Episode Details

As a child, I had the privilege of observing my grandparent’s farming responsibilities, so this week’s conversation with Jen Schwanke is important to me personally and professionally. In it, we discuss a documentary about traditional farming methods, and we draw connections between producing healthy soil and cultivating strong school cultures. 

How might the story of one farm inform our work as education leaders? What are the ecosystems of your school community that make up the important soil or culture of your school?

Listen to the entire episode for takeaways on these questions and more. Here is a summary of this week’s conversation:

This week’s episode draws inspiration from the documentary “The Biggest Little Farm,” which details John and Molly Chester’s efforts to rehabilitate a 200-acre farm named Apricot Lane Farms. Their mentor, Alan York, guided them through numerous challenges, such as wildlife threats and soil rehabilitation, emphasizing that simple solutions are not always easy. The farm now thrives, featuring productive produce sales and popular tours.

In school leadership, we reflect on the complex ecosystem of school communities, including student populations and staff morale. For instance, Dr. Anthony Muhammad’s insights on transforming school culture highlight the need for diverse leadership roles in schools, such as decision-makers and communicators (see his book Transforming School Culture, Solution Tree Press). Cultivating a positive school culture is emphasized, focusing on relationship-building, rigorous learning, and creative outcomes.

Other leadership lessons discussed include the value of commitment to foundational principles, the role of observation and creativity in problem-solving, and managing educational tasks effectively. An example given is Jen’s approach to handling groundhogs with a farm dog, illustrating the cycle of traditional farming. The segment also stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy school culture and filtering out toxic behaviors to foster a conducive learning environment.

Thank you for listening to the entire episode for more reflections, or you can read a more comprehensive explanation in the post below. Thank you again for doing what matters!

Below is a full version of my reflections for more context and references:

By William D. Parker, September 23, 2023

When John and Molly Chester founded Apricot Lane Farms in 2011, in Moorpark, California, they were taking on the daunting task of rehabilitating and redesigning more than 200 acres of land that had been abandoned by previous farming attempts. The soil, which had once boasted orchards, was now dead. An irrigation pond was empty. With the help of an older farmer, Alan York, who became their mentor, they envisioned a traditional-style farm, with a vast variety of fruit trees, and a blend of farm animals including ducks, chickens, pigs, sheep, and cows. 

The task of rehabilitating the soil was their number one job. With the help of an investor and the enthusiasm of a team of like-minded young people interested in traditional farming, they began installing a robust composting system, refilling the irrigation pond, and introducing animals back to the farm.

John Chester, also a filmmaker, captured the story of their journey through the documentary, The Biggest Little Farm, which chronicles the first