Is there anyone in South/Central Kentucky out there?? This is a farming community- so how come we're still regarded as "different"? Because we like to try new ideas and not plant tobacco like everyone else? Or have a dream of going off the grid? Do you ever feel like you're stifled because you have optimistic dreams that are indeed different than the norm? That's why Countryside is my most favorite magazine. It lets you know that there are others out there like you- SOMEWHERE! Kathy in Kentucky.

-- kathy baker (kbaker@duo-county.com), August 23, 2000

Answers

Kathy...here I am!!! Right here in Central Kentucky, Kelat to be exact!! I have NEVER planted tobacco in my life, but I only came to Ky three years ago!! I have always felt stiffled by "normal" people and always been different! We moved here from New Hampshire. The people there were O.K. but they didn't have much "agricultural" blood. They always regarded me as different. I am a spinner and now a knitter and a crocheter. People used to always say,"you MADE that?' I guess they didn't know where yarn was made! I always froze vegetables out of our garden and seemed to get along best when the power went out!! My dream of being off grid won't happen as my husband has made sure that thought is long gone, he likes his hot shower first thing in the morning, no stoking the fire first for him! We also raise our own chicken for meat and eggs. We did that in N.H. too but not many people understood. It was nice to meet you Kathy. Write to me sometime!

-- Emily (bellyacresfarm@kyk.net), August 23, 2000.

A couple of years ago I got curious as to how many fellow subscribers to Countryside lived in my zip code. Countryside will not provide a subscriber list to anyone, but Jd did tell me there were 14 subscriber in my zip code. I know one lives just down the road, but we have met only once in five years when I was getting signatures on a petition to run for the county commission (came in 8th in a seven man race). Likely there are a number of fellow Countryside subscribers in your area. Getting to meet them is something else. Consider a Countryside Contact item on perhaps getting together once a month for a pot-luck with others, with the site rotated, in your area. You can learn a lot by just seeing how others do things.

-- Ken S. in TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 23, 2000.

Hi Kathy, I'm in South eastern Kentucky near Cumberland Gap. I have a sister and parents up in the Ashland area, a brother in Louisville, and a brother in Lexington. There are a few others who regularly post. You may also want to look back where Steve posted a by state number of suscribers. I think it might be titles "Where are you from?" It is very interesting. Jennifer

-- Jennifer (acornfork@hotmail.com), August 23, 2000.

Hello!I'm in cental KY about 30 miles south of Lexington.

-- nobrabbit (conlane@prodigy.net), August 23, 2000.

I live in Anderson County, Ky. We have 90 acres and used to grow tobacco but quit. I am a christian. If you are any place close to me, would love to hear from you. My husband works at the University of Ky.

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), August 23, 2000.

I'm just south of Louisville. We've only been out of the city for 3 years, and have never grown tobacco. I do feel a bit different coming out of the city and trying to become more self-sufficient, while so many are going to the city and becoming more dependent. Our neighbors sure do know a lot, though, and they're willing to share that knowledge, so I'm grateful.

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), August 24, 2000.

We are just across the Tennessee/Kentucky line off I-65. We have a health food coop that picks up in Franklin. Let's see I have six children that I homeschool, I grind my own flour, I make cheese and soap, I don't use an electric clothes dryer, air conditioner or heater. One or two of those is enough to wig out most people. But I must say, I have good friends in both realms.

-- Kathy (DavidWH6@juno.com), August 24, 2000.

I'm in Morgan Co. Ky below Morehead. Hard to find fellow enthusiasts everywhere I've lived. Welcome correspondence. I'm esp. a organic gardening, heirloom seed saver,nature crafts & nature nut. ASPI in Livingston is a great place to get info and talk to like minded people. Down I-75, exit before Loudon. They have a web page i'll have to check on it at a later date if interested.

Sharon WT

-- Sharon Tepsick of Wildheart Farm (nstswt@yahoo.com), August 24, 2000.

I am close to Elizabethtown, 15 miles west in the country. I have been getting Countryside for over 10 years and I hardly ever see people from Ky. Glad you are out there. Glynnis, are you near me? You said south of Louisville. I am 1 hour south of Louisville. Are we allowed to put our homepages on here? I have one of the farm and animals. Kentucky is great, 8 months at least of growing season, and short winters. Anything will grow here. My garden is overflowing, I am eating cantalope 24 hours a day. Nice to know you all are out there.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), August 24, 2000.

