Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

homestead - [Homestead] Intentional community -- Countryside

homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Homestead mailing list

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: bob ford <bobford79 AT yahoo.com>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Homestead] Intentional community -- Countryside
  • Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:20:58 -0800 (PST)

This topic was brought up recently by another list member. I know nothing
concerning the subject except for what I have read, and a couple of
acquaintances who have (and one is) lived in this type communtiy. I like
Countryside magazines. Some communities in this article are mentiopned by
name and place , maybe VA, MO, NC ?, I don't remmeber.

This is actually last month's issue, I just received this months in the mail.
There are a couple of letters to the editor about TN, one specifically about
the Mountains of N.E. TN, and being lied to about the land, and being sued.
Probably neighbors with one of several people on the list who live near the
Blue Ridge Mtn.s (they stayed and like the people , now, but are still
p*ssed about being cheatesd; it is a funny and educational letter).

Anyway...................


---------------------------------------------------------------------

The greenhorn's guide to homesteading

This land is your land; this land is our land



What's the matter, Greenhorn? We know; you want to move to the country
and live a simple, sustainable life. You'd do it tomorrow. Heck, you'd pack
your bags and leave today. There's just one problem. You don't have two
pennies to rub together. The only things in your pockets are your hands. You
don't have a pot to....

We get the picture.

Here's your first lesson in homesteading: Never, ever, let the lack of funds
get in the way of your dreams. There are plenty of homesteading options for
greenhorns who find themselves with more gumption than gold. Let's have a
look.

The greenhorn's guide to homesteading
This land is your land; this land is our land

By Jerri Cook
Countryside Staff


Intentional communities
The term might be new, but intentional communities have been around since the
dawn of time. The Garden of Eden was the first intentional community: a
community created for a specific purpose. Throughout the ages, mankind has
consistently immersed itself in community, forming clans, tribes and
eventually nations.

In recent decades, urbanization, touted as the most beneficial model of
community, has lost its appeal. The city-weary are pouring into rural areas,
or at least the ones who can afford to are. This shift isn't exclusive to the
United States; it's a global phenomenon, spurring speculation from befuddled
city developers the world over: Where's everyone going?
Julie and Andy run Yellowroot Farm at Earthaven Ecovillage.


According to the International Economic Development Council, rural America
includes 2,300 counties and 55 million people, and the numbers are growing.
The exploding rural population is driving the price of rural property far
beyond the reach of the average person. The Office of Federal Housing
Oversight found that rural housing prices rose by as much as 59% in the 90s,
far out-pacing urban prices. In fact, as the value of urban homes continues
to dive in the current market, rural property is holding its value.

Those who want to move to the country, but are hampered by the high price of
land, can form or join an intentional rural community. Most intentional rural
communities are financially structured as 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations
or income-sharing 501(d) nonprofit organizations. It's a simple concept: the
more people that contribute to the purchase, the more land the group can
afford because large parcels cost less per acre than small parcels.

Non-profitorganizations
Religious, social, educational, environmental and other non-political groups
can form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation or a 501(d) organization to buy
land. With a 501(c)(3) the property is owned by the organization, but can be
leased or sold to individuals. Donations to 501(c)(3) organizations are tax
deductible, and most of these groups actively engage in fundraising.
Organizations with 501(c)(3) status are exempted from paying taxes; the
group's political activities are also constrained by this status.

With a 501(d) income-sharing nonprofit organization, the land is owned by the
association; it can't be leased or sold to individuals. To maintain their
501(d) status, the community must have a common bank account. Unlike the
501(c)(3) status, however, income-sharing communities are free to engage in
any political activity they choose. Donations to 501(d) organizations are not
deductible and these organizations do not enjoy a tax-exempt status.

Without a doubt, one of the biggest advantages of forming a nonprofit
organization (NPO) is access to free government money. In the United States,
most government grants are awarded to NPOs. Government grants are available
to help nonprofits with everything from buying land to growing alternative
crops. Nonprofit intentional rural communities can get grants to educate the
public, build wildlife habitat and develop alternative energy sources. For a
complete list of government grants visit www.grants.gov and the Catalog for
Domestic Federal Assistance at www.cfda.gov.

