Comments on: My new mission statement http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/my-new-mission-statement/ Big island hawaii Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:32:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jon Kee http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/my-new-mission-statement/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Jon Kee Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:19:36 +0000 http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/12/my-new-mission-statement/#comment-120 I check into what you guys are up to from time to time- this is the first time I've caught your new mission statement. I would like to be considered an exception to your "almost without exception" statement for interns. Having left your farm in April of 2007 after interning for several months, I set off for Alaska shortly after. Lynn and I were reunited that September, ending her return to her previous life after a few months. Of course, that would be a whole different story to get into! Except for two weeks when we left to get married, I have never left. We are now proud owners of 18 acres of land, determined to realize our homesteading dreams. Last summer, we built a small "shed," which we were able to live in during Aug and Sept, before cold forced us out. We built the entire thing out of spruce poles off of the land and recycled materials, mostly salvaged from the town dump. We also managed to get a few perennials in. This summer we are going to proceed with building a small cabin using cordwood and get much more serious about getting more food in the ground. We have also spent the last 2 summers learning how to grow food in this climate. Brassicas and lettuce love it, and a surprising diversity can be grown with some ingenuity. Although at this point only as farmhands, we are proud to be an integral part of the Homer Farmer's Market scene, by helping to grow by far the most food in the area. Less than 10 years old, the market is a huge success, only limited by the amount of food currently being grown. I credit Evening Rain Farm and both you and Karin with showing me that I could do it. I learned so much by being there, including putting a pretty big dent in your library, being introduced to permaculture, solar power, compost toilets, water systems, chickens, and so much more. My time in Hawaii was not all roses, but this in no way reflected on your farm or the hospitality we were given. I accept your criticisms where they apply, which some certainly do. I strive to learn from my mistakes and be better for it. Thanks for everything, and we will continue to check in on you and stay in touch! Mahalo, Jon I check into what you guys are up to from time to time- this is the first time I’ve caught your new mission statement. I would like to be considered an exception to your “almost without exception” statement for interns. Having left your farm in April of 2007 after interning for several months, I set off for Alaska shortly after. Lynn and I were reunited that September, ending her return to her previous life after a few months. Of course, that would be a whole different story to get into! Except for two weeks when we left to get married, I have never left.

We are now proud owners of 18 acres of land, determined to realize our homesteading dreams. Last summer, we built a small “shed,” which we were able to live in during Aug and Sept, before cold forced us out. We built the entire thing out of spruce poles off of the land and recycled materials, mostly salvaged from the town dump. We also managed to get a few perennials in. This summer we are going to proceed with building a small cabin using cordwood and get much more serious about getting more food in the ground.

We have also spent the last 2 summers learning how to grow food in this climate. Brassicas and lettuce love it, and a surprising diversity can be grown with some ingenuity. Although at this point only as farmhands, we are proud to be an integral part of the Homer Farmer’s Market scene, by helping to grow by far the most food in the area. Less than 10 years old, the market is a huge success, only limited by the amount of food currently being grown.

I credit Evening Rain Farm and both you and Karin with showing me that I could do it. I learned so much by being there, including putting a pretty big dent in your library, being introduced to permaculture, solar power, compost toilets, water systems, chickens, and so much more. My time in Hawaii was not all roses, but this in no way reflected on your farm or the hospitality we were given. I accept your criticisms where they apply, which some certainly do. I strive to learn from my mistakes and be better for it.

Thanks for everything, and we will continue to check in on you and stay in touch!

Mahalo,
Jon

]]> By: jan shipley http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/my-new-mission-statement/comment-page-1/#comment-119 jan shipley Mon, 26 May 2008 22:59:44 +0000 http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/12/my-new-mission-statement/#comment-119 after reading your blog i feel as if you and i knew one another we could be great friends....i have been a vegetarian for 35 years and a vegan for the past 12. i live in a very small southern indiana town and i am one of- well, 1. it's just me...i moved here 12 yrs ago with my husband from a very large city (indianapolis) and the whole thing has been quite an adjustment. i myself would like to change the world... i don't want to see any more animal suffering...(or anyone eating any animals for that matter) but that's my personal choice...and i would also like to shout it from the rootops-but i have learned to just go about quietly living my life and beliefs because if one more person says "why do you do that" i would like to choke them! why do you throw litter in the street when you finish your coke? why do you leave your houses lit up like airport runways? why do you get in your car and drive everytime you run out of any item or crave a candy bar? but unfotunately what they are all doing is much more acceptable than my decisions and choices... i am the 'weirdo'... i appreciate and second your comments that they can all grow 'screw themselves' and essentially they all are, unfortunately all the damage that they do...they are taking us (the you and i's of the world) with them...and that's the saddest part of it all....we can't change them (or at least ALL of them) but we can go to bed at night and we should be able to sleep soundly... take care........... after reading your blog i feel as if you and i knew one another we could be great friends….i have been a vegetarian for 35 years and a vegan for the past 12. i live in a very small southern indiana town and i am one of- well, 1. it’s just me…i moved here 12 yrs ago with my husband from a very large city (indianapolis) and the whole thing has been quite an adjustment.

i myself would like to change the world… i don’t want to see any more animal suffering…(or anyone eating any animals for that matter) but that’s my personal choice…and i would also like to shout it from the rootops-but i have learned to just go about quietly living my life and beliefs because if one more person says “why do you do that” i would like to choke them! why do you throw litter in the street when you finish your coke? why do you leave your houses lit up like airport runways? why do you get in your car and drive everytime you run out of any item or crave a candy bar? but unfotunately what they are all doing is much more acceptable than my decisions and choices… i am the ‘weirdo’…

i appreciate and second your comments that they can all grow ‘screw themselves’ and essentially they all are, unfortunately all the damage that they do…they are taking us (the you and i’s of the world) with them…and that’s the saddest part of it all….we can’t change them (or at least ALL of them) but we can go to bed at night and we should be able to sleep soundly…

take care………..

