Communities Directory: Dancing Waters Permaculture Co-op

Formed: 1982 Established: 1983

Dancing Waters Permaculture Co-op

Gays Mills, Wisconsin,

United States

Dancing Waters Permaculture Co-op is on 130 acres in the beautiful hills and hollows of southwestern Wisconsin. We are 9 adults and 3 children owning land and buildings in common. Primary focuses include annual and perennial communal gardening, building, and learning how to live in harmony long term with each other and with the land. We use the ideas of permaculture in our building, gardens, hayfields, orchard, woodlots, and relationships. We grapple with the practical challenge of implementing sustainable practices in the face of the many counter forces in our society.

Decisions are made by consensus. We gather twice monthly for a potluck and meeting. There are usually a few additional common meals each month. Individual and family housing units are clustered so we bump into each other as we go about our daily lives, sharing food, meals, work, childcare, song, and spirit on an informal basis. We feel like an extended family.

Individuals follow a variety of spiritual paths and diets. Some individuals make their incomes at home while some have jobs off the land. Income is not shared. Each adult buys a share which can be paid over a period of time,as well as paying a monthly fee for group expenses.

We are surrounded by an extensive alternative community, including food co-ops, community center, Waldorf school,extensive alternative healing community, many small non-profit organizations, and the headquarters of USA's largest producer-owned organic food pool (Organic Valley).

We are in the process of visioning our short-term and long-term future. The possibilities include attracting young people, assisting budding communities, educating about community, inspiring others to live this idea, increasing alternative energy use, more common meals,expanding our communal spaces, improving infrastructure to support aging in our community and continuing to improve group processes. We are open to helping other groups get started by providing advice and copies of our legal documents and policies.

We are blessed with a stable membership but have occasional openings. Visitors are required to make advance arrangements.

Contact:

Rikardo Jahnke
43188 Guthrie Rd
Gays Mills, Wisconsin 54631-8266 United States
Phone: 608-872-2407, 608-872-2498
Send an Email

Former/Other Names: (Former Line 2: Permaculture Co-op)

Last Updated:6/7/2007

Visitors Accepted

(Must contact in advance first, with adequate notice (at least two weeks, if possible))

Visitor Process: Call, email, or write to us (Rikardo is "seekers" contact) with as much pertinent info as you can. (ie-what is your intention? When coming? How long a visit?

Affiliations:

Network Affiliations:

Fellowship for Intentional Community

Population Adult Members: 9 Child Members: 2 Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new adults: No Open to new children: No Gender Balance: 44% M 56% F Open to which gender(s): All genders welcome Ethnic Diversity: 0% identify as 'people of color' Age Focus: No Focus Age Restrictions: No	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances (Expenses shared equally) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected Join Fee: No (must buy a share but can do so over time) Regular Fees: Yes (Currently $170-200/mo./adult)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 130 acres (52.6 hectares) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 4 Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (closer to 20%) Share Community Meals: (Twice monthly potluck/meetings; a few other common meals most months) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (no policy) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (some members are vegetarian) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: (No smokers but no outright prohibitioon)	Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No Shared Spiritual Path: No Which Spiritual Path(s): Buddhist :: Paganism/Earth Religions :: Eastern :: Quaker :: Jewish :: Ecumenical (includes "all religions") :: Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions) (individuals follow a variety of paths, incl skeptic; fundamentalism not welcome; some community events include spiritual practices) Educational Style(s): Private school off the property :: Public schooled (Children have attended Waldorf & public schools)

Become an Editor Current editor(s): dwpermaculture, lamarjanes

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