March 10, 1976
Page 6048
HOME AND COOPERATIVE RURAL ASSISTANCE IN MAINE
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I would like to acquaint my colleagues with an effective rural cooperative which, in its 6 years of existence, has done much to alleviate the hardship brought on by poverty, unemployment, and lack of education in Hancock County, Maine.
Founded in 1970, Homeworkers Organized for More Employment — HOME — was created to provide a market for the many handcrafted products produced locally. From the first modest retail store opened that year in Orland, the organization grew to provide training sessions in handcrafting and in basic "life-coping" skills such as child care, nutrition, and home management. An outreach program has been started to provide crisis intervention and a number of other services — to both members and nonmembers of HOME. And finally, Down HOME Farming has added livestock and agricultural provisions to supplement the community's income and nutritional needs.
Mr. President, HOME has been of great assistance in promoting self-sufficiency, in improving nutrition, and in promoting a better standard of living among the lower income residents of rural Maine. To dramatize its effectiveness, I ask unanimous consent that two articles on HOME be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the articles were ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
SELF-HELP IN MAINE
LEWISTON, MAINE.— Routes 1 and 3 lead to the incomparable Acadia National Park. The road meanders over beautiful country in Hancock County — a winding road,with frequent views of distant mountains, of clapboard farm houses, of tall elms reaching out over the landscape. Tourists drive through the county and marvel at the view, their enthusiasm whetted for the park ahead.
For local residents, however, the physical beauty of their county is often obscured by unemployment, underemployment, poverty, lack of education, inadequate nutrition, and poor health — none of which is any more appealing to local people than for the family rushing down the main route to vacation at Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island.
There is a paper mill in the area, but it employs only high school graduates and, at that, only a portion of the high school graduates who would like to work. For the few who have adequate transportation, there may be work up in Bangor, thirty or forty miles away. For the rest there is only seasonal work — blueberrying, clamming, woodcutting — and welfare.
Traditionally, such areas have resorted to home work — stitching moccasins, stuffing envelopes, knitting and sewing for big city distributors — which provides an insufficient income without security or dignity.
In the winter of 1969-1970, a group of homeworkers decided to have their work profit themselves instead of the distant distributors who were living off their labors. They began their own distribution under the auspices of their newly formed cooperative, Homeworkers Organized for More Employment (HOME) . In June 1970, HOME opened its co-op store in Orland in an old farmhouse which had been purchased, courageously, with a loan.
Today, on the junction of Routes 1 and 3, there is a cluster of buildings in Orland behind the HOME sign. The old farmhouse has become an office, the store is now in a large new building (erected under a HOME training project), and the grounds include a weaving shop, a pottery shop, a leather shop, a fruit stand, and a few multipurpose buildings. Assets of the cooperative now approach $200,000, and 2,000 people are or have been associated with HOME. How did it all come about?
"HOME has grown and evolved according to the needs of members," says Dick Desjardins. "HOME'S growth has been very organic, very pragmatic. We've added projects and programs according to the needs of the people."
The retail outlet came first, and it was the focus for organizing. The original members were shoe stitchers, but it was obvious that other people doing piece work at home needed help. HOME expanded to take them in. At the very beginning, however, there was a problem with the quality of some of the workmanship. HOME resolved this, not by turning away willing but unprepared home workers, but by organizing training sessions in pertinent crafts and skills. With the help of the Maine Department of Educational and Cultural Services, a school was set up for crafts and vocational training.
In Hancock County, as elsewhere, generations of poverty, of isolation, of losing the skills needed to work the land, have led to helplessness, fear, lack of direction, passivity. To counter this syndrome, HOME organized classes in "life-coping" skills. Volunteers and paid staff (by this time, Vista, the Community Employment Program, and the Community Action Program were involved) began offering courses in child care and child psychology, nutrition, family planning, home management, and consumer awareness.
