Philosophy Farm: Proposed Topics and Activities for Bogworts Encampment 2026

Bogworts is the 100 acre farm in southern Maine, chosen for the first embodiment of Philosophy Farm. Originally carved out of the New England woods in the 1700s, the property was continuously farmed until 1987, then mostly uninhabited. This provides a unique opportunity to give folks exposure to the foundation of diversified small farm operations: establishing a farmstead. We are calling 2026 an encampment simply because our facilities are rustic and accommodations are mostly tenting sites. Working experiences will be in the fields and woods. Seminars will be in the house or pavillion depending on weather. We emphasize cooking and eating together during our events, in the style of our "Eat Like Ben" blog posts. Food will be prepared in the pavilion, but in some cases also in the house.

1.

Which of the proposed events are of interest to you? Select all that apply. *

Matrix question empty cell	Not for me.	Interested, might attend in the future.	Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Outdoor Mushroom Production	Outdoor Mushroom Production Not for me.	Outdoor Mushroom Production Interested, might attend in the future.	Outdoor Mushroom Production Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Planting an Orchard	Planting an Orchard Not for me.	Planting an Orchard Interested, might attend in the future.	Planting an Orchard Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Building Chicken Tractors	Building Chicken Tractors Not for me.	Building Chicken Tractors Interested, might attend in the future.	Building Chicken Tractors Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Building A Mobile Chicken Coop	Building A Mobile Chicken Coop Not for me.	Building A Mobile Chicken Coop Interested, might attend in the future.	Building A Mobile Chicken Coop Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Planting Corn, Beans, and Squash	Planting Corn, Beans, and Squash Not for me.	Planting Corn, Beans, and Squash Interested, might attend in the future.	Planting Corn, Beans, and Squash Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Planting Potatoes and other Root Crops	Planting Potatoes and other Root Crops Not for me.	Planting Potatoes and other Root Crops Interested, might attend in the future.	Planting Potatoes and other Root Crops Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Setting Up Beehives	Setting Up Beehives Not for me.	Setting Up Beehives Interested, might attend in the future.	Setting Up Beehives Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Setting Up a Sheepfold (Fencing, Water, Shelter)	Setting Up a Sheepfold (Fencing, Water, Shelter) Not for me.	Setting Up a Sheepfold (Fencing, Water, Shelter) Interested, might attend in the future.	Setting Up a Sheepfold (Fencing, Water, Shelter) Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Canning I: Blueberry Jam	Canning I: Blueberry Jam Not for me.	Canning I: Blueberry Jam Interested, might attend in the future.	Canning I: Blueberry Jam Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Canning II: Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants	Canning II: Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants Not for me.	Canning II: Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants Interested, might attend in the future.	Canning II: Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Yogurt and Cheesemaking	Yogurt and Cheesemaking Not for me.	Yogurt and Cheesemaking Interested, might attend in the future.	Yogurt and Cheesemaking Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Sourdough Breadbaking in Woodfired Oven	Sourdough Breadbaking in Woodfired Oven Not for me.	Sourdough Breadbaking in Woodfired Oven Interested, might attend in the future.	Sourdough Breadbaking in Woodfired Oven Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Carding and Spinning Natural Wool Fleece	Carding and Spinning Natural Wool Fleece Not for me.	Carding and Spinning Natural Wool Fleece Interested, might attend in the future.	Carding and Spinning Natural Wool Fleece Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Build an Outdoor Brick Oven and Grill	Build an Outdoor Brick Oven and Grill Not for me.	Build an Outdoor Brick Oven and Grill Interested, might attend in the future.	Build an Outdoor Brick Oven and Grill Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Pit Cooking (Lobster Bake)	Pit Cooking (Lobster Bake) Not for me.	Pit Cooking (Lobster Bake) Interested, might attend in the future.	Pit Cooking (Lobster Bake) Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Rainwater Harvesting Setup	Rainwater Harvesting Setup Not for me.	Rainwater Harvesting Setup Interested, might attend in the future.	Rainwater Harvesting Setup Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.
Terra-Forming -- Permaculture Place-Making	Terra-Forming -- Permaculture Place-Making Not for me.	Terra-Forming -- Permaculture Place-Making Interested, might attend in the future.	Terra-Forming -- Permaculture Place-Making Definitely, I would plan to attend if timing works.

