Steve and Marjorie Boehme, Philadelphians weary of the hectic life in the Northeast, began searching for a place to put down roots that was more in keeping with their values. They longed for a simple life in a quiet setting.

FARM FESTIVAL

Artisans who create traditional Appalachian arts and crafts will participate in the second annual GoodSeed Farm's Country Garden Festival, noon to sunset Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. next Saturday. Included will be pottery, basket weaving, corn husk dolls, tatting and woodcarving. There will be nature walks and bird-watching hikes.     The farm is on Old State Route 32 at Storer Road, 3 miles west of Peebles. Admission is free; parking $5. Information, directions: (937) 587-7021; www.goodseedfarm.com.

        An environment that included mountains, streams, woods and rolling land would be ideal. The climate must be temperate for gardening. Evening stargazing was a must. The couple looked for a spot out of the path of commercial airlines, a refuge for birds and wildlife.

        In 1997, the family's quest led them to the scenic foothills of Appalachia in rural Adams County.

        Their 158-acre GoodSeed Farm is complete with historic barns and trails for bird-watching. The couple's son, Stephen, has learned to recognize more than 60 kinds of birds by sight and sound.

        When I visited, I observed the pioneer spirit of this hard-working family. A former chicken house has become a whitewashed post-and-beam country garden store. The dairy cow stalls have been turned into a potting area where folks gather for classes. A barn is being erected that will display a painted quilt design facing the road — one of many such painted barns in Adams County.

        Gardeners will enjoy GoodSeed Farm's variety of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs at reasonable prices. There's also a complete offering of tools, seed and gift items.

       Contact Peg St. Clair by phone: 541-4680; Web site: www.gardenersnetwork.org.
       

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