TFA Founder Receives Scholarship to Attend 2012 Growing Power Commercial Urban Agricultural Program.
We are excited to announce that TFA Founder, Meisha Card is the first scholarship recipient of Growing Power's 2012 Commercial Urban Agricultural Program. The Growing Power Commercial Urban Agricultural Program is an intensive, hands-on, training workshop series held at the Milwaukee Growing Power facility. This workshop offers diverse groups the opportunity to learn, plan, develop, operate, and sustain community food projects. Project participants leave the workshop with improved skills that they can take to their communities and pass on to others.
State of the Art Urban Farm Design by Threshing Floor Academy Founder and Director Meisha Card and Visual Artist and Arts in Schools Instructor Lillian Blades Selected as Semi-finalist in Trinity Avenue Farm Design Competition
Threshingfloor Academy Founder and Director Meisha Card and Visual Artist Lillian Blades responded to the call in designing an elevated urban farm they hope will serve as a center for sustainable farm education and a source of inspiration for individuals from all walks of life. They enlisted the help of The Epsten Group and Breedlove Land Planning to bring their design to life and collectively entered the competition as Team Elevate. The team name is synonymous with the farm design and the sentiment they hope to evoke as it relates to fostering elevated thinking and living through sustainable farming practices, education, and community service. The state of the art farm design is a work of art and features the latest in water harvesting and solar energy technologies, a restaurant, welcome center, farm plaza and 5 levels of farming deck demonstrating a wide range of sustainable farming methods. Their team was selected as a semifinalist out of a reported 80 groups that participated in the Mayor’s Trinity Avenue Urban Farm Design Competition.
Education and Community Involvement are at the heart of everything associated with Card and Blades’ urban farm design. Educational Programming and Community Involvement as well as Crop List and Growing Chart sections of their team website (www.teamelevateatlantageorgia.weebly.com) spell out all of the ways in which they would like to see the farm used along with the crops and farming methods they would like to see represented. They are proposing that the city partner with various youth organizations such as So Green and HmB-HAH to train youth in urban farming and development before sending them out into the community as Urban Farm Educators to lead communities, schools, organizations and offices in the design and development of sustainable urban gardens. They are also proposing that a variety of classes be offered on the farm and that farm visitors have the option of taking a self-guided tour or being led by a Youth Farm Guide through the farm as part of an interactive learning experience.
In developing the design, Card desired to maximize the 0.8 acres of land by taking the farm design up envisioning an elevated farm structure that contained levels of farming. She wanted to create a design that would not only serve as an education center for people of all walks of life but would inspire youth in particular to get excited about urban farming, incorporating a restaurant, amphitheater, event center, in-door and out-door classrooms, a welcome center and 5 levels of farming deck. As a visual artist, Blades envisioned a farm sculpture and added beautiful curves that took the design to another level artistically ensuring that the design would not only be a place of agricultural education and discovery but a work of art. Blades designed a vertical farming gate, vertical farming sculpture and interior assemblage artwork, educational kiosks and mosaic picnic tables for the farm design that would make use of recycled and sustainable materials.
Card wanted to ensure that the design was buildable and made use of the most advance sustainable building technologies. She also wanted to build a team to enter the competition that would be just as diverse as the citizens who she hoped to inspire through the design so she enlisted the help of The Epsten Group (an Atlanta based female owned sustainable architectural firm) and Breedlove Land Planning (a sustainable landscape firm based in Conyers, GA) to bring she and Blades’ design to life. As Co-Designer and Project Manager, Card named the team Team Elevate, a name that is synonymous with the farm design and the actions they hope to evoke in the lives of every passerby and visitor. Landscape Architect Alan Wieczynski served as Landscape Manager on Team Elevate alongside Roger Wells of Breedlove Land Planning while Architect Pete Choquette served as Building Manager alongside architect Michael McGrath and interior designer Kate Menke of The Epsten Group. With the slogan, “Elevated thinking and elevated living through sustainable farming practices, education, and community service,” Card believes that the design can be used to address many of the tough environmental, social and economic issues seen in society today. Ultimately, she hope that their urban farm design will be used to empower and equip families and children from all walks of life through sustainable urban farming with the power to change and elevate above their current living conditions. She believe that the one of a kind design would undoubtedly put Atlanta on the map for urban farming and serve as a physical symbol of Atlanta's elevated thinking when it comes to sustainable farming while serving as a model for other cities to follow throughout the world. For additional information on Team Elevate members, the urban farm design and video footage visit www.teamelevateatlantageorgia.weebly.com .
