Sassafras Ridge Farm :: Communities Directory

Formed: 1972 Established: 1972

This page last updated:11/5/2011

Sassafras Ridge Farm

Hinton, West Virginia,

United States

(Summers County, 1 mile from Greenbrier River)

Sasssafras Ridge Farm, founded in 1972 by three young adults sharing an old shack, has evolved. Our intentional neighborhood, with boundaries greatly expanded by friends' purchases of adjacent farms and forest, grew from 240 to over 400 acres. Ten households shelter one to five people each (children included) in solo, partner, and one- and two-parent family. Households are economically autonomous and privately owned. Half the land and most farm equipment are jointly owned by three partners.

Many may join in preparation and celebration of Earth holidays with the broader community, with religious freedom.

The mountainous, wooded farm includes 20 acres of hay, 40 of pasture, creeks, and two ponds. The clean canoe-able Greenbrier River, kayaking, State and National parks, climbing and white-water rafting are near. There is a thriving arts town 40 minutes away.

Farm based activities include gardening, animal care, fence maintenance, firewood, and construction. Equal access and responsibility are fundamental to our cooperative intent.Most residents work near full time off the farm.

Status: Cooperative independent neighborhood

Contact:

Larry Levine
HC 77 Box 350
Hinton, West Virginia 25951-9625 United States
Phone: 304-466-4022

Links:

Trillium Performing Arts Collective: A community based nonprofit, founded 1982, about 35 miles from Sassafras, teaching, performing and hosting at the historic Lewis Theatre

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

This page last updated:11/5/2011

No Answer Regarding Visitors

(Schedules and commitments no longer allow for hosting visitors.)

Visitor Process: Visitor policy has been indefinitely suspended.

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 15 (No defined membership; # of residents shown) Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new members: No (No new resdients / members)	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: Yes (involvement depends on interest)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: No Answer (indenpendent finances; no new members) Labor Contribution: (welcome on special projects;not expected) Join Fee: No Regular Fees: No (invited to share costs of special projects)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 260 acres (105.2 hectares) (no longer counting contiguous, involved nieghbors in acreage) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (each house on private acreage; 3 long term members hold deed to bulk of unoccupied land) Number of Residences: 6 (same as above) Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% Share Community Meals: Rarely (holiday covered dish feasts) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Other (total autonomy) Alcohol Use: Used Often (up to household and individual, social, no chronic users) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (up to each person (very rare))	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes (perhaps half of adults) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Paganism/Earth Religions :: Jewish :: Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions) (again, personal autonomy prevails) Educational Style(s): Home schooling :: Public schooled

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