Stories of the Heartland September 2026 | Page 20

Page 20 Stories of the Heartland • Sunday, September 20, 2026 hometownsource. com / heartland /

During those months, the woodshop focuses more heavily on completing projects needed around the village.

An orchard with deep roots

Dureaux oversees roughly 50 apple trees while also working in the pottery studio. His own stay at Camphill has lasted considerably longer than he expected.

“ I came here expecting three months and I’ ve been here almost 10 years,” Dureaux said.

In the orchard, he talked about some of the varieties growing there.

“ We have about 50 trees, including varieties like Fireside and Prairie Magic,” he said.

Many of the trees produce especially heavy crops every other year, making processing and storage important.

“ Most of the trees give heavily every other year, so processing is essential,” Dureaux said.

Different apples also lend themselves to different uses.

“ Crab apples are coming in next week,” he said.“ They’ re a little watery, so they’ re best for juicing.”

The apples become part of the same food system as the vegetables growing in Michieli’ s garden. Some are eaten fresh; others are processed so they can be used later in the year.

By late afternoon, work in the gardens and workshops begins winding down. Tools are put away, projects are left for another day and people begin returning to the homes scattered across the property. The workplace becomes home.

More than a place to live

Camphill’ s seven homes are central to its life-sharing model. Most are licensed for four villagers, and when fully occupied the community can accommodate about 30 villagers within the larger residential community of about 50 people.

House leaders live alongside villagers, some with their own families. Breakfast and dinner are shared within the homes, while the midday meal brings the larger Camphill community together.

Diego and Chris Topete are one example. For about three years, they have lived at Camphill with their two children while co-leading one of the village homes. Their responsibilities also take them into the workshops. Diego Topete leads the bakery, while Chris Topete regularly works alongside villagers and coworkers in the garden and elsewhere around the property. Those who work with her describe Chris Topete as a faithful presence, someone who can be counted on to show up and lend a hand each day.

Household responsibilities are part of the daily routine, just as they would be in other homes. Birthdays and holidays are celebrated, evenings unfold around kitchens and living rooms, and the next morning begins again around the breakfast table.

Jeffrey Hage / Stories of the Heartland

Prairie Magic apples ripen on a tree in the orchard at Camphill Village Minnesota near Sauk Centre. The apple is one of a number of varieties grown and harvested at Camphill.

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