These "life coping" classes are part of an expansive effort loosely labeled the Outreach Program. The program "reaches out" to alleviate community needs in more immediate ways than classes: It provides crisis intervention; transportation (to HOME classes, to medical facilities in Bangor, and the like); shopping, laundry, and cooking services for the housebound and elderly; housing and home repairs; collection and distribution of furniture and appliances; a referral service for people who don't know where or how to find what they need; organization for a volunteer labor force to work on farms. Outreach is available to both members and nonmembers of HOME.
Anyone familiar with Maine, or the rest of New England, is aware of abandoned farms and rich farmlands lying fallow, and of encroaching forests of alders and scrub brush. HOME organized a sheep co-op and a cattle co-op to help rural dwellers become farmers and animal raisers once again. HOME has developed a wood-cutting project, to offer inexpensive fuel wood to local people during the harsh winter.
Said Dick Desjardins, "Going back to the land, depending on oneself, sharing resources — whether they be material or spiritual — seem to be the only ways the individual will survive in today's world."—Dennis Ledoux.
DOWN HOME FARMING — HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Poverty exists. There are people in this country who go to bed each night cold and hungry. In the metropolitan areas the poor exist in ghettos and slums while the rural areas are predominately middle class. The poor are utterly dependent for the bare necessities of sustaining life, food and shelter, on a motley system. There is no alternative for them. They must purchase food produced for them by others or starve. They must pay rent or be forced into the streets. They must either find jobs to produce money or become dependent on welfare checks each month. There is no alternative for them.
In Maine poverty exists. There are people who go to bed cold and hungry. In Maine the cities are mostly middle class and the bulk of the poor exist in the rural areas. While they share the same miseries of poverty with their city counterparts there is one significant difference. They have an alternative: They are able to produce some necessities for themselves. They can raise food. They can build their own shelters and keep themselves warm with wood. But while they enjoy this advantage over the city poor, they too are dependent on the money system. They are unable to utilize this advantage because they lack capital. Thus they too must find jobs or depend on monthly welfare checks.
H.O.M.E. (Homeworkers Organized For More Employment) began in 1970 to help the rural poor by setting up a cooperative of Maine crafters to provide a market for home made goods. Finding increasing demand for hand crafted goods they began to sell wholesale all over the country.
Realizing that lack of education helped to handicap the poor, H.O.M.E started an education program designed to provide basic education, craft training, and life coping skills. H.O.M.E. added a Special Services section to work directly with the poor giving them counseling advice, and information on how to utilize existing state or federal programs. This department also distributes wood, clothing, and other useful items donated by those more fortunate. H.O.M.E. has also built a craft village in Orland featuring a retail store, education building, and craft shops such as leather, pottery, weaving and the recently completed wood working shop. Here the rural poor may learn a crafting skill and then sell their work through the retail store. Last but not least H.O.M.E recognized the potential the rural poor had if they were able to utilize their one major resource — The Land. Down H.O.M.E. Farming came into existence.
One major factor in the development of Down H.O.M.E. Farming has been H.OM.E.'s association with Heifer Project International.This non-profit organization which donates livestock and develops animal husbandry around the world, has donated animals, money to buy animals, technical assistance to recipients, and aid in time of need They have also made various church groups aware of the problem in Maine and these groups have donated clothing, blankets, linens, kitchen utensils and other items of use to the people. In the distribution of animals, H.O.M.E. has followed Heifer Project's basic philosophy of payment of one offspring for each animal received.
The impact of this system is amazing. Recipients are not 'getting charity.' On the contrary, they are accepting the responsibility of the care and feeding of the animals with the guidance of Down H.O.M.E. Farming and they must make payment in the form of one of the animals' offspring. They have the satisfaction of knowing that their payment will be used to help someone else as the animal is placed in another home. They gain self-respect, initiative, the desire to improve their lives. They know that someone trusts them as responsible human beings, not simply a number on a monthly check. It is impossible to put into words the impact and good that has been done by Heifer Project by their support of Down H.O.M.E. Farming.
