In search of Community in North Ut, ID, MT or western WA, OR

Bill Bradbury wrote:Hi Lisa,

I believe that Cache Valley in northern Utah would be the perfect place for this to happen.

Check out this master's project http://www.cnr.usu.edu/envs/files/uploads/ENVS%20Stuff/Bioregional%20Planning%20Thesis/Lisa_Vander_Wal_Thesis.pdf

I and many others here in the valley would be happy to throw in with someone who has the resources to make a community like this happen.

All Blessings,
Bill

Lisa Stanleyson wrote:I have been looking for a community to join or start I am open to location. I want to be located far west sides of OR or WA, ID, north UT and MT possibly southern Alberta.

You may want to look at the Western Slope of the Rockies. The factors for a Sustainable Permaculture EcoVillage with co-housing and intentional community aspirations are the length of the growing seasons, property elevation, annual rainfall, days of sunshine, soil quality, resources such as water rights and availability, zoning laws respecting alternative building methods and number of residences allowed, natural resources such as plentiful and readily available fire wood, with resources such as natural gas, grid power until alternative sources can match needs, city water for USDA Kitchens for cottage industries (Colo. just passed a few very favorable new laws). And local people that would support such a community, embracing it and even help.

Also, the need for some remoteness (only 2000 residence in our valley) from large man-made or natural threats: pandemics, tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes, forest fires, floods, invasion, insurrection, large populations, interstates highways, railroads, airports, military bases and ports. Yet the need to balance useful or needed infrastructures like medical clinics, dentist, fuel stations, hardware's, internet, cell service, land lines, grocery stores and needed shops. Still must be a small isolated area with plentiful fishing and hunting for the hard times, with infrastructure on the property for raising our own fish (Trout or bass) and domestic animals (Milk and beef cows, pigs, turkeys, geese, chicken, and rabbits). To extend the season, and have artificially environments to allow larger variates of food production and aquaponics (Tilapia- subtropical fish farming) by erecting high tunnels and greenhouses (we currently have 2500 sq. ft.).

What I would like to have or plan to have is the following:

40-200 ac to start (depending on funds) 70 Acres currently
Homesteads that range from 1 ac to 5 ac ruffly 200ft by 200ft lots = 40000 with an acre = 43,560
Eco homes ranging from traditional green homes to earthship ECT. I want a bermed earth home
A campground of sorts for Rvs, campers and mini homes permanent or not. Yes, we call them Micro Cabins when they have no foundations.
Activities for visitors other than just woofing, and educational activities. Ag-tourism, interns, CSA, and a community of gathered like-minded people
A community building w/ a kitchen, showers and restrooms We have the building, it needs setting, remodeled, and utilities installed
The rest of the land would be a Community land trust (open to suggestions on this) Have not decided yet as to how to establish this, the usage of common areas.
A community factory (does not need to be on site but within close range) this woulds give the community funds, jobs ECT. I am open to form of factory I have looked into hemp processing plants, ethonol (large scale) but even a composting plant would work. Hemp crops is a real possibility as legislation is being worked on here in Colorado. Farmer Markets, Festivals at Telluride, a CSA, and dozens of industries we want to approach like:

Here is an alphabetical list of the current projects Shiloh Springs is doing or industries we hope to start:

