Oasis Gardens & Learning Center

Roosevelt, Utah, United States

  • Updated on: May 23, 2023 (almost 2 years ago)
  • Created on: May 18, 2013 (almost 12 years ago)
Oasis Gardens & Learning Center

Mission Statement

Seeking Ecological Harmony, Inclusivity, and a Caring, Meaningful Way of Productive Sustainable Living Within a Contemporary World.

Community Description

• • • Oasis Gardens is an 'inclusive' endeavor. Oasis Gardens is a 501(c)5 non-profit volunteer project. It is supported by grants, donations and volunteers. The Robinson Estate and Cedar Bear Herb Farm provides the site, facilities, accommodations, etc.

• • • The Gardens Farm is an early Spring to late Fall seasonal work-stay and volunteer supported endeavor that immerses participants in shared ecological, sustainable, productive, and humane/spiritual/nature driven values in a gardens farm homestead style setting that incorporates bio-sustainable, herbal and productive self-reliant practices into a caring eco-friendly growing experience.

• • • In 2010 the founders, L. Carl & Jhoane Robinson, initiated the gardens farming project and in 2012 began setting up the project's infrastructure and fully improved managed commons accommodations facilities that were completed in 2018. In 2015 Oasis Gardens & Learning Center was Federally approved as an agricultural designated 501(c)5 non-profit entity.

• • • Cedar Bear Herb Farm, where Oasis Gardens is located, sponsors Oasis Gardens & Learning Center via making its improved facilities and gardens/orchards infrastructure available for our hand's-on experiential and learning programs and research projects that includes growing and working with high desert bio-sustainable herbs, produce gardens, micro orchards, and sustainable living.

• • • Location is a high desert (5,300 ft altitude) locale with fully improved facilities, supported & fully equipped gardens farming and learning center located on 35 secluded acres that includes fully outfitted and improved homestead/farmstead style facilities.

• • • Located within an hour's drive of the magnificent Uinta Mountain Range's 6 forested river drainages (Duchesne, Rock Creek, Lake Fork, Yellowstone, Uinta and Whiterocks) and wilderness trailheads, camp grounds, herb walks opportunities and weekend outdoor activities.

• • • Gardens farming fully outfitted with: a compact landscaping tractor and a mid-sized farm tractor and implements; two-wheel tractors and implements; high tunnel hoop houses; 4 season green house; cold frame growing boxes; open raised bed growing boxes, open air garden plots; fowl livestock (i.e. chickens/turkeys/ducks) growing/egg laying projects; pressure irrigated/sprinkled yards, gardens and open pasture; wooded pocket parks and lawn greens; fully outfitted tools shed; sustainable composting projects; numerous improved zoned gardens, micro orchard, deer-proof fenced gardens; etc.

• • • Participant amenities include: Warm weather outdoor outfitter's kitchen and dining corral; cultural/spirit yurt; year round indoor 'Commons' facility (gathering room + kitchen galley + shower/utility room); 3 indoor sleeping/bunking cabins; outdoor 3 season line shed sleeping unit (sleeps 4); outdoor 3 season enclosed dry toilets and showers; improved multi-tent pad with large weather resistant 3-season Springbar® canvas cabins (accommodates numerous individuals); and 2 large campfire pits for evening gatherings.

• • • Projects agendas includes: NOP organic compliant bio-sustainable gardens and micro orchards incorporating vibrational technologies; planned-for expanded small livestock tending; herbal growing, use instruction and practices; nutrition and cooking; ecology-based philosophy and practices; energy and vibrational healing instruction and practices (incl. yoga & meditation), all in a hand's on learning setting.

About

  • Type(s):
    • Ecovillage (organized around ecology and sustainability)
    • Student Housing or Student Co-Op
    • Unspecified or Other
  • Programs & Activities:
    • School, Educational Institute or Experience
    • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
    • Organization, Resource, or Network
    • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming
  • Location: Rural

Housing

  • Status: We have land we have developed on
  • Area: 35 acres
  • Current Residence Types:
    • Room(s) in a house or building
    • Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent
    • Covered enclosed line-shed w/sleeping platforms (accommodates 4 itinerant volunteer visitors)
  • Current Number of Residences: 5
  • Planned Number of Residences: 0
  • Planned Residence Types:
    • Room(s) in a house or building
    • Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent
  • Housing Provided: Work-exchange
  • Land Owned By: The founders own title to the land.
  • Additional Comments: Other Energy Sources is: "Off-Grid" propane tanks. A planned for semi off-grid solar project for supplemental low load power storage and solar gain storage/radiation is planned for expanded high tunnel hoop house and greenhouse facilities/operation.

