A Day At Sticks & Stones Farm

By Kendra Bobowick

Tim Currier walked a familiar path along the Pootatuck River where he pointed to the clear water below, and a secluded place to sit up ahead.

Beneath the shade of a tree canopy in a clearing was a labyrinth approximately 42 feet across where narrow footpaths wound in an 11-circuit loop toward a center circle large enough for two benches.

“It has no dead-ends like a maze,” said Mr Currier. Walking quietly through the labyrinth, he said to guests to his Sticks and Stones Farm on Huntingtown Road, “can be meditative and free of decisions.” He and Annie Stiefel welcomed more than 200 people to their 60-plus-acre farm on June 4. Available to guests were various teachers who work with participants at a host of activities at the farm throughout the summer.

Justin Pegnataro stood near his table filled with pictures and samples of items found in the forest. He teaches wilderness skills, animal tracking and identification of edible plants. Beside his otter pelt was a picture of a group of boys covered in soil and leaves. “That’s a picture of nature immersion,” he said. As other activities find members immersed in their work, so do his students as they learn to camouflage themselves, for example.

Inside the barn Maz Diaz and his mother Beth Houghtaling were offering a taste of Kombucha tea, reputed to help with skin, digestion, etc.

Guests could follow along that day on a nature hike, wind through the labyrinth, take a garden tour, or enjoy cooking demonstrations, yoga, art, music, and more. Mr Currier said, “I am just enjoying it. I like seeing it all happen.” His hope is that the farm will eventually be 100 percent self-sustaining in order to “make the commitment that we’ll keep doing what we do.” He intends to see the farm “keep going even if I am not here.” Considering the trails, native gardens, moss-covered stones, sculptures, ponds, streams, and retreats in make-shift cabins on the property, Mr Currier added, “I think people are primed for it; there is a good consciousness developing and we’re part of it.”

Both he and Ms Stiefel are looking forward to this summer’s camps and activities.

Drawing sudden attention was Cynthia Quintanal, who gently beat a buffalo drum signaling the start of the day’s nature walk. Trailing behind to dip their feet in the pond were Mike and Karen Stutman with children Anna, Ryan, and Danny.

As the day’s activities ended, guest Mikki Davis said to Ms Stiefel, “This is such a happy piece of land.” Smiling, Ms Stiefel answered, “This place just draws great people.”

“It feels really good here,” Ms Davis said.

Learn more at SticksAndStonesFarm.com.