Acorn Community Farm is an intentional community located in the rolling farmlands and woods of Central Virginia. We are an egalitarian, income-sharing, secular, anarchist, feminist, and consensus-based commune. The community was founded in 1993 and has since co-owned and -operated a successful bioregional seed cooperative that is the primary source of our shared income. Membership in the community usually fluctuates between twenty and thirty individuals.
Full members of the community receive an equal share in the land and its assets, and in return are expected to work 42-hours per week in the community. This is inclusive of our cooperative, but also includes garden work, domestic work, volunteer work, carpentry and maintenance work, and other diverse labor options.
Acorn has many shared amenities that our members enjoy open access to, such as a music room, art room, hot tub, libraries, and a gym. We also have 72 acres of land that we use for various building projects, organic and permaculture gardening, and animal husbandry. Each member is entitled to their own room, and full members have access to shared vehicles. Members tend to take up personal projects in the community, such as earth building a sauna, creating parking infrastructure, installing solar panels, and other self-directed, community-approved initiatives.
We are currently working on community-building, which includes hiking trips, volunteering in Richmond, developing workshops, and other coordinated events. Everyday we share lunch and dinner, and each week there are two community meetings. People tend to congregate informally everyday to organize get togethers, dance parties, game nights, and more.
Acorn is currently seeking candidates for full membership! We especially encourage women and non-binary folks to consider joining us for a visitor period. Our community is looking for people who share our values while also being self-driven, passionate, and ready to live communally. The membership process includes a month-long visitor period, and a year-long provisional membership status before acceptance as full members. Please feel free to inquire about our openings, the membership process, or anything else!
Secular, Egalitarian, Anarchist, Autonomous, Sustainable, Cooperative, Non-Violent, Feminist, Intentional Community
All visitors must be approved in advance. Please see our website for the information we need from you to consider your request for a visit or internship. We prefer email, though if your internet access is limited we could also gather this information by mail.
The whole membership decides collectively.
Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.
Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.
All member income goes into common pool for community use.
Regular fees: $0
Labor: Yes (42 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
All members are expected to contribute 42 hours per week, with one month of vacation time per year. Over-quota work can be turned into vacation time, or monetary support for forming FEC communities. While residing at Acorn, members are expected maintain an egalitarian setting by not using personal outside resources (savings, vehicles, etc.).
Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Hot tub or hot springs, Outdoor Kitchen, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area, Internet
Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.
Communal living with shared resources, property, and often income or work responsibilities
Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).
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We’re introducing new Plus features — including community reviews, Profile Match, and unlimited Needs & Offers posts — while keeping most of FIC free for everyone. Membership costs less than two coffees a month.
