Earthen Heart LLC

Bangor, Michigan, United States

Last updated: December 27, 2018 (3 seconds ago)
Listing created on: December 31, 2016

Mission Statement

Earthen Heart LLC is an active community homestead focused on reducing our ecological footprint while increasing our quality of life. We are a skill-sharing community with ongoing learning and production of our own food, energy and entertainment. In this way we reduce our income needs and need for outside resources; but continue to integrate with the local and regional community in order to not become reclusive.

Community Description

Earthen Heart is a 20 acres parcel in Southwest Michigan. It is being developed as an Eco-Habitat with permaculture principles. The main home is a renovated old farm house with 3 bedrooms. The main house also has shared community community space for meals, showers, laundry, Internet and phone, yoga space, grid-connection etc. There are several outbuildings and space for trailers, campers, campsites for tents or earthen buildings, etc. which are used by visitors and long term members on the property.

We are looking for individuals to consider long term stay as well hosting visitors. $250 co-use fee is required as a monthly fee to help cover operating costs. After one year there is a potential to become an owner/member of Earthen Heart LLC by purchasing shares in the corporation.

Earthen Heart LLC has a goal of creating a lean rural alternative where we live more simply and reduce our consumption levels while increasing our quality of life. We strive to generate more of our own food, housing, art and energy on-site in an active skill sharing community homesteading environment. We have walking perennial food and medicine trails and gardens, blueberry patch, garlic and onions, potatoes, corn, fruit and nuts, many greens, asparagus, strawberries, etc. all of which are available to participants. Generally there are some domestic and farm animals around such as chickens, goats, dogs, cats as well as the wild ones in the woods (deer, rabbit, fox, wolves, etc.)

Status: Forming
Started Planning: 2010
Start Living Together: 2011
Visitors accepted: Yes
Open to new Members: Yes
Please read the details in Membership below before contacting this community. Send Message
Website address: http://www.earthenheart.com
Business, Project, or Organization: http://www.earthenheart.com
Contact Name: Julian Lauzzana
Phone: (269) 447-1355
Community Address:
60927 County Road 380
Bangor, Michigan, 49013
United States
FIC Membership

Since 2016
Location

Center map Reset map

About

Type(s): Shared Housing, Cohouseholding, or Coliving (multiple individuals sharing a dwelling)

Programs & Activities: School, Educational Institute or Experience, Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner’s Association, Organization, Resource, or Network, WWOOF’ing, Guest Farming, Festivals, Conferences, Events

Location: Rural

Housing

Status: We have land we have developed on

Area: 20 acres

Current Residence Types: Room(s) in a house or building, Tiny house, Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent, Mobile homes, RV’s, converted buses, Natural built structues, Lots to build on

Current Number of Residences: 5

Planned number of residences: 5

Planned Residence Types: Tiny house, Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent, Natural built structues

Housing Provided: Rental, Included in Membership

Land owned by: Individual community member(s)

Additional Comments:
We are asking for a modest co-use fee of $250/month and a commitment to do community work to support our lifestyle. There is a one month trial period during which the visitor and the current residents can determine if it is a good fit. The co-use fee will be refunded in a pro-rated fashion if the month is terminated early unless damages have been incurred. A short visit is welcome and encouraged in order to simply check us out, especially if you are nearby.

Membership

Adult Members: 2

Child Members: 2

Non-member Residents: 1

Percent Women: 31-40%

Percent Men: 41-49%

Percent Transgender: 0%

Visitors accepted: Yes

Visitor Process:
Please fill out survey at http://earthenheart.com/survey/
then email in advance [email protected] and/or phone (269) 447-1355

Open to new Members: Yes

Membership Process:
First please fill out survey @ http://earthenheart.com/survey/ Then, if we agree to host a visit, you are welcome for an afternoon or an overnight visit. Then a one month trial visit while paying the $250 co-use fee which can continue for one year if all parties are in agreement. Then there will be an option to buy a share in Earthen Heart LLC to become an owner/member after one year.

Additional Comments:
We are looking for people who can commit time and resources to building this place and nurturing each other. There is a one month trial period during which point you may be asked to leave at any time or may choose to do so yourself. This will be a time to show your ability to work and commit to the community. Then a longer stay may be considered, and, eventually, co-ownership.

Government

Decision Making: We communicate our truth(s). We meet when something comes up that cannot be addressed individually. We are looking to increase our population and then begin more regular meetings.

Identified Leader: Yes

Leadership Core Group: Yes

Additional Comments:
Julian Lauzzana holds the deed on this 20 acre parcel. He pay the bills, taxes, insurance… and has been here since 2010. He is the leader and has more power in this situation that he (I) would like. That said, there is a goal to collectively own this property and Earthen Heart LLC. In the meantime we try to conduct ourselves as if the land is ours together. Visitors should align with the Earthen Heart vision and direction, but of course we will all have individual differences which ideally will help the whole project to achieve greater depth.

Economics

Join Fee: $250

Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes

Regular Fee per Month: $250

Shared Income: None

Required Labor Contribution: Encouraged or suggested

Open to members with existing debt: Yes (some debt)

Additional Comments:
We currently ask a $250 co-use fee per month and expect participation in community work as well as some form of person income.

Sustainability Practices

Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.

Current renewable energy generation: Up to 25%

Energy sources: Solar, Biomass, wood and hydronic heat

Planned renewable energy generation: Almost All, around 90%

Current food produced: Up to 25%

Planned food produced: Almost All, around 90%

Food produced locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle

Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Outdoor Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Recreational vehicles, Internet, Kitchen, dining area, land for earth building, tent

Internet Available: Yes, both the community and individuals provide it

Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.

Cell Phone Service: Good for some people.

Shared meals: 2-5 times per week

Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), Paleo (no grains, dairy, processed foods, or legumes), Local (food sourced within 150 miles), Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers), GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms), Vegetarian Only (no animal meat; dairy and eggs okay) – Please check this only if you are 100% Vegetarian, Mostly Vegetarian, Vegan Only (plants only, no animal products) – Please check this only if you are 100% Vegan., Mostly Vegan, Opportunivore (dumpster diving, nature harvesting, etc.), Raw or Mostly Raw, Kosher, Halal, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

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

Special Diets OK: Sometimes

Alcohol Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.

Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.

Common Spiritual Practice(s): Not a particularly spiritual or religious community

Spiritual Practice Expected?: No

Education Style(s): Up to each family or individual

Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Additional Comments:
People should come with some source of income or savings. There is a potential to generate income here or at nearby farms but that is certainly not a guarantee and will take some time to establish. We do not have the capacity to take on individuals with heavy addiction or major trauma, so please be clear about that and be ready to work on it as an individual first and within your own means. We are a place of healing, but there are limits. Please don’t expect too much out of this community (or any community).

Additional Comments

We are an active homestead and need people to be ready to work and participate in the homestead economy: tending gardens, cooking and cleaning, construction, etc. We also need to have some financial input through a modest co-use fee of $250/month that is well below market rate for housing. The understanding is that we work together to provide for some of our needs and reduce consumption in order to allow this low “rent” alternative lifestyle. There is a great desire to move towards collective ownership with a few people who have some financial assets and a deep commitment to tending this land together.