Earthen Heart Community Homestead

Bangor, Michigan, United States

  • Last updated: February 20, 2018 (2 seconds ago)
  • Listing created on: December 31, 2016

Mission Statement

To live a high-quality life with less negative impact on the Earth. To reduce consumption of earth-destructive products and create a lifestyle in resonance with each other and the planet. We are looking to become a committed group of sustainable homesteaders with some income generated from micro-enterprises, but committed to a reduction in needs off site.

Community Description

The Earthen Heart community ebbs and flows with visitors from all around the country and world coming for short-term visits. Currently there are children and adults living in the main house and outbuildings, trailers and tents are used by visitors on the property during warmer months with room for year-round dwelling in one outbuilding. The goal is to get a committed group of folks working, eating, playing, making art and living together; creating more and more food, housing and energy on-site. We have walking trails with food a-plenty. There are lots of blueberries growing, garlic, fruit, nuts, greens, asparagus, strawberries, etc. Chickens, goats, dogs and a cat on the property at this time with room to grow.

About

  • Type(s): Shared Housing, Cohouseholding, or Coliving (multiple individuals sharing a dwelling)
  • Programs & Activities: Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, 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
  • Current Number of Residences: 2
  • Planned number of residences: 8
  • Planned 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
  • Housing Provided: Work-exchange
  • Land owned by: Individual community member(s)
  • Additional Comments:

    I am interested in cooperative ownership of this property through a Land Trust or shared deed arrangement.

Membership

  • Adult Members: 4
  • Child Members: 3
  • Non-member Residents: 0
  • Percent Women: 31-40%
  • Percent Men: 41-49%
  • Percent Transgender: 0%
  • Visitors accepted: Yes
  • Open to new Members: Yes
  • Membership Process:

    Fill out survey here. http://earthenheart.com/contact-and-location/ then email or call.

  • Additional Comments:

    We are building this and there have been many fluctuations over the past years. Though we are looking for more committed members, we also welcome individuals interested in working and living together for a short visit.

Government

  • Decision Making: Anarchy
  • Identified Leader: No
  • Leadership Core Group: No
  • Additional Comments:

    Honestly, this is a struggle. Though I, Julian, own the property, other members would potentially help define the culture, the goals and the method of governance. I would love to find individuals interested in sharing the title/deed to this land who are willing to commit time and resources to taking Earthen Heart to the next level. Thus far stays have been under one year and many decisions have to be made by the individual property owner though that is not my desired situation.

Economics

  • Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: No
  • Shared Income: None
  • Required Labor Contribution per Week: 0
  • Open to members with existing debt: Yes (some debt)

Sustainability Practices

  • Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
  • Current renewable energy generation: 0%, or close to 0%
  • Energy sources: Solar, wood and hydronic heat
  • Planned renewable energy generation: 26-49%
  • Current food produced: 100%
  • Planned food produced: From 50-75%
  • Food produced locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle

  • Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Fire pit, Internet, Kitchen, dining area
  • Internet Available: Yes, community provides it
  • Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
  • Cell Phone Service: Good for most 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, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
  • Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.
  • Special Diets OK: Yes
  • 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): Home Schooling, Public Schooling
  • Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Photo Gallery

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Community Network or Organization Affiliations

The Fellowship for Intentional Community (FIC), Global Ecovillage Network (GEN), Global Ecovillage Network – North America (GENNA), VanKal Permaculture Group

Keywords

community homestead, ecovillage, michigan, bangor, kalamazoo, garlic, blueberries