Hi Jocelyn, it's Jennie Miles writing. I am really interested in the cook position. And it can be little or zero pay during start up. I have
residual income of $750/month so I would not be totally dependent upon getting paid
alot of money for handling the food prep and delivery system for the
project and laboratory. I was planning to visit late July-early August. I'm really interested in the Missoula area and might find offsite living place to start with and see if it is a good fit with you guys. I could commute to the
land from a cheap rental (?) nearby and just get the food tasks going until it seems right to join the
community for both of us. I have always secretly desired becoming a lumberjack camp cook serving basque-like meals at long dining tables with everyone smiling in appreciation ...and, of course, always
pie. Depending on how many
people are being fed, it would
be nice to not have to do this task solo, but it is really too soon to know how that's going to best be worked out --the main thing is to get started, and I'm formally offering my services as cook and nurturing food-based person for the project.
I am totally interested in edible food forest planning and
permaculture design -- geoff lawton's latest cold climate video had me drooling to be able to find a place to start 'proving' some of the things he talked about -- especially the wild, apple-based food forests of Kazakstan that are completely self-maintaining, and what Ethan Rosen talked about as a "protein CSA" --chestnut, hazelnut, bean and pork protein producing food forest systems. Ethan is returning to Kazakstan this year to gather
seed from the Kazakstan wild food forests and bring it back for others to plant as living genetic seed banks. He listed out 18 varieties of apples, and about two dozen other kinds of
fruit trees, nut trees, berries, rhubarb, etc. that also grow wild along with the apples-----a self-maintaining food forest. If there were an opportunity to be involved in this kind of work on the land AND be able to cook delicious food from this abundance ---- I would be a happy camper! And I love all kinds of pies -- especially fruit and meat pies. I read your food posts and I'm good with cooking/preparing what you guys seem to like to eat. The meatsmith video was incredibly informative --I've been wanting to make proscuitto, real headcheese and pate my entire life!
I'm also interested in ontheground documenting/accounting of a 3-5 year startup cycle for the Anastasia/ringing cedars 2.5
acre sustainable living domain-- the kin domain "splendid garden" --where housing is minimal but adequate and the emphasis is on the garden not the house. Anastasia says a minimum of 380 varieties of trees, fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs, etc., including 5/8th acre woodlot per each 2.5 acre plot. One hectare for every planetary citizen. Maybe I could trade a 2.5 acre plot of my own on the land for the cooking and/or other work I'm interested in doing (?). One thing for sure, it's too soon to know anything for sure except that I'm very, very interested in the project and would like to meet and visit. Please reply as I need to firm up dates. Looking forward to hearing from you soon, thanks, Jennie Miles (jmjmiles@hotmail.com; cell (530) 448-0949)
