After watching the Dancing Rabbit Eco-Village episode of “30 Days” yesterday, I decided to do a bit more research on other eco-villages.
The first one I found was Earthaven, in the Southern Appalachians of North Carolina. This eco-village was founded in 1994 and covers 320 acres near Ashville. Right now, Earthaven has 60 members (50 of who live on the land), but they are hoping to grow to 150 people with 54 homesites. Eventually, they hope to have neighborhoods, businesses, orchards, market gardens, and wetlands. Right now, they have roads, footpaths, bridges, campgrounds, ponds, constructed wetlands, off-the-grid power systems, gardens, several dwellings, homes, a kitchen-dining room, and a Council Hall. The Council Hall is used because the community is governed by a consensus, a Council, and a committee structure.
Earthaven owns the land, and then leases homesites to members of the community. There are approximately half a dozen kids at Earthaven, with most of the children being homeschooled. However, unlike some communes, the families don’t co-parent.
Like Dancing Rabbit, they strive to be as sustainable as possible. They also focus on healthy social relations and diverse spirituality. But, unlike Dancing Rabbit, which seemed mostly vegan, Earthaven has members that are omnivores and even raise their own livestock.
The businesses in Earthaven include a plant nursery, a carpentry and home construction company, tool-rental, solar, plumbing and electrical installation, wooden craft items, and consultants for building your home or building.
The community has workshops and events for their residents, including a “Make Love Not War” presentation and a workshop on “Wise Women Herbal Immersion.” From June 11 – 17, they have an Earthaven Visitor Week Experience. And like other communities, Earthaven residents have their own music jams, movie nights, dances, parties, and even an occasional wedding.
Visitors are welcome on alternating Saturdays and can sign up to take a class. Like Dancing Rabbit, Earthaven has a live and work arrangement.