Joel Berg

Thomas Pothitakis wrote:I have had the same feelings as you about most of the communities out there. I want a place I can live and work to better myself and the people around by doing all the basics needed to live a self sustaining life. I want to focus all my mind body and soul on the actual lifestyle and not conform to a group with a certain belief . I still want to go online and download music but I want to create my own power to charge the laptop. I still like buying and selling off eBay and I would like to have a candy bar without feeling like its wrong. I understand everyone has their own beliefs and lifestyles and will never go against them. Which is why I'm having trouble getting to a community that fits my way of life. Your down to earth project sounds great. Hopefully it will all begin sooner then later for you. If so I'm interested in a work and live in position if you have it available. I can pitch a tent if I have to! I am here to talk and share ideas feel free to message me.

Best of luck
-Tommy

Exactly this "I still want to go online and download music but I want to create my own power to charge the laptop. I still like buying and selling off eBay and I would like to have a candy bar without feeling like its wrong"

Basically I want our group to be able to live free of debt and have enough time to do the things they love.

I will for sure message you as things progress!

Kate Nudd wrote:Joel,Hello
I love your idea and it is what I have been looking for and,like you, I connected with many communities 'directed' by those categories you listed but they weren't a fit for me.
I am a Canadian in my 50's and woke up several years ago to begin letting go. ( and I admit there was always a pull toward the 'simpler life'( and others will say I do live a simple life) but I just got on the 'train' with everyone else).
Are you planning for 'Down to Earth" to be in Canada? If so,would you consider an older participant?
Are you aware of the Possibility Alliance in Missouri? What you describe sounds similar to their lifestyle.
Thanks
Kate

any age would be fine!

Tyler Ludens wrote: I'm not seeing mention of how the community will make a living (make $). Has that been thought out?

The idea would be if we own our land and homes outright we would need very little in terms of cash economy to survive. Each member would be able to have a part time job or their own biz/project on the go.

Tyler Ludens wrote:If you haven't read the book "Creating a Life Together" by Diana Leafe Christian, I recommend it. It discusses why intentional communities succeed and why they fail (most fail).

This is on order getting shipped to me currently! Thanks!

HI Everyone!

For years I have been looking to homestead but have found recently the power of community.

When I went searching to join an “Eco Community/Intentional Community” I found there existed really only three major types. Please excuse the generalizations but they fell into three basic categories:

1) Religious based.

2) Yoga centered, healing crystals, vegan…. (Which are all very wonderful..…)

3) Major capital investment or retirement based luxury gated communities. Normally found in places like Costa Rica filled with very upper middle class where 50,000USD + was your “buy in” to join.

However, what if you don’t fall into these three types of intentional communities? What are you left with? From my research not much.

Our Project & Goal:

The “Down to Earth project” seeks to create a sustainable eco-community guided with Down to Earth principles.

--Technology where appropriate.

--Permaculture methods.

--A well rounded diverse community accessible to all with true ownership.[/list]

A Little Background:

The Down to Earth Project. Who we are & how we are different:

-We are the 25-35 generation that was told go to university at any cost, debt is normal, and work hard and you will get ahead in life.

-We watched massive ecological and social decay happen within our lifetimes…and struggle on how to make a real difference in our every day lives.

-We are the “average Joe” who wants to be a part of a true community without the debt, religion,spirituality…

-We want to grow our own food, create our own power, and have time to do the things we love.

-We want to show the world there is another way to live outside the traditional money economy and rat race.

If we were to describe the perfect community it would look a little like this:

--5 couples or 10-15 people in total. (Could me much less at the beginning depending on resources.)

--15-20 acres of land with good access to water in a climate that is stable with a short to non existent winter.

--Each couple/single would get one acre as their personal space with a small habitat of your choice (Yurt, tiny house, cob house…)

--The remainder of the 10 acres would be used in the community for food production, animal grazing, energy collection, community enjoyment…

--Each person would contribute approximately 25 hours per week to the community with the remaining time for your personal development/projects such as writing, art, music, research…

Are there more people out there like me? I would love to hear thoughts/critiques/suggestions. I just started a website to start trying to form my idea on a platform so I can find like minded people.