Ag-tourism – Touring our many industries, sharing what we believe and how others can do the same
Apis Mellifera – Raising Honey Bees for pollinators and for honey, wax, and other produces
Aquapontics – Tilapia in the greenhouses for selling fresh fish, fish jerky, and CSA Shares
Artisan Bakery – for community and selective produce to sell at the farmers markets
Bermed Earth Construction – Building homes partially or completely underground on the north side
Berry Projects – Blackberry, Raspberry, Gooseberry, Saskatoon Berry, Elderberry, and Currents
Cooperative Home School – Seems like a dream but we want to forge the way for this new concept
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) – Selling shares in the Farm's seasonal harvests
Culinary Water System – Drinking water supply to community and to market, filtered Spring PH Water
Drip Irrigation Watering Systems – Water conservation and maximization of usage
Egg & Poultry – Egg Business for Community, Farmers Markets, and CSA, Poultry for Community
Ethanol Fuel – Renewable fuel for four stroke combustible engines, making E-Diesel, and CSA shares
Fish Farming – Renovate and restock the lower trout pond, as well as raising larger Crawdads
Green Building – Exploring and using ecologically sound and innovative building techniques
Greenhouses – Year round production of food and fish through Aquapontics (3000+ sq. ft. currently)
Hoop Houses & Cold Frames – Extend our season on cold-appropriate crops
Micro Brewery – Using our own Hops, Honey, and specialty crops grown for brewing
Milk Dairy – producing milk, yogurt, butter and soft and hard cheeses
Mushroom Mycology – Shroom Farming for edibles and Medicinal (non-narcotic) Mushrooms
Orchards – Apple, Plum, Apricot, Chinese Chest Nut, Mulberry, Jujube, Persimmon and other projects
Permaculture Inter-cropping – Development of mixed food, flower, and herbal perennial beds on land
Renewable Energy Projects – Net metering, Solar & Wind Power, and a Micro Hydro Power Plant
Solar Aquatic Waste Water Treatment Facility – Earth Systems being just one company name
Specialty Crops – Hops for brewing and selling, various Berry crops, and garlic
USDA Certified and Inspected Kitchen – For preparing food products to bring to market
Vermaculture – Worms for worm castings and the soil production and sale
Vineyards – Terracing our S/SW facing canyon acreage for table, raisin, and wine-making grapes
Winery – Making wine with specialty crops for sale and community use


Here is my elevator pitch it is a little "rainbows, flowers and butterflies"
An eco, permiculture, artisan village where everyone has a skill and specializing in something, whether it be chickens, cattle, farming the community property, teachers, child care or an herbalist. We would be able to be completely sustainable and off the grid if need be. Having a factory of sorts that will sustain the community outside in the "real world."
Today we have lost focus on what really matters. Our whole life revolves around money. If we created a community that works together, nobody has to do everything just have to participate for a more fulfilling natural life.

We agree, the wife is a professional portrait artist, who works in many mediums. She is also very good at wildlife artwork.
Here is our community mascot and jersey milk cow: A resent picture and the oil pastels painting the wife, Susan did last week...

http://s384.photobucket.com/user/Shiloh_Springs/media/Animals/DaiseyOriginalPhoto_1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s384.photobucket.com/user/Shiloh_Springs/media/Animals/DaiseyInAHat_1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

We'll that is my elevator pitch. Here is little about me. My name is Lisa, I am Married with 5 older boys (13 and up). I am a Realtor,an out of the box thinker, problem solver. My husband would calls me a hippie, but I feel the need to be a part of a community that works together to create a better living environment for adults, children, animals and the earth. When I found permiculture I thought "this is it" I had tears watching Geoff Lawfton's into video 2-3 years ago.

Let me know if you are interested in helping start or be apart of this community.

To Paul, I don't know if this would fall into your plans for your area. I just started listing to your podcasts.

My elevator pitch... we are so busy working on getting the million of things that need doing here on the farm 'Shiloh Springs Sustainable EcoVillage' and Farm, that we have not done much over the years to really put ourselves out there. We see the prophesies of the end times in the daily headlines of the News Papers and feel a great need to do all we can do tol create the life were would prefer to live if we had forever. We hold the belief that we need to live more in harmony with the earth and the land (getting away from Monsanto who's actions for profits are nothing short of ecological terrorism and performed without a conscience. There goal in controlling the world foods source is in direct conflict with the freedom of biodiversity which the entire planets ecosystem is dependent upon!) and knowing that only the smart squirrels will survive (better), the coming hard times!

We are 35 miles from Utah (86 mi to Moab/Colorado river rafting to the west) Ski Resort (42 mi to Telluride to the east) Nearest large city is Grand Junction (120 mi to the north), and Montrose the County seat (72 mi to the northeast), and Cortez (105 mi. to the south.

If anyone is interested in finding out more, respond here or email shiloh_springs@yahoo.com, and we can visit by web, email or phone.

Shalom, Daved and Susan