The Newest Caretaker

Hello Everybody! It’s Joseph, the newest Caretaker by about 15 hours. Raine took an earlier flight to beat my train instead of riding with me, but since she was coming all the way from Green Bay, who can blame her? The last time many of you saw me was in the Spring Newsletter as I walked off the commencement stage at Wabash College holding my diploma and a huge grin on my face. I may not have immediately departed for Bethlehem Farm as one of our Summer Servants did at his high school graduation, but I was here within the week. I’ve been excited to jump into my new life as a professional volunteer now that I’ve retired from a 17 year stint as a professional learner.

Bethlehem Farm has been picking away at the back of my brain since 2010, when I first heard of its existence from my youth minister, Jake Teitgen. However, a series of conflicting events precluded my arrival until early summer of 2015 on a college week with my home parish and some youth group alumni. I distinctly remember rounding the corner of the old garden tool shed and experiencing the simplicity and the beauty of Our Lady of the Bathtub for the first time. In that moment everything about the Farm clicked for me. I may not have known all the details about the place, but I knew I would have to be spending more than just a week here. After a week of memorable conversations, worksites, chores, and reviews of the day, I found myself disappointed that I could not experience the entirety of the Farm that summer. But I knew I would be back. I found myself on familiar roads last summer as a Summer Servant for three weeks in July and August. I learned more about community living and was reminded of the beauty and joy that I had found here two years prior. I also learned that the Farm wasn’t yet done with me. I began the Caretaker application process in October and accepted the offer to join the community in April.

Since arriving, I’ve become immersed in my roles, found my footing in the garden, bumped up my skill set as a worksite leader, began coordinating the hiring process, and found familiar ground and new aspects of faith engagement as I’ve taken up the mantle of catechetical coordinator. I have the examples and advice from so many former Caretakers and Friends of the Farm to rely on as I continue to grow in community, prayer, service, and simplicity. I’m thankful to all those who helped me along my journey and I hope to get to know many more of you as I continue my time here.

House Manager Here

Heyo! My name is Raine Nimmer and I am the new House Manager here at Bethlehem Farm. I was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Simply put, I applied to be a Caretaker here because I was in search of my vocation and I had nothing to lose. Here is a brief history of my search thus far. For two summers, I drove a small dump truck for a plant store delivering mulch, soil and plants. I attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin where I studied Piano Performance for two and a half years and played on the tennis team. For three consecutive years, I co-directed an independent fashion show. I attended University of Wisconsin – Stout (in the lovely little town of Menomonie) where I earned a bachelor's degree in Studio Art, concentrating in Art Metals (metalsmithing/jewelry). For about five years, I worked as an apprentice goldsmith at Robert Giede Design and as a cook at Zanzibar Restaurant and Pub in Menomonie. I assisted a master coachbuilder in hand fabricating trophies for amateur Nascar races at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. On the weekends, I assisted my brothers in construction work. Once again, I worked as a cook at a restaurant in the new Lodge Kohler in Green Bay, across the street from Lambeau Field. On my free time, I volunteered for Green Bay Bicycle Collective, a non-profit that promotes a fun and safe community - based bike culture through advocacy, education, and ride hosting. All of this has led me to the desire to serve.

During the last year and a half, I contemplated various volunteer opportunities outside of Wisconsin. I was in search of adventure, a simple lifestyle, meeting and learning from great people, better understanding and deepening of my faith, sustainable practices, cooking, and gardening. Bethlehem Farm encompasses all of these desires and so much more.

It was a whirlwind jumping in in the middle of the busiest group week season but sometimes that’s the best way to learn. As the House Manager, I’m finally learning where everything belongs in the kitchen (the chest freezers still have untouched territory) and how the house runs. I’m in heaven with all the beautiful vegetables and fruits being harvested from our garden and from our local community. I am thoroughly enjoying learning how to preserve food and experimenting with fermentation. Being in charge of the animals, I am slowly learning the ways of the chickens and donkeys. As the Local Food Liaison, I am enjoying conversing with the farmers and learning where our food is coming from. As a member of the church choir at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Ronceverte, I have gained a deeper sense of belonging. When I have free time, I enjoy hiking in these beautiful mountains. I’m relieved that this first whirlwind has passed but I am also grateful for the experience because my life has been enriched by it.

Summer Worksite Recap

This summer saw dozens of volunteers from around the country heading to Bethlehem Farm and making a lasting impact on the West Virginian community. Over the course of the summer volunteers, Summer Servants, and Caretakers worked together to help our neighbors improve their living conditions.

