Meet the Beidler Family

by Carrie Branovan

It's peaceful here.

The surroundings seem right out of a Vermont postcard scene…cows contently grazing, red and yellow leaves framing white church steeples in the distance, a swing hanging under a huge oak tree. But there's more…

Brent and Regina Beidler recount the journeys of their lives both individually and together. Image-rich stories unfold of their childhood, early adult years in service in urban areas and third world communities, their relationship, acquiring their small family farm, and finally the birth of now 8-year-old Erin.

I begin to understand that the generous kindness they selflessly offer to others, and the earth, has returned to them in abundance. It's not just the surrounding beauty that provides the backdrop for an idyllic life; there's an unmistakable feeling of joy everywhere.

Everything about farming brings a smile to Brent's face. He's clearly living his bliss. "My grandparents' farm signified wide open spaces with lots of animals, tractors…things that I didn't get to experience at home," Brent recalls. "During the summers when I stayed with them, I always managed to wake before daylight when I heard Grandpa's footsteps on the way to barn. He proclaimed that I was destined to be a farmer when I was four years old."

Brent continues, "I worked on Vermont dairy farms after high school and while attending UVM earning my degree in Animal Sciences. As college came to an end I knew that I wanted to have a farm of my own. I also felt strongly about volunteer service work, so I decided to serve in Bangladesh for three years with the Mennonite Central Committee. The focus of our work was research that would benefit the poorest farmers. I worked in the flood prone Delta regions as a livestock specialist who worked with an agronomist and fisheries expert. The biggest problem facing the farmers I worked with was keeping animals alive. There is a Bengali saying, "If your son dies, you mourn. If your cow dies, the family dies."

Despite being ravaged by natural disaster, Bangladesh is a land of incredible beauty. The culture is driven by the values of family and community, and hospitality is not just a value—it's a national pass-time. There is deep reverence for knowledge and faith in God," Brent remembers.