Eco-friendly community home with glass and wooden structure in a lush setting.

Sirius Community

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 1978

What we do

Sirius is one of the longest standing eco villages in the country. Sustainability, education, community and spirituality all act as the 4 main values that lay the foundation for this community. Originally founded in 1978 by former members of the Findhorn Community in Scotland, Sirius has served as an educational non-profit that has been a pivotal touch stone for many people on their journey to deepening their understanding and integration on how to live a more meaningful, ecological life.
Some of the ways we do this is by offering workshops, retreats, conferences, events, internships and residency programs that all carry a focus on deepening and expanding awareness on topics like organic food production, permaculture design, small scale farming, nature attunement, environmentally friendly building practices, as well as using alternative energy methods that use solar and wind.
If you wish to make an arrangement to visit during the day, stay over night or to even host your own event/retreat please feel free to send an email to our guest department manager, Adam. His email is; gu************@*************ty.org

Our Mission

An educational non-profit organization offering sustainable living programs for the public, and a spiritual community demonstrating attunement to nature and ecologically based lifestyles.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Coliving
  • Ecovillage
  • Spiritual Retreat Centers
  • Sustainability practices
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Regenerative agriculture or permaculture
  • Permaculture design
  • Activities
  • Farming
  • Education
  • Experiences
  • Others

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1978
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 1979
  • Started living together

Video

  • 27 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
36

How to join

It is encouraged that people interested in membership visit Sirius and participate in our Saturday morning community work circle. This is where you can get a tour and to meet the community members. If you think Sirius is a good fit, the next step involves an interview with our housing coordinator. A credit check and background check will also be requested.
For the first year of residency, people are considered “exploring members” where they can consider if Sirius is a good fit for their needs and intentions. As soon as they are ready for the greater commitment they can apply for full membership. Member applicants are reviewed by our Core Group to see if our community and the individuals’ intentions are in alignment.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Call us: 413-259-1255
Email us: gu************@*************ty.org
Our WWOOF: https://wwoofusa.org/pt/host/25045-orchard-garden-vegetables-permaculture-community-market-csa-vegan-friendly

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

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

For most community issues we get consensus from the general members. For issues relating to purpose, direction, membership, and finances a core group of members reach a consensus.

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: Yes
Labor: Yes (4 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Members are responsible for their own finances.

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

Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Swimming pond or pool, Outdoor Kitchen, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • 2-5 times per week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Dietary type

  • Vegetarian Only

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • Transition Town (post-petroleum and off-grid communities.)
  • School, Educational Institute or Experience
  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies
  • Substance use is prohibited in the community
  • Religions
  • Christian
  • Buddhist
  • Jewish
  • Muslim
  • Hindu
  • Native
  • Wiccan, Paganism, or Earth Religions
  • Unitarian Universalist

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

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.

Community type

  • Coliving

    Shared living spaces with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal
    kitchens, dining, and social areas.

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

  • Spiritual Retreat Centers

    Residential communities focused on providing space for meditation, spiritual practice, and personal growth retreats.

Sustainability approach

  • Renewable energy systems
  • Regenerative agriculture or permaculture
  • Permaculture design

Land practices in our community

  • The community practices permaculture

Self-produced energy

  • 33 - 66%

Energy sources used

  • Wind
  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • 33 - 66%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • Over 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Greenhouse / aquaponics
  • Land area size
    90 acres

