Can anyone suggest web sites that specilaize in communal farm living. People are growing farther and farther apart (most don't know their next door neighbours name) and I have always dreamed of a place where everyone lived harmoniously. A community that was totally self sufficient, producing all its own food. A place where people live, work, and socialized with each other, as it was in the old days with many generations of a family living under one roof.

-- Margaret Sanders (msanders@cyplace.net), March 27, 2000

Answers

Check the Old Messages section below the forum questions. Look under MISC. for "Consider the big move?" Its a start.

-- Vaughn (vdcjm5@juno.com), March 27, 2000.

http://www.ic.org/ Margaret: Check this site out. At one time of my life I really checked out a lot of communities. My dream was just like yours but all I found was a bunch of incredible soap operas! Hope you have more success than I did......Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), March 28, 2000.

Yes---use your search engine and type "The Farm" it is n Tennessee(not my thing ) but they are the best mid-wifes in the world. One I spend some time at is the one Habitat for Humanity grew out of "Koinonia Farm" outside of Americus Georgia. You can volunteer and live thier 90 days if you want to experience it.I'm sure you would find it interesting but if your looking for world peace forget it ! Where ever there is more than one person there is conflict. I'd give them a call and get their web site or maybe they are in search(sorry-no time to look this morning but try it) E-mail me if you have trouble and I'll call them.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), March 28, 2000.

Joel, you don't need two people to have a conflict, sometimes one person alone can cause himself all the conflict he needs. Margaret you might want to look into the Hudderit colonies in Montana,(They are a religious colony) They certainly have an efficient system, don't have an address.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), March 28, 2000.

Living in a commune is about like living in a big family,only you haven't grown up together and it can even be more difficult. It can also be rewarding though.The Camphill villages are agricultural villages where they take care of handicapped people in a way that affords them dignity and a purpose in life-it is beautiful,you would just have to go to one to understand. And you can be any religion you please,you don't have to donate everything you own to the commune, and you can leave any time you please.There is no leader,everything is decided by complete consensus of all the people there,including the villagers(the challenged people). My brother in law has spent his entire adult life in Camphill villages. They are kind of infectious- once you have been to one,everything else seems so shallow,self centered, and uncaring and cold. There are seven or eight Camphill communities in the US and more in Europe.The one we just visited had workshops where they make wooden toys,candles,hand bound books,herbal remedies,organic seeds,there is also a bakery that makes the best whole wheat bread I have ever had, and they make their own cheese. Thay have several kinds of livestock, and all the food eaten there is organic.When we were there,they were tapping the maple trees to make their own maple syrup. It was idyllic-I hated to leave!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@transport.com), March 28, 2000.

Please be careful! There was a communnal community here in Brown county, at the town of Needmore. It did alright for a while, and then exploded inot a fury of anger and resentment. Some friends of ours were right in the middle of it, and I don't know EXACTLY why it fell apart (they didn't want to air the "laundry" to an outsider), but it was a mess, both legally and emotionally. I remember reading in several old books and articles about the "Farm;" don't they have Buddhist leanings? Didn't know if that was still the case; some of our food fro our local co-op comes from there, and it is good, honest stuff. Just be careful, and do your homework, OK?

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), March 28, 2000.

I think it was last yrs Countryside issues that had articles on communal living in them.. amybe the yr before. i can't remember exactly but do remember the articles.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 28, 2000.

Thyere is a place here in Indiana called pandanaram I know they have a web site but I don't know the address. I stumbled into it one day. Pandanaram has an open house 2 times a year and gives tours it has been there since 1961 and owns the largest saw mill in In. KY. and OH. They also have a sister site in AZ. I do not know if they have a site Grant

-- Grant Eversoll (thegrange@earthlink.net), March 29, 2000.

My experiences with collectives and consensus have left me disillusioned with that process. I am now very happy owning my own land and making my own land management decisions. I have made it a point to spend time with my neighbors. To get to know them, do them favors, let them do me favors, share resources. In a way this IS an intentional community, just that we all make our own personal decisions about what happens in our homes and on our land. We INTEND to work together when there are difficulties. Why not consider creating community where you are?

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@hotmail.com), March 29, 2000.

Yes--"The Farm" is deeply rooted in mid eastern philosopy--thus bringing my response "not my thing" I belive their leader is called a geru. I have met some of their mid-wifes and they were the best.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel691@webtv.net), March 30, 2000.

CAREFUL!! If you don't know the neighbors, wonder why. If you are the recent arrival, I suggest you go to them, and say "Howdy!, I'm your new neighbor, and I know how to: 1. Cure itch. 2. Turn lead into gold. 3. Teach your pigs to fly. 4. Be a good neighbor. Point is, sometimes the "old" folks accept new by reaching out. Sometimes if the "new" folks reach out. If they don't reach out - you should. We live in Maine, where you have to be at least 3rd generation to be "native". Still, we newcomers (didn't get here til 1962) are pretty much accepted, attend town meetings, have and do serve on local boards, so we fit. Reach out! (Sounds like a good advertising line!) Good luck!

Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), March 31, 2000.