River Haven :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 1999 Established: 2001

This page last updated:5/13/2011

River Haven

Colfax, Wisconsin,

United States

River Haven is founded on five pillars. Each pillar has an affinity group with particular interest in that pillar. Members may be involved in one or more pillars. The pillars are:

1) Vibrant, Fun Community Life: We believe in a vibrant, interactive community in which all members are involved and feel they are part of the larger community family, while maintaining solitude for all members as needed.

2) Spiritual Growth: We believe that spiritual growth is a private evolution and can be an important part of personal growth. We accept the many forms that spirituality can take. As a community, we adhere to no particular form but understand that a diversity of beliefs allows for an interchange of ideas that can best support all of us on our individual spiritual paths.

3) Ecologically Sustainable Living: We at River Haven believe in living lightly on the earth. We believe strongly in a sustainable approach to meeting our human needs for shelter, energy, food, and transportation. This includes alternative forms of building construction, solar and high efficiency wood heating, organic gardens and greenhouses, and a shared bio-diesel-fueled vehicle fleet.

4) Natural Beauty and Land Preservation: It is of the utmost importance to maintain the beauty of River Haven by protecting it as a nature preserve.

5) Eco-Raw Living: We believe that a diet that emphasizes raw fresh fruits and vegetables and adequate exercise is a priority for us to achieve the health, longevity, and degree of effectiveness we all aspire to.

We have large organic gardens, seven miles of trails, and a 5000-sq-ft common house that is a monolithic dome. The dome has five rooms/suites to provide lodging to people interested in our community.

We are planning businesses that include a raw foods and alternative healing retreat center, a gluten-free bakery, and options for elder care. We have state-approved plans for our commercial buildings, and 20 acres of our land have been rezoned to commercial.

Our 250 acres of beautiful land are varied, with rolling hills covered by oak woods, white pine, jack pine, maple, and re-emerging prairie. We have a mile and a half of frontage on the Hay River, including a few ponds. Eagles, otter, deer, beaver, and turkeys are a few of the animals abundant on this land.

Our community will be selling lots that include common ownership in the rest of our land. Lot sales are projected to begin in 2009. Rentals in our dome are currently available.

Website: http://www.riverhaven.org/

Contact:

N9562 County Rd G
Colfax, Wisconsin 54730 United States
Phone: 715-632-2615

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

Former/Other Names: River Hayven

This page last updated:5/13/2011

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Email or telephone us to arrange a visit.

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): 7 Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: Other (collaborative decision making) Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: Yes	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (11 hours/month plus equal sharing of household chores) Join Fee: Yes (For renters, the fee is their monthly rent. People wishing to build homes will need to buy lots. We estimate the lot price at $30,000-$45,000 including septic, road, electric.) Regular Fees: Yes (For renters the fee is their rent. For lot owners, we believe the fee will be $150-200/month.)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 250 acres (101.2 hectares) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 3 Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (We have a large organic garden, but currently lack people interested in gardening. We are very interested in someone starting a market garden or CSA on our land.) Share Community Meals: 1 time/week (Members are not required to eat the common meals.) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (Our common meals are vegan, organic with some raw dishes. We support members moving toward an organic, vegan, raw diet. However, members can prepare and eat what they want in their own homes.) Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian (Also vegan and organic with a preference for raw fruits and vegetables) Alcohol Use: Seldom used (We do not support alcohol being used in common areas. However members may do what they wish in their own homes.) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (We do not support smoking in common areas. However members may do what they wish in their own homes.)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions) Educational Style(s): Public schooled (There is also an extensive home schooling network in the area.)

Become an Editor Current editor(s): annwoods

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