“Farming is a part of our inheritance as Americans. It is our birthright as human beings. Sadly, we have moved away from embracing this reality. Environmental issues that are a result of our abuse of natural resources, a high incidence of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and food deserts have become the norm of the day. We cannot afford to continue down this road to destruction. We must stop, reflect and look to our rich agricultural roots while supporting the advancement of new agricultural technology in order to ensure that every citizen has an opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life.” –Meisha Card
Education and Community Involvement are at the heart of everything associated with Card and Blades’ urban farm design. Educational Programming and Community Involvement as well as Crop List and Growing Chart sections of their team website (www.teamelevateatlantageorgia.weebly.com) spell out all of the ways in which they would like to see the farm used along with the crops and farming methods they would like to see represented. They are proposing that the city partner with various youth organizations such as So Green and HmB-HAH to train youth in urban farming and development before sending them out into the community as Urban Farm Educators to lead communities, schools, organizations and offices in the design and development of sustainable urban gardens. They are also proposing that a variety of classes be offered on the farm and that farm visitors have the option of taking a self-guided tour or being led by a Youth Farm Guide through the farm as part of an interactive learning experience.
In developing the design, Card desired to maximize the 0.8 acres of land by taking the farm design up envisioning an elevated farm structure that contained levels of farming. She wanted to create a design that would not only serve as an education center for people of all walks of life but would inspire youth in particular to get excited about urban farming, incorporating a restaurant, amphitheater, event center, in-door and out-door classrooms, a welcome center and 5 levels of farming deck. As a visual artist, Blades envisioned a farm sculpture and added beautiful curves that took the design to another level artistically ensuring that the design would not only be a place of agricultural education and discovery but a work of art. Blades designed a vertical farming gate, vertical farming sculpture and interior assemblage artwork, educational kiosks and mosaic picnic tables for the farm design that would make use of recycled and sustainable materials.
Card wanted to ensure that the design was buildable and made use of the most advance sustainable building technologies. She also wanted to build a team to enter the competition that would be just as diverse as the citizens who she hoped to inspire through the design so she enlisted the help of The Epsten Group (an Atlanta based female owned sustainable architectural firm) and Breedlove Land Planning (a sustainable landscape firm based in Conyers, GA) to bring she and Blades’ design to life. As Co-Designer and Project Manager, Card named the team Team Elevate, a name that is synonymous with the farm design and the actions they hope to evoke in the lives of every passerby and visitor. Landscape Architect Alan Wieczynski served as Landscape Manager on Team Elevate alongside Roger Wells of Breedlove Land Planning while Architect Pete Choquette served as Building Manager alongside architect Michael McGrath and interior designer Kate Menke of The Epsten Group. With the slogan, “Elevated thinking and elevated living through sustainable farming practices, education, and community service,” Card believes that the design can be used to address many of the tough environmental, social and economic issues seen in society today. Ultimately, she hope that their urban farm design will be used to empower and equip families and children from all walks of life through sustainable urban farming with the power to change and elevate above their current living conditions. She believe that the one of a kind design would undoubtedly put Atlanta on the map for urban farming and serve as a physical symbol of Atlanta's elevated thinking when it comes to sustainable farming while serving as a model for other cities to follow throughout the world. For additional information on Team Elevate members, the urban farm design and video footage visit www.teamelevateatlantageorgia.weebly.com .
“Farming is a part of our inheritance as Americans. It is our birthright as human beings. Sadly, we have moved away from embracing this reality. Environmental issues that are a result of our abuse of natural resources, a high incidence of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and food deserts have become the norm of the day. We cannot afford to continue down this road to destruction. We must stop, reflect and look to our rich agricultural roots while supporting the advancement of new agricultural technology in order to ensure that every citizen has an opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life.” –Meisha Card
TFA is Pleased to Announce That We Are a 2011 Recipient of the Target Arts and Culture in Schools Grant!
Threshing Floor Academy is excited to announce that we are a 2011 recipient of the Target Arts and Culture in Schools Grant! This grant is awarded to organizations that bring arts programming to schools, allowing children to experience the arts and learn new forms of self-expression. Be on the look out for pictures from the awards ceremony in the Photo section of our website soon!
Family Fitness Bootcamp
Threshing Floor Academy has partnered with Café Physique, Atlanta's premier mobile fitness and wellness provider, to offer families an effective way to get in shape while having loads of fun! The Threshing Floor Academy Family Fitness Bootcamp combines fat melting cardiovascular activities with fun games and muscle building resistance training in a fun-filled group environment located in the great outdoors. Each bootcamp style workout is led by an expert Café Physique Personal Trainer and is fast-paced, challenging and appropriate for all age and fitness levels. Parent and child participants are provided with the tools and knowledge needed to understand the importance of proper nutrition and make better food choices in order to lead a healthy lifestyle.
With an 8 week adult participation fee of $120 and an 8 week child participant fee of $80, the Threshing Floor Academy Family Fitness Bootcamp is an affordable option for individuals wanting instruction from a personal trainer in a group setting and parents who are in search of ways to keep their family active.
