“ We definitely fit a niche with people who don’ t necessarily want the fastest crew but the best care of their land,” Manuel said.
Lee Rodgers, a part-time farmer in Johnson County, said it’ s refreshing to work with someone like Manuel, who practices a way of living and working that largely has been discarded in today’ s fast-paced world. Rodgers’ family first met Manuel and his horses at Brown County State Park, where the team transports campers to and from Horseman’ s Camp Christian Church on Sunday mornings. Before they knew it, Rodgers was helping Manuel launch a new wood-boiler stove, and Manuel was helping Rodgers to brainstorm about
photo by Chris Gustin
photo by Chris Gustin solar power generation and cut lumber for four new hay wagons.
“ He’ s just a really unique, neat guy,” Rodgers said.“ Sometimes it seems like the little guy helping the little guy makes the whole world go around.”
When Manuel looks at the world, he sees a great deal of beauty worth savoring: helping a family turn a beloved tree into the table where they will gather, or their property’ s timber into beams that will build a barn.
In fact, turning logs into ready-to-build kits for barns and garden tool sheds is some of Manuel’ s favorite work. He sees that playing a big role in his future. The 51-year-old said he knows the day will come when his body won’ t be able to withstand
rigging giant logs through the woods on a daily basis.“ Horses don’ t always respond correctly, and you have to be alert so you don’ t get stepped on or rolled over. You just have to work smart and watch everything. I’ m sure there will be a day when I won’ t want to be out there every day,” he said.
But for now, Manuel still enjoys a great respect and appreciation for the people and animals who make it possible for him to be part of preserving Brown County’ s timber.
“ Thankfully, we have a lot of people who are very concerned about our environment and who share our deep respect for our wonderful natural resources,” he said.“ I just can’ t describe how rewarding it is to get to work together with a team of animals who make what we do possible.”
Manuel can be contacted for work at( 812) 345-1642. •
July / August 2017 • Our Brown County 21