Check out portraits of our interviewees and landscapes from Bluffton Ohio in this photo collection from Episode Four.
The Psalm that opens Episode Four is read by Ariel Wagner. We met Ariel when we stayed in McDowell County, WV. She shared her vision for an approach to trauma healing that incorporates gardening and time spent in the mountains.
Matthew Yoder, pastor at Grace Mennonite Church in Pandora, Ohio, spoke with us about his understanding of what it means to care for land as a Christian in a farming community.
This is Wendy Chappell-Dick, our unofficial guide in Bluffton, Ohio. Wendy was full of wisdom, energy, and positivity. She introduced us to just about everyone we encountered and treated us to Bluffton’s best delicacies: cronuts and fresh apple cider.
Looking out over Bob Suter’s farm, I was captivated by the clouds. In his interview, Bob talked about how lucky he feels to be outside every day surrounded by so much natural beauty; after spending just a few hours on the farm I could see why.
Bob Suter is a vegetable farmer in Bluffton, Ohio. The farm, pictured behind him, has been in Bob’s family for six generations.
Bob is amiable, gentle, and kind. He has a heartwarming smile and a good sense of humor. It’s clear that he’s a hard worker who cares deeply for his family and his workers.
Bob stands with the most recent harvest of butternut squash from his farm.
Bennet Brabson is a devout Christian and an enthusiastic retired professor of Physics at Indiana University. Ben has studied climate science for many years and was kind enough to answer some of our questions about climate change.
Ben is a life-long learner; his curiosity and humility are evident not only in his scientific work, but also in his interactions with the people around him. He often addressed us as “the marvels that you are”. It’s hard not to feel valued and uplifted when you’re around him.
Farmer Dave Moser stands in the doorway to his home in Bluffton, Ohio. It was raining the day we interviewed Dave, keeping him from working out in the fields.
Dave Moser sits at his desk in the basement of his family’s farmhouse. The farm has been in Dave’s family since 1866. On the wall to the left (not pictured) are photographs of Dave’s parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents on the same farm he now operates. Dave works hard to take care of his land and uphold his family legacy.
A storm rolls in over the corn fields on Bob Suter’s farm.