Friday, April 18, 2008

Want!

Farm Beginnings is a 10 month long course covering subjects such as low-cost sustainable farming methods, creative marketing, business-plan writing, etc. put on by the Land Stewardship Project. I have wanted to do this for several years. One year I had gone so far as to complete the application. That was the year Mom came to live with me, so those plans fizzled.

Every year the location changes, and this year it turns out that one of them is not far from my sister's place. If I could drop Mom there, attend class, and pick Mom back up, it might work. Tuition, however, is a problem.

My cousin's wife did the course several years ago, as did their son. He is now naturally raising award-winning hogs for Niman Ranch, using deep bedding and hoop houses. Even standing right next to the hoop house, there is no manure smell. If you have ever driven by, or lived near, a "conventional" hog confinement facility, you know how miraculous that is. I am lucky, and proud, to be able to buy pork from him.

During summers in high school, I lived on their farm and babysat, cooked, cleaned, helped with chores or basically whatever needed doing. Along with Great Aunt Teeter, my experiences on their farm made me want a place of my own. Now that I have it, I want to be as good a steward of the land as I can. I think it is important.

9 comments:

Cindy said...

Can you get a student loan? Scholarship? Grant? Anything??????? It sounds important.

MJ said...
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cornbread hell said...

i do hope you find a way to take that course. you are the change the world needs.

Anonymous said...
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Annie said...

Grr, spammers!

Cindy, it is important to me.

I need to make sure I have Mom taken care of first. I'll be seeing my brother and sisters today, so I hope to be able to move forward and at least apply. They do have limited partial scholarship money.

Rick, thank you. They don't make more land, we must take care of what we have.

Joanne said...

That sounds like a wonderful course, Anne. I sure hope you are able to work out plans with your sisters or brother to help with your mom so you can take advantage of such a valuable asset. Good luck with the application and hope you're able to work on getting a grant or the means to help you pay for it. Hugs being sent your way.

rilera said...

That sounds cool! I hope that you get to attend.

Cindy said...

OK. Here's what I know. Your brother and sisters need to step up. I have often allowed my only surviving brother "off the hook" because of his family. If this is important....make sure they understand. I'll bet they'll be there for you. Oh, and the spammers? We hates em.

Annie said...

Cindy, sigh. There was too much other family drama yesterday I didn't even bother to bring it up.