Nurtured by Nature: Remembering a Back-to-the-Land Childhood

1 / 9
The house was started in 1975 by three people without prior building experience.
The house was started in 1975 by three people without prior building experience.
2 / 9
Author Liz Stuart on the homestead where she grew up.
Author Liz Stuart on the homestead where she grew up.
3 / 9
The house has many unique qualities: most noticeably, its detached composting toilet.
The house has many unique qualities: most noticeably, its detached composting toilet.
4 / 9
Liz and Tighe picking ‘Spartan’ apples in 1990.
Liz and Tighe picking ‘Spartan’ apples in 1990.
5 / 9
Liz began exploring the natural world at an early age. The photo is from 1986.
Liz began exploring the natural world at an early age. The photo is from 1986.
6 / 9
Like the house that was built by hand, many of the creative accents were added by family and friends. This do-it-yourself attitude influenced Liz to take on many handmade projects throughout the years.
Like the house that was built by hand, many of the creative accents were added by family and friends. This do-it-yourself attitude influenced Liz to take on many handmade projects throughout the years.
7 / 9
This charming home was built by the author’s parents using local stone and logs cut from the property. When building a vertical-log structure, smaller logs can be used.
This charming home was built by the author’s parents using local stone and logs cut from the property. When building a vertical-log structure, smaller logs can be used.
8 / 9
Winter on the homestead, February 2008.
Winter on the homestead, February 2008.
9 / 9
Liz and Tighe “working” in the garden.
Liz and Tighe “working” in the garden.

A young social worker reflects on her back-to-the-land childhood and how it has shaped her worldview.

Remembering a Back-to-the-Land Childhood

My usual response when asked where I grew up is “You’ve probably never heard of it.” Newport, Washington, population 2,000, is in the mountains of eastern Washington, about 70 miles from the Canadian border. Fifteen miles west of Newport and two miles off the pavement, the homestead where I was raised is even further off the map.

My older brother Tighe and I grew up in a continually evolving log house that was started in 1975 by three college friends: John Stuart and Carol Mack (my parents) and Cheryl Long (now editor in chief of MOTHER EARTH NEWS). The house is on 40 acres of wild land where my parents choose to live a sustainable and low-impact existence. For our family, this lifestyle meant extensive gardening, using an outhouse and constant exploration of the outdoors.

Now I’m a resident of Portland, Oregon, with a degree in social work, and I’m thankful my first 18 years were spent in the country developing a keen awareness of my natural surroundings and learning to value a self-sufficient lifestyle.

  • Published on Oct 29, 2008
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368