Climate Crisis, Dystopia, and Community
Posted on February 25, 2017 byFrom the personal to the global, with hard times undeniable, community may be our life-support.
Community as Experiential Laboratory–An Excerpt From Together Resilient by Ma’ikwe Ludwig
Posted on February 23, 2017 byThis post is an excerpt from Together Resilient: Building Community in the Age of Climate Disruption by Ma’ikwe Ludwig, published by The Foundation for Intentional Community. Visit our fundraising campaign to learn how you can support the publication of the book and get yourself a copy! **** The appeal and potential of intentional communities lies largely in one of their fundamental… Read More
We’re in this Together: Climate Disruption
Posted on February 21, 2017 byWe’re in this Together: Climate Disruption Initiative Maikwe, for FIC’s Climate Initiative Team Maikwe, Christopher, Chris, Marty and Sky “Is it possible to jettison our current system of exploitation and environmental destruction, and create a new system that is not only sustainable but affords us a comfortable and fulfilling life? The answer is a resounding… Read More
Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Newsletter
Colonists Wanted: The Story of the Llano del Rio Commune of LA County
Posted on February 20, 2017 by“Colonists–Wanted,” the ad proclaims. “Llano del Rio, in the Antelope Valley, Los Angeles County, California, needs 900 single men and women and married men and their families. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to solve the problem of unemployment and provide for the future of yourself and children.” It almost sounds like something you… Read More
Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Homesteading
Communities and Climate Change, #174 Contents
Posted on February 20, 2017 byOur Spring issue examines how intentional communities and other groups are responding to the challenges presented by climate change. Through stories from more than a dozen diverse communities, we learn about steps being taken both to mitigate the intensity of climate disruption and to adapt to its effects. Innovative approaches include carbon onsetting, biochar production and use, personal/spiritual work, strategies for fossil-fuel-freedom, and more.
The Cool Block Program Helps Neighbors Work Together to Fight Climate Change
Posted on February 16, 2017 byWhen we hear the words “intentional community,” we may think of residential communities like back-to-the-land communes and urban housing co-ops. But you don’t have to live in the same house to have a shared vision and make an impact. A non-profit called Cool Block brings entire neighborhoods together to support each other and build community over… Read More
Are Seasteading Communities the Next Wave of Sustainable Living?
Posted on February 13, 2017 byWayne Adams and Catherine King, two artists living in Tofino, Canada, couldn’t afford to buy a house of their own. Instead, they took their assets offshore — literally — and created a floating paradise off the coast of Vancouver Island called Freedom Cove. For over 20 years, they’ve been living off-grid on this brightly-colored collection of buildings and rafts.… Read More
Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Alternative Building + Energy, Growing Food, Homesteading, Sustainability
French Documentary “Tomorrow” Explores Transition Projects All Over the World
Posted on February 9, 2017 byA new documentary made by a French filmmaking duo takes a look at transition projects in Europe and all over the world. Cyril Dion and Melanie Laurent set out to find practical solutions to the problems facing our planet. The result, called Tomorrow, tells the story of “pioneers who are re-inventing agriculture, energy, economy, democracy and education” in 10… Read More
Don’t Miss The National Cohousing Conference May 19-21 in Nashville!
Posted on February 6, 2017 byEach year, the Cohousing Association of the United States hosts a national conference for those participating in or interested in the cohousing movement. This year’s conference will take place May 19-21 in Nashville, TN: “The 2017 National Cohousing Conference promises an amazing lineup of offerings, from innovative approaches to developing new and affordable communities, to… Read More
Vegvisits Is An Airbnb Alternative for Vegans and Vegetarians
Posted on February 2, 2017 by1 Comment
Over the past few years, peer-to-peer homesharing platforms have been making it easier to connect with like-minded people when you travel. While Airbnb is still the most well-known platform, it’s no longer your only option. You can choose from homesharing sites specifically intended for elderly travelers, LGBT guests, eco-friendly lodgings, and more. There are even sites… Read More
Nine Traditions that Draw Us Together: How a Small Town Nurtures Community
Posted on February 1, 2017 byThe art of creating community spirit within mainstream towns and neighborhoods has much potential to change the world for the better.
An App Called Teem Helps You Delegate Tasks Within Your Community
Posted on January 30, 2017 byOne of the challenges of living in a community with lots of new residents or guests is getting everyone oriented to the tasks and projects at hand. When I lived at Foster Village, a 10-person community in Portland, Oregon, we had a membership committee in charge of welcoming new residents, and a liaison assigned to… Read More
Your Community Could Win Up to £25,000 For Regenerative Projects
Posted on January 26, 2017 byIs your community working on a project that supports “environmental and social regeneration”? The Lush natural cosmetics company is accepting applicants for its 2017 Lush Spring Prize, which will award up to £200,000 to eco-communities and permaculture projects around the world. According to its website, “For many years, environmental campaigners have focused on the idea of sustainability – that… Read More
ThePOOSH Connects Volunteers With Natural Building Projects
Posted on January 23, 2017 byLots of intentional communities are connected with the WWOOFing network (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). It’s a great way for volunteers to gain experience living and working on an organic farm in exchange for room and board. But have you heard of the POOSH network, which connects people interested in natural and sustainable building projects?… Read More
See What’s Free at FIC Bookstore
Posted on January 21, 2017 byCommunity Bookstore Feature Free Downloadable Resources at the FIC Bookstore by Kim Kanney, Community Bookstore Manager Free Downloadables Our primary aim at the FIC Bookstore is to get essential information about community and cooperation to you, our readers. Sales help us keep the bookstore going, but we want our resources to be accessible too. Have… Read More
Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Newsletter
Finding Balance of Public and Private in Community
Posted on January 21, 2017 byThe erosion of the commons by private interests is a disaster for modern human settlements; a community without shared spaces is barely a community at all.
