Farmpound

Mission: We grow things to eat so we don't have to go as far to get them.
We use things that other people throw away so we don't have to buy them.
We live together so we can get more done and have rewarding social lives.
People need food, things, and company to complete their lives. We want to have more time and resources for fun things so we work as a team to provide ourselves with necessities.
We live at the Farmpound.
So can you.

From www.ic.org/directory/farmpound/:

We're an eclectic group of people looking for somebody who shares some of our goals. We want to live, grow, and learn together. Some of our job titles include mechanic, military, entrepreneur, jack-of-all-trades, artist, boat builder, and entomologist, but what brings us together is a desire to care for the land, and use what is available as a resource that can be renewed.

Chickens and ducks roam the property, taking care of bugs and providing eggs for all who live here. Gardenscapes expand out from the house, weaving between the barn, the greenhouse, the chicken coops, and the pond. Both useful and beautiful plants provide residents with nourishment for the body and soul. Over 100 fruit, nut, or medicinal plants have been planted throughout the property. People have both privacy and places to meet on the property. We maintain a hot tub, host movie nights on a projector, light the occasional bonfire, and some even attend fairs and karaoke together.

We're still learning. Established in 2012, the property has been a site for DIY skill, social, design, and garden experimentation. Some parts of the property are under construction, and others are thriving. A mix of business, education, and enjoyment drive the development of the overall suburban homestead forward.

The rent is a little less than comparable rooms because you'll be expected to contribute some efforts to the betterment of the whole. This will not impact your ability to maintain a job or social life outside of the community. Residents give 5-10 hours a week, leading and contributing to projects and chores. Shared spaces are expected to be kept clean and organized. Other projects include animal upkeep, garden care, trash/recycling, event/party planning, and construction projects.

Livestock-friendly animals are welcome, with some coordination. Rent includes utilities. There is a monthly project budget for needed group resources like seeds, construction materials, research, bees, etc. The allocation of funds is decided at weekly Sunday meetings. We've brewed beer, kept bees, made compost, constructed greenhouses, welded stoves, created swales, raised pigs, goats, and sheep, engineered coops, and bartered with neighbors.

Does this sound like a place you'd like to visit? Live? Thrive?
If so, great. Please send an email telling us a little about yourself, and we'll get back to you within a day or so if you seem like you might be a good fit.

A service of the Data Commons Co-op. The project has been supported by Equal Exchange, the Cooperative Charitable Trust, the USDA, and many others - thank you! Tech volunteers over the years include: Benjamin Bradley with support from GAIA Host. Ben Mauer with support from Quilted. Paul Fitzpatrick. Ronin Tech Collective, Brattleboro Tech Collective, Sligo Computer Services. Jason Lemieux. Default map tiles courtesy of MapQuest. Default map data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA.