Paul Chew

Donald Planten wrote:   I am interested in exchanging work for accommodations; spring, summer, fall 2025.
Preferably Western North Carolina.

regards,
-Donnie

Hi Donnie,  did I ever respond to your post?  I'm still looking for folks to volunteer or help start up a community on the land.  Email me at coweeta@gmail.com.

best wishes!

paul chew

Logan Goeke wrote:Hello, I am a young man with a family and we would like to build the life we dreamed of and grow a community similarly to what you are saying

Hi Logan and family!  I just read your post.  Somehow it didn't get into my inbox.  I'd love to talk with you about joining Coweeta.  It is a lot of work getting a community going; much less if you have more folks.  Where are you located? You can email me at www.coweeta@gmail.com

Dear Mullins, thanks for your contact and interest in Coweeta (Heritage Center and Talking Rock Farm).  For over 20 years, Coweeta has taught self-reliance skills and the knowledge that goes with them.  Coweeta has hosted folks from all over the US and some from other countries.  It requires a village (or community) to do this work, so I am reaching out to others who might like to help co-found a permanent community dedicated to the mission and vision of such a community. This community doesn't see itself isolated but is part of the broader community of humans and nature.  The 32 acre preserve lies in a small valley which has been spared much of the development in many rural areas, partly due to the fact that electricity has never been brought in.  Coweeta is a small piece of unspoiled land with an abundant natural flora and fauna.  It is rich in history of its ancestors (native and early settlers).  A 1839 log cabin still stands next door to Coweeta where I once lived.  You can learn much more about the history of Coweeta at www.coweetaheritagecenter.com, www.facebook.com/coweetaheritagecenter, ic.org, icmatch.org, and many posts here on permies.com.  

Let me know if you have specific questions that aren't answered in these sites and I will be glad to answer!

best regards,

paul chew  coweeta@gmail.com

Coweeta's moto is to live simply, so others may simply live.  Using local resouces, creativity, and cooperation, we can craft a new future.

32 acres in the mountains of Western NC.  Off-grid hydro-system, well-established organic garden, temporary living conditions, saw mill and timber to cut, heavy equipment, good house sites to build on (no permits required), good roads into the property, workshop, pond (I've raised trout), currently building a wood-fired kiln for drying lumber. Earth-bermed house under construction.  Beautiful valley, wildlife, peaceful and quiet, close to Franklin, NC with farmer's markets, community store that purchases produce.  Great opportunity to help co-found a permanent community with the property in a trust.  Looking for interested folks who can commit to a sustainable healthy future living on the land.  Remember Joni mitchell? Woodstock.  It is still alive here at Coweeta Heritage Center/Talking Rock Farm.  Also visit on IC.org, ICmatch.com.

Hi Donnie, and thanks for your interest in Coweeta!  Please email me for more info at coweeta@gmail.com.  paul chew

Coweeta Heritage Center/Talking Rock Farm has been dedicated to teaching and promoting sustainable living.  We are looking for individuals or families who want to be Co-founders of our community based on Voluntary Simplicity.  Coweeta has served the local community (Franklin, NC) for over 20 years and hosted many volunteers from all over the world.  The time is ripe for Coweeta to become a full-fledged Intentional Community with a clear Mission and Vision to be of service to  the world.

Here is an excerpt from our site on IC.org.  Contact me (Paul Chew) for more info.  

"Voluntary Simplicity" is based on the recognition that “very little is needed to live well” and that “abundance is a state of mind.” Living lower on the economic ladder allows us more time and freedom to pursue other life goals: community and social engagement, family time, artistic or intellectual projects, more fulfilling employment, political participation, sustainable living, spiritual exploration, and more. According to the Voluntary Collective, “The grounding assumption of Voluntary Simplicity is that all human beings have the potential to live meaningful, free, happy and infinitely diverse lives while consuming no more than an equitable share of (the world’s) resources.” We affirm the need for a work/life balance, the right to a healthy environment and healthy food, and healthy community relationships supporting a diverse population. It is our responsibility as engineers of a new generation to make the changes that we want to see happen and pass this on to the next generations. We can’t wait for someone else to do this important work. Voluntary Simplicity is a quiet revolution that can change the world. As one person said, “we must be poets of our own lives and of a new generation.”

We hope you will join us here at Coweeta or elsewhere on your journey to a healthier and more sustainable future!

Hi Drew,  I just saw your post.  As a member, you are part of the community which owns the infrastructure (land, buildings, etc). Myembers have access to the whole property, not just a slice as you mentioned.  I think there are some advantages to this: c,ontrol of the land/infrastructure stays with the community; the community helps you build a house (shared resources you may not have: timber, saw mill, kiln for drying lumber, heavy equipment, etc),  and at least for me, I know I can't take it with me, so what is the point of ownership.  Members must be in good standing to remain in the community (more on that if you are  interested.  Paul

Ps I would be happy to talk with you more about this if you like.

Coweeta could use a carpenter!  Lots of building projects that could use your help (and interest).  You can contact me at 828-342-2137 or email at coweeta@gmail.com.  You would be welcome to visit, come and stay as well.  paul

I have hosted volunteers on my farm for 20 years.  This has been a learning experience for me (LOL, I'm still learning).  I feel it  is time to establish a permanent community on the property (off-grid, organic, natural). It takes a community to host volunteers.  I can't do it alone anymore.  So, I'm looking for those folks who have the vision, determination, to help create a caring community that protects the land and helps heal each other.  I have been reaching out for some time and wonder where the folks are who want to be part of starting up a community?  I'm just curious.  Coweeta is located in the mountains of Western North Carolina in a small valley (no power and little development).  It was home to Native Americans and early settlers.  I lived for 18 years in the last of the log cabins built here in the early 1800s.  I'm now building an earth-bermed housed with solar.  A 1/4 acre raised-bed garden is well established (tons of leaf compost every year).  A saw mill and white pine stand provide plenty of lumber for building. I'm currently working on a wood-fired kiln for drying lumber.  A hydro system with solar added on provides power for the farm.   A few trailers provide temporary housing for folks.  So, if you are looking for a home, please ck out my host site here on ic.org (Coweeta Heritage Center/Talking Rock Farm).  Also, www.coweetaheritagecenter.com and www.facebook.com/coweetaheritagecenter

I wanted to add a little more info about Coweeta and its vision and mission:

A little about Coweeta Heritage Center

Voluntary Simplicity is based on the idea that there is plenty for everyone if resources are shared equitably, and that just enough is plenty.

Coweeta Heritage Center and Talking Rock Farm have been based on this idea since conception. Over the years, CHC/Talking Rock Farm has provided opportunities for folks to come to live and learn about sustainable living, living close to the land, and enjoying the beauty and bounty of the land while sharing it with others.

Voluntary simplicity is based on the belief that everyone has enough to exist if the resources are shared fairly. Voluntary simplicity describes how we can live simply so that others can simply live.

Voluntary Simplicity is a recognition that nature provides us with valuable services and resources that we can use to enrich our lives. Utilizing local resources, appropriate technology, and working cooperatively, we can discover creative ways to meet our needs as directly and simply as possible. We can learn to live lightly on the land and enjoy the Earth’s bounty.  

Blessed be!

paul chew