All families that register by June 25th will be entered in a drawing to win one of the following:
- 1 free in-home personal training session from Café Physique
- 1 free private culinary arts class for up to 8 people compliments of Threshing
Floor Academy
Whether you are training for your next triathlon, trimming down after giving birth, or just looking for an exciting way to burn calories and keep your family active, our Family Fitness Bootcamp will help you break through weight-loss plateaus, boost your metabolism and reach your individual and family fitness goals!
What Should You Bring?
We advise all Family Fitness Bootcamp participants to bring a water bottle, an exercise mat and towel. Please wear athletic shoes and comfortable clothing that you will not be afraid to work hard in.
Where and when will the bootcamp take place?
The Threshing Floor Academy Family Fitness Bootcamp will take place In the parking lot of Threshing Floor Academy each Sat. July 2, 2011 through August 20, 2011.
With an 8 week adult participation fee of $120 and an 8 week child participant fee of $80, the Threshing Floor Academy Family Fitness Bootcamp is an affordable option for individuals wanting instruction from a personal trainer in a group setting and parents who are in search of ways to keep their family active.
All families that register by June 25th will be entered in a drawing to win one of the following:
- 1 free in-home personal training session from Café Physique
- 1 free private culinary arts class for up to 8 people compliments of Threshing
Floor Academy
Whether you are training for your next triathlon, trimming down after giving birth, or just looking for an exciting way to burn calories and keep your family active, our Family Fitness Bootcamp will help you break through weight-loss plateaus, boost your metabolism and reach your individual and family fitness goals!
What Should You Bring?
We advise all Family Fitness Bootcamp participants to bring a water bottle, an exercise mat and towel. Please wear athletic shoes and comfortable clothing that you will not be afraid to work hard in.
Where and when will the bootcamp take place?
The Threshing Floor Academy Family Fitness Bootcamp will take place In the parking lot of Threshing Floor Academy each Sat. July 2, 2011 through August 20, 2011.
2011 Spring Registration
We are excited to announce that we will begin registering students for our Spring art, music, dance and culinary arts classes April 1- 30,2011! Please contact us at 770.702.2405 to obtain information on classes and schedules. Classes will be offered on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited so be sure to register your child early.
Music Program
Our private music classes for children ages 3 to 18 are available at a rate of $22 per 30 minute session and will be offered on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30am to 7:30pm. Parents will be provided with bi-monthly progress reports of their student's progress as well as lesson summaries for each class.
Our instructors are some of Atlanta's most celebrated recording artists, expert musicians and respected educators who share our goal of "helping children find purpose in the arts." With practice and consistent class participation, your child will not only learn to master their instrument but will become knowledgeable of the history of the instrument, various genres in which the instrument is played and become familiar with musicians past and present. This information is in addition to the sense of accomplishment, affirmation, discipline and an overall love for music your child will develop as a result of participating in our program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Art Program
We offer small group art classes in assemblage art, mixed media art, painting, drawing, sculpture, recycled art, photography, quilting, crochet and jewelry design. Classes are offered weekdays and Saturdays between the hours of 12pm-8pm at a rate of $25 per class /per student. This fee covers both materials and instruction. All instruction is led by talented local artists who are passionate about sharing their gift of art with children and share our mission of "helping children find purpose in the arts." Artwork created by students in classes will be featured in monthly art shows held in our children's art gallery.
------------------------
Dance Program
We are excited to offer dance instruction led by some of Atlanta's top dance choreographers and dance instructors. Classes in hip-hop, ballet, jazz, modern, ballroom and tap are available. Students will not only learn technique but will also learn the history of the genre, dancers past and present, and the cultural significance of dance all while increasing their physical fitness and discipline levels. Please contact us at 770-895-5157 for pricing and class schedules.
-----------------------
Culinary Arts Program
Our innovative culinary arts program offers culinary instruction to both parents and children. Students learn first hand that healthy food is the tastiest food and that trying new things is exciting! In addition to further develping their culinary palets, students will learn culinary technique, vocabulary, and the cultural and historical signifiance of various food preparations. Parents will learn how to prepare healthy gourmet meals for their families that are fast and easy. All classes are led by local and award winning chefs who are passionate about sharing their love for food with students. Please contact us at 770-895-5157 for pricing and class schedules.
-------------------
Thank you for your interest in our program. We count it an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of your child's development. We look forward to working with you as we continue in our mission of "helping children find purpose in the arts."
Music Program
Our private music classes for children ages 3 to 18 are available at a rate of $22 per 30 minute session and will be offered on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30am to 7:30pm. Parents will be provided with bi-monthly progress reports of their student's progress as well as lesson summaries for each class.
