Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Appalachia

Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Appalachia that involves the local community and enlightening adults and children on sustainability. The community is receptive to volunteers and visitors in participating in the community through service, prayer and frugal living. The role of caretakers is that they function as providers in service retreats for youth and adults from community service. This includes mostly low income house renovations, as well as agricultural work. Caretakers live as members of Summers, Monroe and Greenbrier county through the hallmark of prayer, community, simplicity and service, as well as committing to administrative duties to sustain this nonprofit organization.

The various components that caretakers engage in are rural Appalachian ministry, construction, home repair, retreats, youth ministry, hospitality, gardening and community facility. There's an interview process and the visit to the Caretakers farm bestowed upon new, potential members. It establishes a mutual trust and reassuring process between the upcoming members and existing members in which they experience firsthand the environment of the community and how it's conducted before being inducted.

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The part that appeals to me more so than anything is that the lifestyle pertains to wholesome eating and shared meals, as well as the use of solar and rainwater to cultivate for gardens and animals. Just the idea of being provided meals that aren't befouled by pesticides and growth hormones is comforting to me, as there's more flexibility of being omnivorous or vegetarian unlike the tainted and gmo filled foods in our current US supermarkets. In general, the whole unification of resources and facilities, like vehicle sharing, library, tractor and farm equipment, play areas and even internet are affirming, as well as the educational, volunteer and internship opportunity offered to young people and adults.

The way I would visualize living there after I graduate is filled with grace and bountiful land. I'd live in a multi family house with two or three other families in which I would habitually pray with the other families in church every morning. That small moment in praying and reflection of gratefulness would spark my day into an enriching day. I'd help out sow in the field and plant various vegetables, tend to the cows and chickens and even learn how to use the tractor. I'd consult with the director and my fellow members of Bethlehem Farm if something has gone awry or there's a pressing concern for something, like a sick animal or a shortage of tomatoes. Also, anytime I would need to visit the eye doctor or the dentist, it'd be done with ease, since I'm covered by Bethlehem Farm. For the most part, I would be ecstatic and jolly about living around the 47.5 acres farm with my fellow member and living each day with concerted effort and happiness through the grace of God. Under the current status that I live in, I'm exposed to more volatility in terms of food safety and public safety. My current lifestyle is composed of rash decisions of everyday survival and enjoyment. The food that I consume on a daily basis and am surrounded by is primarily for convenience and gratification. Nuances of quality of food and style of living is far variant from the lifestyle I imagine living in Bethlehem Farm. The scenery and environment of New York City is predicated on financial gains and cravings of excitement. For example: the fast food restaurants, like Arby's, or McDonalds, food carts (halal), clubs, bars, pool halls etc. Not all these venues and eateries are inherently abject, but it doesn't promote a viable lifestyle in terms of health and virtuous living. The way the city is constructed is that money is the main impetus for people to work, so forms of greed and debauchery ensue from this. When there's a community, like Bethlehem Farm, there's a more serene and sensible way of experiencing life. There's no need for excessive materialism and accumulation of money in order to live a fulfilling and joyful life. The very basis lies in my religion of Catholicism, so living in such a community would aid in me attaining that ever elusive joy.