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Forming Formed: 2004 Established: 2009
Beaver Creek Homestead
Nolalu, Ontario,
Canada
The greenhouse under construction
 This has been an on-again-off-again project since 2004. Spring of 2009, however, has found it is on again for good - or at least as far as we can foresee.
The primary objective is to make a largely self-sufficient community that has the potential to last many generations despite the predictable difficulties with oil, environment, economy, and social unrest.
It is necessary for the homestead to adopt sustainable, environmentally friendly policies regarding land, air, and water use.
The objective is not merely survival, however, but also to generate a thriving, vibrant community. This will require an equitable social model that encourages participation. No small challenge but it is better to attempt something grand and fall short than attempt something meager and succeed.
We have 68 acres, with about 20 acres cleared and the rest an assortment of spruce and balsam. There is an odd assortment of dwellings and saunas, and a pond, and we are experimenting with building in-ground passive solar greenhouse and another structure that combines cob and straw bales that the locals have dubbed the "Strigloo.” The ground is a deep red clay for 100 feet and the well water is very nice. Solar panels are in use and the materials for constructing windmills are there. Grid power is available as well as high-speed internet.
There are 4 residents and 2 remote members as well as an assortment of friends. We are going to stay through the winter and our farm looks to be producing well for its' first year.
There is no specific religious agenda and no political affiliations; however, a deep commitment to scientific inquiry and the scientific method is required.
People must be comfortable in a wilderness setting if they are interested in joining us. There are numerous wild animals from mosquitoes to moose that share the land and we need to figure out how to live on this planet without wiping everything else out.
The surrounding population is not great enough to be likely to support a service or sales based business approach but there are opportunities nonetheless. The nearest town of any consequence is Kakabeka Falls (35km away) and the nearest city is Thunder Bay (70km away) with somewhat under 80,000 people. The economy in northern Ontario is very poor (hence my frequent departures) so there will not be many economic opportunities presenting themselves locally unless we are quite creative.
Inquiries and visitors are more than welcome.
 
Website: http://www.bradneufeld.com
Contact:
Brad Neufeld
RR 2
Nolalu, Ontario P0T 2K0 Canada
Phone: 952-232-5255
Email This Community!
Barbara Ludwig
RR#2
Nolalu, Ontario P0T 2K0 Canada
Phone: 807-577-0934
Email This Community!
Last Updated:8/6/2009
 
Visitors Accepted
 (Visitors always welcome. If we are cobbing at the time expect to get mucky.)
Visitor Process: Give Barb or Brad a call or drop us a line or send a letter and we will be happy to tell you how to get here. Be prepared for a "camping" kind of experience although a bit more comfortable than that.
Network Affiliations:
No affiliations
Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:
No Answer Provided
Population
Members(adults and children):
4
Non-member Residents:
0
Open to new members:
Yes
Government
Decision Making:
By majority rule
(Lots of strong personalities means we do not always agree, but we trust the group as a whole will figure things out.)
Identified Leader:
Yes
(Brad Neufeld)
Leadership Core Group:
No
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(Financial contributions are appreciated and voluntary)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
(Your finances are your responsibility. You don't get taxed but you also cannot expect any assistance)
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(Hard to say how many hours per day will be required. At this point it will be left to the discretion of the individual.)
Join Fee:
No
Regular Fees:
No
(Sustainability also means economic. If we are unable to pay our bills we will not be able to survive for long. No specific fees are levied at the members yet; it is left to their own discretion.)
Land and Buildings
Rural
(There is a road that goes by but the property is largely in the woods.)
Area:
68 acres (27.5 hectares)
Land Owned By:
Individual community member(s)
(Owned by Brad but a new means of ownership to be determined later.)
Number of Residences:
5
Cohousing:
Yes
(This will likely change with time but there are insufficient quality structures to be picky.)
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
21-50%
(The goal is to eventually grow 100% and we are getting their slow nad steady. Perhaps within a few more years.)
Share Community Meals:
Nearly all dinners
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
There are some dietary restrictions
(The foods that are produced locally are all that are available however there is no other specific restriction on diet beyond practicality)
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
(Most of the foods that are grown are vegetarian but we have several pigs, chickens and turkeys that we are raising successfully as well.)
Alcohol Use:
Seldom used
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
(No smoking indoors and it is preferred that it is not done. Using it for rituals is acceptable.)
Social Factors
Common Spiritual Practices:
No
(We all choose our own path to enlightenment. Currently we have only an athiest and an agnostic so spirituality beyond pantheism is not practiced, but it is also not discouraged.)
Which Spiritual Traditions(s):
Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions)
(I have my way, you have your way. As for THE way, that does not exist. - Friedrich Nietzsche)
Educational Style(s):
Home schooling
(There is already the start of a print library while the digital library is vast. Participation in the education is expected of all members, regardless of age.)
 
 
The greenhouse under construction
Part of the pond that divides the property
Click an image to see it full size.


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