Without great communication, things can and will go wrong and do so quickly too,” he said.
When it’s your livelihood that counts … count on me.
John added that trust and honest communication is vital. It was explained to him at an early age that if someone tells a lie, it takes seven more lies to cover for that one lie, and those seven lies have their own webs that need to be covered. So, it's best to be honest and always follow that rule, especially in a society where so many families are depending on each other. These principles have served Oak Lane well as the colony has been successful and grown in spite of many challenges over the years. One of the more memorable instances was a storm in 1997 when straight-line winds damaged many homes and barns on the property. After the storm, over 200 people from neighboring colonies came to help rebuild and clean up the debris. “There was a silver-lining that came from that storm, however,” joked John. “At least five marriages and subsequent families blossomed from relationships formed cleaning up after that storm.” John’s wife, Sara, also has a leadership role at Oak Lane as the head cook. She oversees the production of three meals a day for all the residents and any guests that can and often do stop by for a meal. Oak Lane is known for their baked goods and buns which Sara and the women produce for their needs. They often also bake for area events and gatherings. The colony is also known for the smoked ribs they produce. In 2021, they cooked over 2,200 pounds of ribs to fill orders from customers.
Mark Kasten, Agent 180 N Main Ave 180 N Main Ave. Parker, SD 57053 Parker, SD 57053 Bus: 605-297-4747 Bus: 605-297-4747 mark@markkasten.com 368 N Main St. Freeman, SD 57029 Bus: 605-925-7353 mark@markkasten.com
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January 2022 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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