Homestead vs Intentional Community
I have been dreaming of homesteading for a long while now, carefully measuring out what will be needed in what measure and at what cost. I have been tediously noting information in my files and organizing it based on it's value. I am now aware of how to make spring boxes/spring houses, how to build with cordwood, how to make a straw bale structure, how to produce huge amounts of food from a tiny amount of space, how to can and dehydrate most of the foods I could grow or raise, and (to a limited degree) how to raise various animals I would like to have. I am constantly trying to learn more about the matter and to improve my knowledge and skills for when the time arrives.
And as a sideline to it all, I have been remembering various intentional communities I have heard of or interacted with. They seem to range all over the place, from hippy communes to eco-organizations. Honestly the only real common element I can find is that everyone shares at least some of the work on behalf of those around them for the sake of their combined survival and comfort. Many share meals, many help others in building or other tasks. Part of me has always liked that. I find myself more and more wanting more than just to be able to create a homestead. I am more and more thinking that having a community of like-minded people around to share in the failures and the triumphs would be nice as well. I am finding many tracks of land with 30 or more acres to them within my own price range.... one of them in particular would start me out with a small cabin, a stream and 3 reliable springs!!! I am giving serious thought to trying to find 3 or 4 like-minded people/families who would want to chip in with money and work... and building not just a homestead, but a community homestead where everyone can work together on some projects, share meals and generally create a place that everyone involved could be proud of and enjoy. There is the catch... like-minded people seem few and when I do find them, none of them are sure enough of themselves to trust taking the leap. It may mean I need to just start the homestead first and try to draw friends in afterward. If anyone has any experience or suggestions in this sort of matter, I would love to hear them.
And as a sideline to it all, I have been remembering various intentional communities I have heard of or interacted with. They seem to range all over the place, from hippy communes to eco-organizations. Honestly the only real common element I can find is that everyone shares at least some of the work on behalf of those around them for the sake of their combined survival and comfort. Many share meals, many help others in building or other tasks. Part of me has always liked that. I find myself more and more wanting more than just to be able to create a homestead. I am more and more thinking that having a community of like-minded people around to share in the failures and the triumphs would be nice as well. I am finding many tracks of land with 30 or more acres to them within my own price range.... one of them in particular would start me out with a small cabin, a stream and 3 reliable springs!!! I am giving serious thought to trying to find 3 or 4 like-minded people/families who would want to chip in with money and work... and building not just a homestead, but a community homestead where everyone can work together on some projects, share meals and generally create a place that everyone involved could be proud of and enjoy. There is the catch... like-minded people seem few and when I do find them, none of them are sure enough of themselves to trust taking the leap. It may mean I need to just start the homestead first and try to draw friends in afterward. If anyone has any experience or suggestions in this sort of matter, I would love to hear them.