We are a stable, 34-year old rural intentional community. Our little village nestles around the clear bubbling springs that are the headwaters of the West Fork of Knapps Creek, in a cozy hollow blessed with beautiful vistas and fertile soil, surrounded by wooded hills. Decisions are made by consensus, and we are continually learning to hone our collaboration skills. We meet for discussion and deci
sion-making at least every other week, and potluck together weekly or more. Other gatherings include work parties (sometimes with lunch), singing, games, bonfires, etc. Our feeling of extended family is treasured. Like most families, there can be disagreement and conflict. We aim to work through these times with healthy process, an ongoing learning that is challenging and rewarding. Incomes are not shared and the group does not have employment for members. Some folks work from home, some commute up to 25 minutes, two are retired. Each member pays a share of monthly running costs, and buys a share of the community which can be paid in monthly installments over time. The commonest work activities on the land are the common gardens & putting food by, improving the health of the forest, harvesting firewood, orcharding, mapling, wildcrafting, making medicine, and caring for animals--so far chickens, pigs, sometimes goats, with grazing cows planned. Some years see a lot of construction or maintenance of dwellings or outbuildings. We are currently 11 adults and a baby. Half of us are founding members. Two are returned adult offspring. We currently occupy 6 households--three couples moving into their senior years, two young couples and a baby, and a single. Each of these units currently resides in an unshared house or apartment (tho there has been a communal household of up to 6). A 7th household is awaiting new member(s), and an additional one will be vacated during the coming year when the occupants move into the new house under construction. Most of our electrical energy still comes from the grid; we would like to move away from that.
