Antoine Guerlain

This interview with Antoine Guerlain was conducted on July 18, 2012 at Antoine’s house in Hudson, NY. Antoine discusses his Childhood in Vermont, adolescent disillusionment and subsequent “transient” period during which he first became involved in agriculture. He came to Columbia County almost 6 years ago after hearing about the Germantown Community Farm from a friend and becoming romantically involved with a woman who had an integral role in its founding. He is now working as a stone mason and living on another farm property in Hudson, NY.

Topics discussed in the interview include the development of Antoine’s radical political and economic views, his path to the Farm and his strong impressions of the individuals involved. He touches on the Farm’s transitioning role in the local community, its relative successes and failures in terms of both individual and community-wide impact and speculates on its future. He also speaks to his appreciation for the region’s enduring connection to its history and his preference for the lifestyles and technologies of the past.

This interview may be of interest to those looking at small farms, climate change, the politics of local food, and stone masonry.