MTV Features Intentional Community on “True Life: I’m Joining A Commune”
Posted on January 19, 2017 byA recent episode of MTV’s “True Life” features two stories about community living. In one, 23-year-old Took Edalow attempts to start a commune with several friends on Staten Island. Another follows Emet, 26, as he leaves home and moves into a community called the Garden of Eden in Arlington, Texas. Edalow is an artist with years… Read More
Boulder’s New Co-op Ordinance is a Victory for Intentional Communities
Posted on January 16, 2017 by“Do you want a Picklebric next to you?” asked an alarmed op-ed in the Daily Camera last summer. Residents of a Boulder, Colorado, neighborhood were clashing with members of the Picklebric co-op over the city’s occupancy laws. As of January, the answer is “Yes.” The Boulder City Council voted 7-2 to pass an ordinance that will allow up… Read More
Bridge Meadows Brings Foster Children Into Intentional Community
Posted on January 12, 2017 by1 Comment
For many intentional communities and cohousing projects, being “intergenerational” is a core value and long-term goal. Parents envision themselves raising children with the support of other community members. Elderly residents want to share meals and social activities in their old age. But for some families – such as foster children and their adoptive parents –… Read More
Public vs. Private: Group Dilemma Laid Bare!
Posted on January 11, 2017 by1 Comment
For some neighbors, the logical leap from “glimpse of skin” to “nudist colony” is a surprisingly short one to make.
Play The Food Forest Card Game and Help Plant 1,000s of Trees
Posted on January 9, 2017 byLast year, permaculture educator Karl Treen released the Food Forest card deck, following a successful fundraising campaign on Kickstarter. Have you played it yet? We have, and it’s available for purchase at the FIC’s online bookstore for $25. The game is a great learning experience for kids and adults alike, allowing players to visualize how plants and animals relate… Read More
Sky Blue Featured on Utopian Realities Podcast
Posted on January 5, 2017 by1 Comment
Last month, FIC’s Executive Director, Sky Blue, was featured on the Utopian Realities podcast at BlockTalkRadio. In a wide-ranging interview, Sky shares his insights into cooperative culture, intentional living, sustainability, and more. Sky has decades of experience in the intentional community movement. He’s lived in several different types of communities, including Twin Oaks, a 50-year-old income-sharing commune in Virginia,… Read More
Interactive Documentary “One Shared House” Packs a Punch
Posted on January 2, 2017 byIt’s not often that we hear the story of an intentional community told by someone who grew up in one. And it’s even less common for that story to be told through a beautifully designed 10-minute interactive documentary. At OneSharedHouse.com, Irene Pereyra tells the story of Kollontai, a cohousing experiment in Amsterdam in the 1980s.… Read More
Ecosexuality: Embracing a Force of Nature
Posted on January 1, 2017 by1 Comment
Only when we create a container that is loving enough and strong enough to embrace the erotic, do we create a container that is loving enough and strong enough to embrace all of Life itself.
The P6 Project Uses the Principles of Cooperatives to Promote Local Business
Posted on December 29, 2016 byThis is a guest post by Erin Hancock of the Co-operative Management Education program at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. **** Graduates of “Cooperative MBA” work on P6 project to create equitable relationships between farms and retailers If you’re familiar with the principles of cooperative organizations, you may know that Principle Six is… Read More
Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Cooperative Economics
Take Part In The People’s State of the Union This January
Posted on December 26, 2016 byBeginning in 2015, the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture has led a project called the People’s State of the Union, to coincide with the president’s annual address to the nation. Taking the perspective that democracy is “a conversation, not a monologue,” the PSOTU is a chance for communities to come together and share the hopes and challenges… Read More
Taking the Systems View: climate change as a driver of SDG implementation
Posted on December 22, 2016 byThis is a guest post by Dr. Daniel Christian Wahl, Head of Innovation at Gaia Education, which is based out of Findhorn Ecovillage. Once the doors closed on yet another United Nations climate gathering – this time in Marrakech – Paula Caballero, director of the climate program at the World Resource Institute, summed up a growing insight… Read More
Five Tools to Help Groups Thrive
Posted on December 21, 2016 byA clearly articulated evolutionary purpose, a welcoming of the whole self, and governance through self-management are keys to collective success.
Digital Security For Your Intentional Community
Posted on December 19, 2016 byFor some high-profile communities, visibility is a good thing. The Dancing Rabbit ecovillage in Rutledge, Missouri, depends on workshops and other business endeavors to support itself. Many communities maintain a social media presence as a way to attract new members and promote co-operative living on a global scale. But some communities have good reason for wanting to… Read More
The world, and the FIC, need you
Posted on December 17, 2016 byThe world, and the FIC, need you! Dear Friends, Is it just me, or is the world going a little more crazy than usual? Does it seem like more people than usual are extra busy, stressed out, or overwhelmed? Wherever you land on the spectrum, no one seems to think humanity’s current situation is tenable.… Read More
Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Newsletter
