The year after the "“farm school” began, Hawthorne Valley School opened its doors to twenty–five students. The employees of this fresh impulse joined forces with the co-workers of Camphill Village Copake to begin a Waldorf School to educate their children and children from the surrounding area. They chose Harlemville as the place to locate the school, and in the ensuing years, many capable and dedicated teachers have given selflessly to bring the wisdom of Waldorf pedagogy to thousands of eager children. In educating the whole child — head, hearts and hands — Hawthorne Valley School has steadfastly pursued independence and excellence in education to bring about the unfolding of the individual’s innate qualities in an age appropriate way.

Early on it became clear that in order for this initiative to survive and thrive, the farm would need to become financially self–sustaining. The decision to become a fully diversified biodynamic farm would not only offer the children an authentic agricultural experience, but if successful, would also possibly counter the loss of small farms and add to the revitalization of the rural economy and regional food system. With on–farm value–adding and direct marketing of farm products, Hawthorne Valley Farm has indeed become a recognized leader in the growing biodynamic, organic, and local food movement.

We can look back with an extreme sense of boundless gratitude to the founders and to all of the committed individuals who devoted themselves to bringing the vision Hawthorne Valley and its mission of social and cultural renewal to fruition. And now it is our turn. As we gaze ahead to the next thirty–five years, may we dip into the fonts of inspiration and add our own loving deeds to the unfolding destiny of Hawthorne Valley Association.