Harmony Woods Homesteading & Freedom Community

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Forming
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 2019

What we do

Harmony Woods is a forming community in rural northeast Alabama 30 mins from Chattanooga, TN that is based on sustainability, simple living and personal freedom. Why Chattanooga area?
1. Natural beauty. There are mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls in abundance.
2. Outdoor activities. Hiking, biking, kayaking (white water), boating, hang gliding, rock climbing, etc.
3. Moderate climate. Moderate climate = long growing season.
4. Abundant rainfall. This makes it easy to supply our needs with just water catchment. It also obviously reduces the need for crop irrigation.
5. Good soil for growing food.
6. Low cost of living.
7. More freedom and less restrictive building and zoning restrictions.
Our goals are to grow as much of our own food as possible and use as many local and free resources as possible to live lightly on the earth.
We are looking for open-minded, non-dogmatic , non-judgmental souls who share our values and are committed to the difficult work of transitioning to a life of authentic community.
As someone who has almost single-handedly built a rural homestead, I can tell you that this project is not for the faint of heart, the immature, or the lazy. The challenges can be overwhelming at times and take courage, strength, discipline and strong will. If that is not you, this project is not for you.
We need help in every aspect of community building including planning, marketing, construction, etc. Membership costs will be determined once infrastructure is installed but should be less than $10,000. Initially, there will be no up-front membership cost for those without financial means. Only a work exchange is required.

Our Mission

Harmony Woods is an ecovillage focused on the values of personal freedom, sustainability, land stewardship, conservation/minimalism, local resource use, cooperation/interdependence and education . We aspire to be an example of how humans can live in harmony with the earth as opposed to the current model of destruction of and fighting against nature.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Sustainability practices
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Activities
  • Property management
  • Farming
  • Education
  • Experiences
  • Services Business
  • Others

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2019
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2022
  • Started living together

Gallery

  • 2 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
6

How to join

Those seeking membership need to first fill out a “getting to know you” questionnaire. Then a visit will be required to meet members in person. Then members will vote on membership. Membership costs will be determined once infrastructure is installed. Initially, there will be no up-front membership cost for those without financial means. Only a work exchange is required. There will be a 6 month probation period and then each member will have to be approved by at least 90% of current members. If you are interested in being part of this community, please go to http://harmonywoods.net/how-does-it-work.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Please go to http://harmonywoods.net/how-does-it-work

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Decision-making process

  • Modified Consensus

Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Join fee: Yes
Regular fees: $20
Labor: Encouraged or suggested
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Dietary type

  • Vegetarian Only

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • Transition Town (post-petroleum and off-grid communities.)
  • School, Educational Institute or Experience
  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association
  • Ethical Business, Investment Group, or Alternative Currency
  • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

Gender composition

  • Majority cis (over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Mixed adults (few or no children)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a single individual, couple, or Family Trust

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Community type

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

Sustainability approach

  • Renewable energy systems

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • Up to 33%
  • Land area size
    10 acres

Guest Book

Written reviews are available for plus members. Click here to upgrade.

Location

  • Alabama, United States

Harmony Woods Homesteading & Freedom Community

Needs and Offers

Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace

Offer
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
1 month ago

3000sf House+Apartment, Rosewind Cohousing, Port Townsend WA

We are a retired couple who are downsizing, still living within the community. We are selling our large, flexible, comfortably rustic house, perfect for a multigenerational household, a family with kids or for 2 separate households. It’s 3000 square feet on 3 levels. The house is on a slope, with 2 main entrances. At one time it housed a large blended family. The current setup is a 2250 square foot, 2 bath main house with a 700 square foot rental apartment, also called an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU). There is a staircase between the main and lower floor, with a lockable door. If desired, the ADU kitchen can be removed. The main floor has a very large kitchen/dining area, large living room, two small bedrooms, a bathroom with 2 sinks and a shower, a laundry room and a large mudroom. The non-bearing wall between the 2 bedrooms can be removed to turn it back to a single primary bedroom. The top floor has two bedrooms, one of which is primary with a large bright sitting area, and a large open middle area between them (game room, TV room, kids sleeping area, etc.). There is a bathroom with a claw-foot tub, no shower. The lower floor is the ADU, a finished storage area and a stand-up “crawl space“ which is used as a second pantry and storage.Attached to the house there is also a 150 sq ft wood paneled office/hobby space with its own electric and propane lines. Features: – straw bale construction, which is energy-efficient, great sound insulation, and provides a warm, soft, feeling. -very large functional kitchen with a long granite countertop. The dining area fits 10 people. -natural construction, with solid maple floors in the middle and upper level, marmoleum floor in kitchen and oak floor in the lower level. The two small bedrooms have painted wood floors. The doors are all solid wood. -large, functional, low maintenance patio area. Room for a table for eight and an additional sitting area. Propane hook ups for grills and smokers.
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Promoted
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Communities with Openings
8 months ago

Worktrade Opportunities on Big Island Hawaii

We are continuing our work-trade program at Bridge Hawaii for the right people on this beautiful 86-acre land located along the Hāmākua Coast. Ideally, we want to host those individuals who can help with the garden and who can support with build projects for up to a 3 month stay. This work-trade would include lodging, food staples, community kitchen, running hot water showers, off-grid electricity, and laundry. There is access to high speed wi-fi. We often have a car that can be reserved. We also have full bar signal strength with Verizon cellphone service. We have about 2 acres of permaculture garden that needs to be cared for including; weeding, planting, picking up mulch, some tree trimming, ect. We are currently in a building stage on the land. We have a few current grant projects we are working on and some build projects that are underway. We are an intentional community with about 8 permanent residents. There are rescue dairy cows, mini cows, mini donkeys, horses, a donkey, cats, dogs, and active bee hives. We are a drug and alcohol “free” space. A glass of wine or beer with dinner is fine, but absolutely no day drinking or parties. We have a meditation temple and many waterfall pools that are wonderful for swimming. Close to some of the nicest beaches on island. We have snorkeling gear and a kayak. Since this is an animal sanctuary, we limit the consumption of meat on the land. Fish, eggs, honey, and dairy are fine. Let me know if you’re interested by sending an email or text for our application. Maomi (801) 623-0738 ma***@*****************ii.com

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