After the student’s arrival and brief orientation, we embarked on a four-day expedition. We chose an ambitious route that gave us the opportunity to scale mountains, hike high altitude enchanted ridges, be immersed in one of the last remaining old growth hardwood forests of the Southeast, and make acquaintance with some particularly curious and precious baby squirrels who would not leave us alone! For some of our students, this was the first time they had ever slept outside, pooped in the woods, and carried their world on their backs. It was quite the experience for us all and helped us develop new friendships as well as getting a sense of the Southern Appalachian ecosystem.
Upon returning to the homestead, the students started plugging away at tasks in the garden. After some quick introductions to soil, composting, planting, watering, and garden tools, our students helped tend a wide variety of crops that we integrated into meals throughout the semester. We were particularly fond of including the various lettuces into our salads and were deeply gratified to watch the seeds grow into healthy food producing plants. Within the first couple of weeks, a professional chef introduced our students to some techniques for using our local seasonal vegetables and gave them a chance to learn how to make the classic southern dish of fried green tomatoes! As fall marched on, our students became the chefs and even planned the menus for the last month of the program. Though our vegetable rich diet was difficult for some students to adjust to at first, we were told that it definitely helped expand their dietary horizons and instilled some healthy eating habits.
We kicked off our craft classes with herbal first aid, bookbinding, and blacksmithing, which resulted in some interesting creations by our students. Nate’s Mr. Rogers-themed journal was a real hit among the students, and probably inspired some interesting journal entries for him.
For our second expedition (herbal first aid kits in hand!), we embarked on a water-based adventure to Lake Hiwassee, a huge local reservoir surrounded by wilderness. Words can hardly describe the beauty and tranquility of that expedition, but I’ll try anyway. The emerald green lake and bright blue skies juxtaposed the red clay shores of the lake in picturesque scenes as far as the eye could see as we paddled our canoes through the placid waters. It was poetic indeed. We camped for three nights, the last of which culminated in a gorgeous sunset over the lake as we devoured our perfectly prepared pita pizzas (thanks Evan!) and chatted about our lives during our “life stories” activity. After the second expedition, the students began to take further ownership over the semester and increasingly completed their chores around the homestead independently. Our craft classes continued with some really fun pottery workshops at a local potter’s studio that resulted in some beautiful hand-built bowls and plenty of creative expression. Our students also got to use some of the herbs from our farm to make herbal soaps intended to nourish their skin and titillate the senses.
In addition to tending our own food crops, students also got to meet some local farmers and assist them with a massive garlic planting operation at Candy Mountain Farm – one of the farms that instigated the organic movement in this region years 30 years before it was cool to be organic. They also got to interact with the delightful goat inhabitants at a local goat dairy that makes the most fantastic cheeses in the area. To further introduce students to a new relationship with food through the local food movement, we visited an urban farm in Atlanta to show that not all food comes from the rural areas and that urban farms can play an important role in bringing local food to the masses.
Our third expedition introduced students to the stellar rock climbing of the area at Looking Glass Rock. The huge granite dome there provides endless climbing opportunities and proved to be a great confidence builder for our students, none of whom had climbed on real rock before. Lian was particularly smitten with this new sport and hopes to continue pursuing it in the future. The expedition finished with a mountain bike ride outside Asheville, NC. This served as a solid introduction to the sport, which we further explored back near the homestead by riding the excellent singletrack trails along the shores of Lake Chatuge.
Meanwhile, back at the homestead, the crops were looking lush after the students’ fastidious tending and we were able to include about a dozen veggies from our garden in our meals. With the garden under control, the students started turning their attention to more craft and building projects. They took a prominent role in building an outhouse for the homestead (yes, we still use outhouses sometimes) which will house a composting toilet. Though the outhouse has yet to be christened, this group of students has left a lasting legacy for the Pioneer Project that people for years to come will be able to meditate on! Hah!
The last few craft workshops were a blast! Students made felted hats, quilted pillows, and leather pouches under the tutelage of our local crafters. Everyone was particularly fond of Lou’s felt hat, which made him look quite debonair.
As the semester moved towards its final weeks, the students turned their attention to the last expedition, which was completely planned and executed by them. They put their newfound wilderness skills to use by planning a backpacking route, designing the menu, and becoming the instructors for a 4-day hike in a different section of where they had gone on their first expedition. It was as cold as it was beautiful out there in mid-November and proved to be a challenging expedition that was ultimately triumphant for our students and ended with a celebratory dinner at a Mexican restaurant. As it turns out, we all agreed that Mexican food is 500% better after wilderness expeditions. Upon our return, we tied up loose ends at the homestead, gave each other feedback, sang a few songs, and shared a final feast with our community. Our students packed their bags and we all said teary goodbyes as the sun set on the first semester of the Pioneer Project.
We are so thankful to have shared this experience with Lian, Lou, Evan, and Nate and wish you all the very best wherever your journeys may lead. We look forward to this year, which will hold three more programs at the Pioneer Project, and will surely provide many more colorful memories for everyone involved!
Posted by Adam Haigler
The Pioneer Project is a Gap Year Program in the USA that focuses on Homesteading, Craft, and Wilderness skills that aims to help students achieve clarity of purpose, empowerment and a sense of interdependence through community-oriented semester programs.
