Zephyr Valley Community Co-op

Rushford, Minnesota, United States

  • Last updated: February 13, 2018 (2 seconds ago)
  • Listing created on: January 22, 2005

Mission Statement

Building a rural community and nurturing the land.

Community Description

Zephyr Valley Community Cooperative is a rural housing intentional community of six families living in southeastern Minnesota on 500 acres of stunningly beautiful land in the hill country. We welcome beginning farmers and homesteaders who are interested in a cooperative kind of living and who could join us in “building community, nurturing the land”. Housing and building sites available. Decisions about the land and community are made by consensus, all other decisions are individual ones.

The land, bought by the Coop in 1994, has hundreds of acres of restored wetlands, pastures, woodland, bluff lands, high grass meadows, ponds, creeks and a trout stream. It’s a great place for children to grow up with an intimate knowledge of the natural world.

80 acres of land are farmed organically, currently in pasture & prairie flower plantings.

There are six individual homes and one under construction which is available for sale. Homes occasionally are available for rent. We have two barns and several outbuildings.

We have a community center (for community meals, parties, meetings, guests, etc.) as well as a spring-fed swimming pond, a soccer/baseball field, and trails for walking and skiing.

Winona, Rushford, and La Crosse are all within a 30-minute drive, bringing you five college campuses, an arts community, and a family-friendly environment.

This is a wonderful place to live, whether you’re interested in small-scale, organic farming or just in living in a rural community.

  • Status: Established (At least 4+ adults, 2+ years)
  • Started Planning: 1993
  • Start Living Together: 1994
  • 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.zephyrvalleycoop.org
  • Community Address:
    30935 Zephyr Valley Ln
    Rushford, Minnesota, 55971-4213
    United States

  • Location

About

  • Type(s): Cohousing (individual homes within group owned property)
  • Location: Rural

Housing

  • Status: We have land we have developed on
  • Area: 500 acres
  • Current Residence Types: Single-family homes, Lots to build on
  • Current Number of Residences: 7
  • Planned number of residences: 0
  • Planned Residence Types: Single-family homes
  • Housing Provided: Purchase, Rental
  • Land owned by: The entire community membership
  • Additional Comments:

    Common house built in 2001. Additional homes will be built.

    Seven (one under construction).

    New homes will be added

Membership

  • Adult Members: 14
  • Child Members: 7
  • Non-member Residents: 4
  • Percent Women: 50%
  • Percent Men: 50%
  • Visitors accepted: Yes
  • Visitor Process:

    Contact Zephyr in advance by letter or email, letting us know something about yourself and your interest in intentional communities. We need several weeks’ notice in order to make arrangements for someone to show you around

  • Open to new Members: Yes
  • Membership Process:

    Our membership process is described on our website: www.zephyrvalleycoop.org

  • Additional Comments:

    Spirituality is decided by the individual

Government

  • Decision Making: Consensus (everyone agrees)
  • Identified Leader: No
  • Leadership Core Group: No

Economics

  • Join Fee: $10000
  • Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
  • Regular Fee per Month: $50
  • Shared Income: None
  • Required Labor Contribution per Week: 0
  • Open to members with existing debt: Yes
  • Additional Comments:

    Occasional community work parties

Sustainability Practices

  • Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
  • Current renewable energy generation: 0%, or close to 0%
  • Energy sources: Connected to the Grid
  • Planned renewable energy generation: Up to 25%
  • Current food produced: Up to 25%

Lifestyle

  • Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Swingsets & play areas
  • Internet Available: Yes, individuals provide it
  • Internet Fast?: No, it is slow.
  • Cell Phone Service: Not good for most people.
  • Shared meals: About once a week
  • Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals)
  • Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.
  • Special Diets OK: Sometimes
  • Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
  • Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
  • Additional Diet Comments:

    No smoking allowed in our community house

  • Common Spiritual Practice(s): Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices)
  • Education Style(s): Home Schooling, Public Schooling
  • Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Photo Gallery

Community Affiliations

Wiscoy Valley Community Land Cooperative

Keywords

zephyr valley, zvcc, winona, rushford, southeast, minnesota, wetlands, organic, trails