Farm Block is committed to creating a container of creativity and connection. In community, we encounter stuff. This is an agreement to be guided by these principles so we can create safer, more functional spaces together. These agreements are evolving, and your feedback is welcome: care@farmblock.com. Please find Care Team members if you need any support during or post festival.

Be Gentle

This is a gathering/reunion that can be transformative for folks, which can elicit great joy and intense grief. Let’s be gentle with each other and this special piece of land. 

Try Your Best

Please do your best to honor people’s pronouns and chosen names. Let’s all strive to address homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, ableism and anything that interferes with our ability to co-create a respectful shared space.

Antiracist Values

Because this festival has historically been a majority white space, let’s be intentional about practicing antiracist values. For white folks: please get or stay curious about cultural appropriation and be open to feedback. The Care Team is around if you have things to process/learn. For BIPOC folks: please let the Care Team know if you need to redirect any questions, actions or energy. We’re a mostly white team, but we have experience navigating racialized conflicts and calling in white folks in caucus spaces and beyond. 

The Window Of Tolerance

The Window Of Tolerance is a nervous system regulation concept. If someone is in the hyperarousal zone (fight, flight, fawn) or in the hypoaroused zone (freeze, numb, dissociated), give them time to soothe, redirect, emote, ground themselves, etc. People generally aren’t able to learn, reflect or resolve things when they’re out of this window. 

HALT

Notice if you or someone else might be in a HALT state (Hungry Angry, Lonely, or Tired) and consider pausing the interaction. Check in if/when appropriate to see if space, time, food, water, rest, presence, meds, hugs, movement, etc. are needed.

Feedback Is A Gift

Want an interaction to end? Don’t know what you want? Practice saying stop, wait, pause, or “I need time to think about this.” Try naming your physical sensations: “I’m experiencing anxiety and I need a moment.” If something doesn’t feel good, try giving someone feedback about why, or ask a Care Team member or a friend for support in doing so. 

Consent First

Try to get a clear (“yes”), or clear nonverbal consent before interacting with someone’s body, property or personal space. Ex. before: venting about someone, borrowing someone’s item, sharing someone’s personal info. “Yes” means yes. Hesitation or “maybe” means no, or that there’s something to clarify. 

Consent Resets

A “yes” once does not mean “yes” in the future, or to any activity other than the one specifically agreed to. Don’t make assumptions.

Check In

When you’re with someone new, talk about how you each like to communicate. Do you like verbal check-ins? Is nonverbal communication ok? Are you confident asserting your boundaries if I get close to one? Check in during physical activity. “Yes or no Q’s are often focused on the desires of the person asking. Open ended Q’s are more revealing in terms of showing mutual desire, and assessing whether someone is in a compliance, or trauma response. (e.g. “What would feel good to you right now?”) – Consent Beyond Yes

Be Trauma-aware

Watch for signs of a FREEZE response, in which the person becomes largely unresponsive and unable to act or speak up for themselves, or COMPLIANCE response (fawning or appeasing), where they act in the interest of the other’s happiness without regard/awareness of their own. These responses often come with dissociation or numbness, disorientation, or a lack of presence. Watch for cues that someone is hesitant or uncomfortable (i.e. averting eyes, nervous laughter, frowning, pushing or pulling away, etc). 

Share Boundaries and Desires

The best way to prevent a consent violation is to focus on what everyone involved wants! Use these agreements to help everyone have a great time, not just to avoid missteps. Things can change, but share if there are things you know you don’t want or you know you like. The less you’re each worried about a boundary accidentally getting crossed, the more you can relax, enjoy yourselves, and focus on what you all want. If it’s about sex, this is a great time to mention any other partners, relationship agreements, STI testing, etc.

Substance Use

Are your choices at X number of drinks consistent with your regular choices? Know thyself. If you or the person you’re with are trying a new drug, maybe wait to try a new physical activity or partner. In an altered state, the ability to consent may be altered, too. Note that altered states are not limited to substances (sleep deprivation, low blood sugar, etc.)

Seek Support

Contact a Care Team member if you think you crossed someone’s boundaries, had your boundaries crossed, or got into a questionable situation around consent. Contact security for serious violations and immediate threats. Use The Incident Reporting Form to report after hours, if you can’t find a Care Team member, or to remain anonymous. Even if you don’t need help or want to follow-up, please report incidents so we can track patterns. Please knock on the Care Team tent by the Parson’s house if you need after hours support.

After Hours Support

Knock on the Care Team tent (2 person gray/blue tent) by the Parson’s house or call (630) 36300404.

Find hard copies of Care Team docs at the Medic/Care Team Tent & Check-In Area. Care Team members can be ID’d with glow in the dark, daisy bolo ties!