Creating Zen permaculture community in Minnesota

I'm getting ready to start a "Zen permaculture farm" in Minnesota. So - even though I've lived in various sorts of communities, I could really use this book. Meanwhile I want to advertise the community.

The dream, "Vairochana Farm," is of people living together in community, sharing and creating spiritual practice that is life-affirming and joyful, doing first gardens then edible forests and animals, energy-positive buildings, and a friendly place for activism as well.

I've been busy with activism - and with my Zen training - so I haven't yet really reached out for co-farmers, but here it is. If you are in Minnesota or tempted (it's a great place, especially Northfield), please get in touch.

Hello!

Im from Minnesota as well, I am a university student studying abroad right now so I wont be living in Minnesota again until August, but I wanted to let you know that I am definitely interested in your project. I'm from Lakeville, so not too far from Northfield.

Hi Kevin,
It's great to hear from you! I don't have the farm yet. From July to September this year I will be away, leading the "Compassionate Earth Walk" (you can find this online for more information) but we could communicate by email beforehand. I could also send you my present thoughts on the farm, which I've written some thoughts on but not posted anywhere.

I'm a fellow minnesotan living in the far north suburbs, and am interested to hear about your community plans. I'm in the beginning stages of planning out my own 5 acre homestead, and most of it is just jotted down in my head...
I'd like to see what kind of things you are thinking as well

Hello there Shodo,

I just read your article on the tar sands. Thank you for your heartfelt message. I strongly desire to be more active in social justice, but with a solid dose of realism and wisdom that you seem to encompass.
I am currently living at Camphill Village MN in Sauk Centre, MN (http://www.camphillvillage-minnesota.org/). Are you familiar? I have also lived in a community with a man named Rick Sloan (http://www.dorothysplace.org/). Rick is a Zen priest who is very closely tied to Green Gulch. Do you know him? Anyway, I am really happy to hear what you are creating. I would really like to network with you if you feel so inclined.

Hope to hear from you soon,
Robert

Hi, Robert and Josiah. Sorry I missed an earlier reply.
Robert, I can't believe you know Rick Sloan. I worked under him for a year in the Green Gulch kitchen. Respect him greatly.
I've heard of Camphill but never been there. I like that you like the walk. Am doing my best to be sane about it all.

Josiah, Thanks for your note. Right now it's just past midnight and I just came home after a month with grandchildren in the south. So not up for a lot about ideas yet. Don't have the land (let two get away, ambivalent, now focusing on the walk) but imagine full edible forest, animals (mostly taken care of by other people), hope earnestly for wilderness access, and a lively community life including barn dances, and a Zen life including classes and retreats but especially morning meditation - and activism of some sort though it could just be feeding people. No fossil fuel use within a few years.... don't know what level of energy use that gives us.

Definitely we should network as Minnesotans. I will put my email here (protected) and perhaps we can have actual conversation. shodo(dot)spring(at)gmail(dot)com. Write if you'd like to connect more.

See you later!