North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Moyer, Richard" <ramoyer@king.edu>]

Have enjoyed the responses to Rob's heartfelt questions.
Rob, my father grew up on farms and worked his way thru college in SE Penn
picking cherries and other crops.  Then spent 'career' as engineer for
Dupont.  Now is 72 and working 3 days/week for wholesale nursery and loving
it.  These choices allowed him to provide for a family on a single income.
Our large suburban lot was crammed full of all manner of fruits and
vegetables.  He married a woman used to preserving a bushel of produce at a
time, and able to use whatever came in the door from the garden.  As a kid I
grew up shelling out pink eye peas & butterbeans to Braves baseball.  We ate
what was in season; culled what didn't put food on the table.  These loves
have been imparted to me, and we're now seeing them in our children.  Note
these choices are not for every family or child.

Consider the difference between growing/sharing your own food vs. selling
food/plants to others as primary income.  Former is much more adapatable to
factors beyond your control.  We're eating Juneberries and Nanking cherries
several times per day now.  Doubt I could sell many of these at a local Tenn
market, and I can't count on cherry production in the upper south, with
cultivars I've tried.  But dependable Juneberries are the primary fresh
fruit for our family of 7 midMay-midJune. I'm willing to accept the
'inconveniences' of picking & processing our own food--time spent with
family and friends.  My older kids insisted on harvesting Nanking cherries
thru the rain, then made Hungarian chilled cherry soup for dinner last
night, a first for us.  That gift hit several points on the Rabbit's
positives list.  

My advice:  Grow your own as much as possible, especially the high dollar
fruits/veggies in your diet. Save all excess income to buy carefully chosen
land.  A 1-2 acre lot in certain subdivisions may be plenty, and could hold
down commute time. We bought several lots for our 2 acres.  Once land and
house are paid for and food production ramped up, your skills may allow a
part-time job to cover remaining expenses.  We've traded excess fruits &
veggies for all manner of eggs, cheese, milk, butter, and meat.
But for now, think long and hard before quitting your day job just yet.
Cash enables certain goals much more readily.  Do take Hector Black up on
his offer; I'd highly recommend a visit to his place, taking the time to
hear of and reflect on his life journey.  (Would make a great member profile
in Pomona.)  Chris Inhulsen in GA also worth a visit and thoughtful
conversation.

Back to this maxim: Find others successfully living out your dream, learn
all you can from them.

Richard Moyer, whose dentist puzzles over the stains
East Tenn, Zone 6
Raspberries beginning, mulberries close.