Island Commons EcoFarm :: Communities Directory

Re-Forming Formed: 2012

This page last updated:5/14/2013

Island Commons EcoFarm

Victoria, British Columbia,

Canada

(Ecovillage Site Purchase Pending on Core Group Foundation)

UPDATE:

Island Commons Ecofarm has replaced The Commons Ecovillage.

We have regrouped and renewed our vision and purpose to focus on growing healthy food, specifically heritage chicken, and develop a comprehensive farm plan with a diversity, quality and quantity of food to meet the needs of Vancouver Island markets. We are putting together a group of farming folks - singles, couples, families - who together will support various aspects of the ecofarm plan. We seek to create a strong, interdependent, cooperative and resourceful group of ecofarm members to share a productive, sustainable, creative, happy lifestyle and work to achieve ecofarm goals.

Our objective is to complete the Island Commons Ecofarm plan and bring together a core group of ready and committed farming oriented members this summer 2013. We seek a small core group (2-3 members) to begin, who are ready to invest in building the foundation of Island Commons Ecofarm and who have the social, financial and experiential skills (OR the willingness to learn them :) to develop the core legal, financial and social structures of Island Commons EcoFarm.

We invite enquiries from well informed and community minded and/or experienced folks (observing the above member criteria). Our updated website will be ready by the end of May to provide more background on the ecofarm project.

Island Commons EcoFarm also seeks people with the skills and experience to establish off-grid energy systems, natural building, permaculture and educational programs and/or are simply and wonderfully "handy", hardworking folks.

Island Commons ecofarm plans to create an educational center to host year round workshops and small festivals related to organic food production and living sustainably.

We also plan to build a cluster of natural town-homes designed to minimize ecological disturbance and maximize land area for farming, wildlife and habitat rehabilitation and recreational enjoyment. We will use natural building methods, materials and systems to enable us to eventually live “off-grid".

The location for Island Commons EcoFarm will be in the Cowichan Valley, on Southern Vancouver Island, on land between 25 and 50 acres to begin. We hope to expand our farming land base over time to support the heritage poultry farm operation and a farming community of about 30 people.

We look forward to being in touch with all who are inspired by this vision and ready to begin creating this exciting farm plan! :)

Status: Forming

Contact:

Island Commons EcoFarm Coordinator
Victoria, British Columbia Canada

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: The Commons Ecovillage

This page last updated:5/14/2013

Visitors Not Accepted

(Once Formed, Visitors Welcome)

Visitor Process: Contact us via email. We are excited to hear from those with farming experience and those who have reflected on and researched ecofarming communities and who are now ready and wanting to make a commitment to this lifestyle. We are seeking a small core group to establish the social, financial and legal structures of the ecofarm and purchase the farm land.

Affiliations: Island Commons EcoFarm

Network Affiliations:

Fellowship for Intentional Community

:: GEN - Global Ecovillage Network

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): 4 (Core group members; 25 - 30 larger group interested) Non-member Residents: (Not Applicable) Open to new members: Yes (Seeking Core Group - once core structures are established will invite larger group in)	Government Decision Making: By consensus (Beginning Decision Making Style By Community Leaders & Majority Rule, Then Consensus) Identified Leader: No (EcoFarm Core Group Leads Once Established) Leadership Core Group: Yes (In Formation)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances (Income Sharing be be determined by members) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes (To Be Determined) Labor Contribution: Expected (To Be Determined) Join Fee: Yes (To Be Determined) Regular Fees: Yes (To Be Determined)
Land and Buildings Rural (20 min to town or small city, primarily rural) Area: 50 acres (20.2 hectares) (In Purchasing Phase, Looking at 25-50 Acres to Begin) Land Owned By: Community-controlled land trust (Partnerships - In Purchasing Phase) Number of Residences: 5 (To Be Determined - begin with 5 clustered town homes) Cohousing: Yes (Yes, for the residential structure and social life, not the ecofarm)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: over 50% (Plan is to provide food for Vancouver Island markets) Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (To Be Determined) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (Healthy living is the only mandate - whether meat or veggie.; diet tolerance a must) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally (To be determined by each member) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (Smoke Free or Limited)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Educational Style(s): Private school off the property :: Public schooled :: Private school at the community :: Home schooling (To Be Determined)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Seeking Site

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