Honestly, I think moving the farm is a great next step for you. It was the place you got through the past, and now you need a new beginning and new energy. Plus, the move and all of its facets will make for great reading!! Minnesota or even Michigan would be good places to land.
No matter what, we will happily take this journey with you.
Come to Minnesota! (once we get rid of ice.) Great small farm communities that care about soil health, organic/regenerative ag. Check out the Land Stewardship Project that post farms for sale. Also, I know of a realtor that is a sheep farmer and knows what to look for.
Selfishly, I'd be so sad to know you aren't close by, even if we only rode bikes together that one time. But, unselfishly, Vermont, Minnesota or Massachusetts all sound much more pleasant than the three-ring circus this state has become (with apologies to three-ring circuses), and you deserve to be happy and in a state where maybe it isn't so hard to do what you do!
I’ve been reading you for years and over the last year especially your farm news (and photos of Puck) have been extra welcome in my inbox. I look forward to learning how one *does* in fact move a whole dang farm. Best of luck, here’s to new beginnings.
You are absolutely and totally welcome to VT - If in the Addison County area check out ACORN and connect with NOFA and/or UVM Sustainable Ag. So much good work happening here! And we need more diverse farmers to protect our land from developers as our dairy farms disappear... Your delightful way of looking at the world and your work would fit right in!
So excited for you and the next chapter! I have reinvented my life several times and at the beginning it is sad and hard, the outcomes have been fantastic! Went from corporate america to owning a laundromat for 21 years! I have all the faith in the world that you, your family, and the flerd will pick just the right spot and flourish!!! You got this! PS. Will I see your name on new episodes of Cold Case Files?? LOL!
Hi AC, responding to your proposal to move the farm to Vermont. Just wanted to let you know that Gordon and his wife Ellie live in Burlington now (Gordon in Graduate School for Naturalists ) and plan to stay on once he has his degree. I will let them know you are looking to come North, maybe they can be of moral or on the ground help. Contact info later. What a lot of things happening in such a short time. Isn't life exciting !!
Oh that's lovely! It turns out I have a bunch of other long lost friends and family on and around Vermont too, so we won't be starting from scratch! I'll definitely look Gordon up when we arrive!
Here’s a vote for Vermont! I grew up here and after some working years have returned here and am so glad I did. We do have a lot of snow and cold right now but you learn how to manage it.
I live in Western mass, in Adams. We are very close to Vermont and New York State. It’s a beautiful area! If there’s anything I can do to help you find land in this area let me know. I would recommend contacting Berkshire natural resources because they conserve farmland..
Great hint! Thank you so much! And amazing to know I have so many farm friends nearish to us if we can find a spot up North! Maybe we'll have everyone over for a farm warming party (that is actually a work party, shhhh don't tell anyone!)
Wow. That is a LOT. Working in communications, in another Southern state, I can imagine your conflict with both your job and your location. We have beloved friends who moved to Ashville and had children -- they won't be coming back home because of some of the ways we treat people here (good thing we love visiting Ashville!). But moving a WHOLE farm? DANG. I don't know how much incantations and intentions being set from afar can help or ease the burden...but I'll do them regardless. (PS, I'm rooting for Vermont!)
My goodness, Victoria! For someone who "welcomes different ideas" you seem very eager to judge. To judge Portland, to judge me ... and to resort to petty personal attacks.
And now you've checked out my profile? Or did you Google me? Either way Victoria -- that's just weird. Your rant doesn't deserve a substantive response. But it does tell me that perhaps you need a hobby. Best of luck.
Honestly, I think moving the farm is a great next step for you. It was the place you got through the past, and now you need a new beginning and new energy. Plus, the move and all of its facets will make for great reading!! Minnesota or even Michigan would be good places to land.
No matter what, we will happily take this journey with you.
that's a good way to look at it, and I'll give Michigan a look! Thank you!!