I have strong ties to Kentucky. I lived there from 1973 to 1981. Both my older sons were born in Elizabethtown and my father was the Lutheran Minister there til 1985. I worked at Belknap Hardware in Louisville till it was closed in 1981 by a federal bankruptcy court. I visit there at least 6 times a year as my youngest son from my first marriage and his mother still reside there. Kentucky is/ always will be close to my heart as it is the home of fast women and beautiful horses !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), August 24, 2000.

Jennifer: I'm in Hancock county, TN. There are lots of "outsiders" here. I'd love to actually meet and talk to someone who at least enjoys the same reading material I do.

-- Teresa (otgonz@bellsouth.net), August 24, 2000.

Hey Joel, E-town is where we "go into town". We sold the farm in Vine Grove 3 years ago because the city was getting to close, and prayed and prayed and found this one. 12 acres on top of a hill with an old (100)farmhouse. We saved the house, no one had lived here 10 years but it is set so far off the road that it was just what we wanted. We have a herd of dairy goats, about 25, Reg. Border Collies and pups, chickens and a huge organic garden. Wood stove, no air conditioning, only use the dryer in winter to help heat the house, we don't waste a drop of water, we have a beautiful deep well that was allready here. So far we still have electric, but our bill is only 50 year round, wanting to get off that too. Not any people we know here are trying to do what we are. I don't know any Rosens in E-town. The rest of you folks on this post are pretty far from me. Kelat is 150 miles. Oh yeah, I don't know any fast women but we do have one big Jack named Rosco and a pony. Nice meeting you, Cindy

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), August 25, 2000.

Hi Kathy,

Judging by your e-mail address we are probably neighbors. We live just south of Burkesville.

We moved here 1 1/2 years ago and have 76 acres. So far we have built a barn, chicken coop, and are almost done with our strawbale house. We are off the grid and get our electricity from solar. Our water comes from a spring that is about 75 feet over the home site.

We have chickens now and are planning on getting some goats when we finish the house.

If you feel that you are regarded as different----try building a strawbale house. The folks around here think we are absolutely nuts. At least they do until they come and see it and then they can see why we are building with straw. We love it here and have met some wonderful people.

Best regards, Doug & Jo

-- Doug & Jo Shutes (toadshutes@yahoo.com), August 25, 2000.

Cindy - I'm just outside (east) of Shepherdsville on Hwy 480. This is so cool to find someone so close. I've been interested in dairy goats for quite a while. Maybe we could get together. Glynnis

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), August 26, 2000.

Hi! My wife and I bought property in Cumberland Co. 15 mins from Burkesville. I was greatful to find so many readers nearby. We have been planning for full time homesteading for 3 years and should be at our land by Sept. of 2001. We are building with cordwood masonry and have attended Rob Roy's school in NY state, as we live about 1 1/2 hrs away, in Vermont. Anyone nearby, please feel free to write, we would love to have homesteading friends, as they seem to be few and far between!

-- JC (survivors00@hotmail.com), August 26, 2000.

You are very close Glynnis! We love to go to Shepardsville to the flea market on Saturdays. We would go twice a month to sell our chicks we hatched and bunnys. I havn't been to the auction in quite a while, I don't like the way the goats are all put together in one pen, bucks, does, and kids. Whatever you buy is bred before you get it home! We went thru Shepardsville 2 weeks ago delievering a Border Collie pup. It is only about 30 minutes from here. We will have to meet some Saturday at the Bullit County Stockyards and sit together. I am getting a Alpine Buck today delievered, I am so excited, he's not registered but he is full stock. So Cool to know you are so close. I know lots of people, tell me what kind of animals you are looking for and I will help.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), August 29, 2000.

I am just south of Owensboro in Western KY. I used to live the life but now have an office in my home and run a business from there. I have 200 acres of woods around my house and look forward to getting goats and sheep again. This time I will add rabbits and a bigger garden.

-- Neal (CAVM@AOL.com), August 30, 2000.

Kathy-

I live about 7 miles from you! On the other side of the line. But I have to admit I live inside the city limits. But I can see the neighbor's cows from my kitchen window. Hoping to make the move to the country in the near future. My friends think I'm crazy too.

-- Sandra (sklukas@mail.state.tn.us), September 11, 2000.

Moved here in the summer of 1998, built a log home, bought some Scottish Highland Cattle, garden, etc. Very, very glad to know we have like minded neighbors, was beginning to wonder if we were the only outsiders. Jean

-- Jean (dandrea@duo-county.comm), February 07, 2001.

