Although the dream of a sustainable community in San Miguel de Allende (SMA), Mexico, manifested mostly during the Covid years, it had its origins much earlier. Our only Mexican founder had family in the area and used to visit SMA as a teenager. It was during one visit to the SMA area, many years ago, that this idea was conceived. Then, in January 2021, a small group of independent alternative thinkers came together and began to have a conversation about making this a reality. With backgrounds in natural health, education, art, engineering and business, they realized that they had a lot to offer.
By January 2022, a core group of six founding families had formed and was able to place an offer on a property called “Rancho Lacayo” near SMA. By the end of 2022, the sale had been finalized and the new name of “Rancho Ecological Sekkan” had been registered. From this point on, these founding six families continued to meet weekly to bring into reality what was imagined by an idealistic young teenager many years ago.
Rancho Ecologico Sekkan is an intentional community dedicated to building harmonious and sustainable relationships with each other and the environment in which we live. This is supported by a commitment to work out of the principles of anthroposophy (spiritual science), while remaining open to other spiritual paths, in service to the guiding spirits of our time for the present and future health of humanity and the earth.
Our mission is to create a community on Rancho Ecologico Sekkan which is inclusive of all peoples and embraces individuals and family groups living in a variety of arrangements. Lots will be individually owned, and community land will be shared by all members. The community will be self-governed, drawing upon the diverse skills and capacities of its members. Sustainable living will be supported through the creation of a biodynamic farm, the preservation and regeneration of the existing native ecosystems, water conservation and reforestation. In addition to the present hacienda, other areas will be created to support community needs and activities. We will seek to foster relationships with local peoples, the Micael Communidad Waldorf School and other Waldorf schools in the region, neighbouring intentional communities and farms and the broader Mexican community. Rancho Ecologico Sekkan gratefully acknowledges the history and ongoing presence of the Chichimec peoples on whose ancestral lands we will live.
Our values include mutual respect, cooperation and collaboration, democratic governance, service, personal sovereignty, sustainability, spiritual principles and practices, respect for and connection with local and indigenous peoples and preservation and regeneration of the earth’s resources.
The goal of the Rancho Sekkan new member screening process is to attract capable like-minded people who will help the community achieve its goals.
The potential member has an informal conversation with a founding member and is directed to read the vision, mission and values statement as well as meeting minutes and/or visit the website. A tour of Rancho Sekkan may be scheduled at this point in the process. The perspective member sends a letter to the founders outlining his/her reasons for wanting to join the community, ways s/he could contribute and includes a short biographical sketch. The letter is circulated amongst the founding group. Questions, comments and/or concerns are discussed at a meeting. One or more members are chosen to hold a conversation with the prospective member.
After the conversation with the potential member has been held, the members who held the conversation report back to the founding group. Based on criteria such as philosophical fit, emotional maturity, ability to meet time, energy and financial requirements, etc. the group decides whether to accept the prospective member, who is then informed of the decision of the group.
The new member is invited to attend a Rancho Sekkan meeting to “meet” the other members of the group. If a tour of the property has not yet taken place, it is scheduled at this time.
The new member begins to attend some zoom meetings, or regular updates are provided to the new member as to the status of the project. Other ways of participating in the project, whether practical or social, will be discussed with the new member.
Please email or phone the contact on the Rancho Sekkan website. The group members who live on site will be happy to set up a visit (and usually a delicious lunch is provided!) Overnight stays of 1 -2 nights can also be arranged for those traveling from afar. There is no charge, however we do ask for a donation for the biodynamic farm.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
More than 50% agreement needed.
Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Regular fees: $300.00
Labor: Yes (2 hrs/week)
Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Outdoor Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Swingsets & play areas
Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.
Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
interaction while maintaining independence.
Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.
Geographically close groups of independently-owned homes whose residents actively cultivate community relationships and shared values.
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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