Let’s start a big community with morals

Hey guys, I’m really wanting to start a homesteading community or be a part of a big homesteading community. With enough families we could really create our own city almost. I’ve seen post on here about collaborating with families but they’re years old and the posters stopped responding. I will keep checking this post to see who responds that aren’t spammers or creeps. I have a vision of a great community of loving people who care for and support eachother where no evil occurs and happiness thrives. Why don’t you help me build it? Let’s create something great

that's the plan!

This sort of 'do your own thing' or as Paul puts it 'build a better world' is the solution. RIght?   Once we have all the trades/skills in our community we can survive.

TO keep things simple I think the Moral part is important. In that a STRONG Moral Compass is essential for the community to have the same direction.

I'd like to add Reciprocity as a foundation of interaction between people. JUst make things more clear than Morals which some people make link to a religion or such.

If you are in Maine I know some good people who are hoping to build community. Yet they have not found and "land" just integrating community into their daily lifes.

I agree with Ben. Morals is wildly open to interpretation. My own sense of morality is very different from others even within the permaculture community. A more concrete definition would be good when trying to start an intentional community. I think that many if not most of us would like to connect with others with similar values/concerns. It's just not that simple. I have found more than once that I have assumed that being of a permaculture nature would lead others to the same conclusions as I, only to be very disillusioned. Clarity is important to my mind.

Hey chiming in from Connecticut. I have plans to relocate to Maine in the next 2 years or so and I frequently see listings for large acreages. Certainly enough to support multiple families. I am a single person looking for the illusive sweet spot hopefully where I can homestead, but also be social and surrounded by at least somewhat like-minded folks. I know I can't do it alone sanely, so there must be some people out there who feel similarly.

Agreed on the vagueness of morality, but I love the ideas of mutual aid and reciprocity among neighbors, or neighbors all living together. An ideal mix of independence/privacy and resource sharing is something toward which I would strive, strong communication and mutual respect being the guiding principles. I want to create and live in the kind of place where everyone works hard and everyone gets to reap the benefits.

Alternatively, I am also starting to look for like-minded people to meet and hopefully connect with as far as skills and information sharing. People anywhere in New England.

i sent you a moosage. new to this.... let me know if you didn't get it.
gad@saphar.net

I love the idea of having your own corner to do what you want, but having a community to call upon for help or to offer help yourself!

You definitely need to define "moral" there are posts right here on permits, that I assume the writer thinks is driven by morals, but what the writer is proposing is very immoral to me.

I'm on the cusp of half a century of life, and I've turned away from the idea of artificially creating a community, to tinkering with the community I'm naturally in to make it more like I'd dream it would be. Bloom where you a planted, then drop seeds where you are planted, work on the edges, expand the edges. Is that not the permaculture way?

Melissa Ferrin wrote:You definitely need to define "moral" there are posts right here on permits, that I assume the writer thinks is driven by morals, but what the writer is proposing is very immoral to me.

I'm on the cusp of half a century of life, and I've turned away from the idea of artificially creating a community, to tinkering with the community I'm naturally in to make it more like I'd dream it would be. Bloom where you a planted, then drop seeds where you are planted, work on the edges, expand the edges. Is that not the permaculture way?

Very good point , thank you

So not a community at this point, but working towards a collaborative effort on the land I am on.  While the cornerstone does not entirely fit what many are looking for , it kind of bridges the divide between how the world is today and where it might be in the future.

Getting my feet back under myself at the moment… but I believe that the foundation is here to progress forward in a world that is still somewhat functioning and be capable of hunkering down if needed.

Anyway, I am in Northwest Colorado and seeking someone to help this summer and possibly longer if morals, personalities and … match up.  We are putting in a farm store and hopefully a restaurant this summer on farm plus two or three farmers markets and …. If all goes well. If not we will adapt and produce food for the local community as that will be needed still.

Anyway, looking for someone who wants to take a small risk this summer (low wage, plus bonus’ if things are going well). Knowledge of gardening (as you would be in charge of that (1/4 acre, with others help), poultry and eggs), some minor carpentry, possibly helping with nightly room rentals (if we get another room fixed up) and markets.  Build raised beds with covers in a geometric pattern.

The cornerstone is mostly seasonal grass based dairying, which we make cheese with…. Are in the process of turning the whey into gin/vodka or ethanol.