Hi Kathy,

We are in Rockcastle County...about 50 miles south of Lexington. We get our electricity from solar panels and actually live a pretty normal life. We use propane for hot water, cooking, and aux heat, so I still can have hot showers. :) I noted that there are a lot of kindred spirits in Kentucky. It's good to know that. Cheers, Wayne

-- Wayne in Kentucky (wallen328@aol.com), February 11, 2001.

Hi Jean and Wayne!

Jean, I was just looking at your log cabin in the magizine. It's beautiful. Steve and I are up near Elizabethtown.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), February 11, 2001.

Hi! I am new to countryside and this forum.I am definately addicted! I have had a homesteading frame of mind since birth. Had a farm in Mo back in the early 70's but that went with the divorce. Have lived here in Ky since 83 and consider this home. My husband is from Louisville but I am surprised how far he has come in his homesteading mentality. We are here in South Central Ky just out of Bowling Green. We are in a small town but I am chomping at the bit to get back into the country. All of my children are grown and we have 2 grandchildren. Everyone thinks I am completely nuts but I don't care. I do have a big garden even though I live in a neighborhood.We live simply. We have to because we have a new candle business and that is our only income. Everyday I believe I am one step closer to our dream. I love this magazine and this forum. At last I don't feel so isolated in my thoughts and ways.....Thanks to all of you....Ria

-- Ria in Ky (Minmin45@aol.com), April 21, 2001.

Hi Ria!

You're not far down from us, welcome to the forum! Did you get the magazine yet? It's great. I have 2 grandchildren also, and everyone thinks we're nuts too, so you're not alone. he he Are you looking for a place to buy?

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), April 21, 2001.

Cindy, thanks for the welcome. We would like to buy, but it will have to be later. Every New Years day we say "Maybe this will be our year!" For now I keep the younger of my granddaughters (18months old) two nights a week as my daugher and her husband both work 2nd shift. That would keep me looking close to here. I would rather wait and be able to get something more secluded. Bowling Green is even too big for me. I do what I can for now. I garden, hang my clothes out on the line, rarely use any A/C. I buy fresh eggs and milk from the menonites. I sew, cook from scratch and can everything in sight and all the other goodies. My only draw back is that I am too close to neighbors and I can't have animals. I know that if I am patient these things too will come. My other daughter and granddaughter (6 yrs old) live in upstate Vermont. Too much snow up there for me. My son lives in North Carolina (single). Do your grandchildren live nearby? I first picked up this magazine at Barnes and Nobles and couldn't put it down. I read it all that evening. (Cheap entertainment for us) I got home and came to this site and subscribed. I am definitely hooked. That was in November. I read every single word cover to cover (then I start over in case I missed something). Thanks again for the welcome.... Ria

-- Ria in Ky (MinMin45@aol.com), April 21, 2001.

You could probably have a couple rabbits maybe in some hutches? We have lots of rabbits, and the manure is sooo great for the garden. We feed ours grass hay and sweet feed, we don't buy the rabbit pellets, there're too expensive. I wish I could cook like you. My grandkids are right in town, about 15 miles. But my son is a city boy, didn't take after me at all! (I tried)

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), April 22, 2001.

Hi, I live in southern KY in Christian Co. This is my first time at this forum. I live in city limits so I can't have farm animals, but far enough out to feel like I'm in the country. I like to garden (organic), can and freeze vegetables, have an old strawberry patch, and blackberries in a wooded area. I sew and do crafts when I have time. I came across this while looking for info on tanning deer hides. It's nice to know there are others out there who think the way I do. Susan

-- Susan Kolb (slkolb34@yahoo.com), November 17, 2001.

Hi Susan!

I'm still around here. Been busy with all the chores to do. Welcome to the funny farm forum!

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), November 17, 2001.

Hi Cindy, glad to hear from you. Sounds like we're a few hours apart. Susan

-- Susan Kolb (slkolb34@;yahoo.com), November 23, 2001.

I am originally from Bath county ky. I understand what you are saying,but you and the people that answer you,seem to sound like it is all about me ,me ,me,.It is good to have peace and solitude in the low populas areas of our nation,wish I could live there.I live in Ross Ohio (small town) but too close to cincy.We need to figure ways that more people can enjoy the country,but not to overpopulate it.I once read that any one that owns property in rural ky. has a given tobbaco base by law.Do you have that ,and if you do do you lease it out? I think every American should be entitled to a piece of land that they could never sell,only trade for another piece of land or home.Then what is left over could be fought over by greedy land barrons,and profiteering realtor's. good to hear a sane voice, Bill

-- Bill Rogers (servtec002@aol.com), February 03, 2002.