Join Patrice in Building His Last Home

Dear friends,

My name is Patrice Gros, I am 68, the father of 2. I am the older guy in the lower center of the picture .

First and foremost, I am immensely grateful for simply being; to exist on this wondrous planet, one in thousands, maybe millions. I am grateful for the sun that warms my skin and the clean air that I get to breath in every 3 seconds. I am grateful for the 2 healthy children I have raised and for their mother who has nourished and protected them.

I have spent the last 33 years learning to grow food. I have read from past wise farmers, I paid attention to my surroundings, I have experienced countless challenges, and so I have learned the rhythms of nature and witnessed the multitude of interactions between plants, insects, soil, biology, water, air.

Hundreds of people have visited my farms over the years: schools, neighbors, workshops attendees and apprentices. Over 70 people have trained as long term apprentices, some of which have become farmers in their own right; they are also my children in a certain way.

Today, the farm I co-manage is known as Happy Farm at Plum Village France, a zen monastery in the south of France. The crops we produce feed the many monks, nuns and retreat attendees who come here all yearlong from every place on earth.

 

But the farm is also a place of practice and healing. Each year Happy Farm welcomes up to 30 volunteers who choose to set time aside to focus inward while working mindfully in our gardens. 

This fundraiser is very personal in nature. I have decided to build a small 500 square-foot house (50 square meters). It is 9 km away from the farm/monastery, in a beautiful lush landscape and my bicycle commute is only 30 minutes. It is likely to be my last home, one that will anchor me next to my place of service for as many years as life will allow.

The home, partially built today, will use up my savings plus the 2 bank loans which the local system has granted me. I will do a lot of the finish work myself (carpentry, plumbing, insulation and kitchen set-up) to reduce building costs. But in the end, I will be short 30,000 euros ($32,600).

I am humbly asking for help. I offer those who will participate a chance to stay here, once the house is finished, up to a week (1 day for every 100 euros contributed). I have a small camper on the site which will allow me to free the house for visitors. The location is southern Dordogne (France), a marvelous region filled with natural and cultural riches.

I am grateful and thankful for any and all support that I will receive.

❤️