Interacting With Nature
With work spaces spread across the property and acres of space to wander, the opportunity for outdoor interaction at SPACE is widely available and encouraged.
In addition to the plants that are intentionally farmed, Ryder Farm is home to myriad species of plants ranging from the medicinal through the delicious to the toxic. Take a moment to review the info sheet in your room and the apothecary in Kay Hall to familiarize yourself with some standouts:
Both poison ivy and poison oak can be found throughout the property. Please use caution when interacting with plants that look unfamiliar to you, especially along our walking trails or in less-landscaped areas onsite. If you suspect you have come into contact with poison oak or poison ivy, please alert a team member right away and they will help you administer treatment.
The lawn is heavily populated with wild plantain. If the need arises, plantain leaf plucked straight from the lawn and crushed can soothe an itchy mosquito bite or an accidental brush with poison ivy or oak.
The Nuptial Garden features a plethora of cultivated medicinal plants with a concentration of comfrey—an excellent remedy for minor cuts and scrapes.
SPACE’s Apothecary is located on the main floor of Kay Hall below the snack shelves in the kitchen area. It has been curated with plant-based remedies to support your residency. They are mainly sourced through active cultivation on the Farm or from items foraged on the property. There are instructions on suggested uses for each, as well as lists of contraindications detailing conditions with potential negative interactions. If you have interest or questions about the Apothecary, Executive Director Kelly Burdick is available.
Ticks are an unfortunate seasonal reality throughout much of the Northeast, and you may encounter them during your time on the farm. Ticks are likely not to spread disease if they are caught within 36 to 48 hours of attaching themselves to you. To avoid risk, protect yourself daily with tick repellant when spending time outside for an extended period of time. Wear appropriate clothing that covers your arms and legs entirely when spending time in wooded areas or fields.
There are full-length mirrors in both resident bathrooms. We strongly recommend checking your body each night for any tick stowaways (we will go over this procedure during your farm tour). Tick repellant, tick-removal keys, and info sheets will be provided upon arrival, and SPACE teams available should you have questions or concerns during your stay.
Legacy Projects
Since our founding, SPACE team members, residents, and volunteers have participated in restoring and enlivening Ryder Farm’s structures and landscape. Creating the environment that we get to enjoy represents the work of many hands over many years. In this spirit, we ask that you consider giving some of your time in residence to leaving something behind for future residents. We have outlined below some of these optional ways to participate. There will be more detail on the specific options when you arrive in residence.
Sample resident legacy projects include:
Farming: Work with Farm Manager Adam Mahon on generating produce for future residents (harvesting and washing vegetables, weeding, or seeding)
Flowers: help to harvest, tend, or arrange flowers for members of your own cohort or future cohorts
Apothecary: assist in the preparation of plant medicine for use by staff and future residents