A living laboratory for a sustainable human future.

Savings Loan Pool

 

On June 11, 2020, fourteen Earthaven members and neighbors formed the Earthaven Valley Business Savings Loan Pool – the first savings loan pool at Earthaven and the first savings loan pool formed with the mentorship of Co-operate WNC.

In a savings loan pool, a group of people saves money and loans it to other pool members. In our case, the pool intends to support existing and forming businesses in the valley. In addition to providing a source of interest-free loans and a way to invest in our community, members support each other through mentorship and peer review of project plans.

Savings loan pools are a common form of mutual aid, practiced all around the world. In North Carolina, many savings loan pools provided a way for Black people to save and pool their funds when they didn’t have access to commercial credit. Our savings pool project was catalyzed by Co-operate WNC, a non-profit organization dedicated to harnessing cooperative economics and ecological design.

Co-operate WNC, loans, mutual aid, savings loan pool

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Upcoming Events

Virtual Earthaven Tour

Saturday, April 22 @ 2 – 4 pm ET

There’s nothing like experiencing ecovillage life first hand, but taking a virtual tour of Earthaven is a close second! 

The tour highlights ways in which Earthaven is striving to be a holistic, sustainable culture. The introductory overview tour examines the concept of sustainability at Earthaven through social, ecological, and economic lenses. Not only will you get a glimpse of what has worked through time, but also hear about what has been challenging. And you will have a chance to ask questions!

Doug Elliott with Groundhog

Storytelling Concert and Dinner with Doug Elliott

March 31, 2023

Buzzard Wrestling, Turtle Chasing, and Other Wild Tales

Stories, songs, and lore celebrating our human connection to some amazing wild critters. The program is flavored with lively tunes, fantastic folklore, natural history fact stranger than fiction, and more than a few belly laughs.

Playing at the Reaching Nature Connection Conference

Reaching Nature Connection Conference

April 1-2, 2023

East Coast Outdoor Conference for Early Childhood Educators, Teachers, Counselors, Parents and Mentors.

With this year’s theme, Joyful Play, presenters Lia Grippo and Sharon Buczaczer will immerse participants in joyful singing and the freedom of play, all in the spirit of the young child.

Earthaven Ecovillage Experience Weekend

May 25-28, 2023

Do you want to learn skills, gain insights and get to know the Earthaven community? Get an inside look at the radical social and ecological experimentation that has taken place in this land-based community for over 27 years.