Farm Fresh November 2021: The Land, The Garden

Farm Fresh News - November 2021

In this issue:

The Land, The Trust
The Farm as a Spiritual Community
Introducing The Garden

Nesting - cut paper by Bernice Davidson

Dear Friends,

November and the fall begin a time of reflection for those of us in the northern hemisphere, a bit slowing down to express gratitude. In this issue, I bring to you an overview and closer look at our relationship to the land and the spiritual beliefs that form the fabric that holds it all together.

People write to The Farm every week to ask about moving here, and well, we have to inform them that it is a long and detailed process. Things are not like they were in the 1970s. A lot has changed in the world.

But perhaps in every generation there are those called to try something different, a so-called radical step outside the confines of western capitalism. The Garden is just such an experiment in alternative living. It might just be the right fit for some of you who are seeking community in these challenging times.

Peace,
Douglas

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The Land

For those of us here in Tennessee, and throughout The Farm family all across the world, the land of The Farm is considered one of our highest achievements, like the building of a great cathedral, something that we hope will endure for generations.

It is the land that holds our home in Tennessee together, the reason that the Community still exists. Those of us who stayed after The Changeover dedicated our lives to saving the land. Its deep forests are a place where people go to heal, to grieve, to fall in love, to find peace. It is a place where many have been born, lives are lived, and the symbol of a dream, that all people may someday live in peace and harmony with each other.

The Trust

When the land was originally purchased, it was put in the name of 3 random individuals from the community, truly relying on trust. Over the decades we came to realize we could and should do better, creating a legal Land Trust that could protect the land in perpetuity. We worked on the document for 10 years, our legal team from The Farm working closely with experts in land trust law. I was part of a team of around 10 or more community members that met regularly to craft its wording

From the web page describing the Trust:

“The Trust defines our relationship as stewards, not owners of the land.

The Trust has a stated purpose, which recognizes the streams, hills and even the wind as having inherent value and it is our responsibility to protect these things.”

If you would like to read the Trust document, click here.

Is The Farm a Spiritual Community?

The Farm Community is made up of many individuals, each with their own vision and ideas about spirituality as it applies to their daily life. It was founded on the principle that we respect all religions and practices. There are many basic agreements that were telepathically understood. However, in an effort to avoid the creation of dogma and ritual, no formal document exists that totally defines the spiritual beliefs of The Farm.

Some years ago, several members of The Farm Membership Committee endeavored to create such a document, researching through previously published books and materials to identify statements that could still ring true for most members of the community. Although we make no claim that it represents every person completely, we present it here to give you some concept of our original beliefs and agreements.

"As a church, we live in community and our reverence for life has always been central to our ways. Within The Farm Community, people live together and pursue a spiritual path that includes, but are not limited to, the following common beliefs and agreements:"

https://thefarmcommunity.com/beliefs-and-agreements/

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Introducing The Garden

A little over a year ago, I learned of an on-going experiment in community, a group of 15 to 50 living a couple of hours north of us in Tennessee, a community called The Garden.

From their web site:

"The Garden is an egalitarian, alternative, leaderless (leaderful) community, propagating a culture of sharing, freedom, and cooperation."

Formerly known as Shut Up and Grow It, The Garden strikes me as Occupy Wall Street political awareness merged with permaculture principles in the generational endeavor to create a sustainable economy outside the mainstream.

Check them out on Facebook

The Garden has been able to make it work for nearly 10 years, with an open structure. They host regular gatherings on the land for those interested in creating similar communities. The Garden is actively pursuing the purchase of more land in other places to create a network of communities located in different parts of the country. Visit their website

I had the opportunity to meet with several folks when they visited The Farm a while back. I had planned to go see The Garden and then the Pandemic shut things down. I still want to make the trip sometime, ideally to attend a gathering and explore this fresh energy in community.

Here is a link to one of their most recent videos that will give you a better look at this enthusiastic and idealistic endeavor.

Watch the video: Free Land, Free People

Watch the video: Free Land, Free People

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A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
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Check out my newsletter archive, going back to 2012!

Peace,

Douglas

Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com