07 Jan 2025
Uncategorized Leonore Salvado 0 comment

The Aeolian Pipe Organ Program

Program for The Aeolian Pipe Organ: An Evening of Education and Entertainment

Welcome to Greenacres

Grand chœur dialogué
Eugène Gigout
(1844–1925)

 

Peer Gynt Suite:
I. Morning Mood
IV. In the Hall of the Mountain King
Edvard Grieg
(1843–1907)
mvt. 1 arr. Edwin Lemare
mvt. 4 arr. Christopher Holman

 

Berceuse, Op. 31, No. 19
Louis Vierne
(1870–1937)

 

Suite from Carmen
Georges Bizet
(1838–1875)
arr. Edwin Lemare

 

The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals
Camille Saint-Saëns
(1835–1921)
arr. Alexandre Guilmant

 

The Battle of Trenton
I. Introduction
II. Washington’s March
III. Crossing the Delaware
IV. Trumpets Sound the Charge — Attack
V. The Hessians Surrender
VI. Articles of Confederation Signed
VII. Grief of the Americans
VIII. Yankee Doodle — Quick Step for the Band
IX. Trumpets of Victory — General Rejoicing
James Hewitt
(1770–1827)
Bio of Christopher Holman
Christopher Holman has performed worldwide as a conductor, organist, and chamber musician, and is a scholar of music history and performance practice. Christopher holds the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Music from the University of Oxford in England, where he was Lecturer of Organ History at the University’s Betts Centre for Organ Studies, Tutor of counterpoint and fugue at New College, and directed the Choir of Exeter College, the first American to direct a major collegiate choir in the University’s nearly 1000-year history. Previously he was a Frank Huntington Beebe Fellow at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland. During his five years in Europe, Christopher performed extensively in over a dozen countries on many of the most significant historic organs in the world. He presently serves as Director of Music at St. Gertrude Church (Roman Catholic, Dominican Order) in Madeira, Cincinnati.

 

Since winning the Albert Schweitzer Competition, Christopher has conducted and presented organ concerts in esteemed venues such as St Paul’s and Westminster Cathedrals in London, Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany (Bach and Mendelssohn’s church), and the two oldest organs in the world in Valère, Switzerland and Rysum, Germany. He has been a featured solo guest artist at the London Handel Festival, the Bergen International Organ Festival in Norway, the Festival Internacional de Órgano y Música Antigua in Oaxaca, Mexico, and the Boulder Bach Festival in Colorado. His performances have been featured on BBC Radio 3, German national television, and Swiss National Radio and Television, and he has curated and directed artistic projects in collaboration with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Shakespearian actors from London’s West End, and numerous museums of historical instruments across Europe.

 

As an academic, Christopher has given lectures at the University of Oxford, Université Sorbonne in Paris, the Eastman School of Music, Trinity College Dublin, and multiple national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Royal Musical Association (UK). He has presented and performed at foremost international conferences, and his research on performance practice has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals of musicology. He also founded and was Editor of the online journal Vox Humana. Christopher’s primary organ teachers were Robert Bates at the University of Houston and Dana Robinson at the University of Illinois.
04 Dec 2024
Featured, News Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Around Greenacres – Fall 2024

Around Greenacres - Fall 2024

Equine Education: Math in Motion

This fall marks an exciting milestone for the Equine department—our first year offering equine education day programs. Tailored for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students, these hands-on field trips bring math to life through engaging, horse-centered activities.

Each field trip includes a stall tour, giving students an up-close experience with our horses and ponies. By integrating mathematical concepts into equine activities, we make learning fun and interactive, showing students that math truly is all around us.

6th Grade: Polygons and Ratios

On October 1st, we hosted our first 6th-grade field trip focused on polygons. Students measured areas in dressage arenas, stacked hay bale cubes, and painted polygons directly onto horses—a clear favorite activity. Later in the month, students explored ratios by comparing horses to ponies, calculating feed quantities based on body weight, and determining movement rates as they compared speeds across different gaits.

8th Grade: Pythagorean Theorem

Our 8th-grade program debuted with activities highlighting the Pythagorean theorem. Students measured horse conformation points, calculated 2D and 3D jump measurements, and determined jump-field distances to see the theorem in action.

We’ve had a wonderful time blending math and equine education and are already brainstorming more creative activities for next year. Sharing the joy of learning math through the world of horses has been an incredible experience.

Tracking Our Secretive Neighbors

Did you know that each eastern box turtle has a unique shell pattern, much like a fingerprint? This fascinating feature is the cornerstone of Greenacres’ Box Turtle Tracking Program, which has been helping us better understand the behavior and range of our resident turtles since 2019.

The program relies entirely on chance encounters by Greenacres employees. When a box turtle is spotted, the employee photographs the carapace and plastron (the top and bottom shell) and records the turtle’s GPS location. This data, or “capture,” is added to a database where the shell patterns are compared to determine if the turtle has been previously documented. If a match is found, the turtle is considered a “recapture,” and its new GPS location is added to track its movements.