Come to Minnesota! (once we get rid of ice.) Great small farm communities that care about soil health, organic/regenerative ag. Check out the Land Stewardship Project that post farms for sale. Also, I know of a realtor that is a sheep farmer and knows what to look for.
oh wow, would love to be put in touch with a realtor there that could help us look around and understands sheep!
Selfishly, I'd be so sad to know you aren't close by, even if we only rode bikes together that one time. But, unselfishly, Vermont, Minnesota or Massachusetts all sound much more pleasant than the three-ring circus this state has become (with apologies to three-ring circuses), and you deserve to be happy and in a state where maybe it isn't so hard to do what you do!
There are many lovely things and friends we'll be sad to leave behind here!
I’ve been reading you for years and over the last year especially your farm news (and photos of Puck) have been extra welcome in my inbox. I look forward to learning how one *does* in fact move a whole dang farm. Best of luck, here’s to new beginnings.
It's definitely going to be an adventure!
You are absolutely and totally welcome to VT - If in the Addison County area check out ACORN and connect with NOFA and/or UVM Sustainable Ag. So much good work happening here! And we need more diverse farmers to protect our land from developers as our dairy farms disappear... Your delightful way of looking at the world and your work would fit right in!
So excited for you and the next chapter! I have reinvented my life several times and at the beginning it is sad and hard, the outcomes have been fantastic! Went from corporate america to owning a laundromat for 21 years! I have all the faith in the world that you, your family, and the flerd will pick just the right spot and flourish!!! You got this! PS. Will I see your name on new episodes of Cold Case Files?? LOL!
haha alas, no, working for a different production company these days, but maybe some day I'll end up back there!
Hi AC, responding to your proposal to move the farm to Vermont. Just wanted to let you know that Gordon and his wife Ellie live in Burlington now (Gordon in Graduate School for Naturalists ) and plan to stay on once he has his degree. I will let them know you are looking to come North, maybe they can be of moral or on the ground help. Contact info later. What a lot of things happening in such a short time. Isn't life exciting !!
Oh that's lovely! It turns out I have a bunch of other long lost friends and family on and around Vermont too, so we won't be starting from scratch! I'll definitely look Gordon up when we arrive!
You’re strong
You got this
And the move will be the right move
Here’s a vote for Vermont! I grew up here and after some working years have returned here and am so glad I did. We do have a lot of snow and cold right now but you learn how to manage it.
Western MA and/or Vermont?!? YES PLEASE!
I live in Western mass, in Adams. We are very close to Vermont and New York State. It’s a beautiful area! If there’s anything I can do to help you find land in this area let me know. I would recommend contacting Berkshire natural resources because they conserve farmland..
Great hint! Thank you so much! And amazing to know I have so many farm friends nearish to us if we can find a spot up North! Maybe we'll have everyone over for a farm warming party (that is actually a work party, shhhh don't tell anyone!)
Wow. That is a LOT. Working in communications, in another Southern state, I can imagine your conflict with both your job and your location. We have beloved friends who moved to Ashville and had children -- they won't be coming back home because of some of the ways we treat people here (good thing we love visiting Ashville!). But moving a WHOLE farm? DANG. I don't know how much incantations and intentions being set from afar can help or ease the burden...but I'll do them regardless. (PS, I'm rooting for Vermont!)
Selfishly, I'd be delighted if you wound up (nearby) in VT. I'm surviving on NH border :-)
We're looking in the Northeast Kingdom, so not terribly far from the NH border!
Sorry to hear you're moving, but I understand!
Massachusetts has a great school system- that's my vote for MA ~
Wherever you end up it'll be an adventure!
Hang in there! You're planning ahead, so it will be manageable. Keep us posted!
My goodness, Victoria! For someone who "welcomes different ideas" you seem very eager to judge. To judge Portland, to judge me ... and to resort to petty personal attacks.
And now you've checked out my profile? Or did you Google me? Either way Victoria -- that's just weird. Your rant doesn't deserve a substantive response. But it does tell me that perhaps you need a hobby. Best of luck.