The Structure

My thinking in the numbers is thus:

8 core people, 4 areas, teams of 2 so we can switch off for holidays.
Area 1:: Construction & Maintenance - these are our handy, can do anything folks.
Area 2:: Gardens & Permaculture - they can grow parsley and raspberries though not necessarily together
Area 3:: Animals - general care, milking, breeding, slaughtering all those fun furry, feathered things.
Area 4:: Textiles & Cooking – sewers & bakers required, whole food preparation & storage is crucial.

There will be a forward facing component to the property. This may be as small as an acre or as large as 5 acres but will be devoted to community based activities where the ‘public’ can be invited to join in a range of activities from celebration to meditation.
This will start as a hall, workshop/studio, sweat, community garden, kitchen, stage, outhouses, cabins, camping area, sauna etc sort of community based structures.

There will be an animal component to the property. Animals that are to be used are sheep, goats and chickens for their size, ease of handling, breeding, feeding and slaughtering. They require shelter which can be simple, small and secluded. They don’t need large amounts of flat pasture as they are grazers and do well on a hillside and in maintaining yards and gardens. We hope to however acquire flat grazing land for finishing animals and a possible income stream.

There will be a permaculture component to the property. Plants that take a long time to mature and are bountiful long after they are established is to be thought out carefully and planted with this in mind. Focus is on tree fruits and swales initially with the addition of berries and herbs and other shrubberies later on creating a forest of food. Ducks are hoped to be included in the food forest as pest management and a food source.

All of the property with the exception of the forward facing element is to be secret, unspoken or seen except between members. Discussion about the properties size is only ever mentioned at 5 acres with the primary hall on that site and the additional cabins for guest use.

The focus of the co-op is yet to be determined but my thoughts are sustainability and community.

Some more technical mumbo jumbo…..

Decisions will be made collectively by consensus of all members present at meetings. Should a member choose to not attend a meeting they will forfeit their opinion. Members missing more than three meetings (without prior arrangement) will forfeit their membership and animals to the remaining co-op members. Meetings will be held on an as needed basis.

The sale of dairy or meat products from the village is strictly forbidden. This will not be tolerated and will get your butt kicked out of the co-op faster than you can say ‘Charlie’. However sharing your bounty with your friends and encouraging them to enjoy the benefits of real grass fed food and joining the co-op is encouraged.

That’s it in a nutshell. If it all sounds cool to you then please get in touch with me and let’s talk. I’d love to start making this happen.