In 1976, inspired by the ideas of Helen and Scott Nearing, Sherrie Lovler and Norm Lee began a back-to-the-land life in upstate New York. They later founded The Good Life Get-Together, a yearly summer gathering with workshops for those drawn to the back-to-the-land movement and published Homesteaders News magazine for over nine years. Helen and Scott came to the first festival and Helen came again to teach stone wall building. Fifty years later, Sherrie reflects on how the Nearings’ influence continues to shape her life as a self-employed artist, poet, teacher, and author.

Sherrie Lovler is an artist and writer whose work explores faith, ecology, and everyday spiritual life through teaching, storytelling, and community engagement. Her newest book, which pairs paintings & poems, is called Distant Voices.