Membership

  • Adult Members: 5
  • Child Members: 0
  • Non-Member Residents: 0
  • Percent Women: 50%
  • Percent Men: 50%
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes
  • Visitor Process: • • • Visitors welcome with conditions, however, please make prior arrangements for visiting. • • • The safety of residences, Cedar Bear employees and Oasis Gardens personnel and volunteers is of primary concern. We do NOT politicize Covid or the ongoing and lingering pandemic situation. It is real and has had devastating consequences to individuals, families, communities, the nation and economies, therefore science, common-sense health and hygiene practices and vigilant preventative criteria to this serious health and life threatening condition are taken very seriously and imposed accordingly. • • • While the founders strongly recommend being vaccinated/inoculated for Covid, especially given that world-wide statistics and feedback are clearly showing that 80%+ of new Covid cases are coming from unvaccinated individuals, and over 90% Covid hospitalized are unvaccinated, and 97%+ ICU cases for Covid are unvaccinated. The math is very clear on what's happening and why. However, the founders and staff of Oasis Gardens respect the right of an individual to choose not to be vaccinated, but only if such individuals also take the continuing precautions to keep from getting infected and in turn infecting others, meaning that caring for others health, well-being and lives is of paramount importance. The rights of an individual to do or not do something can only apply to them personally and cannot be allowed to put others at risk, whether in closed quarters or in the open. This is the bedrock of a civilized society - to selflessly care about others and not put them at risk. Therefore, the following criteria for visiting the farm and its projects are mandated and not to be varied from in any instance. • • • To enter property/premises a visitor must first present a valid verifiable proof of having had 'current' Covid vaccine/inoculations, and if non-vaccinated/inoculated must, within no more than 48 hours of visit, have received verifiable negative test results for Covid and present valid and verifiable test documents of same prior to entering the property/premises. If unvaccinated visiting individual leaves the project/premises for any period of time they will be required to take another Covid test for negative results to re-enter the premises, unless otherwise arranged for. Regardless of vaccination/inoculation status, all visitors will be required to wear an appropriate face mask, over the nose, while on the property/premises. • • • Walk-on visitors will be turned away without prior vetting, approval, scheduling and proof of current Covid vaccinations and/or current negative Covid test as per above criteria.
  • Open to New Members: Yes
  • Membership Process: • • • Work-stay and paid fee participant instruction numbers is limited and on a closed procedural basis based on for-value contributions, SME mentoring services and/or fee paid for instruction regarding Oasis Gardens & Learning Center programs and/or courses. • • • Volunteer participation is open, however, a volunteer slot must be available since project and property facilities accommodations and ecological holding capacity keeps on-site participation to a limited number of individuals. • • • Volunteer participation is based on a probation/proving period followed by the Founders and Volunteer Coordinator approving/inviting a person to participate/stay on the project on a season to season basis. • • • In all instances, for property and participants safety, an individual will first be subjected to and must pass a background check and vetting process to be considered for contributory, volunteer or for fee participation.
  • Additional Comments: • • • Humane/spiritual approach to life that emphasizes diversity, inclusiveness, spiritual awareness and connectedness that respects and honors all individuals and their beliefs and orientations, and cares for the land and its improvements, environment and planet. • • • It is recommended that community volunteers have a part-time job or obtain a part-time job to cover personal debts and other personal items and expenses Oasis Gardens does not cover. The premises are very remote-work friendly, having internet and wifi available. • • • Education/learning style is instructional/lecture and experiential (hands-on) based. • • • Healthcare style encouraged and taught is 'Self-Help' integrative natural health and well-being. Participants are encouraged to independently seek medical care when needed. • • • Visitors and/or participants, with prior approval, may bring children on property for day visits, day volunteer work, limited stay work-stay, etc. • • • Due to livestock and current resident's/property's working pets, and except for properly trained and certified & registered service dogs, participants or visitors are NOT allowed to bring pets onto property or premises. 'Emotional' support pets that are not properly trained, certified and registered as 'Service' pets do NOT qualify as service pets and are therefore not allowed on the premises. • • • Except for 'approved' service dogs (see prior paragraph and following service dogs policy), all indoor premises are pet-free. All pets, including service dogs, are NOT allowed in offices/lodge guest rooms/library building, meditation/spirit yurt, greenhouses, high tunnel hoop houses, in or on gardens/micro orchards or garden/micro orchards areas, and are not allowed in the Commons kitchen/galley, including not allowed to walk through said kitchen/galley, because the Commons kitchen/galley is a State licensed cottage clean kitchen facility that does not allow for pets of any kind being in said kitchen/galley. • • • Regarding service dogs policy: Service dogs must be healthy and 'house trained' and at all times leashed and/or within 4 feet of owner. A service dog is allowed indoors only in dog owner's sleeping and/or shared bunking/sleeping quarter and shall not be allowed on beds or furniture at any time but must stay to the floor and must not cause problems for others in that sleeping quarter. Service dogs are not allowed to do territorial spraying of buildings, vehicles, fences, trees, etc., and defecations must immediately be cleaned up and properly disposed of by dog owner, and where and if an accident should happen, such as on a carpet, floor or walkway, a through cleaning, disinfecting and de-odorizing must immediately be performed by a service dog owner, with the additional provision said pet may no longer be allowed indoors at all. Service dog owner must show proof of dog meeting up-to-date vaccinations status, and is responsible for all care and maintenance of their service dog and is not to burden others regarding same. • • • On-site firearms and weapons policy: Except for Property Owners and/or Farm Employees use for occasional and specific pest/varmint control purposes, or as otherwise may be arranged for by the Property Owners, NO firearms, weapons or items intended to harm or terminate a life are allowed in possession of and/or carry and/or discharge and/or use on the property or premises. Except as determined by Property Owners for predator population control and health purposes, NO hunting is allowed on property or premises. All firearms or weapons in ownership and/or possession of participants of any kind and/or their 'household' must be declared and placed in secure and non-accessible safekeeping of the Property Owners. Arrangements for privately documented holding/safekeeping of 'legal' firearms or weapons by the Property Owners is to be arranged for specifically between the Property Owners and firearms/weapons owner, and will be returned to owner upon their departure from the property and premises. So there is no misunderstanding, The property owners support the 2nd Amendment, but it is not without its limitations, such as the understanding that the owner of a private property establishing 'firearms & weapons' restrictions, as stated herein, is not an infringement of 2nd Amendment rights, as the SCOTUS has upheld the rights of private property owners over that of gun holders/owners on their own private property. Posted signs on private property of 'No Hunting' or 'No Firearms Allowed' are all upheld by the courts, that are in fact lawfully allowed and upheld gun & weapon restrictions of a private property owner upon their property and premises.

