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Formed: 1993 Established: 1995
Zephyr Valley Community Co-op
Rushford, Minnesota,
United States
Looking down to 2 homes in the Coop
 Zephyr Valley Community Co-op is a rural co-housing community with 13 adults and 10 kids on 550 acres of stunningly beautiful land in southeast Minnesota. The land, purchased in '94, is owned collectively.
There are six existing homes owned individually by members and one under construction. Six homesites are available for new homes. Occasionally an existing home becomes available for resale to new members or rental to prospective members. Currently a room in one of the homes is available for rent.
We have a community center (for community meals, parties, meetings, guests, laundry, etc.) as well as a spring fed swimming pond, a soccer/baseball field, trails for walking and skiing, and barns for animals and storage.
The values that hold us together can be summed up in the word Respect---respect for the land, for each other, for ourselves. We live lightly on the land, caring for it consciously. Decisions about the land and community are made by consensus, all others are individual.
We are involved in the larger rural community here. Zephyr is in the country but close to several cities and universities.
Our children are growing up with an intimate knowledge of the natural world--where the biggest tadpoles are in the creek, what ice is best for skating, which bluff has the coolest sand outcroppings, what the air tastes like in the different seasons.
About 50 acres are in organic vegetables, plus many acres of restored wetlands, pastures, woodland, bluff lands, high grass meadows, ponds, creeks and a trout stream. This is a wonderful place to live!
Please feel free to contact us and arrange a visit.
 
Website: http://www.zephyrcoop.org
Contact:
Tahira Darling
Rt. 1, Box 121
Rushford, Minnesota 55971-4213 United States
Phone: 507-452-5983
Send an Email
Last Updated:2/27/2008
 
Visitors Accepted
Visitor Process: Contact Zephyr in advance by letter or email, letting us know something about yourself and your interest in intentional communities. We need several weeks notice in order to make arrangements for someone to show you around.
Affiliations: Wiscoy Valley Community Land Cooperative

Population
Adult Members:
13
Child Members:
10
Non-member Residents:
1
Open to new adults:
Yes
Open to new children:
Yes
Gender Balance:
45% M 55% F
Ethnic Diversity:
0% identify as 'people of color'
Age Restrictions:
No
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
No
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(Occasional community work parties)
Join Fee:
Yes
($10,000 per adult - Partial financing possible)
Regular Fees:
Yes
(Monthly contribution - currently $69)
Land and Buildings
Rural
Area:
550 acres (222.6 hectares)
Land Owned By:
The community
Number of Residences:
7
Cohousing:
Yes
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
1-5%
Share Community Meals:
1 time/week
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
(No smoking allowed in our community house)
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
No
Shared Spiritual Path:
No
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Other
(Spirituality is decided by the individual)
Educational Style(s):
Public schooled
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Completed
(New homes will be added)
Year Completed:
2001
(Common house built in 2001. Additional homes will be built.)
Number of Units:
Seven (one under construction).
Square Feet in Common House:
2000
 
 
Looking down to 2 homes in the Coop
A gathering at the Common House
Click an image to see it full size.


Become an Editor Current editor(s): sjtaylor2000, myhands
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