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[VAN DELL JORDAN <vdjor AT yahoo.com>]

Instead of commune type organization, perhaps a
community.  I'm thinking of a number of properties
close or even adjacent.  If your next door neighbor
was interested in sharing chores / trading work that
might homestead life much better.  If the neighbor 
turned out to be a dud, it would be no different than
any other neighbor who is a dud.
Gene, maybe a "homesteaders subdivision" might be a
project for a reformed real estate professional.  One
who does not have the "max out" mentality of
developers.
Van Dell



--- FranksFarm AT aol.com wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> This is Frank down in Kentucky.
> 
> Sometime ago I purchased a beautiful farm in rural
> southcentral Kentucky's knob hill area.
> 
> The area is still largely small farms and forested
> hills. Gorgeous:) I specifically chose this property
> after much searching because it is very private,
> contains a mile on state fed trout stream, and has
> over 70 acres of good bottomland.Yet it is only
> about ten miles from the county seat, and about an
> hour to Lexington.
> 
> The property contains over 465 acres. Since I'm at a
> stage in my life where money is not the prime
> consideration. I had hoped to create an Eco Village
> - to be shared, and nurtured by like minded folks
> who were truly interested in building community.
> 
> I even put info about the proposed community on some
> websites, and this list. The response was quite
> good. Deep down I expected that there were indeed
> many who were seeking such a lifestyle.
> 
>  I can't tell you how many hours I spent
> communicating with all those who replied. Most were
> quite earnest, and asked so many questions. Many
> were from other regions of the country. But despite
> sometimes months of correspondence only a few
> actually took the time to travel. Some wanted to buy
> in right away, but only wanted a certain piece of
> property, or just did not seem to have a good plan,
> or the necessary funds to afford such a lifestyle.
> 
> Believe me I'm just not interested in creating
> hassles.
> 
> One lady even showed up with a truckload of goats,
> some scrawny dogs without even getting my
> permission. She did write well, and seemed to know a
> lot about homesteading matters. However, she had no
> money, and only the promise of a job at the sales in
> Keeneland! I felt sorry for her, and allowed her to
> camp out for a few days. But the fellow whom she
> said promised her a job with the horses at $150 per
> day did not do so.
> 
> Someone called the ASPCA about her goats which she
> confined with a makeshift corral since they saw no
> water. Police even came down, and made me water
> them. I sure was glad when she left! My neighbors
> had a big laugh on that episode.
> 
> One of the dangers of the Internet is that you never
> really know the person you are dealing with. He or
> she can take on a completely new character, and
> easily dissemble:)
> 
> Anyway I just could not afford all the time, and
> effort and so put the project on the backburner.
> 
> I'd like to build an Eco Village like the one at
> Ithaca New York. But the folks up there were able to
> afford homes ,community buy ins that were well over
> $200K.
> 
> The kind of community homes I envision would be
> built using best sustainable technologies,would be
> low maintenance, low energy,filled with daylight. It
> would be a healthy home, and a  well designed one.
> It would be a very special place.
> 
>  I recently saw such a home in California - the
> asking price was $450,000 for a 2500 sq foot home !
> A couple of the homes were resold for over $600K.
> 
> Hardly affordable for most.
> 
> Long term such homes will actually save you money,
> but how many people think that way:)
> 
> I'd be hard pressed to build such a home even down
> here for $250K - unless there were government
> subsidies. Since such communities would be a benfit
> to all.
> 
> Anyway I fully understand Lynn's comments about
> "going it alone". Even if you do everything right
> it's still a grind to make even a modest living ,
> and you soon realize how dependent you are on Mother
> Nature's cooperation.
> 
> If I were younger, and had more energy I'd be
> willing to undertake more,but I simply don't have
> that kind of drive:) If there were other like minded
> folk who chose to get involved, and had the talent,
> abilities or the financial wherewithal for such an
> undertaking I'd be interested in talking with them.
> 
> To live simply, and well IS attainable - if you have
> readily marketable skills,and talents and don't mind
> working. Or if you are financially secure, and can
> AFFORD to live simply:)
> 
> Over the years I've come to know many on this list,
> and I know many of you have the skills,
>  perseverance, and pluck to help build such a
> community. I'd be happy to have you join me.
> 
> But I've spent untold hours reading, researching,and
> on the web on lists like this, and others on
> Intentional Community and I can tell you that it
> really takes very special, well motivated people to
> make it work. I was much impressed by the Findhorn
> Community in England,which evolved over years of
> mutual effort.
> 
> I can tell you that just trying to do an holistic
> plan for such a community is indeed a great
> challenge since all sorts of skills, and disciplines
> are needed.
> 
> Most of the more successful communities have spent
> months even years in hammering out consensus,
> finances etc.
> 
> If you feel you are up to the challenge, want to be
> a part of something special, are willing to make the
> commitments, and have sufficient assets invest in a
> trip down. Let me know.
> 
> Best to all. Frank
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