I started a group chat for young (under 50) folks in my rural Vermont area, to improve our social life, to provide a place to ask for help. Last week someone posted saying their farm help was injured and they desperately needed someone to fill the gap. Sure, I had plenty of my own chores to do this weekend. But I went over yesterday expecting no compensation except a stronger community bond, maybe some insight into what it’s like to run a farm-to-table farm.

Well! Three other people showed up, so I got all the community gossip while we did our work alongside each other. And I was sent home with a literal bushel of fresh produce, and lilies!! All for a few hours of weeding.

So ask for help. Go give the help. Everyone will come out richer.

EDITED TO ADD: Why under 50? Because rural Vermont is mostly older people (and they have a thriving social life that we are part of) so we were all craving a way to connect with people our own age with similar interests, concerns, needs, etc.