Juniper Hill Farm :: Communities Directory

Formed: 2000 Established: 2007

This page last updated:1/7/2013

Juniper Hill Farm

Amherst, Massachusetts,

United States

We are an extended family homestead on 9 acres in Western Massachusetts. Juniper Hill has meadows, forest, flowers, herb, kitchen gardens, goats and chickens, fruit trees, mountain views, good folks into peaceful green living, and conscious communication.

We are nestled in the Pelham Hills of the Pioneer Valley, an internationally recognized hub of progressive universities, colleges, community and agricultural organizations. We are within walking distance of Sirius Eco-Village and live in a wonderful hillside of neighborhoods called Hearthstone Village.

As a community, we are farmer/artists, 1 dog, 2 cats and 4-7 renters/exploring members, interested in sustainable living, taking care of our beloved dairy goats and flock of chickens, edible and medicinal landscaping, creating a botanical sanctuary, land-based businesses, permaculture, and appropriate technology systems.

Starting up an apiary (beekeeping) using the Warre “bee friendly” system is one of our next projects.

We cook and eat in our large country kitchen with views of the farm and Berkshire Mountains, or outside in a beautiful yard with fruit trees and gardens. Both vegetarian and omnivores are welcome. Rooms are available in the farmhouse, the apartment and two small independent living cabins are in the works to be completed by the end of the summer of 2013. Most of our meals are seasonal, local and organic. We belong to a CSA for fantastic organic produce to add to what we grow on our hilly slopes. We are lucky to have two gourmet cooks, and food is spectacular here!

We are looking for people who are good communicators, emotionally and financially balanced, and free from major addictions like alcohol, etc. We particularly want carpenters, farmers, and Permaculture enthusiasts.

If you are interested in humane livestock keeping, animal husbandry, chickens, cheese, keifer, yogurt making, gardening, canning, freezing, herbal medicine and have a deep commitment to personal and spiritual growth.. we want to meet you!

Regular house meetings create an inviting, respectful, conscious way of keeping the all-important lines of communication open and flowing.

Practicing nonviolent communication, loving kindness, empathy, and humor with rewarding hard work inspires our daily process of living together. We all need our space, too, and there are several housing options and ways of creating what we need individually.

Give us a call and come visit if you resonate with Juniper Hill Farm's purpose and goals.

Contact:

Alisande
Schoolhouse Rd
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 United States
Phone: 413-259 1730

Links:

http://Juniper Hill Farm: in process

View Map of Locations
for this Community

Former/Other Names: Living Arts Farm

This page last updated:1/7/2013

Visitors Accepted

(We welcome visitors who are seriously looking to live in community in Western Mass)

Visitor Process: Please email us a detailed description of yourself and your situation. We will email or call you back and set up a time to visit. Looking forward to meeting.

Affiliations: Sirius Community

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community fits the legal definition of "housing for older persons" * and thus we may restrict membership/residency to those of a certain age and may have limits on child membership/residency in accordance with the law. Our community does not discriminate based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or domestic abuse.

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.

Because our housing is a single housing unit and requires the sharing of bathroom, kitchen and common space membership/residency may be restricted based on sex/gender in accordance with the law. Our community does not discriminate based on race/color, national origin, religion, 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 domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 7 (with room to grow) Non-member Residents: 2 Open to new members: Yes (exploring members can rent a room or an apartment to get a feel for what it is like living here.)	Government Decision Making: By a group of elders or other leaders (We practise conscious communication and find that listening/sharing our hopes, feelings and goals informs the decision making process.) Identified Leader: No (Owner who runs the farm has financial say. Investing in the farm by other members is encouraged and leads to more shared decision making.) Leadership Core Group: Yes (Yes. The longer and more invested people are the more input they have in decision making.)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances (Members are encouraged to be fully involved with the goat herd and chicken care. People eager to explore the joys of having your own dairy and eggs are most welcome.) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes (If you can pay and work as everyone else does.) Labor Contribution: Expected (If a community member wants a share in the gardens, organic eggs, etc then yes. Everyone helps with cleaning the house, taking care of the chickens, goats, gardening etc.) Join Fee: Yes ($25) Regular Fees: Yes (If you want a share in a new business here yes.)
Land and Buildings Rural (near 5 college area in Western/Central Mass.) Area: 9.4 acres (3.8 hectares) (Some open meadows, gardens, trail, woods, stream, bog) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (Family who built the house 15 years ago owns the house and land. Thinking of non-profit, land trust) Number of Residences: 1 (Large sunny contemporary farmhouse, trailor) Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (developing more gardens, greenhouses, etc each year) Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Seldom used	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes (some of us like to go to circle dances, dance spree, kirtan, yoga,etc. unity church, Sirius community events,) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): (All)

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Become an Editor Current editor(s): Alisande

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