| Ashland Vineyard Community is an intentional community of six families sharing 40 acres of land, of which over 30 are held in common. We are a Quaker-oriented community, although not all of us are Quaker. Thus we make our decisions using consensus, and we incorporate the Friends' traditions of silence and attentiveness to the spirit in our routine business. Our purpose is to foster an environment where our families may live simply in an atmosphere that encourages personal growth, inward spiritual insight, and outward expression of commitment.
We maintain separate family households but we share meals, chores, transportation, and equipment we use to maintain the gravel road, fields, pond, and woods. We have only one rule, the "no gossip rule." This means that "we aspire to speak of others without malice or self-serving interest and to speak directly and lovingly with each other about concerns." This rule has deeply enriched our lives together by building trust and safety. With the knowledge that we always know when there is a problem and we always work it out, we have been able to form deeply satisfying relationships. The community is restricted to six family units by county zoning law. Openings are available when a family leaves. There have been two openings since the community began in 1986. | Contact: 12456 Ashland Vineyard Ln
Ashland, Virginia 23005-7446 United States
Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses) |
Population Members(adults and children): 15 Open to new members: Yes (Space is available only when a family leaves.) | Government Decision Making: By consensus Leadership Core Group: No | Labor and Money Labor Contribution: Expected (We maintain 40 acres of land, a pond, and a long gravel road together. Regular workdays are scheduled for this work. We also have committees to plan events such as retreats and workdays.) Join Fee: Yes (Members must purchase an individual house to become part of the community.) Regular Fees: Yes (monthly dues for maintenance of the property) | Land and Buildings Rural Area: 39.9 acres (16.1 hectares) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (Each owner has a restrictive covenant in the deed, allowing personal use of 1.5 acres, with the rest defined as an easement for community use.) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% Share Community Meals: 1 time/week Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally | Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes (Not all members are Quaker but we practice Quaker principles in conducting community business.) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Quaker Educational Style(s): Public schooled | |