Our instructors are some of Atlanta's most celebrated recording artists, expert musicians and respected educators who share our goal of "helping children find purpose in the arts." With practice and consistent class participation, your child will not only learn to master their instrument but will become knowledgeable of the history of the instrument, various genres in which the instrument is played and become familiar with musicians past and present. This information is in addition to the sense of accomplishment, affirmation, discipline and an overall love for music your child will develop as a result of participating in our program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Art Program
We offer small group art classes in assemblage art, mixed media art, painting, drawing, sculpture, recycled art, photography, quilting, crochet and jewelry design. Classes are offered weekdays and Saturdays between the hours of 12pm-8pm at a rate of $25 per class /per student. This fee covers both materials and instruction. All instruction is led by talented local artists who are passionate about sharing their gift of art with children and share our mission of "helping children find purpose in the arts." Artwork created by students in classes will be featured in monthly art shows held in our children's art gallery.
------------------------
Dance Program
We are excited to offer dance instruction led by some of Atlanta's top dance choreographers and dance instructors. Classes in hip-hop, ballet, jazz, modern, ballroom and tap are available. Students will not only learn technique but will also learn the history of the genre, dancers past and present, and the cultural significance of dance all while increasing their physical fitness and discipline levels. Please contact us at 770-895-5157 for pricing and class schedules.
-----------------------
Culinary Arts Program
Our innovative culinary arts program offers culinary instruction to both parents and children. Students learn first hand that healthy food is the tastiest food and that trying new things is exciting! In addition to further develping their culinary palets, students will learn culinary technique, vocabulary, and the cultural and historical signifiance of various food preparations. Parents will learn how to prepare healthy gourmet meals for their families that are fast and easy. All classes are led by local and award winning chefs who are passionate about sharing their love for food with students. Please contact us at 770-895-5157 for pricing and class schedules.
-------------------
Thank you for your interest in our program. We count it an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of your child's development. We look forward to working with you as we continue in our mission of "helping children find purpose in the arts."
Past Events
6-28-2009 Benefit Concert: Finding Purpose in the Arts™
Come out and join us for an evening of inspiration and enlightenment as several of Atlanta's most uplifting music, dance and spoken word artists come together in song, dance and word in support of Threshing Floor Academy™. The concert will take place on Sunday, June 28, 2009 from 4pm-7pm at Paschal's Restaurant located at 180-B Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30313. Concert attendees can order food at an additional cost from Paschal's legendary menu during the event. A silent auction featuring several luxurious items and services donated by local businesses will also take place during the event. Tickets are available at $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Ticket Prices: $15 Adult $10 Children (12 and under
*********************LIVE PAINTING BY COREY C. WHITEHEAD*******************************
& MELANIE STEVENS
*Emceed by Min. Doquoi T. Green
**Live Jazz by Eric Thomas of Elevate the Quest
*****Music Performance by Soul Vocalist Kyshona Armstrong
******Spoken Word Performance by Def Jam Poet Jon Goode
*******Violin Performance by Violinist Bryant Samples
*******Performance by the Greg Hammontree Quartet
*******and many more!!!
Silent Auction Items...
*4 hrs of recording studio time compliments of The Outfit Studio
**Nanny Service compliments of Nanny Poppinz of Atlanta-Buckhead, Sandy Springs and Vinings Georgia
***Private 3 Course Dinner for Two prepared by Chef Kerel Fryer of Aroma Personal Chef Service, LLC
****Carriage ride for 2 compliments of Capital City Carriage
*****Photo Shoot compliments of Funky Urban Chick Photography
******$50 Gift Certificate for dinner at Paschal's at Castleberry Inn
******Artwork by some of Atlanta's most talented Artists
*******and much more!
5-23-2009 Centennial Olympic Park Family Fun Day
Come out and join us at Centennial Olympic Park from 12pm-4pm as we provide families and children with ongoing art activities during Centennial Olympic Park's Family Fun Day.This is the second of five Family Fun Days that will be held on the fourth Saturday of each month from April through August. The event is free and is sure to be fun for the entire family.
Spring Music Recital
The time has finally arrived for our first ever Spring Music Recital! Please join the families, friends and staff of Threshing Floor Academy as we celebrate the musical accomplishments of :
Andrew D., Trumpet Student
Madison D., Violin Student
Iya G., Piano Student
Lydia K., Piano Student
The recital will take place at Rev Coffee located at 1680-B Spring Rd. Smyrna, Ga 30080 on May16, 2009 from 12:00pm-1:30pm.
***There will be a special presentation to students, parents, and staff by Meisha Card, Founding Director of Threshing Floor Academy***
We look forward to seeing each of you at this joyous occasion!
4-25-2009 Centennial Olympic Park Family Fun Day
Come out and join us at Centennial Olympic Park from 12pm-4pm as we provide families and children with ongoing art activities during Centennial Olympic Park's Family Fun Day.This is the first of five Family Fun Days that will be held on the fourth Saturday of each month from April through August. The event is free and is sure to be fun for the entire family.