The rules for establishing nonprofit organizations vary from state to state.
There are, however, a few things that groups seeking U.S. nonprofit status
must do regardless of where they are located. According to the Foundation
Center, an organization dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit sector,
there are 12 steps in forming a NPO:

1. File the certificate of incorporation with the proper state agency

2. Select individuals to serve on the board of directors

3. Develop vision and mission statements

4. Establish bylaws and board policies

5. Obtain an employer identification number (EIN)
Acorn Community garden


6. Open a bank account and establish check signing procedures

7. File for federal tax exemption

8. Follow state and local nonprofit regulations

9. Find office space and obtain office equipment

10. Recruit staff and prepare a personnel manual

11. Establish a payroll system and procure necessary insurance coverage

12. Develop an overall fundraising plan

For a complete tutorial on forming nonprofit organizations, visit the
Foundation Center at www.foundationcenter.org or contact a legal professional
who specializes in nonprofits.

An income-sharing 501(d) nonprofit community

Founded in 1993, The Acorn Community is a 501(d) income-sharing community in
the heart of Central Virginia. Members of the community, 12 adults (ages
20-60) and four children, share possessions, income, work and living space on
72 acres of certified organic farmland along the South Anna River. The
community sustains itself through two successful businesses: Southern
Exposure Seed Exchange (SESE) and a tin art business.

The group is committed to saving heirloom seed, "We want to preserve genetic
diversity," says Ira Wallace, one of the founding members. "We work to make
people aware of the potential risk of genetically modified organisms. You
can't even add food coloring without more research than has been done on
genetically modified food."

The Southern Exposure Seed Exchange sells certified organic heirloom seed
grown by the Acorn Community. Members harvest, package and ship the seeds. To
view their extensive catalog online, visit www.southernexposure.com or write
to SESE, PO Box 460, Mineral, VA 23117.

Members make and sell candleholders, lanterns and plant holders crafted from
recycled tin cans that neighbors in the larger community save for them.

Rod Rylander's Hobbit House


Each member/family has their own room, but they share common spaces and
possessions. If a member has something they don't want to share, they must
keep it in their room or store it off the premises. "We don't mind if someone
stores something that they don't want to share some place else while they're
here," says Ira Wallace. "But if they bring it here, they have to share it
with everyone."

Decisions are made by consensus; everyone has an equal say. According to Ira,
"When you only have 12 members, it's easier to be more direct with everyone.
Although, sometimes having someone designated to make decisions works well."

The Acorn Community isn't religion specific, as are some intentional rural
communities, but they do have a dietary requirement. All members of Acorn
Community are vegetarians.

The group is accepting new interns and members; as with most income-sharing
communities, there is no cost to join and no application fee. To learn more
visit their website at www.acorncommunity.org or call them at 540-894-0595.

A 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation community

Earthaven Ecovillage is an intentional rural community dedicated to the
principles of sustainability. Like all ecovillages, Earthaven requires
members to use natural resources wisely and in a way that shows respect for
the Earth and other people. Located 40 minutes southeast of Asheville, North
Carolina, on 320 acres of winding valleys and rising forest, Earthaven is
home to some 60 families, living in a variety of homes built from a variety
of affordable alternative materials.

When Earthaven member Rod Rylander built his Hobbit House, he did so with
both sustainability and affordability in mind. Constructed of hand-pressed
bricks, cordwood and heavy wooden beams that support a living roof, the home
is sturdy and quite functional. "I have a garden on my roof," says Rod, "now
that's something."

Rod's home is completely off-grid, powered by photovoltaic panels that
provide all of his electrical needs. According to Rod, one hour of sunlight a
day is all he needs to power his home.

Earthaven is not an income-sharing community, but members do have financial
obligations to the organization. Supporting members, those who are
considering full membership at Earthaven, pay an annual fee of $120-$200,
depending on their income level. Upon becoming full members, newcomers pay a
one-time, nonrefundable fee of $4,000 which can often be paid in installments
while in the provisional membership phase.

Full members and provisional members can rent a hut in the community's Hut
Hamlet or rent rooms from other members. Full members can also lease a site
from the organization. The cost for a 99-year, renewable, transferable lease
from Earthaven is $12,000-$20,000. Members have the option of paying the full
cost when they join, paying half when they join and making payments on the
balance, or foregoing a lease for five years and making monthly payments of
at least $100 to an Earthaven savings plan. After five years, the lease is
granted. There are also annual fees and assessments of approximately $450,
along with state and local taxes.

