As we move into an age of global warming
and peak oil, we are frequently reminded of the finite nature of our
planet and its resources. We have been careless about the
preservation of our land and water. The buffering capacity of
the atmosphere has been degraded. Because of short-sighted
policies our energy supply is in jeopardy. Life is becoming
increasingly difficult for people on the economic margins, especially
in urban areas.
What can be done? Americans
have always found the countryside attractive. The growth of
suburbia illustrates this preference, but too often people carry a
consumer lifestyle with them into the suburbs. Recently
ecovillages have emerged where, in contrast to suburbia, people try to
live in a more ecological manner. Sunflower Ecovillage is
focused on the productive use of land and is being organized for local
self-reliance in food production. Members of this community
will be strongly encouraged to build energy-efficient homes that are
dependent on renewable energy.
Sunflower
Ecovillage is a proposed development on a scenic farm in
southwest Michigan near Bangor and about 10 miles from Lake Michigan.
A railroad runs through the back of the property, neatly
separating the farm fields from the beautiful mature and diversified
woodland with many maple and red oak trees along the Black River.
Theland
had been managed as a cattle farm using organic methods so that soil
fertility was maintained.
The plan is to sell lots of 1/2 to 3
acres in size on which members of the community would build their own
"green" houses. These lots are clustered in one area so that
the bulk of the land is preserved as a commons. It will be
available to members of the community for recreational and practical
uses.
The first phase of this development is
being planned on 68 acres of land that had been part of a diversified
family farm and, since the 1970's, a living-learning School of
Homesteading under the tutelage of Maynard Kaufman. Maynard
and his wife, Barbara, have recently built an off-grid house on
adjoining land as a demonstration of their commitment to renewable
energy.
An additional 52 acres, which includes a
lovely three-acre pond, has recently been placed on the market and
Maynard and Barbara are currently negotiating the purchase of this land.
This would be the second phase of the development, hopefully
within a year. With this 52 acre tract the total area of the
development would be about 120 acres with about 80 acres of common
land. Around 30 home sites are planned for the total
development.
Let us know of your interest and
suggestions! We enjoy living here and we think you would to.
Wikipedia Definition of Ecovillage
Do not confuse ecovillage
with commune,
another
type of intentional
community. An
ecovillage is
comprised of wholly separate households each on privately
owned land who hold similar ecological and environmental values and
unite in a shared governance of the commons.
This jointly owned land (80 acres in this case) will have
deeded restrictions defining its use based on sound sustainable
ecological principles.