Government

  • Decision Making: The gardens farm Lead Volunteer is the primary day-to-day decision maker for gardens projects and endeavors.
  • Identified Leader: Yes
  • Leadership Core Group: Yes
  • Additional Comments: Oasis Gardens & Learning Center and its projects, are supervised by a Volunteer Coordinator. Day-to-day gardens farm infrastructure and maintenance are supervised by a Farm Foreman. Property, farm, projects and personnel rules, policies and standards are established by and overseen by the founders of, and the Board of Directors, of Oasis Gardens & Learning Center.

Economics

  • Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: No
  • Shared Income: None
  • Required Weekly Labor Contribution: 25
  • Open to Members with Existing Debt: Yes (some debt)
  • Additional Comments: • • • Oasis Gardens & Learning Center is an agricultural designated 501(c)5 Non-Profit endeavor. It's affiliate, Cedar Bear Herb Farm is a for-profit endeavor and sponsors the site, its facilities, room & board, and gardens for Oasis Gardens & Learning Center programs. • • • Oasis Gardens & Learning Center is NOT an employment based endeavor for its instructed participants, volunteers, fee paying-based or work-stay programs participants. It is a volunteer and student fee paying based gardens farm educational and instructional learning center and bio-sustainable research projects that is a work-stay managed homestead/farmstead-style participant driven endeavor. • • • Any proceeds and/or outputs derived from the non-profit research projects are handled according to provisions of the 501(c)5 organization bylaws via its Board of Trustees determinations. • • • Property/community and its care, cleaning and upkeep of Oasis Gardens & Learning Center projects are volunteer, student fee paid based, and work-stay participant based. • • • Oasis Gardens & Learning Center is provided with on-site domiciling & provisions for meals and relevant instruction/education for on-site domiciled work-stay volunteer and fee paying student/education participants in exchange for daily task-oriented projects meeting a specific daily hourly and performance standard.

