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Formed: 1972 Established: 1972
This page last updated:5/7/2009
Birdsfoot Farm
Canton, New York,
United States
Maypole
 Birdsfoot Farm is a consensus-based agricultural community founded in 1972. Our farm is located where the St. Lawrence River valley meets the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. Though the area is quite rural, the presence of four colleges nearby brings cultural diversity we appreciate.
Our 73-acre farm has fertile loam soil, woods, a stream, a large community house, three comfortable homes, a schoolhouse, two barns, and some funky seasonal housing. In order to grow we need to build new dwellings. The land and buildings are owned by the community.
Members share monthly living expenses, purchase equity in the property, and participate in community work projects. We care a lot about each other and find time for many kinds of sharing--such as communal meals, rituals, parties, etc. Each person follows his or her own spiritual path. Individuals are active in social and environmental issues. The new-member process includes a one-year trial period. We welcome new members, including children and elders.
Our vegetable business grows two acres of certified organic vegetables for the community, wholesale, CSA, and farmers market using low-input techniques, intensive spacing and cover cropping.
Little River Community School was started in 1998. The school now serves 23 students in grades K-12 with three full-time teachers. The school is founded on the belief that children are inherently motivated to learn about their world and should be allowed to proceed at their own rate. See the school on the web at http://www.littleriverschool.org.
The farm and school provide income to some of the community members and others work off the farm. Each year the veggie business and school seek interns.
For more information about our community, or internship programs, please send a letter.
 
Contact:
1263 County Rte 25
Canton, New York 13617-6538 United States
Phone: 315-386-4852
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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:5/7/2009
 
Visitors Accepted
Visitor Process: Please write a letter, preferably by snail mail, to describe yourself and what you would like.
Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:
No Answer Provided
Population
Members(adults and children):
11
Open to new members:
Yes
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
No
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Other
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(We have a weekly work day, cook once a week and do household chores.)
Join Fee:
No
Regular Fees:
Yes
(Members pay approximately $250/ month toward equity and expenses and $110 per month for food.)
Land and Buildings
Rural
Area:
73 acres (29.5 hectares)
Land Owned By:
The community
Number of Residences:
5
Cohousing:
No
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
21-50%
(We grow and preserve all of our own vegetables.)
Share Community Meals:
Nearly all dinners
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Primarily vegetarian
(The main house kitchen is vegetarian. People can eat meat in their own houses.)
Alcohol Use:
Seldom used
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
Social Factors
Common Spiritual Practices:
No
Educational Style(s):
Private school at the community
(We have a K-12 school in a 3-room school house.)
 
 
Maypole
Community members
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We happily link to the following organizations, all of whom share our strong commitment to promoting community and a more cooperative world:
Cohousing The Federation of Egalitarian Communities - Communes Coop Community Cooperative Sustainable Intentional North American Students of Cooperation Global Ecovillage Network
Special thanks to the sponsors of our Art of Community Events.
NICA Common Circle Permaculture Classes Lafayette Morehouse