]]> By: Alex http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/my-new-mission-statement/comment-page-1/#comment-118 Alex Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:55:13 +0000 http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/12/my-new-mission-statement/#comment-118 I havn't even had the chance to meet all of you yet, but I know I will love you! Addopt me please... not for a bit..forever Will see you in a few weeks, Much Love and warm vibes! Also are there any books that you would suggest I read? I got a barnes and noble gift certificate from my cousin and I am unsure what to get.. =) Cheers I havn’t even had the chance to meet all of you yet, but I know I will love you!

Addopt me please… not for a bit..forever

Will see you in a few weeks,

Much Love and warm vibes!

Also are there any books that you would suggest I read? I got a barnes and noble gift certificate from my cousin and I am unsure what to get.. =)

Cheers

]]> By: Myles Darrelll http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/my-new-mission-statement/comment-page-1/#comment-117 Myles Darrelll Sat, 24 Nov 2007 13:19:39 +0000 http://eveningrainfarm.com/2007/11/12/my-new-mission-statement/#comment-117 Hey Now! I know it's been a long time but I keep checkin' in on all the work your doing. This "new" mission statement is exactly how I always saw the farm and your attitude Scott. In fact that is what I most liked about BMS otherwise known as Evening rain farm. Your not caught up in the inconsistant energies of interns and young excited hippies coming in to this lifestyle naive to the amount of hard work required. You have been my greatest role model since having had the opporotunity to live with you and the family new and old. You are a hero. While I appreciate that it's hard to watch interns come and go, it must be remembered that all those who have had a chance to spend time with you on the "farm" have taken a piece of it with them on thier mission. Evening rain farm is not open and free to the public this is your space. At some point we all have to leave to continue our journies or missions. If it had been possible for me to stay at the farm and do my life work from there that would have been my first choice there are few people in the world that I would rather spend time with. That is not possible for so many reasons though, Evening rain farm is your farm and I didn't and don't have the financial security that makes it possible for you to continue your works there. I have a responsibility to the community I live in (helping, teaching, sharing). In the midst of this global crisis I have not become oblivious to the rushing cars nor my own inner feelings. When I left evening rain farm it was beyond difficult it was the cause of great pain and suffering. I wouldn't change a thing having said. Pain and suffering is my reality Peace and Love is my cultivation. Having left the farm I have been able to teach so many people about an alternative lifestyle that can bring great joy and happiness and real feelings. These works act as a catalyst to change just as yours do. My time at the farm was one of the greatest contributions to my emancipation and increased my awareness of self allowing me to understand my mission. Everyone is on their own mission. It cannot be assumed that those who return to their old lives have lost awareness. As time passes life changes and what was no longer is and this makes it impossible to go back to "regular life". Scott I understand that it would be silly to not have a cynical attitude looking at the present state of things but it must not be forgotten that you are an active part of the neccesary social change that will see many individuals freed from their own enslavement. Scott I Love You I Miss You and I wish you well on your mission. Myles Hey Now! I know it’s been a long time but I keep checkin’ in on all the work your doing. This “new” mission statement is exactly how I always saw the farm and your attitude Scott. In fact that is what I most liked about BMS otherwise known as Evening rain farm. Your not caught up in the inconsistant energies of interns and young excited hippies coming in to this lifestyle naive to the amount of hard work required. You have been my greatest role model since having had the opporotunity to live with you and the family new and old. You are a hero. While I appreciate that it’s hard to watch interns come and go, it must be remembered that all those who have had a chance to spend time with you on the “farm” have taken a piece of it with them on thier mission. Evening rain farm is not open and free to the public this is your space. At some point we all have to leave to continue our journies or missions. If it had been possible for me to stay at the farm and do my life work from there that would have been my first choice there are few people in the world that I would rather spend time with. That is not possible for so many reasons though, Evening rain farm is your farm and I didn’t and don’t have the financial security that makes it possible for you to continue your works there. I have a responsibility to the community I live in (helping, teaching, sharing). In the midst of this global crisis I have not become oblivious to the rushing cars nor my own inner feelings. When I left evening rain farm it was beyond difficult it was the cause of great pain and suffering. I wouldn’t change a thing having said. Pain and suffering is my reality Peace and Love is my cultivation. Having left the farm I have been able to teach so many people about an alternative lifestyle that can bring great joy and happiness and real feelings. These works act as a catalyst to change just as yours do. My time at the farm was one of the greatest contributions to my emancipation and increased my awareness of self allowing me to understand my mission. Everyone is on their own mission. It cannot be assumed that those who return to their old lives have lost awareness. As time passes life changes and what was no longer is and this makes it impossible to go back to “regular life”. Scott I understand that it would be silly to not have a cynical attitude looking at the present state of things but it must not be forgotten that you are an active part of the neccesary social change that will see many individuals freed from their own enslavement. Scott I Love You I Miss You and I wish you well on your mission.

Myles

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