Countryside Reunion Information
Thank
you for the interest you have expressed in the Countryside reunion. I
hope this helps you to know what to expect and hope you are able to
come.
Location
information: Our homestead, The Poor Farm, is in southwestern IN about
10 miles south of Interstate 64 at exit #57 (US Hwy 231 S). Call for
specific directions. Be cautious of trying to follow a map, since just
last spring they opened up the new US HWY 231 through this county which
does not run the same way as the old one.
Who we are: We are a
couple whose children have all grown. We live on 20 acres with the
majority of it being woods. We call our home The Poor Farm. Robert
operates a sawmill. I work as a nurse. We have about 5000 sq ft of
organic (not certified) garden, fruit trees, blueberries, raspberries,
blackberries, strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, herb beds, horseradish,
grapes, etc. We raise chemical-free grass-fed beef cows on nearby
acreage we own. We have a few rental properties. We built our own
house and other outbuildings. Robert uses used cooking oil to fuel
diesel vehicles and equipment. We make our own soap, wine, homebrew,
and even, occasionally, soda pop. When we have a source of fresh milk,
we churn our own butter. We have also begun making some cheeses. We
can, freeze, and dehydrate the majority of what we eat. We have a
butcher shop set up in our summer kitchen. We have spoken to college
classes on green living topics on occasion. Our newest project is a
greenhouse with an aquaponics set-up.
What to expect: When you arrive, pull into the drive and park your vehicle. Come
around to the back side of the house (the shared, “community” area) and
introduce yourself. You will be assisted to find a campsite (if
applicable) of your preference. We have many shaded spots - there is no
concern that you might have to be in the sun in July. We have a few
sites available with electric hook-up. These may be reserved if you are
sure you will be here, or are on a first-come, first-served basis as
available upon arrival. You will be shown where the summer kitchen, hot
and cold water, gas stove, wood stove, campfire, picnic tables,
flushing toilet facilities, and the hot showers are located for your
use. Most have no problem camping primitive with all the other
conveniences available. We even provide fresh hot coffee and tea every
morning from about 5am until around 10am. If you do not have a coffee
cup with you, there will be disposable hot cups available. You will be
given a “tour” of the Poor Farm - remind us if we forget - sometimes we
give so many tours that we may think we took someone and did not. Introductions will take place and you may receive a nametag so we can
all know whom everyone is. Each guest will sign in with contact
information and place a pin on the map to show where you are from. You
will be shown where the sign-up sheet is for demonstrations. Anyone
wishing to speak about or demonstrate a topic is encouraged to do so. We
can all learn from each other. Many are not comfortable doing this and
that is ok, too. Come and enjoy. Each day is broken up into ½-hour
increments. A demonstrator may sign up for one time period or as many
as needed to cover the topic. We generally have only one thing going at
a time so that the demonstrators can also observe other topics and no
one has to choose what they want to watch. If you have something you
can share, you are encouraged to do so.
We have two ponds. Fishing and swimming are permitted. Fishing is on a basis of catching
and preparing or releasing. In other words, you may catch fish and
prepare them for yourself or for all Countrysiders here, but we ask you
not to attempt to stock your freezers at home. Children who wish to
swim must be supervised. We are not responsible for the safety of your
children. This is not an OSHA-declared safe zone. It is a working
homestead. If you are not careful, it is possible to get hurt. We
also have a trampoline, and children may use this as long as they follow
our posted trampoline rules.
Alcoholic beverages
are allowed but drunkenness is not. This is a family vacation for many
and behavior must remain appropriate. We provide containers for your
trash, but it is your responsibility to sort it. We have separate
containers for tin cans, aluminum cans, #1 plastic bottles, #2 plastic
bottles, glass, and burnable trash, and for trash that does not fit
those categories. Please clean up your own messes.
Individual camp
fires are discouraged since the purpose of being here is to visit with
others who share the countryside philosophy. There is a nice central
campfire kept going from the arrival of the first guest until after the
last guest leaves. It is much nicer just to share this fire and the
reunion takes place at a time of year that is frequently dry so it is
much safer, too. We recommend that you keep meals simple. This is the
only time all year that we get to visit with other Countrysiders. We do
not want to spend it cooking and cleaning up and doubt if you do
either. In the past, many meals have become impromptu pitch-ins, and
all enjoy that. On Saturday, the noon meal is provided. Most
generally, we are trying to get rid of the leftovers for the evening
meal on Saturday, so do not plan to bring food for that meal either.
We live in a small
county. We do not have a hospital or a Wal-Mart. However, we have
Holiday World (a world-acclaimed amusement park that beats Disney in
many categories), Lincoln State Park, and Lincoln National Park. The
reunion falls on a holiday weekend, so if you plan to stay in a motel,
get your reservations in early for the best pricing. By the way, we are
within about ½ hour of both a hospital and a Wal-Mart, so no panic is
necessary. If you wish to check out any of these or other attractions
while you are here, try to either come early or stay late. They are
really busy on that weekend, and we would hate for you to miss anything
happening here. You are welcome to come early and/or stay later than the
reunion dates either to allow yourself some time to see the area or to
see what life at The Poor Farm is like when we don’t look like a
campground.
If you have
additional questions, ask. We will try to be as helpful as we can be. The one question we are asked the most is about any charges. It really
is at no charge. We do not charge for anything. We love doing this
and this is our vacation, too. Feel free to bring things you do not want
anymore but know that some homesteader might like to have. You may give
or sell things, but we are not responsible for whatever you bring.
Also, if you have saved any extra heirloom seeds to share, please bring
these as well. Please give us a call with any questions and to let us
know how many to expect and when you plan to arrive. We are looking
forward to hearing from you again and meeting you. Please have the
phone numbers with you as you travel in case you need anything. Yvonne
cell: 812-686-3805. Robert cell: 812-393-0160.