We Hit the Trailhead
It seems the more one transitions into biblical agrarianism, the less time there is to talk and write about it. Its one thing to mull around the paved parking lot with theories, plans, and maps in hand while pontificating about the proposed adventure, it’s a whole other thing to hit the trailhead and start up the steep mountain. My feet are hurting already, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Missouri Woods seriously hit the trailhead of implementation earlier this month when we acquired Sam & Sadie. What a day that was! When one visits our Amish friend expect to be put to work, no matter the difficulty or lack of personal skills, for you will soon be in the Amish school of sweat, dirt, and dedicated work, which is something we have grown to greatly appreciate. One hour of real time work with him is worth more than a thousand textbooks or training videos.
After an in depth lesson on harnessing Sam & Sadie, Art and Jeff spent nearly two hours driving them attached to an antique, horse-drawn, iron roadgrater while our friend stood directly behind them operating the large iron hand-wheels which maneuvered its wide heavy blade. To watch Jeff, who up until this day had never worked with a team in his life, repeatedly drive the team, with our Amish friend’s expert instruction, horizontally across the face of a large earthen dam at a 45 degree angle was worth it all. The team performed flawlessly and the paradigm shift made in Jeff's life was marvelous to behold. I drove the machine back where I parked it and then led the team to where they could rest and water themselves. To work, by one’s sweat of the brow and fear of the Lord, a team of powerful animals meant to co-labor with man in stewarding the Lord’s earth is very satisfying and encouraging, though quite humbling and challenging.
Next, we made arrangements in procuring the initial equipment we needed, which included a delightful visit to a nearby Amish harness shop where we picked up a set of custom draft harnesses with hames which were built according to our Amish friend’s design and very strict specifications. The deal we were given was an incredible blessing from the Lord. Our Amish friend is procuring the leather collars and bridals elsewhere; I am glad he is picky. We procured two sets of stainless steel doubletrees from him. The logging tongs are being custom made a short ways away by a blacksmith friend of his who knows what’s required in making a set that will last. We made initial inquires into a hay rack (wagon).
We finished the day with a visit to a sawmill and solar kiln business that is owned and run by our friend’s brother, which is a whole other blog posting. We learned volumes in the hour we were there. Lord willing, we will be working with them this winter in getting some initial experience in logging, sawyering, and kilning. There is nothing like breaking in a pair of new hiking boots; we covet your prayers.
I am about half way through the written apologia on our use of mules, which I get to as time allows. With a lot of work ahead of us in getting Sam & Sadie situated and a major conference coming up for me in October, you’ll have to be patient in waiting for my musings to be published. May God bless you all. --- The Missouri Rev
Missouri Woods seriously hit the trailhead of implementation earlier this month when we acquired Sam & Sadie. What a day that was! When one visits our Amish friend expect to be put to work, no matter the difficulty or lack of personal skills, for you will soon be in the Amish school of sweat, dirt, and dedicated work, which is something we have grown to greatly appreciate. One hour of real time work with him is worth more than a thousand textbooks or training videos.
After an in depth lesson on harnessing Sam & Sadie, Art and Jeff spent nearly two hours driving them attached to an antique, horse-drawn, iron roadgrater while our friend stood directly behind them operating the large iron hand-wheels which maneuvered its wide heavy blade. To watch Jeff, who up until this day had never worked with a team in his life, repeatedly drive the team, with our Amish friend’s expert instruction, horizontally across the face of a large earthen dam at a 45 degree angle was worth it all. The team performed flawlessly and the paradigm shift made in Jeff's life was marvelous to behold. I drove the machine back where I parked it and then led the team to where they could rest and water themselves. To work, by one’s sweat of the brow and fear of the Lord, a team of powerful animals meant to co-labor with man in stewarding the Lord’s earth is very satisfying and encouraging, though quite humbling and challenging.
Next, we made arrangements in procuring the initial equipment we needed, which included a delightful visit to a nearby Amish harness shop where we picked up a set of custom draft harnesses with hames which were built according to our Amish friend’s design and very strict specifications. The deal we were given was an incredible blessing from the Lord. Our Amish friend is procuring the leather collars and bridals elsewhere; I am glad he is picky. We procured two sets of stainless steel doubletrees from him. The logging tongs are being custom made a short ways away by a blacksmith friend of his who knows what’s required in making a set that will last. We made initial inquires into a hay rack (wagon).
We finished the day with a visit to a sawmill and solar kiln business that is owned and run by our friend’s brother, which is a whole other blog posting. We learned volumes in the hour we were there. Lord willing, we will be working with them this winter in getting some initial experience in logging, sawyering, and kilning. There is nothing like breaking in a pair of new hiking boots; we covet your prayers.
I am about half way through the written apologia on our use of mules, which I get to as time allows. With a lot of work ahead of us in getting Sam & Sadie situated and a major conference coming up for me in October, you’ll have to be patient in waiting for my musings to be published. May God bless you all. --- The Missouri Rev
posted by Missouri Rev | 10:55 AM
2 Comments:
Congratulations on the purchase of your team of mules! I trust that God will bless your efforts as you try to harvest and sell hardwoods.
Do you have a place in which to lodge the mules? I was also curious to learn how often you need to work a team of mules in order to keep them in good working shape.
When you are ready to start felling and harvesting trees, how do you go about obtaining them? Do you have access to woods for cutting or will you need to advertise that you are interested in purchasing hardwoods in order to find your product?
Bob
Hi Bob,
I still need to make that call with you. There is acreage here in our community, which we are in the process of getting ready. To stay in top shape the team needs to be worked on a regular basis. We intend to work them everyday (Lord willing) for the first several months so that we get on the same page with them. As they are fully broken, they can be pastured for a quite a length of time and yet in a matter of a few minutes be brought to full obedience, as was the case this past winter. When we saw them for the first time early last spring they had not been worked during the winter, yet they obeyed near perfectly when they were harnessed and after a short time driving were back to snuff. That was the day we drove them and skidded the log. The key to a good team is one that is fully broken and kept that way through constant work and improvement. Sam and Sadie are pretty sharp so it will be us that will need to come up to snuff. Our Amish friend will be helping us from time to time to get there.
To start with, we will largely be acquiring our trees through advertising. We already have a good stand of mature walnut available to us less than 5 miles away. Ultimately, we will be purchasing woodlots that we will restore and bring to healthy production over time. As we believe the best economic model for biblical success is vertical integration where one owns the means of production from raw materials to finished products, we see land ownership as critical to the long-term success. As soon as we are trained and ready, we will also be offering our services in restorative forestry where we consult and do the work on bringing overgrown and/or diseased woodlots into sustainable growth and maximum health.
We see Missouri Woods as a multi-family, multi-generational mission to establish local economics and community, so we realize that it will take time and patience, and most importantly, God’s mercy and grace, to bring into productive success. Central to our forestry work will be the draft animal teams, which can get in and out with minimal damage. After much research and market evaluation, they are by and far the best and most advanced technology suited to the business model. They also happen to be the most affordable . . . you can’t beat the Lord’s creation. Thanks for your very encouraging words. I’ll call you soon.
Post a Comment
<< Home