Today I did something kind of different. I had lunch with Michael Bunker.
He and a couple of men from his Christian agrarian community in Texas drove up this way to visit a friend, sick with cancer, in Gettysburg, PA. Pennsylvania is just below New York. So I drove south for a distance and he drove north and the four of us had lunch at a Cracker Barrel restaurant.
For those who don’t know, Michael Bunker has a blog called “A Process Driven Life” where he writes about his Christian and agrarian convictions and the life his family leads “off grid” in the rural wilderness of Central Texas.
Those who have read his blog know that Michael isn’t afraid to speak his mind when it comes to matters of his religious faith and the doctrines he believes in. As a result, some people find him contentious and provocative. That’s understandable. But, personally, I enjoy reading his perspective. He often gets me thinking about things I should be thinking more about. Most of the time, I agree with him.
I happen to think Michael’s two essays on Biblical agrarianism, Agrarianism vs Urbanism and Towards a Biblical Agrarian Culture are particularly good.
We had a nice visit over lunch today. I did not find Michael contentious in the least. It was a pleasure to meet him and his traveling companions, Joseph and Chris. I learned about their community and the things they are doing. I learned that Texas has no state income tax, and property taxes in his area are next to nothing. If you want to build a house, or anything else, in the county where Michael lives, you don’t need to ask permission of the government. Wow. Texas sounds like a whole nuther world from New York. And land is relatively cheap down there too.
Of course there are drawbacks...like rattlesnakes. And, unfortunately, they are going through a drought these days.
If you’d like to see a picture of me and Michael and Joseph (Chris is behind the camera), go to this link: Me and Michael Bunker
By the way, Michael is also editor of a web site called Biblical Agrarianism.com.
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9 comments:
Well, I'm just tickled that you fellows, two of my favorite bloggers in the world, got to meet in person. :)
Judy
Gee Whiz Herrick. I had no idea Mr.Bunker was going to be in my own back yard. I would have had you swing through the "republic of nanticoke" and pick me up so I could of tagged along.
On another note, my garlic crop is awful this year. I think that heat wave in early June did it. Bottom leaves are dead already and the rest are dieing. Pitiful plants this year. They looked so good when the snow melted off them, I was expecting a good crop. Oh well. How are yours doing?
Scott-
My apologies for not letting you know. Please don't interpret it as an intentional snub or anything like that. Michael e-mailed me and things came together quickly. I was driving by the Whitney Point/Lisle exit and thinking of you, but I'm sure you would have appreciated some advance notice.
I think you and I need to get together someday. It's just a little ironic that I meet Michael Bunker, who lives in Texas, before I meet you, who lives less that two hours away. I'm toying with the idea of having an informal little agrarian get-together for us local like-minded folk ( all three or four of us) some day. But I think I've said that before. Time flys and half my ideas don't get off the ground.
I'm sorry to hear about your garlic crop problems. That's discouraging. For the first year in many years I have no garlic in the ground. I lost use of my neighbor's land and have surprisingly little useable land of my own to grow things on. My garden is, in general, doing very well.
Don't leave your garlic bulbs in the ground too long. I suggest you dig them when 40 percent of the leaves have died. Hang them to dry in a well-ventilated place. I have a feeling your crop will end up a little better than you are thinking it will be.
Are you selling at the farmer's market this year?
Herrick
No sir, I'm not upset or offended. I know how things like that happen and come together all of the sudden and understand completely.
It is ironic that you have met a Texas agrarian and I've flew to Rayville and met them folks and yet we have never got together here in our home state.
We decided against the farmers market this year and its a good thing. Our only automobile died and I travel by golf cart these days! Not ideal for hauling produce to the city!
Scott-
I'm not convinced that selling at a farmer's market is the best way to go with a part-time produce business. It is very time consuming to transport, display and tend to everything. Then there is the overhead costs, including liability insurance which, as you know, the farm market requires. I'm inclined to think that it's better to sell locally, from home, to people who will travel to you. I once knew an old farmer who had a few dairy cows, drove school bus, and grew vegetables for the locals hereabouts. His main crop was potatoes. He had grown potatoes for years and years and a lot of people bought a winter's supply from him every fall. When he died, his son took over the small dairy but not the vegetables. Too bad. I think it takes time to get the word out when you keep it local and low-key but it can work, especially in these days of higher and higher fuel prices. That's what I'd like to do someday.
P.S. My grandmother was a golfer and kept her own cart at the country club up in Maine. They're fun to motor around in.
Herrick,
The land is even cheaper in East Texas. It is fertile and there is plenty of water. We also have timber. If you ever want to come down you have another friend in Texas.
Mitch Templeton
www.tejaskennels.com
Hi Mitch-
East Texas sounds great. I am partial to green landscapes and timber. Thanks for the invite. But what about rattlesnakes?
Judy-
I'm pleased to be one of your favorite bloggers. Thank you.
As a result, some people find him contentious and provocative.
You forgot to add, "and so they chose to tune him out at some point"
think egocasting
But, personally, I enjoy reading his perspective. He often gets me thinking about things I should be thinking more about. Most of the time, I agree with him.
We're together on this one :)
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