[Homestead] Farming Commune?

Gene GeRue genegerue at ruralize.com
Wed Jun 20 19:14:34 EDT 2007


On Jun 20, 2007, at 11:23 AM, Lynn Wigglesworth wrote:

> I've been thinking how nice it would be to join a 'family' of like- 
> minded
> people. A hippy commune (but NOT a PETA, vegetarian commune...a real
> FARMING commune). I probably couldn't consider it until my kids (12  
> and
> 14) are launched into the world (their dad would put up a stink if I
> hauled them off to Maine or somewhere). But it would be fun looking  
> into
> it, and could take me 5 years to sell this farm. . . . My sister  
> lives in
> Maine, and there are a lot of my kind of crazy, old hippy type  
> people up
> there. Any ideas?

Lynn, finding a community of like-minded people is the biggest  
challenge when seeking one's ideal place. It is good that you have  
five or six years to find yours. While some form of intentional  
community seems indicated, it may not be right for you.  An IC is  
typically a place where members interface very closely, so fine  
compatibiilty is even more important than typical close neighbors.  
You've been calling your own shots for a long time; how will you feel  
when yours is but one of many votes?

Here's a response I gave to a reader in the Q & A part of my Web site:

"Marcee, you're right. The single biggest mistake people make when  
buying rural property is moving into a community of people where they  
just won't fit. Carefully check out the people before you buy the  
land. Subscribe to the local paper. Visit and talk to everyone you  
see. Attitudes and values will become apparent. Never expect that you  
will be able to change the local mindset."

Back to ICs: Once you identify two or three, spend several days  
living at each of them. Be very patient. Ask challenging questions.  
Making such a move can be very expensive, both cash-wise and  
psychologically. Many ICs require that you assign a substantial  
portion of your wealth to the community. Vehicles become for  
community use.

Most ICs that you investigate will be "forming." That is because  
utopian dreams are compelling but impossible to realize. Some people  
have been through several communities, always searching for the right  
place, where they will get what they want and not have to give up  
what they can't. Very few communities have the longevity of The Farm  
in Tennessee.

In other words, do what you know is right. Take your time, do your  
due diligence, take more time, investigate on a personal level. What  
you are looking for is family. 
  


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