Lothlorien Farm is a rural cooperative in the forest and lake country of eastern Ontario, founded in 1972 and incorporated in 1998. It provides members with a rural natural environment in which to live, work, and/or spend recreational time in a continuing context of sharing and community.
The co-op owns our 700 acres of land, mostly rough bush in its natural state. with small gardens and a few fields (cleared but unused.) Our buildings include houses, workshops, and outbuildings.
Currently we are a small, loose-knit but stable group of five resident members (currently all adults over seventy) and eleven non-resident members, all linked by friendships or family relationships and a love for this piece of land. Resident members are retired from employment or individual home-based businesses (wood-workers, weaver, artist). Incomes are separate and houses individually owned, while the land itself is owned collectively.
We look out for each other as good friends and neighbours, and resident members look out for each other’s houses if someone is away. We hold two general meetings annually, and have potlucks and other gatherings. Residents are quite involved in the local community, through the community centre, choir, library, and other activities. Non-resident members visit often.
Our future is in constant discussion as residents age. but we are not looking for new members. Interested individuals might get to know us gradually through day visits. There are several approved house sites that new members could build on. Costs of joining include a one-time, non-returnable membership contribution, and house construction.
land stewardship, friendship, mutual support, sustainable alternative co-operative model
The process in the past was this: People must first have, or develop, good relationships with current members and a connection to the land itself. They could then apply to join, proposing the amount of their membership contribution. The membership then engaged with them and each other in further discussions and activities. Their application was decided on by the members at a general meeting, usually within six months.
If you live nearby, contact us and explain your interest. We don’t have a visitor program; any arrangement would depend on circumstances and a good rapport established over the phone.
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.
Formal meetings other than the Co-op’s two yearly general meetings are rarely needed. When something comes up, residents may meet to discuss it; we are also in contact by email and phone with non-residents.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Join fee: Yes
Regular fees: Yes
Amount of membership contribution varies, depending on ability to pay, etc. It is normally several thousand dollars.
Members pay a modest monthly or yearly fee to cover taxes, insurance, tractor, and other shared expenses
Outbuilding(s), Tractor & Farm Equipment, Waterfront access
Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.
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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