I spent some time Saturday morning with Moise, who was very proud to show me the work progress made on his farm. I was shocked to see so much change in just a few days.
First, he showed me the new water pump installed in the vegetable, corn, berry pasture.
The spring is 1,500 feet back into the woods; Moise and helper put in more than 1,500 feet of pipe to bring water to his pasture and the family’s temporary home.
He had to hire an excavator to do some of it. Now he can irrigate his whole pasture.
Next, Moise showed me he was finishing building the woodshed out front of the farm on Route 22, five miles north of Cambridge and a few feet south of the Washington County Lauderdale Lake Park.
The woodshed will offer pies, bracelets, necklaces, cookies, muffins, and donuts. Friday, the stand sold hundreds of donuts.
Moise told me every Friday would be a special Donut Day; I said I would be happy to promote it on my blog. I’m not sure Moise completely understands what a blog is, but I think he might find out on Friday.
That is Friday, April 16th; the donuts made For Donut Friday (every Friday will be Donut Friday) will be on sale all day. They sold out yesterday by late afternoon.
Baked goods – fresh pies, etc. – are made fresh every day and are on sale every day but Sunday in the shed.
A lot of donuts flew out of there Friday. The word is spreading about the food they are selling.
Maria says they are great. I had a bit. Maria is right.
Moise is finishing mowing 30 acres which he says will produce fresh corn and vegetables, strawberries, and raspberries.
The family’s permanent home will be built next year on the edge of his vegetable field.
He also built a new driveway and exit route because some people have to back up after shopping, and it can be dangerous on the road. It’s now easy to park and exit safely.
I guess he did it with the plows and field horses. I asked him if he ever sleeps, and he said, sure, when it gets too dark to work.
This week, the lumber yard the family has created sells lumber pre-cut in different sizes (Moise is a miller). A lot of pick-up trucks drove up into the farm to buy some wood.
This farm is on the move.
“It’s coming together,” he told me proudly this morning, “I’ve got a lot of work to do.”
He’s done a lot of work, I though. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone single person or family accomplish so much in so short a time. And it’s all smart and well thought out. And none of it required a loan of one dollar from anyone.
I admire this man, and I want to help. He inspires me with his honesty, his simplicity, and his energy.
I offered to promote his upcoming Donut Friday plan on my blog. Every Friday, the family will make special fresh donuts and sell them in the shed.
Obviously, most of my blog readers don’t live here, but those who want to buy some ($6 for six donuts) can find the donuts and other goods on Rte 22, five miles north of Cambridge and just South of Washington County Lauderdale Lake Camping Ground.
The other baked goods will be on sale also.
I hear about these donuts all over town, even at our post office.
I spent a half-hour showing the family children all of the photos I’ve been taking of the farm and the horses. They asked if I could print some out for them, I said I would be happy too. I’ll select some this week and get them printed.
I am awestruck at how much work Moise has done and how much work he has yet to do. I also have no doubt he will get it done.
I think he is a genius of a sort; his plan for settling and caring for his family is solid as a rock and already well underway.
If I can contribute in any small way, I will be proud to do so. Think Donut Friday.
I think getting to know this family has been good for you. I don’t know why but I feel it when you write about them. I can feel your happiness in your writing.
I do feel happy about them…
What a wonderful friendship you are developing together. I have a feeling you will have a friend for life.
Jon, I am fascinated by your new neighbors. I look forward every day to learning something new about their lives. We should all follow their example and work as hard and hold family as close…the world would be a much better place. Thank you so much for sharing.
I see a stone fence in Moise’s future! Lots of rocks with which to make one.
I just love reading of the progress being made on Moise’s farm. I need to plan a road trip from northeastern CT, and get up there for donuts or other goodies. 🙂
Jon…
I guess the family exemplifies what is meant by “self-sufficient.” From what you have described, here are my impressions:
• Hard work is a key, but there is more.
• First, the family has a code of living that emphasizes core values and excludes distractions from the family’s focus.
• Moise and his family have developed an inventory of lifestyle skills and how to apply them to make the farm sustainable and productive. If other knowledge is needed, they will acquire it. They are curious and eager to learn. Their children are already “learning by doing.”
• Moise apparently has a network of “friends” who can assist with specialized jobs.
• And, he excels at task planning: what needs to be done and when, so that the farm’s work proceeds with minimum delay.
• Finally, his vision seems to predate the farm, so that individual projects appear to be proceeding towards a goal.
Their formula seems old-fashioned but workable. They create revenue opportunities where none seems to exist. And while useful, modern technology is not required.