Guest Book

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

Location

  • Massachusetts, United States

Needs and Offers

Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
3 weeks ago

2 Units Available in Forest Grove, OR - Where Town Meets Country!

Two Homes Available at Green Grove Cohousing – Forest Grove, OR Discover Green Grove Cohousing, a fun-loving, vibrant, family-friendly community that embraces environmental sustainability, social justice, community service, and the arts in the heart of Forest Grove, home to historic Pacific University. Enjoy the perfect balance of country living just minutes from town. With just nine privately owned homes on five natural acres, Green Grove offers a rare opportunity to live independently while enjoying an intentional, connected community. Shared amenities include a spacious common house with guest accommodations, gathering and entertaining space, play and art areas, a large woodworking shop, ample storage, organic vegetable and flower gardens, fruit trees, a chicken coop, a 30,000-gallon rainwater catchment system for irrigation, 14.7 kW of solar power supporting the common infrastructure, carports with living roofs and EV charging capability, and beautifully maintained grounds with buried utilities and walking paths. Homes are thoughtfully arranged around a shared village green, creating opportunities to connect with neighbors while preserving the privacy of your own home. 3926 Coho Cir | $595,000 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,475 SF A bright, detached two-story home featuring a main-level bedroom and full bath, bamboo floors, quartz countertops, high ceilings, abundant natural light, and beautiful Mt. Hood views. Thoughtfully designed for flexible living with modern finishes and energy-efficient comfort. MLS#: 704265931 3934 Coho Cir | $615,000 2 Bed | 1 Bath | 1,400 SF A beautifully designed single-level detached home with vaulted ceilings, stunning Mt. Hood views, radiant heated
Need
  • Forming Communities
6 months ago

Pacific Northwest Cohousing Village Seeking Members

FIND YOUR HOME IN COMMUNITY AT ROOTED NORTHWEST A new kind of village is forming in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Rooted Northwest is building a future cohousing neighborhood of values-aligned households living with purpose. Together, they’re connecting to the land, to each other, and to a shared mission of supporting a more resilient future. Whether you’re raising a family, working remotely, entering retirement, or dreaming of a more intentional life, Rooted Northwest offers a chance to live differently. Here, you don’t just buy a home, you become part of a village built on connection, sustainability, and stewardship. One where neighbors collaborate, kids roam free, and everyday life is shaped by shared values like mutual support, environmental care, and community-driven living. 🏠 Homeownership at Rooted Northwest includes: • Beautiful, energy-efficient, privately-owned homes nestled on shared land • A walkable village designed for connection • Shared amenities and thriving farms in your backyard • Opportunities to co-create community life 🍃 Rooted in Community. Grounded in Regeneration. Rooted Northwest isn’t just a place to live, it’s a commitment to restoring connection between people, land, and food. By living here, you directly support a growing network of regenerative farmers stewarding land for future generations. 🔑 Now Selling: Reserve Your Home Rooted Northwest is now reserving a limited number of homes, with construction beginning soon. Prices start in the high $800,000s. We welcome households ready to help form this community. 😊 Join an information session to learn how to reserve your future home. JOIN AN INFO SESSION https://rootednw.org
Offer
  • Forming Communities
1 month ago

Join us in Our Adventure of Co-Creating a Life of Peace, Love, and Abundance Together!

LOOKING FOR OUR NEW FAMILY OF CO CREATORS TO JOIN OUR ADVENTURE! Message us to schedule a visit! More about us and our vision below! Read on and we look forward to hearing from you soon if you feel in alignment with our vision! A forming and co-created spiritually-oriented intentional community and homestead nestled in the beautiful woods of Northern Michigan. We are focused on self-awareness, free and open spiritual/consciousness development, sustainable living, self sufficiency, growing organic food, building small energy efficient homes/dwellings, peace, and freedom in all things. We are looking to build a community of like minded souls that share in our vision of creating a harmonious and sustainable way of life that is close to nature and focused on living from the heart/soul. Seeking kind, compassionate, caring, and emotionally mature souls who are good at non violent communication, resolving conflict peacefully, and working together. The community property is well on its way to sustainability already with a fruit orchard with over 18 apple trees and a variety of plum and pear trees. The property also has 2 very large organic gardens covering around 3 acres in total combined size filled with organic healthy vegetables for community self sufficiency, farm market selling, and food preserving (canning). We have plans to build a couple energy efficient green houses in the near future! We are also getting 30-40 chickens for egg production within the next month. Also considering a couple cows or goats for milk. We currently have 3 houses on the homestead property that are available to new community members for rent or work trade or a combination of both! The main community house has potentially 6 bedrooms available as well. We have plans to build multiple small/tiny homes and cabins in the beautiful woods here for members that are energy efficient and off grid with renewable clean energy/electricity and rainwater harvesting. We are working on a community in

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A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

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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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