Day 114, September 9, 2010

Over the weekend, Debbie and I attended one of Connecticut's agricultural gems: The Haddam Neck Fair. It's a fair that is big enough to include just about everything you'd find at a mega fair. In fact, this is a small fair, but it is grand in its scale and simplicity. I spent the better part of an hour in the poultry building, learning about standards of perfection in judging rabbits.

A group of three people, seated at a table, took me through the process of judging rabbits. Afterwards, I watched two chicks learn to stand and breathe, having just hatched a half hour ago. No Yolk! I couldn't believe it. The antique steam engines were beautifully preserved, and I thought about Clyde's Cider Mill, and their steam apple cider press. How do they keep those relics rolling?

Best of all, I had a visitor at the farm today. Kevin Fiftal is among the most unassuming, down-to-earth, supremely intelligent people I've ever known. When I started this blog, he was the first to post a supportive note on my Facebook wall. At one point, he told me that

my content and style were different from the hundreds of blogs he reads. Kevin should know because he has spent years in the information industry, has seen most major changes in computing from concept to phenomenon. And through it all, Kevin is a country boy at heart. "Don't change a thing in your blog," he tells me. That's Kevin, on the right!

I'm a little embarrassed at the condition of the field. The weeds are high and most of our plantings have faded and are dying. We walk around the field, sidestepping the lifeless, bloated and pale cucumbers. Some have liquified, and I'm concerned about Kevin's shoes.

"Kev," I say. "I have our mission down to three simple goals."

"Let's hear it."

"Save a Farm. Build a Community. Start a Business."

I like it," he says. We decide to grab a sandwich at Subway. On the way out, Kevin tells me that he remembers being chased by a bull in the field we're driving by. We both agree that Wychwood Farm is a magnificent place.

At Subway we decide that we need to formalize our constituency. We need:

• A land use lawyer to guide us up to the point where we can become an important client;
• A lead investor;
• Public Private sector specialist who can uncover federal and state programs that will faciliate our vision;
• A grantwriter;
• An architectural historian;
• An environmental biologist.

Interestingly, we are slowly and steadily assembling a team that will become a board of directors. Out of this will come a work plan, and the first order of business will be to identify property candidates. We will need a feasibility study.

It seems to me that every aspect of this journey has simply fallen into place. Each time, when the time is right. I am, learning that you cannot set your heart on one dream or one property. Yet, if the idea is compelling, if it has the potential to benefit many, then it is worth the attention and efforts of others.