We're thinking of taking a job in Springfield, Missouri and hoping to find rural property in the outlying area. I'd like to know if there are any members of my church living around there and if any are into homesteading and living simple. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Generally, our church doctrine teaches us to live frugally, within your means and without debt. I would like to know if there are any into farming, horses, canning, sewing, and all those other wonderful things that make up what we call homesteading. I've lived in areas where we were considered a novelty and to some we were downright strange for wanting to live simply. I'd like to live around like minded people for a change and to have them share the same religious beliefs would be a great plus. Thanks for everything. Marci

-- Marci Tomlinson (marci_tomlinson@hotmail.com), June 04, 2001

Answers

Marci,

I live in Ava, MO. A small town an hour and a half or so from Springfield. There is an LDS church here in Ava, and I know I've seen them elsewhere in the area.

Springfield is enough of a city that you'll probably have to get outside of it a ways before you find much in the way of homesteading, but here in the coutryside it's not at all incommon. There are still people in the area who's grandparents and great grandparents settled here originally. Some still have enough of the old ways in them not too look to puzzled at why somebody would rather can their garden stuff than buy it. The area has also been attracting a flow of modern homesteaders since at least the late 60's--early 70's. I suspect it's been attracting a steady flow of wannabe small farmers since it was first settled.

I've talked to two people who have moved here within the last couple of years (same as me) who claimed everybody was stand-offish and didn't lke newcomers. Almost everybody I've met has been freindly or at least polite. Personally I didn't want to spent much time with the two who complained either. I suspect, like most places, the more you try to fit in the better you will fit in.

I had a Springfield phone book here someplace. If you want me to look, up the numbers for some LDS churches just drop me a line. I don't like posting anybody's number to a forum without their permission.

==>paul

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), June 04, 2001.

Old story. A family was out looking for rural land when they stopped in a small country store and asked the owner how the people were around there. The owner ask how were the people where they came from. The family replied they were mean, spiteful and flatout unfriendly. Well, the store owner said, you will find them like that here also. The next day another family stopped by and asked the same question. Same counter-question, to which the reply was they were very friendly and helpful. Well, the store owner said, you will find them like that here also.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), June 04, 2001.

Thank you so very much for your responses. Paul, I have a directory of the church buildings in the state, so I won;t need the phone numbers, but thank you. There are alot of them! That's great. That means that there are alot of members there. Surely, there are a few that like the same things we do. I'm sure we'll find one another. Ken, thank you for that eye opening story. How true that is! We really do make our own situations better or worse by our own attitudes. I've not had bad experiences in the past with people thinking that we were a novelty or anything. I would just like to have someone around close by that likes the same way of life that we do. It would be nice to have a homesteading buddy to talk to. The forum is nice, and boy do I learn alot! A warm body to share ideas with would just be nice. We've made friends everywhere we ever lived so I know that we're on the right path. We'll just keep trying to be the best neighbors that we can and show friendship to all we meet. Thanks again for responding. Marci

-- Marci Tomlinson (marci_tomlinson@hotmail.com), June 05, 2001.

The folks in Mo. are nice enough - it's the economy that really s***s.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), June 05, 2001.

We went visiting on a medical trip to Missouri two years back and were very pleased with the people all over the state that we met. We went to a couple of wards there and were welcome with open arms. I have a large family so they were looking to increase numbers they teased us. :-) Most everyone that lived outside the city limits had fresh fruit and veges to offer us, so I would assume that they at least gardened! :-) We didn't have a homestead yet, but were looking and we got alot of help, though we ended up staying in Ok. Good luck!

We are LDS also.

Cindy

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), June 07, 2001.