Morality, Honesty, Love and joy without opposite are my three main tenants.  Those who I’d like to have around me are spiritual (gnostic christian, hermetic), have a work ethic (summers are compact here and winters are relaxed).  

Have a lovely property that I would enjoy working with others on (I do have a another I’m working with today (he’s bringing financial capital and another’s in discussion with who may also). We can build one more home on this property (240 irrigated acres) and probably collaborate with the neighbors to buy/build on their land.

I don’t want to be the boss any longer and seek another to help be the drive.  I am here to help and have somewhat veto power in the short term but would like a group to slowly grow here, housed in connected earth ships to share in Gods (however you define that-I don’t care as god is simply love to me) splendor

I’m in NW Colorado and yes it’s cold and snowy.   Again I hope to have an earth ship like structure like the wapoti home depicted here but maybe with some modern life as I hope to have a a 25 KW wood powered gen set to provide the heat and power we need (in a post apocalyptic world the earth structure will be okay without outside heat power (maybe a bike generator in each pod of the earth ship whole)

The way I see it is that colonization has been for several generations ripping us apart.  We can and definitely should try and build resilient local communities also known as villages. I do not care if people give a thousand examples of failed attempts or a million reasons why it may not work. I think it is worth trying it again. Going back to living locally is our most important work. It is true that most of us have forgotten how to live together and it will take a lot of work to transform our beings to be able to comfortably settle in a loving community. We are supposed to live in physical villages with our peers. A village is the smallest unit of happy human beings. Keep searching, you will find the others. Don't be afraid to try things and don't be afraid to say no to some things.  Villages do not have to incorporate every single point of view and that is the beauty of them. For example in our village we say no to alcohol, guns and we consume a vegetarian diet. You can make up a secret language, adopt or create a new religion, make your own calendar, whatever you want, just try it! It is your life and it is your playground. You do not have to listen to anyone or follow any instructions. The most important thing is to try. If we just sit and come up with reasons why it might not work then before you know it we will all turn into machines. Be brave, be unpredictable, be human!

It sounds like it would be really nice. I am on the west coast, yet inland from it. I don't like being with the urban area here. I collect and gather seeds, for when I can be on land with any others, for growing and harvesting all that there can be, for sustainability with independence from urban connections when that can become possible. Having morals is important for being with any others involved with this, and this is included in godliness that I see is desirable.

Nicholas Jestothrithone wrote:Hey guys, I’m really wanting to start a homesteading community or be a part of a big homesteading community. With enough families we could really create our own city almost. I’ve seen post on here about collaborating with families but they’re years old and the posters stopped responding. I will keep checking this post to see who responds that aren’t spammers or creeps. I have a vision of a great community of loving people who care for and support eachother where no evil occurs and happiness thrives. Why don’t you help me build it? Let’s create something great

Nicholas, where are you, and is that where you would want this? How much will you be coming to check this thread? I have interest in this, and it will depend on what more I learn about it. I posted already in response here. Do you want to use this thread for further communication or would email communication be more desirable to you? I do want to work with others and it would be for betterment, with growing things for everything that there can be for what is needed or wanted, which I need to prepare for with others. If not here I can be reached at vegrox at aol.com.

Just saw this post. Currently living with my boyfriend in California, but we've been looking for land for the past year. We would be thrilled to buy into a property and start a like minded community, and are open to relocating most places. For me, an ideal community would have separate lots (maybe 2-10 acres each) that we each manage separately, but also a shared central gathering space. We could trade items, have community events, and teach each other new skills. Email me if interested gyro7391217@gmail.com

In case anyone is looking, Paul actually wrote a book on this topic: Permaculture Thorns

It includes his personal experiences living as part of several different permaculture-style communities as well as what he's learned from creating and maintaining the community out at Wheaton Labs.  

