Participants will receive step-by-step instructions to paint their own original piece of art. No art experience is necessary and all materials are provided.
Cost to attend is $35.

Attendees should bring a sack lunch and beverage along with a sweater or jacket, if the weather is cool.

“Spending time in the beautiful Century Barn relaxing and creating, while listening to the peaceful sounds of nature all around is a great way to experience Crown Point.” said Nancy Wolf, executive director.

Hillary Ash, a third generation interior designer, holds a B.A. in Interior Design from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She has studied faux finishing and has worked in the field locally as a specialty painter. She grew up in Bath, and is happy to be back in town raising a family. As owner of Colorful Canvas, she is excited to be sharing the experience of creating art with others.
To register, email ellen@crownpt.org or call 330-668-8992.

Crown Point Ecology Center is green space that matters – a biologically diverse living laboratory that serves to demonstrate practical applications of ecology. The 115-acre Crown Point farmland in Bath, Ohio is a regional model for sustainable agriculture and environmental education. We believe that ecological land stewardship encourages structural and social change through local food production, positive impacts on the environment, health of our citizens, and local economic development. Visit Crown Point at crownpt.org.
# # #

The post Crown Point to Host Colorful Canvas Painting Class on Saturday, May 31 appeared first on Crown Point Ecology Center.

The post Plant List for the 2014 Annual Organic Plant Sale Now Available! appeared first on Crown Point Ecology Center.

There will be plants galore – some 16,000 potted garden plants in all — for every backyard farmer and gardener. The sale will feature more than 250 varieties of organic vegetables, herbs and perennial flowers, highlighted by Slow Food USA Ark of Taste heirloom varieties, all grown at Crown Point’s certified organic farm.

“This year, for the first time, we will be offering a common variety of mint, sweet potato slips, a greater quantity and selection of seed potatoes and new varieties of tomatoes,” said Farm Manager Amy Cook.

In addition to the plants, food vendors will be selling breakfast items (Saturday morning only), and garden supply vendors will be showcasing their wares including decorative benches, pots and the like during the entire weekend. At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Lynn Gregor, Crown Point’s education coordinator, will present a container gardening demonstration.

The pre-sale opportunity for Crown Point Ecology Center members is Friday evening, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. Those interested in becoming members may join prior to or on-site on that evening. For membership information, visit crownpt.org.

All proceeds from the sale benefit Crown Point Ecology Center and support its principles of sustainability, community, spirituality and justice. For more information, visit crownpt.org or call 330-668-8992.

Crown Point Ecology Center is green space that matters – a biologically diverse living laboratory that serves to demonstrate practical applications of ecology. The 115-acre Crown Point farmland in Bath, Ohio is a regional model for sustainable agriculture and environmental education. We believe that ecological land stewardship encourages structural and social change through local food production, positive impacts on the environment, health of our citizens, and local economic development. Visit Crown Point at crownpt.org.
# # #

The post Annual Organic Plant Sale at Crown Point is May 17-18 appeared first on Crown Point Ecology Center.

BATH, OHIO – April 12, 2014 – Nancy Wolf has been selected by Crown Point’s Board of Directors as its new executive director.

Wolf brings to the 115-acre ecology center and certified organic farm in Bath, Ohio, an array of management, marketing, computer and administrative skills honed by leadership roles in non-profit and for profit organizations around the country.

“As Crown Point celebrates its 25^th year in the Akron area, the board is excited to welcome Nancy to the organization and is confident that her unique experience in both not-for-profit and business leadership will continue to build on Crown Point’s role as a leader in ecological stewardship and agricultural sustainability,” said Joe Palko, board chair.

Most recently Wolf was the resort manager of Orr Hot Springs Resort in Ukiah, CA.  Prior to living in California, Wolf spent many years living and working in the Akron Area in several not-for-profit leadership positions, including serving as executive director of the Good Samaritan Hunger Center from 2000 to 2005 and general manager of the Akron Cooperative Market in the late 1990s.

“I look to expand the reach of Crown Point by sharing the story of this ‘gem’ with the greater Akron community,” said Nancy Wolf, executive director.  “Crown Point’s staff, board and dedicated volunteers are doing a great job of sharing the vision of Crown Point as a place that draws the community out into the country and back to the land.  It’s a place where people can come to reconnect with their spirituality, share in our yield of organic, locally grown food, and experience how Crown Point is a living example of respect for the land and doing no harm.”

In addition to her work experience, Wolf has been an active volunteer in the communities in which she has lived, with volunteer experience ranging from gardening to singing to firefighting. She most recently served as a member of the Art in the Square/Porch Rokr Festival Steering Committee in 2013 and has volunteered for various local agencies include WKSU, the Akron Civic Theater and the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop.   She is also a member of the Akron Symphony Chorus and participated in the Gospel Meets Symphony program in 2013.

Wolf takes the reins at Crown Point as this season’s Community Supported Agriculture Program gets underway.  In the next few months, Crown Point will sponsor its 10^th Annual Organic Plant Sale (May 17-18); host Beatles in the Barn, featuring songstress Helen Welch (June 7); open the doors to Summer Farm and Science Camp (June-August); and set the table for Taste of Earth, Crown Point’s annual fund-raiser (Aug. 16).

Wolf, born in Montana, was raised in Minnesota and Ohio.  A graduate of Kent State University, she resides in the Highland Square area of Akron with her two dogs Sita and Satchi. She welcomes the opportunity for in-depth interviews and can be reached at 330-668-8992 or via email at nancy@crownpt.org.

