Communities Directory: Gaia Grove Ecovillage

Re-Forming Formed: 2003 Established: 2005

Gaia Grove Ecovillage

near Gainesville, Florida,

United States

We are primarily an Eco-Camp and Learning Center and secondarily a Co-Housing Ecovillage on 91.9 acres located approx. 15 min by car from Gainesville & the University of Florida. We are now in the building stage and are seeking new members. The freewebs.com/gaiagrove has photos and more info on the Eco-Camp.

Our vision is to build ecological homes and gardens using permaculture principles, with all but the common house being off-grid. We are planning to use solar energy, compost toilets, rain water catchment with storage cisterns & grey water recycling. Call us for more details on what we currently have and what we would like to have in the near and distant future.

We also have 5 acres of commercial property three miles away from Gaia Grove, toward Gainesville. Right now we have a Real Estate office there: Country Rivers Realty . We are now working on starting a Natural Foods Grocery Store or Food Co-op in the 2000 sq ft steel building.

We are also seeking people to lease, set up and run a Natural Foods Restaurant, either as an individual or cooperative venture. It's a beautiful facility that has seating inside a historic 1920 brick house that used to be the Potato Farmers meeting house. In the back we have an outdoor "Sand Bar" surrounding a beautiful old tree. We thought we could use it to serve juices, tea, coffee and maybe wine & beer, and also have a grill or other food prep equipment.

The Sand Bar overlooks a large stage with sound system for live music & dancing. In the other direction you can see the vegetable & flower garden which has several more acres for expansion.

There is also space for an outdoor covered patio that could be left open or have screen or glass so you stil have the view of the gardens.

Until we get the resturant going we are using this property as a residence and have 3 bedrooms in the brick house & 3 in the steel building for rent. Prices vary from $350-500 depending on size & location of the room and includes furnishings (if needed),local telephone with private extention, high speed DSL, satellite TV & washer.

We also have sites for rent for tents, yurts, tipis or other alternative structures at $175 per month or $250 per month to rent a small RV, tipi or wall tent. This is for one person, 2nd person would be discounted. Refrigerator & outdoor kitchen, shower with solar hot water heater and compost toilets are included.

Joanna is also seeking another individual or couple to volunteer like her, in taking care of foster children between the ages of 5-10 in her home and eventually set up a second foster home in a seperate houshold. The state provides food, clothing, medical & education expense.

Website: http://freewebs.com/gaiagrove

Contact:

P.O. Box 340
LaCrosse, FL 32658
Phone: 352-562-3508, 386-462-9111 ext 102

Former/Other Names: Global Village: Costa Rica

Last Updated:9/3/2007

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Email & call first. Campers are $10 per person or $20 for a furnished room inside. Both have shower, DSL and kitchen priveleges. Community dinner is $5, if available.

Network Affiliations:

Ecovillage Network of the Americas

:: Fellowship for Intentional Community

:: Coho/US

:: GEN - Global Ecovillage Network

Population Adult Members: 8 (+ more members live off the land) Child Members: 3 Open to new adults: Yes Open to new children: Yes Gender Balance: 50% M 50% F Ethnic Diversity: 30% identify as 'people of color' Age Focus: No Focus	Government Decision Making: By a group of elders or other leaders (sociocracy) Identified Leader: Yes (Right now Joanna owns the land, but would like to share more decision making with those who buy land or lease long term.) Leadership Core Group: Yes (We do have a Core of other decision makers besides Joanna.)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected (Minimal amount, 4 hours per week?) Join Fee: Yes (Right now only $5 for membership) Regular Fees: Yes (Don't know how much yet)
Land and Buildings Rural (but 15 min of a Univ town w/lots of cultural activities) Area: 91.9 acres (37.2 hectares) (with a River) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (and Land Trust) Number of Residences: 9 (have 3 buildings currently) Cohousing: Yes (small co-housing community, and an adjacent Eco-Camp)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 21-50% (gardens on separate site now) Share Community Meals: 1 time/week Dietary Choice or Restrictions: There are some dietary restrictions Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian Alcohol Use: Seldom used Tobacco Use: Prohibited (in common house)	Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No Which Spiritual Path(s): Other Educational Style(s): Private school off the property (cooperative learning center)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Own Site

Number of Units:

will have 8 separate households and one common house with several rentals in the private and common buildings.

Square Feet in Common House:

5000

(will be approx 5000 sq ft)

Become an Editor Current editor(s): gaiagrove

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