Hello Permies!
I am starting to assist people internationally to apply holistic regenerative strategies to heal the earth while improving the quality of life for all beings. My first goal is to start an ecovillage that is constructed in a way that makes it accessible and attractive to the modern world. We aren't going to accomplish anything significant by trying to change the way people are. The smarter approach is to get them to see how our holistic and regenerative models can greatly benefit them as they already are.
It seems impossible and horrifying sometimes, and I know I can't do it alone, but it's all I think about anyway so I figured that it would be fun to start talking to people on the internet about it. Maybe I'll find some people who want to accomplish this dream with me!
Here is the plan so far:
If we are going to do this, we need to do it right!
The community will consist of three parts: The food forest, the housing, and the non-profit cooperative.
On ~125 acres of land we will holistically integrate these parts into a beautiful park-like village with 100 dwellings. We will be constructing: an "apartment mansion," a tiny house cluster, and 25 single family homes. All property is owned and operated by an (ecological) community land trust.
We will work to satisfy local government regulations and concerns for public welfare such as: creating handicap accessible areas, ensuring proper sanitary measures for composting toilets, etc.
Where our ecologically regenerative strategies to improve the quality of life for our residents conflict with current regulations, we will apply for special permits to replicate favorable outcomes that people before us have proven to work.
- We know how conventional cookie-cutter subdivisions are approved, financed, and built.
- We've got natural and recycled building figured out.
- We know how to weave a food forest, park, and neighborhood together.
What we need to do now is come up with a list of things we want to change about conventional American culture, agriculture, and resource usage. When we have that list, we can make a strategic plan for how we are going to work within the system to implement positive changes that improve the quality of life for residents. This also includes proposed community by-laws.
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After we figure out what we want to do that differs from current laws, we will meet with local officials to work out details and/or compromises to get pre-approval to develop land and form valuable connections with people that have power.
Simultaneously, once we have a complete plan we can look for funding options and partnerships
We will form relationships with:
- Charitable Trusts
- Land Trusts
- Local Government
- Political Activists
- Local Businesses
- Universities and Community Colleges
- Any Party or Individual of Interest
- Green Building/Permaculture Workshop Professionals (to organize volunteer labor)
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So what do you think? Where does American society fall short? How can we change on a holistic village scale? How do we do it in a way that doesn't force people to make their lives more difficult? Any inspired comments, questions and concerns are appreciated!