At Shelli's we continued the work that had begun in the winter with an electrical mystery and completed the roof-over that was begun in the spring. From the top of the roof, work moved downward and inside as we all pitched in to install underpinning, new windows, and renovate the interior. The panel walling was torn out along with the insulation to make way for higher quality insulation and drywall. New flooring was also installed as well as a new ceiling fan. The project is quite familiar to anyone who spent some time at the Farm this summer, and while it is not quite finished, we have come a long way from where it was January.

We were excited to welcome both Greg and Josh to Community Night, as they were able to get out of their houses and come visit us because of their new wheelchair ramps this summer. First was at Greg’s. Greg’s ramp was an exciting adventure for me in particular as I tackled my first worksite from beginning to end. We began by transplanting five bushes and a small tree away from the wall the ramp now runs along. For a while it looked like the bushes were goners, but I can happily report that they have survived and are thriving once again. From there we dug holes and began laying lumber. Work was slowed by a compound cut that proved to be difficult for me to wrap my brain around, but we persevered as we were encouraged by air conditioning and sharing some classic television with Greg. The second wheelchair ramp was at Josh’s house and was a bit larger than Greg’s. However, this proved to be no match for volunteers on Adult Week and Family Week. Wielding numerous post-hole diggers (sometimes two at a time), Adult Week volunteers cleared the way for Family Week volunteers to speed through installation of deck board and railings. The volunteers moved so fast that Eric was able to go next door to Josh’s and work to clear a fallen tree for firewood. Rolling the logs up the hill proved to be a favorite activity for many of the younger Family Week volunteers. To top it all off, Josh had a cookout for lunch for us on the last work day.

Bethlehem Farm was active in Hinton this summer as well. We worked with Gloria and Whitney “Cotton” Sherman to paint their houses. Gloria’s fresh white coat can be seen from across the river and is providing for the external defense against the elements well. Cotton’s house, now a nice coat of “easy on the eyes” yellow stands near the top of a hill that overlooks downtown Hinton and the river valleys beyond. Thanks to the tireless arms of volunteers who returned to the Farm freckled with paint, both houses can stand up well to the elements.

Also this summer we continued our relationship with neighboring Sprouting Farms, as volunteers helped weed, water and bring in harvests. Farmer Tim also led work crews at neighboring farms to provide much needed support to some of our friends who are going through some health difficulties. As usual, Fred and Scarlet kept us busy in Rupert. Volunteers know well that every day is full of surprises at Wellspring. The example of the Kellerman’s unflagging spirit, even in their “retirement”, definitely gets them through any challenge.

Buckets of sweat, a little bit of blood, and the undaunted vigor of volunteers allowed Bethlehem Farm to continue to make a positive, lasting difference in our community. Thank you to everyone who supported us this summer with their time, talent, and treasure.

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Summer Servant Reflection

I first arrived at Bethlehem Farm in January 2018 for a chilly winter group week with the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Achy from our eight hour drive down from New York and apprehensive about spending a week away from the city, I was at first taken aback by the shouts of ‘’Welcome Home!” and warm embraces I received as I stepped into the Farmhouse. Flash-forward one week later—a week filled with early morning prayer, sitting around the woodstove in community, taking only one shower in vow of simplicity, and engaging in service to the local Appalachian area—I said a somber goodbye to my new family at the Farm.

Returning to college for my last semester as an undergrad, I was feeling a bit stuck. Confused over the career path I had set for myself some fifteen years ago and overwhelmed with anxiety of the future, I knew I needed to escape the hustle-and-bustle of the city. I was seeking solitude and peace with myself and those around me, and all I could think about was the Farm. I needed to find a place where I could channel my anxiety into the earth while also answering the call of those on the margins of society. I sent in my Summer Servant application, sat down for my phone interview, and received the glorifying news that I would be returning to the farm for four weeks that summer—right after my college commencement.

During my month-long stay at the Farm, I grew immensely as a community member, as a servant, and as a spiritual being. Long days on my hands and knees pulling weeds in the garden, turning over orchard beds in the early summer sun, and hauling gravel out of the driveway culverts may sound like mundane and arduous tasks. However, these tasks gave me so much gratitude. I learned new skills and worked harder than I had in years. Having the opportunity to serve on the home crew and cook for over fifty people for two weeks allowed me to find my niche at the farm—in the kitchen helping bring warm, healthy food to my community members at the end of a long day’s work. I am forever indebted to Bethlehem Farm for giving me the time I needed to escape the city, discern my future career, and connect to the mountains. I cannot wait to return home!

Ready to register for 2019?

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