2.

We will be offering philosophy seminars during multi-day farming events. Which of these topics interest you? *

Matrix question empty cell	Not at all	Neutral	Somewhat	Very much
Classical Literature: Homer	Classical Literature: Homer Not at all	Classical Literature: Homer Neutral	Classical Literature: Homer Somewhat	Classical Literature: Homer Very much
Classical Literature: Norse Sagas	Classical Literature: Norse Sagas Not at all	Classical Literature: Norse Sagas Neutral	Classical Literature: Norse Sagas Somewhat	Classical Literature: Norse Sagas Very much
Classical Philosophy: Plato	Classical Philosophy: Plato Not at all	Classical Philosophy: Plato Neutral	Classical Philosophy: Plato Somewhat	Classical Philosophy: Plato Very much
Poetry: The Pastoral Tradition from Theocritus to Keats	Poetry: The Pastoral Tradition from Theocritus to Keats Not at all	Poetry: The Pastoral Tradition from Theocritus to Keats Neutral	Poetry: The Pastoral Tradition from Theocritus to Keats Somewhat	Poetry: The Pastoral Tradition from Theocritus to Keats Very much
Natural Philosophy: Holonic Biology	Natural Philosophy: Holonic Biology Not at all	Natural Philosophy: Holonic Biology Neutral	Natural Philosophy: Holonic Biology Somewhat	Natural Philosophy: Holonic Biology Very much
Natural History: Native Plants, Animals, and Fungi of Bogworts	Natural History: Native Plants, Animals, and Fungi of Bogworts Not at all	Natural History: Native Plants, Animals, and Fungi of Bogworts Neutral	Natural History: Native Plants, Animals, and Fungi of Bogworts Somewhat	Natural History: Native Plants, Animals, and Fungi of Bogworts Very much
Topics from the book: Mootopia	Topics from the book: Mootopia Not at all	Topics from the book: Mootopia Neutral	Topics from the book: Mootopia Somewhat	Topics from the book: Mootopia Very much
A mix of the above topics	A mix of the above topics Not at all	A mix of the above topics Neutral	A mix of the above topics Somewhat	A mix of the above topics Very much

3.

What would be the best mix of physical outdoor work (hands-on learning), reading/personal/quiet time, and seminars for you? Indicate your preference by quarters. For example, if you'd like 3/4 outdoor work and 1/4 seminar, click 3 circles under Outdoor and 1 circle under Seminars. *

Matrix question empty cell	Outdoor work	Quiet time	Seminars
25%	25% Outdoor work	25% Quiet time	25% Seminars
25%	25% Outdoor work	25% Quiet time	25% Seminars
25%	25% Outdoor work	25% Quiet time	25% Seminars
25%	25% Outdoor work	25% Quiet time	25% Seminars

4.

There are daily chores on the farm, including meal preparation and cleanup. If you were to be assigned a different chore each day, what is your preference? *

Matrix question empty cell	Rather not	OK with this	Love to
Cook a meal	Cook a meal Rather not	Cook a meal OK with this	Cook a meal Love to
Serve a meal	Serve a meal Rather not	Serve a meal OK with this	Serve a meal Love to
Wash dishes	Wash dishes Rather not	Wash dishes OK with this	Wash dishes Love to
Sweep and other house chores	Sweep and other house chores Rather not	Sweep and other house chores OK with this	Sweep and other house chores Love to
Feed the animals	Feed the animals Rather not	Feed the animals OK with this	Feed the animals Love to
Weed the garden	Weed the garden Rather not	Weed the garden OK with this	Weed the garden Love to
Clean and prep outdoor spaces	Clean and prep outdoor spaces Rather not	Clean and prep outdoor spaces OK with this	Clean and prep outdoor spaces Love to

5.

Philosophers like Socrates, Seneca, Rouseau, Voltaire, Emerson, Thoreau, and Tolstoy proposed that farming was foundational for human development. Give us your two cents. If it's more than two cents, you can email your essay, treatise, or tome to bensargent@pm.me.

NOTE: to capture your 20% discount on a 2026 event at Bogworts, please include your email address in your response, or also send Ben a separate email with your response. Thank you. *

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