Earthaven encourages the use of alternative, earth-friendly materials when
building homes. They have a good working relationship with the county
inspectors, who wholeheartedly support the use of straw bales, cordwood and
other inexpensive natural building materials as long as the community can
demonstrate that the material is safe. Because of this, building a home at
Earthaven can cost as little as a couple of thousands of dollars all the way
up to hundreds of thousands. Each member's needs and resources are different.

All members must provide their own off-grid power or go without electricity.
This adds to the price of new construction.

Earthaven has several internships available and is seeking new members. For
more information visit their website www.earthaven.org or call them at
828-669-3937.

Living cooperatively

Diana Leafe Christian, Earthaven member and author of Creating a Life
Together: Practical Tools to Grow an Intentional Community and Finding
Community, stresses that living in a community can be a life-enriching
experience; it can also be difficult and defeating. For the experience to be
rewarding, the prospective new member must do some soul searching. "You have
to be willing to see yourself as you really are," she says. "You need to be
open to new experiences and be willing to live cooperatively. You have to
find a balance between the group's goals and your own. You have to view both
as important."

The first and foremost indicator of success or failure in a community is a
sense of higher purpose. "You have to be willing to serve and contribute to
something larger than yourself. You have to be willing to pitch in and work."



Ira Wallace agrees. "If you're the kind of person who is active in your
community and volunteers, then you'll do fine at Acorn."

Patience and flexibility are central to a positive experience in community.
"Planning and decision making take longer when everyone is working
cooperatively," says Ms. Christian. "You have to be willing to listen to
everyone's ideas. It can take a lot of time. You have to be willing to abide
by the agreements of the community."

If you think you might be the sort of person who would benefit from the
social and financial structure of an intentional community, you can form a
new community with friends or you can join an existing community. "It's a
fundamental choice," says Laird Schaub, the director of the Fellowship for
Intentional Community (FIC) and publisher of Communities magazine. "Do you
want to start one or join one? Often, communities are started because the
founders want to control the direction, but I would encourage people to
consider joining as a first choice. That way, they can get a feel for the
structure and dynamics, and it's not just a mental exercise."

The FIC has a directory of over 1,000 intentional communities in the U.S. and
other countries available for free on the Internet at www.ic.org. A print
version is available for $24 by calling 800-995-8342. Communities are listed
by location and type. Laird estimates that two-thirds of them are rural
communities.

When researching intentional communities that you might be interested in
joining, it's important to make sure that their mission or purpose is
compatible with yours. Many communities are religion specific with
traditional gender roles; others have a more counter-culture feel with
different social boundaries. Some communities don't allow pets or children.
Some are gender or orientation specific. "There's no sense visiting a
community if you have huge differences with their culture," stresses Diana
Christian. "You need to understand the difference between income-sharing and
non income-sharing structures.

Look for communities in the region with a climate best suited for your needs.
Understand your own financial situation. Ask yourself, ‘Can I afford to join;
can I afford to live in the area; how will I earn a living; and what will I
contribute to the group?' Answer these questions and you'll be off to a good
start.

"Contact a community you are interested in and plan a tour or a weekend
visit. Don't just show up. Bring gloves and work clothes and plan to pitch
in. Know the rules of the community and follow them to the letter. Remember,
you are a guest in these people's home. Always ask if it is a good time to
ask a question. It's better to ask, ‘Is now a good time to ask about your
financial structure?' than to start an awkward conversation at an inopportune
moment."

Getting to know people in a community takes time, especially for couples and
families. "You have to get to know each member as an individual, including
the children," explains Ira Wallace, "it takes longer with families because
the dynamic is different." Most communities require people to visit several
times before considering them for membership.

Thinking it over
Intentional communities offer some interesting options for people eager to
embark on their first homestead adventure, but before you go running off
willy-nilly into the countryside you need to do some research. If you don't
fully understand what you're getting into, the consequences can be
disastrous. Just look what happened to the first two members of the first
intentional community; they couldn't live up to the community's expectations
and got themselves thrown out of the Garden. Things haven't been the same
since.

Until next time...

http://www.countrysidemag.com/issues/92/92-6/greenhorns_guide_to_homesteading.html










Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page