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Forming Formed: 2009
Betterfields
New Zealand
(We are a newly forming community and do not have a location yet. We are interested in Ocean access with a long growing season.)
United States
 We are a growing group of people in the USA who are forming a Sustainable Community in New Zealand. We are looking for people who are committed to the support of each other and are determined to build a Living Quality of Life that; With the knowledge of Science and a strong respect of Nature; Together we can provide for Ourselves nearly all our needs. People pulling together our talent's to provide our own Community Utilities, Fresh clean Water, Gas for cooking and Electricity, Solar and wind science for the production of Electricity and Heat. All from Sustainable Natural Resources. Principles of Sustainability touch everything; From our home’s methods of construction, heating and cooling, to the organic meat and produce on your table that was raised or grown by any one of us in the community. We hold the notion that a community is a living part of its natural surroundings, not something to be built at nature's expense. From the ground up, we've taken a new look at community development, and base our design on principles of Environmental Sustainability. Come check us out!
 
Website: http://www.permaculture.webs.com/
Contact:
Richard Swain
United States

Email This Community!
Last Updated:11/22/2009
 
Visitors Not Accepted
 (The only way to visit us at this time is on our web page.)
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):
(We expect to have between 20-45 families living in our community.)
Non-member Residents:
(We should be able to house 5-15 non-members. ie. wwoofers and guests.)
Open to new members:
Yes
(We are seeking new members; and "people of interest" to the community, ie. Doctors, Acupuncturist, Dentist , etc.)
Government
Decision Making:
Other
(During planning and construction, decisions are made by founding members with professional inputs. Once infrastructure is established a Village Council and members will plot direction based on sustainable principles set up by the Betterfields Foundation.)
Identified Leader:
No
(Village Council and members will plot direction based on sustainable principles set up by the Betterfields Foundation.)
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
(During the planning phase everyone can and should voice their inputs, During construction professional inputs and Village Council and members will plot direction based on sustainable principles set up by the Betterfields Foundation.)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(In the Betterfields community we will supply our own food and utilities. This will create many job opportunities for us all. You and a few other friends may work in the horticulture dept. harvesting food, then that food is later sold to an outside food vendor. A percent of that profit will go to the Betterfields Foundation to offset cost of the communities infrastructure; community member grant money for a business start-up and/or charity outside the village. The remaining will be given to those who worked in the production of that Food System. Multiple schemes are being looked into supplying an income base on levels of work.)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(You and a few other friends may work in the horticulture dept. harvesting food, then in the afternoon you and others may work in the Utilities dept. or harvest Fish. Work loads will very from day to day depending on your interest and talents. Daily working hours will be kept to a minimum. ie. 4-6 hours per day.)
Join Fee:
No
(No fees are expected for joining at this time.)
Regular Fees:
No Answer
(The community as a whole will have to purchase the land and pay for the installation / equipment for our infrastructure; where ever we can supply our free labor, we will save. Once established, we all will pay to repair infrastructure that we can’t fix ourselves.)
Land and Buildings
(Every effort will be made to locate our community near major emergency services and social conveniences that we can not provide early on.)
Area:
305.4 acres (123.6 hectares)
(We are looking for land opportunities in New Zealand along the coast.)
Land Owned By:
Community-controlled land trust
(A community land trust is being looked into. Individual land ownership is important to us all and every effort will be made to that end.)
Number of Residences:
25
(The first phase of building will accommodate 15-25 plus homes; pavilion and a business district of stores/shops to maintain a business connection with surrounding communities. Further growth will be determined by public interest and land impact.)
Cohousing:
No
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
over 50%
(We need to grow and raise as much of our own food as possible, including animals and fish culture. The more food verities we grow the greater the opportunities to create income streams for ourselves.)
Share Community Meals:
(Community members can eat together as often as community members organize these events. Events will feature free range boar; turkey and pheasant. Including a verity of farm raised fish and shrimp will be available for planed events; our community restaurant and for your private home cooked meals.)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
(Every effort will be made to encourage a noted chef to join our community for the Village Street Restaurant and pavilion events. as our Village will support local tourism.)
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
(Smoking is not encouraged in our community; Restricted in public areas.)
Social Factors
Common Spiritual Practices:
No
(Historically, a village is not a village unless it has a church. A non-denominational church would do well for the village on many levels. Weddings for tourist is another income stream for the community members.)
Which Spiritual Traditions(s):
Other
(Members follow their own spiritual traditions.)
Educational Style(s):
(Education of our children and adults will be held as a high priority in order to foster leadership within and outside our community.)
 
 
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