Crown Point Ecology Center, celebrating its 25^th Anniversary in 2014, is green space that matters – a biologically diverse living laboratory that serves to demonstrate practical applications of ecology.  The 115-acre Crown Point farmland in Bath, Ohio is a regional model for sustainable agriculture and environmental education.  We believe that ecological land stewardship encourages structural and social change through local food production, positive impacts on the environment, health of our citizens, and local economic development. Visit Crown Point at crownpt.org.

# # #

The post Crown Point Ecology Center Welcomes New Executive Director appeared first on Crown Point Ecology Center.

CROWN POINT ECOLOGY CENTER HOSTING WEEK-LONG DAY CAMPS
Explore, Discover, Engage as a Crown Point Science Investigator

BATH, OH – March 7, 2014, 2014 – Crown Point Ecology Center is hosting its eighth summer of farm, science and ecology camp, Lessons from the Land 2014.  There are six sessions of camp available, beginning the week of June 23 through the week of Aug. 4, with a limited camp schedule the week of June 30 and no camp the week of July 21.  Week-long camps are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for children ages 6 to 11 years old.  Cost is $195 per camper with multiple sibling discounts available as well as scholarships based on need.      

Crown Point’s 115-acre ecology center and farm will be both classroom and playground as campers explore and celebrate the life of a farmer and follow their food from the field to the plate! This unique summer camp engages children in growing vegetables, preparing and eating fresh food and understanding the cycles of nature.  In addition, campers get to see first-hand, how a working organic farm and community supported agriculture program operates.   Held in a historic century barn, children will also learn about how to take care of chickens, study bees at our bee hives and create their very own farmer’s market to share fresh produce with their families. 

            “We will investigate ‘who’s eating whom’ in our children’s garden and explore farm fields and forest, barns and gardens,” said Lynn Gregor, Crown Point’s Education Coordinator. “We will provide the opportunity for investigation and unlimited discovery as our campers learn the natural cycles of plants, animals and people on a farm.”

Among the planned activities, campers will harvest and prepare food for daily snacks, play team-building games and make crafts, set-up and run a children’s farm market and even discover the wonders of a beehive through a curriculum rooted in ecology, art, math, music and language arts.

For more information or to register, visit crownpt.org or call 330-668-8992.

Pre-register today.  Camp pre-registration form.

The post Crown Point Ecology Center Hosts Week-long Day Camps appeared first on Crown Point Ecology Center.

This year is the 25^th Anniversary Year for Crown Point Ecology Center, the 115-acre farm whose descriptive name has become synonymous with its mission of community, social justice, sustainable land use, public engagement and spirituality.

Crown Point connects people with the land by growing local, healthy and certified organic food; by emphasizing sustainable land use and environmental preservation; by committed efforts in food policy research and healthy food accessibility; and by educating people of all ages and walks of life about ecologically responsible use of the land.  Crown Point is one of the founded ministries of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

Among Crown Point’s tangible, outreach impacts is its annual donation of healthy organic vegetables to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, the Good Samaritan Hunger Center, and other grassroots hunger relief efforts.  Crown Point’s donation is the largest source of locally grown, certified organic produce for the hungry in an eight county area. In 2013, this donation exceeded 14,000 pounds – a value of $30,000.

In addition, last year Crown Point donated around 2,000 plants to more than a dozen community gardens, Harvest for Hunger plots and school gardens.The Center provided learning opportunities for more than 130 children through its Summer Farm & Science Camp.  Many of these children were from inner city neighborhoods and, thus, were able to attend through full or partial scholarship support.  Also, for more than a decade, Crown Point has served as a regional training center for organic farming apprentices who wish to acquire the skills necessary to independently farm a small-scale vegetable operation.

Crown Point continues to play a leadership role with the Summit County Food Policy Coalition which provides an association for organizations and individuals to engage in the local food movement.

“As a Member of Crown Point, you will be part of a special group of people who believe passionately in Crown Point’s values of sustainability, community, spirituality and justice,” said Jim Strang, development coordinator. “Ultimately, members have the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a real and lasting difference in the social and environmental health of our region.”

Annual membership in Crown Point not only supports its mission and legacy but provides many other benefits, including:

● Eligibility to join the Community Supported Agriculture program, (space permitting);

● A special one-day-early admittance to the annual Organic Plant Sale;

● Discounts to programs/events (depending on membership level);

Membership levels are available at a variety of ranges, starting at $50 per calendar year. To become a member, go to http://crownpt.org/membership.asp for complete details.

Crown Point Ecology Center is green space that matters and that deserves to be fostered and supported!

To learn more about Crown Point and its unique place in our world and/or to make a tax-deductible donation to support its mission, check out the website at http://crownpt.org, contact Jim Strang, development coordinator, at 330-668-8992 or jstrang@crownpt.org or drive up the driveway and become part of Bath’s Crown Point.

Crown Point Ecology Center is green space that matters – a biologically diverse living laboratory that serves to demonstrate practical applications of ecology.  The 115-acre Crown Point property in Bath, Ohio is a regional model for sustainable agriculture and environmental education.  We believe that ecological land stewardship encourages structural and social change through local food production, positive impacts on the environment, health of our citizens, and local economic development. 

Visit Crown Point at crownpt.org.

The post Crown Point Celebrates 25th Anniversary Year appeared first on Crown Point Ecology Center.