| Sacred Earth Foundation is a non-profit, community-stewarded land trust. It is one of the few land conservancy groups that has formally identified its approach and values to be "spiritual" in nature, believing that the earth is sacred and must be treated accordingly.
Our Mission:
To hold Sacred Earth Foundation lands in trust, to steward with reverence, and to teach sustainable living to children of all ages.
Our community of earth stewards is currently in a state of growth and evolution. We are redefining our decision-making and leadership processes after the passing of our founder in Dec 2007, transitioning to dispersed leadership and seeking to add more wonderful people to the mix.
Our community infrastructure consists of three discrete "homesteads" at somewhat independent locations on the land.
The "Valley" is the hub and headquarters for Ekone. Our summer camp takes place here, and most of Sacred Earth Foundation's activities revolve around the Valley. Buildings here include the Lodge (part open-air, part private residence currently occupied by a single long-term woman, part guest accommodations), the Cabin (currently vacant, sweet self-contained home for single person, couple, or small, intimate family), the Skyfort (vacant in November, large apartment above our shop, self-contained, larger than the Cabin), large shop, a bunkhouse ajoining our strawbale "Roundhouse" where one short-term woman and 4-year-old will winter, our "camp kitchen" aka the Yummy Tummy Cafe, and a small bathhouse. There is also an RV hookup. The Valley is off the grid, powered by a combination of diesel generator, solar and wind.
"Heavenly Heights" is just up the driveway from the Valley, and is a newer addition to the land trust. This homestead is just coming into the Ekone fold, with its first Ekone resident moving into a yurt there this fall, winter horse pastures being created, and plans for renovating the dilapidated old house. The Heights is on the grid.
The "Hacienda" is 1.5 mi from the Valley by road, and the private residence of a long-term couple.
We would like to find new residents for the Cabin and Skyfort before winter sets in for good! Please email sacredearth (at) ekone.org for more information. | |
Population Non-member Residents: 2 (Mother & 4-year-old) Open to new adults: Yes (Currently seeking new residents) Age Focus: No Focus (We would like to attract more residents under 40, but are open.) | Government Decision Making: By consensus (We strive for consensus as a community, though our Board uses majority rule.) Identified Leader: No Answer (We are working towards clearly identified leadership for various roles, but no single leader for everything.) Leadership Core Group: Yes (Our four long-term residents are the current leadership group. We also have some leadership from SEF's 9-member board of directors, which includes 3 residents.) | Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: No Answer (It would be situational, but this would be a concern.) Labor Contribution: Expected (16 hours/month per member) Regular Fees: No Answer (Stewardship fees are assigned to residences, please inquire for details.) | Land and Buildings Rural Area: 1300 acres (526.1 hectares) (Held in trust by Sacred Earth Foundation.) Land Owned By: Independent land trust (not controlled by the community) (Controlled by the SEF Board of Directors, which includes 3 community members at present.) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (Perhaps this much, hopefully more in the future!) Share Community Meals: 1-3 times/month (At minimum...sometimes more.) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (We like organic, local, happy food, but aren't dogmatic about it.) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Used Occasionally (We have one smoker, and would like to discourage smoking, but again, we aren't dogmatic as long as people are appropriately conscientious.) | Social Factors Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No Shared Spiritual Path: No (We have a spiritual but non-religious approach.) Educational Style(s): (Public or homeschooling are both options.) | |
