Echoes of the Back-to-the-Land Movement: "From Away"

Trudy Price

At our recent Tuesday night meeting, the room fell quiet as member Trudy Price shared a powerful piece of our local history. In response to an image from our March Call to Meeting email — an old pair of work boots blooming with new life — Trudy read a poem that perfectly captures the spirit of a transformative era in Maine’s history.

The poem, titled "From Away," was written by long-time Freedom resident Katie Johnson. Originally published in the July-September 2007 issue of Echoes: The Northern Maine Journal of Rural Culture, it serves as a lyrical bridge between the newcomers of the 1970s and the deep-rooted "right here" community.

The Movement That Changed Maine

In the 1970s, a wave of idealistic individuals arrived in our communities, seeking a simpler, more intentional life. They were the "back-to-the-landers." As the image below reminds us:

“The back-to-the-landers sought to change their lives. What they changed was Maine.”

Katie Johnson’s poem beautifully illustrates this friction and eventual fusion. It speaks of the clash between city ideals and rural reality — from debates over "anti-environmental tar" on roads to the mysterious local desire for streetlights that dimmed the moon.

Most poignantly, it highlights the quiet patience of the original inhabitants — the old farmers who "smiled, listened, and quietly went to Ace or Blue Seal for their usual supply of seed" — as they watched the newcomers navigate their first grueling winters and "miracle-a-minute" springs.

The Bangor Daily News published a slick, informative multimedia site back in 2014 about this movement. Check it out to learn more about “the movement that changed Maine” and how it continues to impact us today. 

Read the Poem: "From Away"

Click on this image to view the full poem.

We invite you to take a moment to read Katie’s words for yourself. Whether you were here to witness the movement or are discovering this history for the first time, her verses offer a profound look at how "their land" and "our land" eventually became one.

Save the Date: April Program

This poem is just the beginning of the conversation. It has sparked a renewed interest in our upcoming April program, tentatively scheduled for April 25, with a back-up date of May 2, which will dive deeper into the Back to the Land Movement and its lasting impact on our community.

This is a chapter of our history that deserves to be remembered, debated, and celebrated. We hope Katie's words resonate with you as much as they did with us.