2022 Recap

This has been a busy year at Blue Rock Station.  Almost 400 visitors including students from Kenya, Uganda, Vietnam, China and across the US walked down the lane. There were four summer interns and lots of volunteers putting their own mark here through their hard work.

Goat Stock was marvelous with Naomi Schalle (intern 2016) providing the final clue to find the antique treasure chest. Skipping rope, wearing silly hats for the photo booth, and the ever-popular Tie dye station helped to cap off two July days that seemed to leave everyone a little happier for the rest of the year because of the connections they made.

The Warmke Farm Advisory Board met during July’s Goat Stock event to advise in several areas. Their recommendations included hiring a part time assistant (an assistant was taken on in September for one day per week), and pursuit of the non-profit status. A short discussion was held with attorney Tim Kelly, who is a real estate investment attorney and the plan is to meet with him in early 2023 to begin the process of obtaining a 501 (c) (3) tax status.

Eduardo Sandoval (intern 2016) put in some long hard hours over several weekends installing electricity in various locations around the farm. Many thanks for the expertise and contribution.

The food forest project (re-claimed pasture, high tunnel and main forest) has benefited from persistent care and the award of a grant from the Ohio University Voinovich Center.  Everything is mulched and ready for spring as well. Many thanks to Chad Cully for his contributions and mentoring.

Anna Haught (intern 2022) has joined the Farm Advisory Board. Eduardo Sandavol (intern 2016) has expressed interest in participating.

In November a Rural Victorian house was purchased within walking distance of downtown Marietta Ohio with the goal to move the solar installer education portion of Blue Rock Station to an area where broadband is reliable. The space provides a classroom for 16 students, offices and sleeping quarters. Jay is spending four days per week at this location. The solar installer certification labs and testing will take place here with hands-on labs and solar installer certification testing scheduled in 2023 for Oberlin College, the University of Dayton, and Hiram College.

The Yule party was great fun with a house full of former interns and students exchanging white elephant gifts, and playing cut-throat charades. Too much great food was had by all.  Even Amy Davis, Noah Brown and Amy’s fella (Rob) managed to make it all the way from her teeny tiny house in the Blue Rock Road holler (yes, there are finally some great neighbors).