Bug Hill Farm :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 2010

This page last updated:10/20/2011

Bug Hill Farm

Ashfield, Massachusetts,

United States

Want to try co-housing first? We are renting rooms in our farm house as we seek to form a co-housing, cooperative farming community on 50 acres in the highlands of western Ma, 1 mile from Ashfield Village. Work on farm is not required: just a passionate interest in local foods!

Ashfield is an exceptional community and the five college Pioneer Valley region is incredibly supportive of local foods and small farms. Existing: large farmhouse in great condition with potential to re-configure into two family, potential for 2 small house sites, I have a berry/value added products business selling to stores and at farmers markets. There is 72'long greenhouse I grow berries and niche crops in for market. Raised veggie/fruit beds, many mature native highbush blueberries and about 3 acres of old fields. Miles of maintained trails accessed from backyard. Cropland in Chapter 61A, Woodland in Chapter 61 with forest stewardship plan that emphasizes wildlife management. Would love those who enjoy working in the woods (including using a chainsaw - or willing to learn to use one!) for cutting cordwood and making/clearing trails.

My background: Conway School of Landscape Design grad, MS in environmental edu/conservation biology from Antioch, undergrad plant science/horticulture from UNH. Very involved in local community and our open and confirming remarkable church. Dietarilly (there's a new word!) and spiritually omnivorous. I like to work and play hard and wish to laugh more. I am looking for two to six mature, like minded individuals or couples who have love and respect for the land, varied interests, and an independent income and/or savings who are capable of initial investment in farmhouse or house sites. Working with Land for Good on legals and financials, and prefer land to be owned in common with individuals owning their own housing.

If interested in growing for markets, land is more suitable for permaculture type crops than traditional row crops of veggies, and goats rather than sheep. Currently honeybees, chickens and turkeys. I like community AND privacy believing that co-housing can and should have plenty of time and planned spaces for both.

Website: http://www.bughillfarm.org

Contact:

Kate
POB 516
Ashfield, Massachusetts 01330 United States
Phone: 413-628-3980

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

This page last updated:10/20/2011

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Call or email ahead preferably with a few days notice

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.

Our community does not provide land or housing and is therefore not subject to fair housing laws.

Housing in our community is incidental to employment and therefore fair housing laws do not apply (though employment discrimination laws may).

Population Members(adults and children): 4 Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: Yes Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: (gardening/farming/land stewardship) Join Fee: No Regular Fees: No
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 50 acres (20.2 hectares) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (what current owner desires for forming community) Number of Residences: 1 (potential for more)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 21-50% (food grown for markets, too) Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (Cooperatively cooking at dinnertimes as group decides) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally (personal discretion) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (no smoking in main residence)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No (working outside is one of my spiritual practices) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): (personal choices) Educational Style(s): Public schooled

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Own Site

(50 acres with large farmhouse)

Number of Units:

Forming: potential for 4 on existing land and within existing farmhouse

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Become an Editor Current editor(s): KateKerivan

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