Homesteading
It is impossible to separate the many aspects of organic farming from general homesteading skills and activities. The farmer-homesteader must be a carpenter, mechanic, amateur scientist, cook, sometimes baby-sitter all in one. The house on Frog Holler, more than 100 years old, is sound but was not built with luxury in mind. Right now Billy with his dad and Kenny are in the middle of a big remodeling project. After that the stone cabin in the woods overlooking the pond will need attention, then the barn, constructed in 1975 but never really finished.
Also greenhouses need to be maintained, a bigger garage constructed for equipment, and a new recording studio built. Apart from the building projects the land itself offers countless resources and challenges to the homesteader. The pond is deep and cold, a prize swimming spot, but it does need maintenance. Over the years Ken (with whomever will help) has harvested much seaweed for mulching and compost, but he is always looking for improved methods. He has finally gotten a back-hoe which has proved invaluable. Cutting firewood is always a major activity — all buildings including greenhouses are heated with wood — but it is only recently in conjunction with the carpentry projects that the feasibility of a portable saw-mill is being considered. There is also a seeming infinite supply of building stones on the land.