Edges is in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains near Athens, a progressive community and home of Ohio University. Its 94 acres of wooded and clear hills include many "edges." Five adults and four children, from teens to seniors, steward the land. Occupations take people off the land in varying degrees. Matthew operates a solar and wind business and has his children, Kima and Roland, on the land half time.. His mom, Emily is a holistic health consultant and runs a wellness center in the renovated farmhouse. Her partner, Opa, does Reiki & Fitness there and is an nurse. Cheri lives most of her time with her husband in Virginia, coming back to mow, tend her garden and visit. Her son, Winter, lives in their house. Evan is minister for United Campus Ministry and The Unitarian Fellowship. Susan is a psychologist. They have three children, David, Michael and Lauren.

The land with an existing farmhouse was purchased in 1993. We built a community house operated by wind and solar power. It is now a private residence. After 13 of us lived in the original house and ate all our meals together, we now strive to eat and meet about once a month. We have individual houses including a log one with a greenhouse and solar/wind power and net-metering; a two-story frame home in the woods, with a third-floor tower; a small, totally solar one with an indoor compost toilet. We may currently have some rental spaces.

We’ve gone from huge gardens to smaller ones close to our houses and more protected from the prolific wildlife. We still put up some food, especially the apples from original trees and ones we planted. There has been a variety of workshops and events over the years, including cider pressing. Our permaculture plan and ideas for a community-based sustainable economy and for animals for dairy products are still waiting for more hands and time.

We have a foundation but are open to other interests. Our vision of cooperation includes making decisions on what will work best for each and for the group as a whole. We use consensus for major decisions and, rather than emphasizing rules, prefer living by guidelines and consciousness. Flexibility allows for changes in the balance between individual and community needs. Everyone contributes time and money, working at projects we choose. We are looking for responsible, positive people dedicated to intentional community life on a land trust. Write for information, and include an introduction about yourself.

We may have some rental spaces available, starting this summer and might be interested in people in the Athens, Ohio area who would like to explore developing some of our land into a Co-Housing type situation. Call Emily at 740-448-2403.