Down H.O.M E. Farming, with the aid of Heifer Project has been helping people set up sheep farms both large and small, ranging in size from 50 to 6 sheep. These flocks have provided income, meat and incentive to members. Last year wool was sold to H.O.M.E. for use in their weaving shop. Our farmers profited greatly from this as the price paid them was considerably higher than the price paid by the wool pool. Most lamb sales were made directly from farmer to consumer. Down H.O.M.E. Farming and members involved intend to vigorously investigate cooperative marketing. The number of members interested in sheep has increased from 3 to 8, in spite of the loss of one farmer who withdrew from participation in January 1974.
A number of families have been set up with goats for milk production, This endeavor has met with tremendous success, with an increase in membership from an original two families in February 1975 to twenty-six. The membership is quite diversified including the medically disabled, retired persons, families who have allergy problems and must have goat’s milk for health reasons, families who receive state aid, a foster home for troubled teenagers, and families who wish to start a small business by selling milk from the farm. The impact of this program has been one of nutritional improvement, emotional up-lifting and incentive to better a family’s life. Many of the families who started with goats have also become interested in raising different types of animals for home consumption. They have thus begun to fulfil one of the basic goals of Down H.O.M.E. Farming — greater self-sufficiency. Greater diversity will help our people become less dependent on high priced supermarket food while raising their nutritional level.
Heifer Project has also donated other animals to Down H.O.M.E. Farming — a cow, a pig, a bull for meat, 3 Jersey Heifers, and about 50 rabbits for meat and breeding stock.These animals have been placed with those who have the need and desire to raise them. Our members have approximately 148 sheep and 65 goats. They have constructed 9 barns of various sizes and fenced about 100 acres. This program has helped at least 119 adults and children.
In order to support these members, Down H.O.M.E. Farming has taken several significant steps. The first was the purchase of haying equipment this past summer. This project was quite successful. Using co-operative and volunteer labor and donated fields, about 4,000 bales of hay were processed and most distributed to members. Some hay was sold to pay for supplies. Not all requests for hay were met and some members were unable to get any. This winter a planning committee is setting up procedures and policies so that all our members can benefit from the coming haying season. The cost of hay done in this manner is substantially less than hay purchased elsewhere. Down H.O.M.E. Farming has purchased chicken manure to be spread on selected hay fields. A grant will hopefully help pay for equipment already purchased and allow for the purchase of more equipment.
Down H.O.M.E. Farming was able to secure a grant from the Coastal Resource Center to purchase a grain bin and the initial shipment of feed grain. Volunteers laid the cement slab and a 12 ton grain bin was set up and filled with 16% Dairy Milk Maker pellets from Blue Seal Grain.
One member is feeding this grain to all his stock including rabbits and a variety of poultry with great success. This is sold to members at cost plus a 5% overhead charge thus creating substantial savings to members while supplying them with high quality feed. The money received from purchases is put back into a fund to resupply the bin. Down H.O.M.E. Farming also hopes to purchase another grain bin and perhaps one day our members can purchase native grown grains, custom mixing their own feed rations at substantial savings while encouraging local agriculture.
While some members of Down H.O.M.E. Farming are very knowledgeable in agriculture, many need and desire further education. To help those members and the general public a reference library has been started and special classes have been arranged through the H.O.M.E. Education department. The first classes were held in the fall on Saturdays. Morning classes concerned animal husbandry in the areas of sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, pigs and cattle. Experts in the various fields led these classes which were well attended. In the afternoon, classes were held in the area of gardening and farming, also conducted by well known and well informed individuals.
The response was so good that further classes will be held this spring on Monday and Thursday evenings. A course in dendrology (tree identification) is also being formed which will be followed by further classes on wood lot management if sufficient member interest is shown. In addition to these courses, monthly meetings were held featuring guest speakers. Topics included sheep and goat care and feed, identifying poisonous plants, and a session on lambing and kidding by a local veterinarian. Classes and meetings are open to the general public. The director of Down H.O.M.E. Farming, Ross Lane, must be given much credit for the success of this program.
