Cultural, Agronomic, and Technological Community (C.A.T. Co.)

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Forming
  • Home-sharing
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 2021

What we do

Welcome to C.A.T. Co. —a group where individuality is celebrated, and community thrives. We are currently working to acquire and old convent we intend to rehab. we’re a group of middle-class professionals in our 30’s who’ve come together to live, learn, and grow in harmony with each other and with nature.
Our Purpose:
We exist to support one another in times of need, to explore life’s joys, and to foster personal growth. Living close to nature, we embrace sustainable practices like foraging, gardening, and working with animals while balancing our love for life’s small luxuries. We’re here to empower each other, save money collectively, and create a fulfilling, joyful lifestyle.
What do I mean by save money collectively? Well we don’t want you to give us your pay check or anything like that. We haven’t decided on a monthly amount, but something in the low single hundreds each month is what we are thinking now. This money will be pooled together to handle property taxes/utilities/construction materials for shared spaces. That kind of stuff. We intend to have a small surplus saved up in there so we can continue to support people should somebody lose their job or something of that nature.
Leadership (or Lack Thereof)
Our leader, Donnie, is a self-proclaimed figurehead—here to take credit for the good times and perhaps serve as a scapegoat in the rare event of an angry mob. Donnie’s leadership style is more about being the friendly face of our community’s history than wielding authority. Decisions are collaborative, and every voice holds the same weight.
Spiritual Freedom
While Donnie identifies as a Pantheist with a leaning toward Fatalism, and others may embrace Buddhism, agnosticism, atheism, or something else entirely, there is no single belief system here. Our guiding principle is simple: Believe what you will, so long as it does no harm to others. Your spiritual or non-spiritual journey is yours to chart. Unfortunately, nobody as of yet has chosen to worship Donnie himself, but he can only hope.
Daily Life
Life is about balance—work, play, and everything in between. We have no rituals, but our version of communal bonding includes spirited tabletop game nights featuring Dungeons & Dragons or other card and board games. We aim to construct much of our infrastructure onsite to minimize our environmental footprint and preserve our old-growth forest.
Inclusivity
Our community is a haven for diversity, with many members identifying as LGBTQ+ and sharing a commitment to inclusivity and mutual respect. If you believe in “live and let live,” you’ll find yourself at home here.
Vision for the Future
We dream of expanding our community to include more families, especially those with children, to create a richer and more dynamic environment. Our members share a love for foraging, gardening, and creating—a blend of nature and nurture that defines who we are. We welcome those who want to contribute their unique skills, interests, and energy to help us build a supportive and thriving community.

Our Mission

Freedom of expression, living close to nature, saving money.

  • Purpose
  • Home-sharing
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Activities
  • Property management

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2021
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2023
  • Started living together
  • 20 Total members
  • Not open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
24

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Reach out, we are still in the planning/building phase, but we’d love to get to know you now before we are actually looking for residents.

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Decision-making process

  • Modified Consensus

Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Conflict resolution approach

Largely, we are consensus rule. We need unanimous approval to add new members.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Regular fees: $400
Labor: Encouraged or suggested (4 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
The monthly “fee” will be as small as we can make it to keep the lights on and the internet speedy. Sorry, we haven’t figured out an amount yet, we are still forming after all.
We’d like to save funds as well for upgrades to the property. Things like construction materials for communal buildings, plants, livestock and stuff like that.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • About once a week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Wildcrafting / Foraging
  • Livestock / Animal Husbandry

Community activities and engagement

  • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies
  • Substance use is prohibited in the community

Gender composition

  • Majority non-binary/gender diverse (over 30%)

Age demographics

  • Multi-generational (all ages well represented)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Community Land Trust or some other kind of nonprofit

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    25 acres

Guest Book

Written reviews are available for plus members. Click here to upgrade.

Location

  • Illinois, United States

Cultural, Agronomic, and Technological Community (C.A.T. Co.)

Needs and Offers

Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace

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4 days ago

Coastal Regeneration Immersion: Permaculture Design Certification in Jalisco, Mexico

