We got land in Honbetsu

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2009/10/05
We got land in Honbetsu

Yes we got land and are moving to Honbetsu,northeast of Obihiro and still in the Tokachi area and 2 hours from here.We were introduced to Hayashi-san through the leader of one of our environmental groups called Sunkumura.She(Yoshimi)said they were looking for someone to take over their school and farm.We talked to eachother several times and have agreed to move in with them.They know about our plans of starting a biodynamic community and are letting us move in right away.We don't have anything in writing yet but we have a christians handshake and thats good enough for now to have made and buried some preparations there and spread manure on the next garden plot.We are staying in the schoolhouse now until we get settled in.

We have to move everything in before the snow comes.That means the green house,the cows, superhouse and oven.We will not be making money until we get settled in.Our csa is going to stop deliveries in the middle of october so we can be free to do our moving.We will have a csa member gathering on the 11th of October to celebrate our move and have a welcoming ceremony and bar b q at the new farm..We are still our csa members farmers we are just moving the farm.We hope to have at least 30 members next year and bake in our oven more than twice a week.Hayshi-san has 3 jerseys all are pregnant now are are due this summer as our cows are due this summer too.So we will be milking 5 jerseys next year.So we will be very busy again next year.This winter after we get settled in we will have interviews with potential community members to join us in the work and lifestyle.We know of a few who we want now.We emphasize a biodynamic farm community.The threefold social order of Dr.Steiner's is our goal and keeping with the Demeter certification standards as much as possible.

Hayashi-san is a wise and gentle man.he has let us use 3 ha of land to put our cows on pasture with his and we can start another csa garden there.but if we can get Hayashi-san's sister in law to join in on our movement then we will have 160 ha of land to farm.Most of that is natural forest.We don't have the equipment yet to maintain that amout of land now but the way things are happening for us it won't be long before we can manage it.We will need a lot more people to help then.It is better to have too much land and not enough people than too many people and not enough land.Although land in our area is not a problem. The mayor told Konomi that there were 1500 farmers some time ago and now only 350 and less next year.They are all retiring and noone to take their place.We hope to fill their place with organc/biodynamic farmers with an apprenticeship program at the school here we are trying to create.Konomi and I are working real hard trying to move and harvest and organizing our future plans.It is very stressful for both of us to have to move and start farming again when we would rather be farming now.We can't do both at the same time.lucky it is near the end of harvest that we are moving.By springtime we should be ready to start our farming ventures.Konomi is doing a great job keeping cool and collected.She has to do all the talking and scheduling.I just have to keep with the schedule.She has the hardest job.She is still just so wonderful.I'm glad to have a great partner like her in this situation.I don't know when we will get to take a vacation but when we do we will probably be thinking of the farm.Love and peace.Ben.

[ベン／ Ben Campbell｜Comment(2)]

Edited by ベン／ Ben Campbell 2009/10/02 10:34:38
Last Modified 2009/10/07 23:40:57

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コメント(Comment)

Hi Ben,
It truly is an amazing time and so many things happening at once; so hard to see the woods for the trees!
Thank you for the kind invitation, Mika and I are weighing the pros and cons at present. We both really want to live in community; it has been our clarion call since we met. But we are also, through past experience, cautious.
When we came to the Inchi no kyoen recently you were so busy we didn't get a chance to speak but the real reason for our coming such a long way was in the stars; it was a journey I felt we HAD to make, to reconnect with whatever was happening your way.
Now that is becoming clearer, we are going to take 5 or 6 days to make a proper decision - so , please. bear with us....and know that, whatever we decide, our Hearts and Minds are with your ventures.
Michael's Blessing and Godspeed to you both
Trevor

投稿者(Contributor)：Trevor Read｜2009/10/07 21:28:14

hi honey, i am back home now, seems you are extremely busy moving, will you have the same address to send mail? please let me know. i am well and mom is about the same just a little weaker. love to konomi, will try to call this pm. just got home about 2 hrs ago, waiting until you all are awake before i call. love you , mom

投稿者(Contributor)：mom｜2009/10/17 07:00:43