Down H.O.M.E. Farming also operates a Garden Market Stand. The purpose of this stand is to provide an outlet for the sale of produce grown by members. Thus small farmers will be encouraged to raise some cash crops along with food for themselves. Other food items were purchased from local producers and wholesalers, thus diversifying the merchandise for sale. Although the growth of the Market Stand has been slow, sales have increased over the past two years and plans are being made to increase the productivity of this project.
Down H.O.M.E Farming has an area of ground plowed and prepared for those who do not have land of their own for gardening. The effectiveness of this project increased 25% over the previous years and as techniques are learned and problems are solved, greater success is expected.
Last year, a Troy Built Roto-tiller was donated to H.O.M.E. and a volunteer tilled garden plots for low income families and the elderly. This service was quite successful and appreciated by those involved. Free seed was distributed by the special services section. This seed was supplied by the Washington-Hancock Community Action Agency.
Down H.O.M.E. Farming has accomplished much in the short time it has been in existence. The major part of its expansion has happened from March 1975 on. Much is left to be done not only to improve those programs in existence, but expand our assistance and membership. A planning committee consisting of the director of Down H.O.M.E. Farming, members, and volunteers expert in various phases of agriculture has been formed. Among items under consideration is a farmers' market concept to work along with the market stand and procedures for greater efficiency in haying. This board also helps in setting policy and procedures for Down H.O.M.E. Farming activities.
Many members need financial assistance to improve their facilities and land. Volunteer labor is often available but cannot be used effectively because members do not have the funds to provide material. A revolving loan fund is being sought to loan money at no interest to provide materials for agricultural improvement. The money, repaid in four yearly installments, would be loaned again to others. Once established, the fund would be self-perpetuating.
More equipment must be purchased to provide services to members. Haying equipment has top priority. Down H.O.M.E. Farming has access to tons of chicken manure but has no way of transporting it to the farms where it can be utilized. A dump truck is needed along with a tractor with a bucket loader.
Plows and discs or a large roto-tiller to work old hay fields by reseeding would help. Perhaps we could grow some of the grain needed by members. The possibilities are endless — limited only by finances.
Money for salaries is desperately needed. Although the backbone of Down H.O.M.E. Farming is a volunteer workforce, some key positions must be salaried or persons in leadership roles will be forced to seek employment elsewhere, not by choice, but simply to survive.
The financial situation at H.O.M.E. is always one of crisis because, unlike other institutions and corporations, H.O.M..E. channels all resources available to those in need rather than accumulate wealth for itself. Its employees are salaried at the lowest levels and remain because of their dedication to the principle of helping others.
Membership in Down H.O.M.E. Farming livestock activities is not limited to the poor. There are, however, categories of members based on income and payment of dues which are used to offset clerical costs especially mailing expenses.
Participating membership is restricted to those whose income falls within the guidelines set by the federal government for the poverty level, those families with extenuating circumstances, or others who are accepted by vote of existing members. Dues of low income members are five dollars a year, payable November 1st each year.
Associate members are those whose income exceeds the federal standards but who are interested in Down H.O.M.E. Farming activities and wish to benefit by programs or group purchases. They are not eligible for animals distributed or loans. Dues are $15 a year due on November 1st.
Contributing membership is limited to those who are interested in Down H.O.M.E. Farming activities and who contribute to the work being done.
There are also a number of people interested in Down H.O.M.E. Farming who do not desire to become members. They are added to the mailing list and are informed of our activities. A contribution to pay cover costs of paper and mailing is greatly appreciated.
For some, the present and the future are bleak. Poverty and the welfare system, along with lack of education or opportunity, chain and lock our members into a way of life they despise. Down H.O.M.E. Farming offers an alternative. There are those who care. People are no longer a number or statistic to a sometimes suspicious social worker, but human beings to be loved and helped. These same people are capable of loving and helping in return. If Down H.O.M.E. Farming can give human beings a chance to love an animal, the feeling that they can help others as well as themselves, the chance to accept responsibility, the incentive to improve their lives, the opportunity to provide better nourishment for their children, then Down H.O.M.E. Farming is a success. What greater reward is there than to know that a life has been touched and changed while the seed of hope is planted.