Writing The Land: A Six-Part Poetry Series With Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate, Joseph Bruchac, At Pitney Meadows Community Farm

This summer and fall, let the land speak through you. Pitney Meadows Community Farm, in collaboration with the Ndakinna Education Center, invites community members 12 years old and up to “Writing the Land,”  a transformative six-part poetry workshop series led by renowned Abenaki poet, storyteller, musician, and Saratoga Springs’ Poet Laureate, Joseph Bruchac.

Beginning Friday, July 25th at 5:00 PM, and continuing every other Friday through October 3rd, the series invites participants to connect more deeply with nature, language, and themselves, all set against the stunning working landscape of Pitney Meadows.

“At Pitney Meadows, we believe the land itself is a teacher and through this collaboration with Joe Bruchac and the Ndakinna Education Center, we’re creating space for listening, learning, and poetic transformation,” said Brooke McConnell, Executive Director of Pitney Meadows Community Farm. “This is more than a writing series, it’s an invitation to root ourselves in story, place, and shared humanity.”

Each workshop will explore a theme inspired by the land’s rhythms, from the hum of pollinators to the pulse of the harvest, and will offer tools and inspiration to bring participants’ voices to life. Through poetry, reflection, and storytelling, Writing the Land offers a journey grounded in Indigenous wisdom, literary tradition, and community connection.

Workshop Series at a Glance:

• July 25th – Sensory Poetry Walk: Awaken your senses on a guided poetry walk and turn the sights, sounds, and textures of the land into vivid verse.
• August 8th – Connection in Community: Explore the farm’s living web of relationships and translate ecological connection into poetry.
• August 22nd – Song Poetry Writing: Discover poetry’s musical roots and create lyrical, rhythmic pieces inspired by the land.
• September 5th – Food for Thought: Reflect on nourishment, community, and kindness through the poetry of food and harvest.
• September 19th – Migrations and Movement: Observe the beauty of seasonal transition and express transformation in your writing.
• October 3rd – Harvest Moon Reflections: Celebrate a season of growth and storytelling with poems rooted in gratitude and abundance.

All workshops are free with a suggested donation and open to participants ages 12 and up. Whether you're a seasoned writer or simply curious, this series welcomes anyone who wants to slow down, listen deeply, and discover what grows when we write in rhythm with the earth.

“I'm excited about being able to offer this workshop at what I feel is one of the best possible places for a writing workshop,” says Joseph Bruchac. “Pitney Meadows is a true community space where the healing presence of the green and growing world – and inspiration – can be found everywhere. And, rather than some exotic, far away place, it's right next door.”

While each session stands on its own, the full six-part experience is designed as a powerful seasonal journey, deepening with each gathering as we move through the cycles of summer and into the heart of fall. We strongly encourage participants to sign up for the full series to get the most meaningful and transformative experience.

Space is limited — reserve your spot today through the Pitney Meadows Event  Calendar.

Let the farm be your muse. Let your story take root. Let this be your season to write the land!

Supported with funding from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York's Environmental Protection Fund. The NYSCPP is administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.