As of the end of the 2024 season, the program has documented 140 unique turtles across all Greenacres sites, with 25 recaptures. Impressively, 29 employees from departments such as Education, Research, Livestock, and Buildings and Grounds have contributed to this project, showcasing the cross-departmental collaboration that Greenacres values.

The program has also inspired a hands-on curriculum for students. Activities like “Bowl Turtle Tracking” give students a chance to simulate the tracking process. They design and hide their own “bowl turtles,” recording captures and recaptures and even mapping their movements during extended activities like summer camps.

Tracking eastern box turtles has been a rewarding journey for employees and students alike, offering unique insights into the lives of these elusive creatures. By combining conservation and education, the program has deepened our connection to the land and its hidden inhabitants while fostering a sense of stewardship in all who participate.

Dung Beetles: Vital Allies in Soil and Livestock Health

At Greenacres, we’re all about soil health, and using livestock is a great way to improve soil fertility. But livestock have a little helper that assists in boosting soil health: the dung beetle. Dung beetles are part of the interface between cattle and soil. Without them, some of the nutrients present in dung are released to the atmosphere as gas, remain locked in the dung as it dries out, or remain on the soil surface where the dung was deposited.

Dung beetles tunnel into the soil and take dung with them to provision their nests, thereby relocating carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients deeper into the soil. These tunnels also improve other aspects of soil health, such as increased air and water flow within the soil and reduced compaction. Dung beetles support our cattle’s health too. Dung beetles are a direct habitat competitor with some flies, a major pest of our cattle. The faster dung is recycled, the less time and space these flies have to breed, and the happier our cattle.

The research department tracks dung beetle populations to ensure that our management is benefiting dung beetles. In an experiment at our Lewis Township farm in Brown County, we found that a different pasture vegetation supports different dung beetle species, providing more evidence for the idea that diversity of habitat promotes diversity of species.

Pictured here is the Research department’s favorite native dung beetle, the rainbow scarab (Phanaeus vindex). Next time you’re in the new farm market, see if you can find him on our murals.

Supporting Wildlife for Healthier Pastures

This fall, the Livestock department took an innovative approach to natural fly control by preparing bird boxes for installation across the farm. These boxes, built by students at the Diamond Oaks Career Development Center and the Indian Hill school leadership class, were crafted to attract tree swallows and bluebirds—two bird species known for their incredible ability to consume flies. Each bird could eat up to 8,000 flies, providing a natural solution to reduce fly pressure on our animals while enhancing their overall comfort and health.

The bird boxes are temporarily stored near the equine offices and kennel house while members of our Livestock and Buildings and Grounds teams collaborate to gather materials and finalize the plans for field installation. Once installed, these bird boxes will not only improve conditions for our livestock but also create habitats for local bird populations, contributing to biodiversity and environmental balance on the farm.

This project demonstrates the power of collaboration and sustainable practices, showing how small, thoughtful actions could lead to significant benefits for both our animals and the surrounding ecosystem.

Oldenburg Academy Culinary Students Visit Michaela Farm

The culinary class from Oldenburg Academy recently visited Michaela Farm to enhance their learning experience. During their first visit, the Greenacres education and livestock teams guided students in exploring egg production and the care of laying hens. The students engaged in hands-on activities including collecting, washing, and packaging eggs, and gained insight into industry terms such as “Free Range,” “Cage-Free,” and “Pasture-Raised.”

In a follow-up visit, The culinary students learned from the education and garden teams about the process of growing garlic from seed cloves. Late October through early November is the ideal planting season, and the students helped plant individual garlic cloves that will produce bulbs next summer. We look forward to hosting Oldenburg Academy students again soon!

Crafting the Finishing Touches

This fall, the Buildings & Grounds team put in tremendous effort to complete the Nippert Barn Agriculture Education and Farm Market, the newest addition to the Greenacres property. Their craftsmanship and dedication brought the project to life, adding thoughtful, handmade details that reflect Greenacres’ commitment to quality and sustainability.

The team crafted and finished cabinetry, tables, and display casings, built wooden peg boards, installed fences and gates, and even seeded grass to enhance the surrounding landscape. Each piece was meticulously designed and executed, showcasing their skill and care.

Their hard work played a significant role in the completion of this exciting new space, ensuring it was ready to serve as a hub for education and connection to the land. The Nippert Barn project is a testament to the Buildings & Grounds team’s dedication and craftsmanship.

Growing Connections

This fall, the Garden department is excited to share updates on opportunities and offerings that connect the community to our work in sustainable agriculture and floral artistry.

Greenacres Cultivation Club

Recruiting soon, the Greenacres Cultivation Club invites volunteers to join our garden team one Saturday a month. Participants will gain hands-on experience with sustainable gardening practices, learn innovative techniques for growing vegetables and flowers, and assist with seasonal tasks around the farm. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just curious, this is a great opportunity to engage with generative agriculture and see how we grow food and flowers locally. Registration details will be announced soon—stay tuned!

