JUNE 2024
Below the surface we have been collaborating with a number of parallel agricultural technology initiatives, including GOAT, OpenTEAM, NADAWG, and the Grassroots Innovation Assembly. Drawing farmers, technologists, researchers and organizers from around the world, these initiatives are all advancing the same vision that was the original germ for Farm Hack: a vibrant open-source community, focused on developing innovation that is driven by and for farmers.
We have been hosting dinners, meeting up, and zooming long-distance over the last year and we are excited to announce that we are launching the next phase of Farm Hack.. and we want you to be part of it!
What we are doing
To help direct this work we have established a working group and have brought on our first Farm Hack Fellow: farmer, crafter, engineer Liz! Liz’s role is to guide the revival of the project, which includes managing a series of updates to the website, to help host some events, and to re-engage the Farm Hack space as a place for the farming community to share technical problems and solutions.
Farm Hack was formed in 2010 as a community of collaborators interested in developing and sharing open-source tools for resilient agriculture. Over the years we have hosted community meet-ups with show and tell, workshops, brainstorming sessions, and charrettes, attended by farmers, engineers, fabricators, and others.
We believe that community meet-ups are foundational towards facilitating the spirit of collaboration that Farm Hack is founded on, and we are working towards renewing this energy again. In order to do that, we need your involvement.
How you can get involved
Join the Farm Hack conversation in the GOATech forums, follow us on Instagram, and read our Blog.
We would love to hear your feedback about your experience with Farm Hack, and any thoughts or suggestions you have for the future of the project. Share with us at our survey.
Farm Hack is a participatory and cumulative project that is as strong as we make it together. Besides being an online space where people can document tools and other knowledge, we aim to foster in-person community events and spaces. Learn more about being an organizer, read our Event Guide, and plan a Farm Hack event.
Upcoming in-person events
Our upcoming schedule of events can be found on the website’s calendar or on our blog, and is summarized below:
Liz will be hosting workshops at the Maine Farm and Homestead Day (6/22/24) and at the Common Ground Fair (9/20-22/24) focused around providing an introduction to using hand tools and understanding basic construction techniques. In another workshop, hosted at Smithereen Farm in Pembroke, ME (7/20/24), participants will build their own farm and garden cart.
We are in the early stages of planning a community event for the fall or the winter, held in the New England region. Please reach out if you are interested in being involved.