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
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
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).
Video Gallery
Community Network or Organization Affiliations
The Fellowship for Intentional Community (FIC), http://www.vankalpermaculture.org/
Keywords
community homestead, ecovillage, michigan, bangor, kalamazoo, garlic, blueberries, EarthenHeart