Finding Community in Unexpected Places

When we decided to invest in this farm project seven months ago, we were bracing ourselves for the loneliness factor. Michelle and I have both grown up around the city and suburbs our entire lives. We are fortunate to have close ties to family and friends. We have been intimately involved with various community groups and organizations over the years, from churches to yoga to soccer to kids dance to the library. As our children grew up we enjoyed the library so much, we decided to move to within walking distance of the Westerville branch. Ice cream socials and summer reading programs became interwoven into our busy lives.

The cousins visit the girls in the newly painted trailer

And I need a whole separate paragraph for our church community at Central Vineyard in Clintonville. Words cannot express the joy, endearment, fun times, heartbreak, and fulfillment we have gotten from the relationships, events, and community building. It's as though God provided just the right encouragement and nourishing needed to grow our family over the last 6 years. Participating in building community gardens, the Clintonville Resource Center, Justice Gardens, Asia's Hope, Vineyard Dar es Salaam, and many small groups have opened up a depth in our family I didn't know existed. We have been blessed to be a part of this community and the many lifelong relationships that have become intertwined in ours.

Farmer Dave helps us by tilling up the new garden

We regularly get together with family on both sides for events, holidays, and even our weekly routines. Everything from family dinners, to holidays, to Nana school, to Mimi's sleepovers are cherished. So you can imagine that we were in no hurry to discard any of these treasured parts of our lives in  exchange for an hour long commute, sparse neighbors, and no church family. And yet, we felt led to this somewhat drastic lifestyle change. How do you measure the value of a neighbor pulling your vehicle out of snow and mud, not once but several times? Or another stopping by to welcome you with homemade banana bread and warm conversation? You have an intimate discussion about the desire for a bit larger home eventually with a better view. Then the next day your neighbor clears your land with his bulldozer, and says, "That would be a great spot for a home." Does it become impossibly coincidental then, or when the bees show up two days later to their freshly cleared homes?

My brother, Dave, putting in a fresh oak walkway 

It's encouraging when your neighbors have you over for dinner and tell you that you will love the community. And then every new neighbor you meet is so kind and welcoming. And some of them share interests like spinning, wool, and owning sheep. Others are horticulturalists, and provide local greenhouse raised perennials for your garden. Still other likeminded travelers are found through connections at the local feed store. Bringing ancient traditions to bear in practical ways for your new goat herd. Small world connections at the local yoga class. You begin to realize that neighbors gravitate and rely on one another out of necessity. When emergency help is further away, knocking on a door happens more. And of course we appreciate all the support of the core Rootdown friends who have invested in this land. We couldn't do this without them. And especially the time and energy of my brother, Dave, and his wife Kara. The house wouldn't function without his expertise. Not to mention that his frequent visits mean our girls have been spending more time with their cousins than they did when we were 10 minutes from their house.


There are multiple small family grocers and farm markets within 10 minutes drive, including Roscoe Village. Our new favorite is Local Bounty in Coshocton city. It is a year round market and co-op which boasts all its produce, meats, jams, soaps, salves, and wool are from within 14 miles. The volunteer behind the counter took the time to be kind to my children, and invited me to the Coshocton Beekeepers' Club when he saw my "Thank a Honeybee" shirt. There may be a large, flashy Wally World (Walmart) right on the highway, but a quick glimpse behind the curtain reveals it is as superficial as Oz's hologram. These big box stores may have every thing we need, but they don't have the relationships and support we need.

From our family to yours. We hope you are finding the community and support you need.