Farms and Gardens at Earthaven

How do we intend to use the magic, technology, work, recreation, and service that is known as agriculture? Being a community of diverse individuals, our perspectives on this might range from “we should produce everything we eat on the 320 acres that is our current home,” to “we should keep the land forested and import our food from elsewhere” to “food should be our major export for trade.”  Being a community whose land is commonly owned, and that governs itself by consensus, we must seek some common ground in the middle of our field of perspectives, approximated as “we intend to use agriculture to provide sustenance and livelihood for ourselves, through a regenerative relationship with Earth, peaceful trade with our neighbors, and demonstration of our values.”  Our agriculture will enhance, rather than diminish the fertility of the soil and the biodiversity of our ecosystem, while reducing our detriment to the world, thereby exemplifying ecological sustainability.  Through production for both self-sufficiency and commerce, we may achieve a balance of imports and exports that is in equilibrium and therefore economically sustainable.  Connecting with the world around us, through exchange of goods and information, and with each other, through interdependent cultivation strategies and celebration around planting and harvest, we may ensure our social sustainability.  By evolving a common creation myth that is grounded in our context, both environmental and historical, we may find ourselves in a culture that can be replicated and perpetuated. As Earthaven member Chris Farmer says, “May we bring the consequences of our lives within the horizons of our lived experience.”  Only then will we sense in common our connection to the source of our lives.

Gateway Farm Gateway Farm comprises five beautiful acres of bottomland adjacent to the Earthaven gate. The farm is a growing demonstration of integrated agriculture, incorporating pasture-raised sheep and poultry, annual and perennial plants, forestry, and biofuel production. Finish lumber for sale.

Imani Farm Imani Farm is a 1.3-acre pasture-based homestead farm in the center of the community. It is adjacent to and operated by residents of Village Terraces Cohousing Neighborhood. Imani farm produces pasture-raised livestock including chickens, ducks, and cows as well as edible and medicinal perennials.

The Peace Garden The Peace Garden, a work in progress begun in the winter of 2007, is situated at the heart of the community, yet in a secluded area where bamboo grows and two creeks converge. It is easy to find, directly across from the Visitor Kiosk and in front of the 2nd bridge. The intent of the garden is to create a place of quiet refuge in the midst of the marvelous but intense activity of our village. All are welcome at any time. It will have a peace pole, pathways, benches, fruit trees, and a living fence to separate it from a parking lot.

Stones' Earthship Home Gardens Sue and Geoffrey Stone's hand-built Earthship (house made of recycled tires) boasts a beautiful Home Garden. The artist/builders are pictured here in front of their retaining wall garden of hanging plants such strawberries and herbs, also made from recycled tires.

Trout Pond The Trout Pond is located across from the hydro-power station and is stocked with hundreds of trout. We thoroughly enjoy fishing for and eating these beauties when they grow to full size.

Useful Plants Nursery Useful Plants Nursery is a small, permaculture-based nursery selling to a retail market, specializing in useful, phytonutritional food and medicine plants well-adapted to our southern Appalachian mountains and surrounding bioregions.

Village Terraces Neighborhood Gardens The Village Terraces Neighborhood Gardens are located on the south side of our buildings, so it's hard to see it from the road. Here's a look at the beauty and bounty that a cooperative group can produce.

Yellowroot Farm Julie and Andy run Yellowroot Farm from their farm base in the Hut Hamlet. Here they are with their early spring starts of kale and lettuce standing in front of their passive-solar-designed greenhouse, made from Earthaven lumber, recycled glass, and plaster exterior. The greenhouse is so efficient it requires no additional heat source besides the sun.