Tropical Dry Forest Permaculture Design & Regenerative Stewardship Certification (PDC)12-Day Intensive | 120 Hours | Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico APPLY AT XOCHIRAIZ.COM Join us for an immersive Permaculture Design Certificate course set in the tropical dry forest bioregion of coastal Jalisco. This 120-hour intensive blends internationally recognized PDC curriculum with hands-on regenerative practice — combining ecological design, agroforestry, natural building, and community stewardship into one integrated learning experience. Lead Faculty Jorge Luis Gtz. Olarte (Arborescencia RedGenerativa) – Regenerative Design, Soil Biology & Agroforestry Ozzy Lusth (Survior & Xochiraíz) – Wilderness Resilience & Survival Skills Dave Collins (Capacha Coastal Conservation Center) – Bioarchitecture & Ecological Development What You’ll LearnThe course moves through six progressive phases: Permaculture & Ecological Literacy – ethics, principles, and reading the tropical dry forest landscape Water & Soil Systems – keyline design, water harvesting, living soils, and compost systems Horticulture – food garden design, propagation, and biological pest control Regenerative Food Systems – tropical agroforestry, food forest design, and guild planting Ecological Infrastructure – bamboo bioarchitecture, bioclimatic farm design, compost toilets, greywater, and rocket stoves Integrated Design Studio – team-based final design projects covering watershed strategy, agroforestry, food forest layout, infrastructure, and phased implementation Daily RhythmMornings begin with optional surf/yoga and journaling, followed by field practicums and hands-on workshops. Afternoons include design studio and construction lab work, with reflection circles, communal dinners, and evening talks, films, or campfire discussions rounding out the day. Final ProjectParticipants work in teams to produce a full regenerative design package — landscape analysis, water plan, agroforestry design, food forest plan, ecological infrastructure, and bioclimatic farm plan — presented to a faculty review panel on the final day, followed by a closing ceremony, certificate delivery, and community feast. CertificationGraduates receive the Tropical Dry Forest Permaculture Design & Regenerative Stewardship Certification (120 contact hours), hosted by Capacha Coastal Conservation Center and Tierralegre, A.C. Curriculum integrates international PDC standards with tropical ecology, agroforestry, ecological restoration, bamboo bioarchitecture, bioclimatic design, GIS/photogrammetry, and regenerative leadership. Highlights Hands-on bamboo construction (temazcal, bathhouses, sculpture) Tropical dry forest silviculture practicum Community mapping and design project for Ekoa Green Community Talent show and sea turtle release
January 10, 2027 00:00 – January 24, 2027 23:59
  • Promoted
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  • Professional Services
3 months ago

Community Matchmaking: Get Help Finding Your Community

Would you like to join an intentional community but don’t know how? Feel overwhelmed by the number of communities out there? Not sure if there is one that’s a fit for you? CommunityFinders is here to support you on your path to community living. You can find your community by: Taking the free Community Types Quiz to learn which of the most common types of community is a fit for you. Booking a 1:1 consultation with a Community Matchmaker to receive recommendations for communities that are a fit for you. Joining the Money and Community Mini-Course to find out which communities are within your budget. Reading the book Intentional Community to help you understand your options and decide whether community living is right for you. Our goal is to help community seekers become community finders — people with confidence that their community match is out there and they will find it. Looking forward to working with you to find your community! Please be in touch, Cynthia Tina Founder communityfinders.com What communitarians are saying: “Cynthia helped me clarify the intentional communities that fit me, better get to know them, and finally choose one that I’m now a member of. I have no doubt anyone on a community journey will find great value in her guidance.” – Alan Stillman “Out of potentially thousands of communities, Cynthia matched me with very similar values revealed on their websites. I am in the process of applying to visit the number one recommendation. I’m excited and thankful for Cynthia‘s skills. Beyond well worth.” – Tommy Teeple “Due to her extensive community experience, she could offer many insights, provide useful tips and present selected communities to me that she had visited herself.” – Antonia Von Hassell
Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
2 days ago

Beautiful Eco-Friendly Home in Central North Carolina

Welcome home to thoughtful craftsmanship, low-maintenance living, and exceptional energy efficiency across 1,254 square feet of well-designed living space. Step through the front door into a light-flooded sunroom— the perfect setting to sip your morning coffee while taking in serene views of the mature grounds. Inside, the open-concept living and dining room combo centers around a cozy propane fireplace, ready for chilly evenings and effortless entertaining. The heart of the home features a beautifully appointed kitchen boasting custom maple cabinetry with glass-front display accents, durable granite countertops, an undermount sink, and room for stool seating at the counter for casual meals. The bathroom features two space-saving pocket doors—offering direct access from both the main living area and the bedroom—as well as a fully tiled shower enclosure, a handheld showerhead, and a toilet with an upgraded bidet seat. Thoughtful design extends to the back entry, where a secondary covered porch opens directly into a mudroom/laundry room to keep clutter out of sight. An elegant solid oak staircase ascends to an expansive, sunlit loft offering exceptional flexibility: easily convert it into a second bedroom with bath, or enjoy it today as a home office, studio, fitness zone, or guest retreat—complete with generous storage along the knee walls. Built for lasting peace of mind, this ENERGY STAR® qualified home features premium building upgrades, including a durable metal roof, fiber-cement Hardie Plank siding, high-performance Rockwool insulation, and a sealed, climate-controlled crawlspace. Outside, the property is a private sanctuary featuring mature, pollinator-friendly gardens, a tranquil meditation nook, a flourishing passion fruit bush, and a rain barrel for eco-friendly garden watering. For more information on joining the Living Well Community in North Carolina, talk to Harvey at  919-799-6819. To learn more about this beautiful home, talk to Tina at 843-834-6566 or email her at  ti********@*****il.com 

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