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Merit Badge Chit Chat:  Just a bit of merit badge chit chat  |
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shennandoah
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
Shennandoah
La Vernia
TX
USA
171 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 25 2026 : 10:47:17 AM
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Howdy ladies! I'm going through my badge planner and playing catch up on reporting. I've been steadily working on my Expert Level for my Community Service Badge. I've continued to volunteer at Artable Curiosities/The Impact Project. We were able to secure an additional suite at our location. So I helped move our studio to the new suite and set up the teacher's store in the old studio space. We double the size of the store and have set up a new donation area.
I've also continued to host our monthly Knit, Hook, and Stitch meetup and am working with the founder to set up some fiber demo days and some beginner knit and crochet classes for kids. I've done several impromptu lessons for kids at the shop already. We've also been expanding our offerings for the special needs community with several art days for special needs children and adults and joint events with local day programs for folks with intellectual disabilities. I continue to make weekly pick ups of cardboard to use in my garden (full truckload each time).
Our impact has grown steadily. Each month we are able to divert 20,000-40,000 lbs of materials away from landfills. We also give away roughly $25,000 in supplies to teachers each month. We have 30 volunteers and do 30-60 workshops each month. We also just received "Most likely to save the planet" award at the Seguin Earth Day celebration.
I am terrible at tracking my hours, but the ones I did remember to log total 87hrs. So I will submit for the expert level today!
Making memories, building connections, and adding color and magic to every day life!
Farmgirl of the Year 2024
Farmgirl #8578 |
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debbieklann
Sharpshooter/Schoolmarm
839 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2026 : 11:01:55 AM
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Shennandoah, that is impressive!!! I think teaching classes would be so rewarding!! Passing on skills to a new generation:)
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl of the Year
"Well behaved women seldom make history"....Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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shennandoah
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
Shennandoah
La Vernia
TX
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2026 : 1:51:53 PM
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Debbie I love to teach, but confess I wasn’t feeling confident teaching knitting or crochet (especially crochet). Our existing teachers prefer to teach adults but I’ve found it fun to teach the kids. I’ve been told I’m really good at it from the director and several kids. I even told them I’m not good at crochet and one of the kiddos said “I don’t know why you’re saying that. You’re teaching me right now and you’re really good at it. I’m learning to do the pattern.” lol I guess it’s because I had such a multi talented teacher my bar is high. I could never be as good as her!
Making memories, building connections, and adding color and magic to every day life!
Farmgirl of the Year 2024
Farmgirl #8578 |
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debbieklann
Sharpshooter/Schoolmarm
839 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2026 : 06:57:06 AM
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It sounds like you’re doing a great job and the kids love learning from you! I’ve never thought teaching was a strong skill of mine, either. But we’re our own worst critics:). My grandma taught me so many needlework skills and was SO patient!
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl of the Year
"Well behaved women seldom make history"....Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
8342 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
8342 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2026 : 1:52:03 PM
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Wow Shennandoah, that is amazing! That is a lot of accomplishments. Way to go on completing another badge!
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
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shennandoah
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
Shennandoah
La Vernia
TX
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2026 : 6:31:01 PM
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Thanks Krista! I also got started on my Apples badge. I live in South Texas, so unfortunately there aren't any apple orchards near me to go picking (there are strawberries though!). Many temperate stone and pomp fruits require a certain number of chill hours (hours below 55) in order to bud and produce fruit. The majority apples have high chill hour requirements (generally 500-800, with some requiring over 1,000). Where I live we get 200-400 chill hours on average, so we have to rely on low chill hour varieties that can handle zone 9a - not just our heat, but also drought and humidity. I did find that Anna, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples are all suited for my region. Gala apples, which are one of my favorites, require 500+ hours, so would not be able to provide enough winter for them here.
I wish we could go apple picking. My great grandmother would get baskets of apples and make apple butter and fresh bread. I've been steadily planting apple trees in the hopes of one day being able to make my own apple butter and apple pie filling from scratch. For now I have to watch for deals at the grocery store or the bulk produce supplier downtown.
Making memories, building connections, and adding color and magic to every day life!
Farmgirl of the Year 2024
Farmgirl #8578 |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
3723 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
3723 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2026 : 07:02:28 AM
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Great work, Shennandoah! I didn't realize that not many apples grew down south. It's amazing what you learn from fellow farm girls. Does citrus grow in your area? We have lots of apples around here, but no citrus.
~Heather
“I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” — George Washington
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Nancy Joplin
True Blue Farmgirl
574 Posts
Nancy
Ontario
California
USA
574 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2026 : 10:58:13 AM
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Great Job, Shennandoah! We have Anna apples here in Southern California. We only have one tree as we live on a small city lot. but, they are so good. Very tasty/
Nancy 8352
FGOTM Oct 2024 |
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shennandoah
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
Shennandoah
La Vernia
TX
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2026 : 3:27:09 PM
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Hey Heather! Yes we have citrus but we have to still grow it in pots so we can bring it indoors during a freeze. Peaches is what we are really known for (and pecans). And yes Nancy I’m planting a couple of Anna’s hoping to have a first harvest in a couple of years.
Making memories, building connections, and adding color and magic to every day life!
