE Tompkins County, and Tompkins Food Future. Space is limited.

Schedule
5:00 pm – 5:15 pm Arrival & Hearty Refreshments by Danby Food and Drink
5:15 pm – 5:30 pm Welcome, Opening
5:30 pm – 6:15 pm Choose a Wellness Session

Session 1a: 16 Longevity Exercises

These exercises have been used as a traditional method of rehabilitation and sports therapy; they are easy to learn and easy to practice. The 45 minute set combines breathing techniques, gentle stances, and coordinated movements to improve range of motion, flexibility, balance and circulation; every joint of the body is mobilized over the course of the set. The exercises can be practiced seated if standing is not possible. The reputed Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Wang Jiwu, created this series of exercises in the 1930s to serve as a front-line therapy at his busy clinic in Beijing. Distilled from the centuries old method of Xingyi Quan (“form mind boxing”), the Longevity Exercises artfully combine physical movement with intention to stretch and “clean” all the joints of the body while balancing the energetic system. Facilitator: Connor Youngerman, Cornell Small Farms Program

Session 1b: Sound Healing

Participants are welcome to rest, sit or dance in whatever way you’re moved during this unique sound healing session with drums, flutes, stringed instruments, gongs and singing bowls. Damon and friends bring an improvisational approach to sound healing, tuning in to the energy of the music and the room to guide the musical sounds and vibrations. Facilitators: Damon Brangman, Scott Pardee and friends

6:15 pm – 6:30 pm Transition Time | Fellowship

6:30 pm – 7:15 pm Choose a Wellness Session

Session 2a: Yoga: Root Down, Rise Up

This Kripalu-style yoga session is all about connecting with the energy of the Earth, rooting down and rising up. We’ll start with some breathwork, then some gentle exercises to warm the body and flow into a series of postures designed to exercise and invigorate the entire body before settling into a restful savasana. You’ll leave feeling centered and prepared to engage with your own Earth work with renewed joy and vigor. Facilitator: Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Session 2b: Co-creating with Cut Flowers

Those of us who sell cut flowers are skilled in quickly and efficiently constructing dazzling bouquets. But as we scramble to fill orders and make sales, we can sometimes overlook the beauty and magnificence of our flower companions. In this session, we’ll start by simply slowing down and becoming present. We’ll bring our awareness to the beauty and energy of the cut flowers around us, taking time to really notice and appreciate their offerings. Then, we will create bouquets with the flowers that speak most to us, focusing on creativity rather than technique. Bring a bouquet home, and offer a second one as a gift to another participant in the closing circle. Facilitator: Violet Stone, Cornell Small Farms Program

7:15pm – 7:30pm Closing Circle 

Fee

Free

Register

https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2025/04/spring-farmer-wellness-sampler/

Location

Foundation of Light
391 Turkey Hill Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850

Last updated April 10, 2025