Hello Permie Friends,
The Everwild Woods family is excited to announce that we are under contract on 37 green acres in Tenino, WA and are creating a child-centered cooperative homestead neighborhood! Currently, we are looking to find like-minded families to join us on the land as soon as this August. We have both rental and ownership opportunities available.
The foundational intentions of this community are to live more connected to nature and neighbors, raise our children in a ‘wild and free’ setting, grow food and community organically, land stewardship, and climate change resilience.
There are a few structures on the land ready to support people, and we will spend the rest of the summer/fall preparing the land to accommodate more families. The land was previously approved to be subdivided into six, 5 acre parcels. Our current goal is to have these 6 lots redrawn within a permaculture design specific to the land, and available for individual purchase within a year. The remaining 7 acres will become community land available for those who wish to share a garden, farm animals, food forest, and outdoor play space. Please understand that this process will require legal assistance and county approval so is subject to change. The ideal model is a blend between co-housing, ecovillage, cooperative homesteads, and traditional land ownership. A place where community and collaboration come together naturally.
We are currently seeking at least one foundational family with private finances to join us in bringing this project to life! The land is also ready to welcome rental families who enjoy a rugged land-based lifestyle, and taking applications for the 4 future ownership lots.
A bit about the land from the previous owner, Troy and his Family:
"The northern and western property lines border managed timber lands offering a woodland setting with roads and trails for miles.
Our land was partially logged the year before we acquired it in 2013. There is a healthy riparian zone along a seasonal stream that typically runs from October through April. The northern end slopes upwards into the forest creating an ideal south facing slope which collects sunlight and warms the land.
Over the last 9 years we have been stewarding this land towards the goal of creating a permaculture farm to hold summer camps and other educational activities as well as offering Airbnb, vrbo and camping. We have developed areas with excellent soil for growing food crops. We’ve created many hugelkulturs and dug a 500’+ long swale on contour. We have 8+ acres fenced for animals and have raised and kept many pasture pigs, goats, chickens and even an emu. There are many fruit and nut trees currently in production and many more that need to be transplanted into a planned orchard space. The native plant community on this land is stunning and offers many options for immediate income if that’s your thing. I have an ever growing inventory of flora that I can share if interested. We have built several structures suitable for living, storage, workshops, offices, or?…. These include a 30’ yurt, a Greyhound bus rv conversion, a cedar shake building with log framed doorway, a cedar wood yurt inspired cabin with canted walls, a gothic arched cabin, two storage/shop areas (1 shipping container and 1 semi trailer) and lastly a massive tiny house on wheels. We also have several greenhouses.
We began this project with other folks on board, but they dropped out early and we have been pushing hard ever since. The fact is that I am just not able to keep up and we are moving in search of simplicity and a lighter load. This place is amazing for someone looking for a homesteading adventure, subsistence living, preppers, off grid lifestyle, eco village, family estate, etc…Preliminary approval from the county had been obtained by the previous owner to subdivide into 5+ acre parcels".
We are grateful to have Troy trust us enough to become stewards of his beloved homestead, and are thrilled to have him nearby and involved in our project.
A Bit About Us: The Everwild Woods Family is Ladybird, 32, & Emmet, 34, to Cypress, age 3. We also have a wonderful dog and cat. Our family started on the magical Orcas Island in 2019. We’ve spent the last three years traveling North America in search of community and land. After interviewing, touring, and connecting with over 30 communities, we are very excited to begin this collaborative neighborhood on land we believe to be well-suited for community and climate resilience.
Emmet is an Olympia, WA native and is Father to Cypress. He is a permaculture designer specializing in edible landscaping and fruit tree care. He studied to become a Master Gardener in the San Juan Islands, and received his Advanced Permaculture Design Certification from The Bullock’s Homestead on Orcas Island. Ladybird is Mother to Cypress, an artist, world-traveler, and professional photographer. Her strengths are in communication, making connections, and creative visioning. She has a lifetime of experience rescuing animals and plans to continue to do so on her family’s plot. Cypress is an animal loving toddler, who enjoys having picnics, running through the forest barefoot, and helping in the garden. He is gentle and sensitive in spirit.
As a family, we practice mindfulness, vulnerable sharing, Non-Violent Communication, use Respectful and Conscious Parenting Methods, and are inspired by unschooling/forest schools/primitive skills, and keeping screens to a minimum.
If our vision resonates with your own, if you have any additional questions, or would like to connect with us for any reason, contact us anytime. Please send an email to
ladybirdeverwild@gmail.com explaining your level of interest, introducing your family, and sharing how your vision aligns and/or differs from ours. I'll also be checking this forum regularly, so replying in the thread is great too. Now that the land is under contract, things are moving quickly!
Wishing everyone success in their community search,
Ladybird
Everwild Woods IC.org Ad