Farmgirl of the Year 2024
Farmgirl #8578 |
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Simple Living
True Blue Farmgirl
1449 Posts
Joan
Staten Island
NY
USA
1449 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2026 : 07:26:59 AM
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It's been a while since I was active on here. But how do we receive badges again. I remember when I subscribed to the magazine, that helped.
Isaiah 30:15 Your strength will be in keeping calm and showing trust.
Farmgirl #3842 |
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debbieklann
Sharpshooter/Schoolmarm
839 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2026 : 07:57:35 AM
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Joan, if you click on Earning Merit Badges it will take you right to the information. There will be a whole list of badges and the requirements for each one. Then you can apply!!
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl of the Year
"Well behaved women seldom make history"....Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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Simple Living
True Blue Farmgirl
1449 Posts
Joan
Staten Island
NY
USA
1449 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2026 : 11:54:58 AM
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Thank you Debbie, I will do that.
Isaiah 30:15 Your strength will be in keeping calm and showing trust.
Farmgirl #3842 |
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Nancy Joplin
True Blue Farmgirl
574 Posts
Nancy
Ontario
California
USA
574 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2026 : 10:17:14 AM
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Welcome back, Joan! Earning the badges has been so much fun! Glad that you have come back! Happy badge earning!
Nancy 8352
FGOTM Oct 2024 |
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Simple Living
True Blue Farmgirl
1449 Posts
Joan
Staten Island
NY
USA
1449 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2026 : 06:11:49 AM
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Thank you Nancy. I'm starting to think of myself and treating myself good.
Isaiah 30:15 Your strength will be in keeping calm and showing trust.
Farmgirl #3842 |
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Nancy Joplin
True Blue Farmgirl
574 Posts
Nancy
Ontario
California
USA
574 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2026 : 08:33:29 AM
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Joan, that's what you should do. Welcome back.
Nancy 8352
FGOTM Oct 2024 |
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debbieklann
Sharpshooter/Schoolmarm
839 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2026 : 09:01:42 AM
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I agree!!!
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl of the Year
"Well behaved women seldom make history"....Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
7589 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
7589 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2026 : 09:51:37 AM
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I am so proud of you Joan and so happy you are back, we miss you. The badges are so much fun you will enjoy working on them.
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022, August 2025
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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jillyd
True Blue Farmgirl
753 Posts
Jill
Saanichton
British Columbia
Canada
753 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2026 : 11:41:10 AM
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Excellent plan, Joan!!
Jill
Farmgirl #6748
"When life gets super crazy, do your art. It helps you remember the exquisite, imaginary, delightful, lovely side of what is otherwise sometimes a bit much" Sylvia Olsen |
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Simple Living
True Blue Farmgirl
1449 Posts
Joan
Staten Island
NY
USA
1449 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2026 : 11:41:26 AM
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Thank you for understanding my absence. Love you all.
Isaiah 30:15 Your strength will be in keeping calm and showing trust.
Farmgirl #3842 |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
8342 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
8342 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2026 : 12:47:29 PM
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Way to go Shennandoah on starting another badge! We definitely get cold enough here, so we have tons of apple trees around. 2 years ago I planted my first apple tree. I went with Ambrosia. They are my favorite. Last year I got 2 big beautiful apples off of the tree. It only produced 5 and the other 3 had blown off before they were ready. I am hoping this year it will produce some more. We did have a freeze come in after the fruit trees started blooming. We covered them to help protect them, so I hope it was enough.
Welcome back, Joan! I look forward to hearing about the badges you work on.
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
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Simple Living
True Blue Farmgirl
1449 Posts
Joan
Staten Island
NY
USA
1449 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2026 : 06:12:15 AM
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Thank you Krista. They all look fun to accomplish.
Isaiah 30:15 Your strength will be in keeping calm and showing trust.
Farmgirl #3842 |
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Bellepic
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Christine
Santa Ana
CA
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2026 : 12:03:50 PM
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A little late to the merit badge chitchat party, but excited I'm in good company with Joan!
Shennandoah-- your Community Service badge update is so inspirational! I just wrapped up 30 cumulative hours tracked (it is so hard to keep track, isn't it? A few minutes texting here, an email there, ...). Most of my service was booked co-leading my daughter's scout troop and helping my school's parent group reinstate its 501(c)(3) non-profit status as their treasurer.
I applied to help shelve books in the local library while my daughter is across the street in piano and sewing lessons but discovered that they too require fingerprinting and background checks and their intake system is down indefinitely. Have you all struggled with this lending a hand in your states? Has anyone else landed on a better way? Every volunteer opportunity that works with at-risk populations (kids, elders, sick, etc.) in my state requires a background check and there isn't a way to release your [clear] results to multiple organizations, so every time you want to volunteer, it is another trip to the UPS store, another $90 scan and a wait for the results. What a hassle. I didn't book it as volunteer hours, but I took this morning to write a letter to my state assemblymember running for re-election to see if his team can streamline the red tape a little.
Farmgirl#8680
www.steamstead.blogspot.com |
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Merit Badge Chit Chat: Just a bit of merit badge chit chat |
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Just a bit of merit badge chit chat
