gwinhh
Jul 30, 2007, 01:08 PM
Just outside Elm Mott (close to Waco), there's a place called "Heritage Farms". It is a community dedicated to the preservation of old-time crafts, sustainable organic non-pesticide farming. I don't think I have seen so many birds and butterflies since I was a kit.
Think "Amish" with electricity, automobiles, tractors (for major jobs; horses for others), a/c, computer-aided record keeping, etc. They have a water powered mill (the water comes from a well by way of an electric pump)!.
They teach classes (up to a week in length) on smithing, pottery, furniture and carpentry, herbs, sustainable agriculture, etc. My son spent a week making a Windsor chair the old way -- starting with an oak log! $800 for the course; they sell these chairs for $900 up in their gift shop. Solid Cherry hand made dining sets for $10,000 up.
They are a Christian community -- very basic, Bible-based, who do not shun the world, but they do keep to themselves. Young people who want to go to college are free to do so, but are often unable to cope with the "Outside" world. Home schooled, of course, but with he community life they have, they do not lack the socialization that many home-schooled families in ordinary communities do.
We had a very interesting conversation with a 20 year old girl (woman) on this matter. She was very honest on all this; you could find the party-line present, but she was quite convinced of the value of their way of life. If I were not 70 and a sort of liberal (episcopal) Christian, I would be very much interested in their life.
A friend of mine explained his fondness for Disney World by saying "This is the way the world ought to be." I could say the same about this place.
If you're ever in the neighborhood, it would be well worth your time to drop by. Just off I-35 near Waco. Or check the website: cfeeschool.com
I think I will ask my family to send THEM a check in lieu of Christmas presents.
howell.
Think "Amish" with electricity, automobiles, tractors (for major jobs; horses for others), a/c, computer-aided record keeping, etc. They have a water powered mill (the water comes from a well by way of an electric pump)!.
They teach classes (up to a week in length) on smithing, pottery, furniture and carpentry, herbs, sustainable agriculture, etc. My son spent a week making a Windsor chair the old way -- starting with an oak log! $800 for the course; they sell these chairs for $900 up in their gift shop. Solid Cherry hand made dining sets for $10,000 up.
They are a Christian community -- very basic, Bible-based, who do not shun the world, but they do keep to themselves. Young people who want to go to college are free to do so, but are often unable to cope with the "Outside" world. Home schooled, of course, but with he community life they have, they do not lack the socialization that many home-schooled families in ordinary communities do.
We had a very interesting conversation with a 20 year old girl (woman) on this matter. She was very honest on all this; you could find the party-line present, but she was quite convinced of the value of their way of life. If I were not 70 and a sort of liberal (episcopal) Christian, I would be very much interested in their life.
A friend of mine explained his fondness for Disney World by saying "This is the way the world ought to be." I could say the same about this place.
If you're ever in the neighborhood, it would be well worth your time to drop by. Just off I-35 near Waco. Or check the website: cfeeschool.com
I think I will ask my family to send THEM a check in lieu of Christmas presents.
howell.