I'm extremely interested in joining a like-minded community, but I'm more interested in having my own separate space and then helping in a communal setting as well. I think each person or small family having their own private space decreases a lot of the friction within shared living situations. I'd love to help out with a farm-stand, but I'm decidedly looking to buy a little plot of my own. I have a tiny home with my boyfriend and our two dogs. I have experience milking, making cheese, gardening, canning, and foraging. My boyfriend has 10 years off grid experience and lots of building experience Send me an email if we sound like a good fit. gyro7391217@gmail.com

Ann Davis, I generally watch for communication on threads in the forum site, while I do now as I see others doing, leaving an email address for me to be contacted if that is desired. None of this is really working, in my case. Since you leave an email address open to any having interest in your pursuit, it seems I should consider contacting your email address. I am also in California, and looking to get out from living in a generally urban environment. I don't have experience or interest in working with farm animals, I won't be using products from them anyway, growing things for what is needed and lightly foraging will interest me greatly, I have looked into it to learn what I can so far for that, and I have been getting seeds to start with it when I can. And I have ideas I would encourage others to hear, if they will. My email that I use most of all is vegrox@aol.com, I will message first if I don't already see a message to me from you or any I recognize from talking with on this forum site.

"Community Engagement" is another approach to building a community. The term is often used by community service organizations when they wish to reach out beyond their membership and engage with the community at large. In my case, I'm in an organization of non-homesteaders who wish to "do" homestead like things so that the city and county gain the skills and habits it takes to create sustainable ecosystems and greater resiliency. So we are striving to "do" community engagement and build relationships with a larger slice of our county's half million people.

We are just starting this program, but we are partnering with several other organizations who have overlapping permaculture goals. They, too, are struggling to engage with the broader community. Our environment is full of peri-urban agriculture and hobby farms, all of whom tend to dabble in permaculture related online forums.

I know this is different from this thread's "homesteading community" concept; but I think it might be more like Paul's bloom where you're planted suggestions. One thing is for certain, there is no lack of people within 30 minutes drive; but there is a definite lack of cohesiveness focused on permaculture environmentalism.

This year one "campaign" for community engagement we're planning is to perform community service by establishing sustainable ecosystems in the shape of edible landscaping and water-harvesting food forests in neglected riparian lands adjacent to public lands and streets and state and national parks. The key is to create observably "balanced" ecosystems to educate the community. Hopefully, these will allow "us" to start building ties with hundreds or a couple thousand like-minded citizens.

Who knows; it might even work!

Phil Faris
Spokane

I do wish this thread would continue on!
I'm in the rainy climes of WA seeking to purchase land in more hospitable climate or join up with others who have already started their "community". I'm older in my years but have vast professional knowledge in facilitating and building community bylaws/guidelines and rules of order which are very helpful tools for a sustainable community.
I'm a permie gal and have been practicing the art for over 3 decades along with animal husbandry.
I'm seriously considering Tennessee or that general region of the country to transplant to.
I come with lots of good stuff for off-grid living along with cash and income.
So if anyone has need of these types of services, let me know!
I also build bus conversions and have been a general carpenter for over 40 years. Come with tools and very good at teaching.

Anyone up for Michigan? Have the land and space… would love to share details

I like the idea of being part of a like-minded community on a large plot of land where everyone has their own 1/4 acre or so tucked away to do whatever they want. I personally have a nice van I live/travel out of; would just park it in the corner and raise goats/tend a garden. Then pitch in on communal chores, farm stand, etc.

I have a wide range of experience/expertise. I grew up on a 350acre farm in Hawaii, raised cattle and grew exotic fruit. I'm ex-military (jet engine mechanic) have a degree in mechanical engineering and can fix just about anything. I am completely unplugged and find our current society abhorrent. My interests in include permaculture of course, true history, anything outdoors, fixing things, meditation, reading, etc.

If you'd like to talk more about finding land or have a spot I'd be welcome, please reach out. greerc91@gmail.com

I'm open to purchasing the 1/4acre or so, on the large plot to "buy-in"

 I’m also interested in a project, and have been thinking on it for a couple years. Yesterday I began mentally composing a message to place here in the forum with my thoughts and ideas. I guess I should finish it, post it and see what kind of feedback I get. I’m 59 y/o, receive military disability income and have a triplex I’d be selling to free up money for my project. I also have a background in real estate appraisal. Right now my first choice of location is SW Oregon, I like the Brookings area. Yesterday here in the forums I discovered Wild Rivers Permaculture Guild that is in the Brookings area. I emailed them a couple hours ago to learn more about them.
 Where would be the proper place in the forums to post looking for land, other potential buyers, etc. if anyone would like to chat and share ideas feel free to message me here on Permies.

Cheers,
Greg