Ruby Farms :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 2010 Established: 1990

This page last updated:5/30/2012

Ruby Farms

Ruby, Alaska,

United States

We are a small group of people working in the Native Alaskan village of Ruby on the banks of the Yukon River to promote and develop agricultural practices while preserving traditional Athabaskan ways of living. Our current home base is a half-acre in Ruby (population 200) on which we garden root vegetables, corn, tomatoes, and a variety of greens, as well as raise turkeys, chickens, ducks, bees, and this year we are attempting to raise three Nigerian Dwarf goats. We also support ourselves through trade in the local community as well as harvesting King (Chinook) Salmon, hunting bear and moose, and collecting wild edibles.

We are always looking to incorporate new hands and energies into our community, as we attempt to educate the native villagers about agriculture and sustainability, while holding on to their traditional hunting and cultural practices. For as long as you decide to join us and work on the various projects we maintain around the community, we are happy to house you and feed you.

Ed is the Natural Resources department for the tribe in Ruby, and as such works with fish and wildlife laws, community programs and deals with tribal government. He is also a certified adobe builder. His wife, Evelyn, is a Pueblo Indian from Taos and together they have lived all over intentional communities in the Southwest and other regions since the 1970's.

Kyle is a studying Alaska Native Rural Development at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and Karen is a schoolteacher. Also involved are Ed and Evelyn's grandchildren and various members of the community.

Status: Always Looking For More Help

Website: http://gem-of-the-yukon.tumblr.com

Contact:

Ed Sarten
PO Box 210
Ruby, Alaska 99768 United States

Links:

Ruby, Alaska: Gem of the Yukon: A blog about life in Ruby maintained by Kyle

Workaway Page: Our ad on workaway.info

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:5/30/2012

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Anyone who is interested in visiting, or would just like to learn more about Native Alaska or life in the bush, should check out the blag at gem-of-the-yukon.tumblr.com and/or e-mail Ed at esarten@yahoo.com

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): 5 Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: Other (Everyone is encouraged to act on their ideas, and is given the support and resources of the community.) Identified Leader: Yes (Ed and Evelyn to a limited extent) Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Other (Work is exchanged for food and housing, all finances independent) Labor Contribution: Expected ((as needed)) Join Fee: No Regular Fees: No
Land and Buildings Rural (Alaskan wilderness, as rural as you can get.) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (Ed and Evelyn own the main house) Number of Residences: 2 (Main house, tipi in the yard, plenty of room for camping, and possible independent living.)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: over 50% Share Community Meals: Nearly all meals Dietary Choice or Restrictions: We all share a common diet (Eat what you want, pass on what you don't. We can accomodate vegetarians, but a vegan diet might be difficult.) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Seldom used (Very rarely used by community members, but Ruby does have its drinkers like anywhere.) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (Up to you. No smoking in the house, though.)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Native American :: Buddhist :: Paganism/Earth Religions :: Eastern :: Protestant/Lutheran :: Emissaries :: Quaker :: Roman Catholic :: Hutterian Brethren :: Sufi :: Jewish :: Unitarian Universalist :: Muslim :: Ecumenical (includes "all religions") :: Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions) :: Other Educational Style(s): Public schooled

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Become an Editor Current editor(s): rubyak

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