PROMISED LAND.
Hannah and I don't often go to the movies unless there's something we really need or want to see––it is simply an expense too hard for us to usually justify. (Seriously, $10.50 for a matinee??). Last night, however, we saw a film we've been looking forward to for a while now: Promised Land.Although panned critically, we'd become increasingly interested in the fracking debate and thus increasingly interested in seeing this movie. "Fracking," or "hydraulic fracturing" is the method by which natural gas companies obtain their product. It involves sending a drill a mile into the earth with a bunch of water and chemicals to release natural gas up from the shale––in a nutshell––and has become increasingly more controversial over the last few years. You see, the side-effects of this procedure have been known to frequently contaminate water aquifers and wells, poison people, and kill wildlife. In other words, if your neighbor decides to let them drill, you can pretty much kiss your water source goodbye, thus the controversy and our interest.Promised Land is the story of a man (Matt Damon) who works for a giant, "9 billion dollar" natural gas company. His job is to go to small towns and lease land from farmers for his company to be able to drill, selling them the prospect of riches. And what the movie does really well is humanize a person capable of doing this; although you might (or might not) disagree with him, you empathize. However, he finds himself battling a young, charming environmentalist (played by John Krasinski) and a few outspoken townspeople over the possible issues with bringing fracking into their town.It's a clever story, and it's an important issue. There are cleaner sources of energy available than natural gas–-wind, solar, etc.––and moreover, there is nothing more important than protecting our ground water. We do not need gas to live, but we need clean water. This is why we want you to see this movie, why everyone should. Or if you're not as inherently charmed by Matt and John as Hannah and I are (guilty), Gasland by Josh Fox is an excellent documentary.The reason we wanted to see this movie, and the reason we are interested in the fracking debate, is because it affects us very directly. The small agricultural community portrayed in the film could easily be Bugtussle. The people of the town, poor and struggling to make ends meet as they destroy their family farms with corn and tobacco - those are our neighbors, and the neighbors of all small farms. We could and probably will see these types of companies come knocking on the doors of Bugtussle one day, promising millions of dollars to people who are desperate, if only they will sign on the dotted line. And this is what bothers us the most, because you can argue about the environmental side effects, that you don't believe in the tap water lighting on fire or the polluted ground water killing off livestock, but it's pretty hard to deny the fact that poor people in small towns are being taken advantage of and manipulated by giant corporations. People without a leg to stand on are signing away the only possession they have, their land. It is so sad and so upsetting and ultimately, so complex.Clearly, fracking isn't just an issue for farmers––it affects everyone. If you don't have time to go see the movie or watch the documentary, this Colbert Report clip is amazing as always, and The Sky is Pink is a short film about drilling in New York.What do you guys think? Like I said, this is complicated issue, especially here in Kentucky. We would love to hear other opinions on the matter.- Jesse.
Photo Source: Focus Features/Scott Green.
CABIN IN THE ROUGH.
Hannah and I had planned a trip back to Bugtussle this week, but I ended up having to go solo. She had an art project to finish for someone and, with Wendell sick and all, it just didn't make sense for both of us to leave––poor guy.I went back to work on the cabin, but mostly I went back to get advice from the Smiths. The Smiths, our neighbors who own Bugtussle Farm and who sold us the land, have pretty much built their homestead from the ground up, almost entirely on their own. Needless to say, this family has been an unending source of inspiration for us. And being able to sit down and talk about the cabin with them these last couple days has given me infinitely more confidence in our situation. We're wanting to move in next month, and I was completely unsure if that was going to be possible until this week. Unsure, that is, until I spoke with the Smiths.Eric and I went through the house and took measurements, brainstormed ideas and made a supply list. There's definitely a ton of work left to be done, but Eric and Cher made it seem possible, less daunting. When Hannah and I make another trip back next week the Smiths are confident that, with their help, we can all work together and knock out the wiring and maybe even the insulation. Getting the bulk work done will definitely put us one, or possibly even two, steps closer to being in the house and on our farm.After the wiring, insulation and stove pipe are installed, all we need is a cookstove and we'll be ready to move in. As the Smiths said: you can live without running water in your house, but you can't live without heat––you have to be able to get warm.Speaking of, does anyone in the Kentucky/Tennessee area have a wood cookstove they're looking to sell? We're definitely in the market for one! Shoot us a message!- Jesse.
WENDELL'S BIRTHDAY WEDNESDAY.
Wendell is turning ONE YEAR OLD this weekend! We really can't believe it. Wendell came into our life at a time when we were floundering, feeling depressed and unsure about what was going to happen with our farm and our future. This puppy truly is the only thing that got us through some dark times - it sounds silly, but he gave us so much happiness and a purpose.And on a sadder side note, we would really appreciate your prayers and kind thoughts for the little buddy - he has been having some severe issues as the result of a food allergy and there is nothing as heartbreaking as a sick puppy. We have switched him back to his raw food diet, but he is slow to feel better. He is going to the vet tomorrow to make sure it isn't something more serious...we will update you on his progress.We love you Wendell! Thank you for getting us through this year. We can't wait to move you to your new home in Bugtussle!- Hannah.
INSTAGRAMMERS.
So, we now have an Instagram. Or is it...we are on Instagram? I don't know. We really have no idea what we are doing, but if you want to follow us or whatever it may be called for this particular social network...please do![instapress userid="roughdraftfarmstead" piccount="12" size="150" effect="0"] Also, if you didn't know - you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! Oh goodness.- Hannah.