Dried Floral Wreaths

Available now in the Farm Market, our dried floral wreaths are a seasonal favorite. Carefully handcrafted from flowers grown and preserved on the farm, these wreaths are perfect as a holiday decoration or a thoughtful gift. Supplies are limited, so don’t wait to grab yours!

The Garden department continues to innovate and inspire through sustainable practices, educational opportunities, and offerings that celebrate the beauty of the fall season.

Hosting Green and Sustainable Events at Greenacres

The Events department at Greenacres is dedicated to creating memorable experiences while prioritizing environmental stewardship. This fall, we focused on hosting sustainable mission events, including our Farm to Table Dinner, incorporating practices that align with our generative mission. Here’s how we’re making it happen:

    • Farm-to-Table Ingredients: For our Farm to Table Dinner, we featured products from Greenacres’ generative farm, including fresh produce and pasture-raised meats.
    • Reducing Waste: We use china, glassware, silverware, linen napkins, and linenless tables, minimizing the need for disposables. When disposables are necessary, we opt for compostable serviceware over plastics.
    • Repurposed Decor: Dried flowers are reused across multiple events for centerpieces, and we recycle decor like candles and lanterns to avoid unnecessary purchases.
    • Mindful Quantities: Careful planning prevents over-ordering food, reducing waste and ensuring that leftovers are managed responsibly.
    • Composting Efforts: Food scraps and florals are composted and reused in our compost facility, closing the loop on waste. We also donate leftover florals when possible.
    • Sustainable Tools: We’ve swapped paper programs for digital QR codes and use reusable bags or containers for transport, cutting down on single-use plastics.
    • Client Education: We share these sustainable practices with our guests, inspiring them to consider eco-friendly options for their own events.

Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t just make events beautiful and seamless—it demonstrates how mindful practices can leave a lighter footprint on the planet. Whether you’re hosting with us or attending an event, we hope these ideas spark inspiration for your own celebrations!

04 Oct 2024
Featured, News Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Education Center & Farm Market: Greenacres Expands at Nippert Barn

Education Center & Farm Market: Greenacres Expands at Nippert Barn

If you’ve driven by our Indian Hill locations on Spooky Hollow Road this year, you’ve probably noticed the construction on our north campus. We are excited to announce that the Nippert Barn is being renovated to serve as our second dedicated agricultural education center and the new home of our Farm Market. Once completed, it will offer guests of all ages unique opportunities to experience Greenacres in new and engaging ways.

Children attending field trips will learn about generative agriculture and farm-to-market concepts, deepening their connection with the environment and gaining a clearer understanding of where their food comes from. Visitors of all ages can enjoy rotating educational content built as part of the Farm Market experience or participate in scheduled programming. The market will continue to offer fresh meat and produce and is scheduled to open in mid to late November.

With the growing popularity of our agriculture-focused field trips, we’ve outgrown the capacity of our Kennel House facility, which is currently our only dedicated agriculture education space. This renovation comes at the perfect time. Surveys show that 40% of 4th and 5th graders don’t know hamburgers come from cows, and 16 million Americans mistakenly believe chocolate milk comes from brown cows. The new education center will help bridge this knowledge gap through hands-on learning experiences focused on sustainable farming practices, the journey of food from farm to market to table, the lifecycles of animals, and much more!

“This new facility will provide community learners with a concrete connection between our pastures and the products we grow. Our aim is to offer hands-on experiences that close the knowledge gap on agricultural topics while bringing state standards in subjects like Social Studies and Science to life. We also see this as a chance to teach how we farm for biodiversity using Holistic Management practices, ensuring that actions taken to restore land and livelihoods are ecologically, socially, and economically sound.” – Scott Wingate, Chief Program Officer, Greenacres Foundation

In addition to its educational mission, the new space will enhance the visitor experience at our Farm Market through rotating quarterly exhibits that showcase the variety of programs Greenacres offers—from research and agricultural operations to environmental preservation and our commitment to keeping Cincinnati a thriving hub for the arts.

The renovated space will also serve as a versatile venue for mid-sized, mission-related events. Demand is growing for livestock workshops, farm-to-table dinners focused on nutrition, and opportunities to learn from our gardening staff. The building provides the perfect setting for these activities, offering direct access to our pastures, gardens, and woodlands.

Our commitment to sustainability has made this renovation particularly exciting. We’ve taken great care to blend the building’s historical integrity with modern sustainability features. It is now equipped with geothermal heating and cooling, exceeds modern insulation standards, and incorporates strategies to maximize natural light while minimizing heat gain. We also prioritized recycling materials wherever possible. One highlight is the reuse of the original wood in the classroom space, preserving the beautiful old-growth wood paneling. The renovation also includes a rainwater capture system feeding into an underground cistern and a new wetland design to help purify runoff.

We greatly appreciate your continued support and look forward to many more years of community engagement and education at our new facility!