Alpha Farm

Deadwood, Oregon, United States

Last updated: May 10, 2018 (2 seconds ago)
Listing created on: November 23, 2004

Mission Statement

Our mission statement is currently being rethought/rewritten.

Community Description

Alpha Farm is an extended-family-style community on 280 acres in the Coast Range of Oregon. Consensus, our decision-making process, is also a metaphor for the ideal world we seek to create here–and so help create in the larger world. We seek to honor and respect the spirit in all people and in nature; to nurture harmony within ourselves, among people, and with the Earth; and to integrate all of life into a balanced whole. We value service and work as love made visible. Group process is a strong point; we meet regularly for business.
Founded in 1972, we average fifteen to twenty five adults and three to six children. New people participate in an internship of three or six months followed by a year as residents (trial members) before becoming eligible for membership. Please contact us first about available spaces before coming down for a visit. Members and residents work primarily on the farm or at various outreach activities around the greater Deadwood Community (farmers’ markets, contract mail delivery, contract forestry projects, etc.) or occasionally in paid work off the farm. All income and resources are held in common. We are experimenting with different housing patterns, particularly for families; individuals have private rooms, while other living space is common; weekday evening meals are communal.
We are open to new residents; visitors are welcome for a three-day initial visit. Please call well ahead to arrange dates.

About

Type(s): Commune (organized around sharing almost everything)

Programs & Activities: Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, WWOOF’ing, Guest Farming, Festivals, Conferences, Events, Local Mail Route

Location: Rural

Housing

Status: We have land we have developed on

Area: 280 acres

Current Residence Types: Single-family homes, Multi-family homes, Room(s) in a house or building, Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent

Current Number of Residences: 9

Planned number of residences: 10

Planned Residence Types: Tiny house

Housing Provided: Work-exchange

Land owned by: The Community

Membership

Adult Members: 8

Child Members: 0

Non-member Residents: 5

Percent Women: 51-60%

Percent Men: 31-40%

Percent Transgender: 0%

Visitor Process:
To schedule a visit, email [email protected] Please schedule well in advance, space is limited and fills quickly. For this reason, we cannot accept walk-in visitors who have not made prior arrangements. It is preferred that all visits are made with a specified end date with the possibility of return visits.

Visitors accepted: No

Membership Process:
Our current “membership” process is being reevaluated and possibly changed. However, you don’t need to be a full fledged member in order to live at Alpha Farm full time. When you come to Alpha you will stay on a week to week basis at first and then month to month. At the moment we have many levels that come before membership – Visitor, Extended Visitor, Intern, Resident and then Member.

Government

Decision Making: Consensus (everyone agrees)

Identified Leader: No

Leadership Core Group: Yes

Economics

Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: No

Shared Income: Partial share of income

Required Labor Contribution per Week: 40

Open to members with existing debt: Yes

Additional Comments:
Everything is provided for at Alpha through work trade. Everyone who stays here contributes equally to a 40 hr work week. If members are interested in earning personal money they may do so in their free time/on their days off. Some Alphans do have outside jobs that they participate in during “Alpha work hours.” Those who chose to do this have agreed to partial income sharing with the farm.

Sustainability Practices

Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.

Current renewable energy generation: 0%, or close to 0%

Energy sources: Connected to the Grid

Current food produced: Up to 25%

Planned food produced: From 50-75%

Lifestyle

Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Recreational vehicles, Waterfront access, Internet, Office/Work Spaces

Internet Available: Yes, community provides it

Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.

Cell Phone Service: Not good for most people.

Shared meals: 2-5 times per week

Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), Mostly Vegetarian, All Needs Accomodated

Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.

Special Diets OK: Yes

Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.

Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.

Additional Diet Comments:
We cook for many dietary needs/food allergies and offer vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free options at all community meals.
All substances are used occasionally but in moderation and only in accordance with current Oregon laws.