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Formed: 2004 Established: 2007
This page last updated:6/6/2012
Still Spirit Community Project
Floyd, Virginia,
United States
SummerBloom
 The still Spirit Community Project is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of south west VA.We are stewards to 20 acres of an original 150acre homestead farm which is over 90 years old. In 2004 Still Spirit Family farm purchased the land and began the transformation process of restoring the land, and original buildings into a small working homestead organic farm cultivating and raising heirloom produce, medicinal gardens and a variety of livestock. In 2006 the formation into an intentional neighborhood began with an aim to be self supporting, socially, environmentally and economically responsible utilizing best practices of stewardship while actively promoting cultural and artistic creativity.
Currently there are 3 house holds living and caring for the land here.
Sevral of us are Quakers though we hold no religious belief as an entire community. The families here home school and we have a school room in the common house.
We are currently looking for a few good folks who want to learn or share their knowledge with us and the land. We are seeking Farm and Apothecary interns and we have 2 apprenticeships available.
We are a FARM/Artist community and work is on some days from sun up to sun down with a midday heat rest. We are happy to give tours and have day visitors. Those planning to spend longer time here need to be prepared that this is indeed a life not for the faint of heart mind or back. Healthy communication and strong work ethics are important for folks wanting to come and stay with us.
As a young community we strive to be realistic about the resources that we have available to us as we grow. We are striving for a multi-generational community that will leave a healthy and vibrant community to future generations.
We have no illusions about the simple reality that many intentional communities from eco-villages to co-housing projects do not last for very long. Building community, founded and functioning in a holistic manor is a lot of hard work physically, mentally and emotionally. There seems to be a continuous ebb and flow of time, energy, patience and financial stability. It is our goal to be as authentic as we can with each other aspiring to live in harmony with one another and our environment, while holding a fundamental respect for all life. We feel that with simple living techniques and mutual support we can be good stewards of the land and improve both social and economic sustainability, with a high quality of life.
  Status: still here
Contact:
Sam Steffens
2841 Black Ridge rd
Floyd, Virginia 24091 United States
Phone: 540-593-2099
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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:6/6/2012
 
Visitors Accepted
 (Visitors welcome April to August)
Visitor Process: We welcome visitors to join us in the community April to August. We are happy to show you around the land, answer questions, share meals and tea with you and put a harvest basket in your arm or a hammer in your hand. If you would like to come for a day or an over night visit please contact us ahead of time as schedules very greatly around here and we want to be sure that some one is available to be present for you during your visit. It can also be difficult to stay in the flow of a day’s activities with folks stopping in unannounced, so please use your intuition and mindfulness when planning a visit, even a few hours notice is helpful. You can contact us any of three way: writing, e-mail or by phone. (see our contact page) What to bring We ask that all visitors planning to stay over night bring food, camping and sleeping equipment, a phone card, an open mind, willingness to pitch in and compassion in their heart. A suggested donation of $5 per night/adult to help with expenses ($0 for children) is suggested but we will not turn people away for lack of funds, after all every thing comes around in the end. The community shares one sometimes two meals a week where every one brings some food to share if they can and we enjoy cooking, eating, and cleaning up together, visitors are welcome at these meals. If you are visiting for the day donations are gratefully accepted, especially if you intend to stay for a meal. Community members, interns and visitors are welcome to host potlucks and share meals in the common house.We do ask that awareness and consideration is kept when using the common house space and the kitchen is cleaned up after use. We also strongly encourage visitors in helping out around the community with projects that are underway during your time with us. Examples may be working in the food or herb gardens, harvesting berries, feeding animals, gathering or chopping fire wood, painting murals, making land sculptures, cultivating a spring head, and maintaining walking trails or helping to processing food in the kitchen. There are always projects happening. There is also ample time daily to enjoy the cool creek, go hiking or sit in the shad and enjoy the abundance around us. Agreements We ask that all spaces and facilities used by visitors are in as good or better condition then as they found them We ask visitors to be mindful and responsible for their health and safety during their stay. Please do not come for a visit if you are ill, calling a head of time to see if any one in the community is currently ill will also support you and your family in staying healthy while helping the greater community in not spreading an illness. Please use common sense while you are here. We want every one to have a safe and enjoyable visit. If an accident happened and some one is hurt please let a community member know so that we can assist where needed and medical attention can be obtained quickly if it is needed. We are 45 minutes away from the nearest hospital facility. We ask that visitors respect the private spaces of the residence at Still Spirit. We ask that while visitors are sharing time here they agree to utilizing the community agreements that help foster a healthy living relationship at Still Spirit.
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):
6
Open to new members:
No Answer
(Starting Spring 2011)
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(Partial income shareing options)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(varies 2-6hrs/day)
Join Fee:
Yes
(after 2 years a buyin option is avalible)
Regular Fees:
Yes
(Help with utilities/ varies, lands use fee)
Land and Buildings
Rural
Area:
20 acres (8.1 hectares)
Land Owned By:
Individual community member(s)
Number of Residences:
3
(in process (cabins))
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
6-20%
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:
Used Occasionally
(restricted to outside and individuals homes)
Social Factors
Which Spiritual Traditions(s):
Quaker
(Quakers, Budhist, eclectic)
Educational Style(s):
Home schooling
 
 
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We happily link to the following organizations, all of whom share our strong commitment to promoting community and a more cooperative world:
Cohousing The Federation of Egalitarian Communities - Communes Coop Community Cooperative Sustainable Intentional North American Students of Cooperation Global Ecovillage Network
Special thanks to the sponsors of our Art of Community Events.
Bryan Bowan Architects California Cohousing NICA Wolf Creek Lodge