Sustainability Practices

  • Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
  • Current Renewable Energy Generation: Up to 25%
  • Energy Sources:
    • Solar
    • Clean Energy from the Grid
    • wood
  • Planned Renewable Energy Generation: 26-49%
  • Current Food Produced: Up to 25%
  • Planned Food Produced: From 50-75%
  • Food Produced Locally: Almost All, around 90%

Lifestyle

  • Common Facilities:
    • Garden(s)
    • Greenhouse(s)
    • Vehicle Share
    • Library
    • Workshop
    • Outbuilding(s)
    • Outdoor Kitchen
    • Tractor & Farm Equipment
    • Fire pit
    • Internet
    • Commons facility, includes bunking cabins.
  • Internet Available: Yes, both the community and individuals provide it
  • Internet Fast?: Yes, it's fine.
  • Cellphone Service: Good for some people.
  • Shared Meals: 2-5 times per week
  • Dietary Practices:
    • Omnivorous (plants and animals)
    • Paleo (no grains, dairy, processed foods, or legumes)
    • Local
    • Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers)
    • GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms)
    • Mostly Vegetarian
    • Kosher
    • Halal
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
    • Keto. Soy-free. HFCS-free where possible.
  • Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Somewhat - there are some dietary restrictions or customs.
  • Special Diets OK: Yes
  • Alcohol Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
  • Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
  • Additional Diet Comments: • • • Community based shared meals preparation and cleanup, and individual based meals preparation and cleanup. • • • Food from the gardens farm is sustainably/chemical-free grown (NOP organic). • • • Meals typically contain high percentage of fibrous vegetables and fruits. Accommodate vegetarian, paleo and keto preferences. • • • Soy-free ingredients can be accommodated. • • • 'Gluten-Free' foods available. • • • HFCS/CS (High Fructose Corn Syrup/Corn Syrup) is avoided as much as possible. • • • Emphasis on 'variety' tied to a healthy ethnic cuisine approach.
  • Common Spiritual Practice(s):
    • Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices)
    • Eclectic (integrates multiple religious or spiritual beliefs)
  • Spiritual Practice Expected?: No
  • Education Style(s): Up to each family or individual
  • Expected Healthcare Practices: • • • Meet personal general hygienic standards. • • • Domiciling and commons use ongoing and daily clean-up, hygiene and organization. • • • Gardens farm complies with agricultural GAP (Good Agriculture Practices) and FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) standards. • • • Smoking, when allowed, only in designated areas. • • • No alcohol use allowed on premises except as approved by management on a case-by-case basis for special occasions or approved ceremonial use. • • • Alcohol is never to be used or in view of recovering or ex-alcoholics, not even for occasional or ceremonial use. • • • Cedar Bear Herb Farm (where Oasis Gardens & Learning Center is located) is a drug-free location that complies with the laws of the State of Utah and Federal law where applicable.
  • Healthcare Options: Up to each family, household, or individual
  • Additional Comments: • • • Lifestyle is productively self-reliant and self-sustaining based and requires that participants exhibit a "Can Do – Will Do" self-initiative motivated attitude and do their part to contribute to the viability and ongoing operation of the projects. Oasis Gardens & Learning Center location is a sanctuary that embodies an inclusive, peaceful and settled environment for learning, doing, experiencing, researching, healing, self-realization and personal growth. • • • IMPORTANT NOTICE: While the community can accommodate visitors or day volunteers with children for a day visit or overnight visit (if there are sleeping quarters available), the premises, facilities, programs and community emphasis are not accommodating of children. Therefore, Oasis Gardens & Learning Center is not open to or accommodating of multiple-days/week/month/season long staying volunteers with children.

Additional Comments

• • • Oasis Gardens and its programs are open to volunteers from mid/late March thru early/mid November (closed for the Winter) and is managed by an on-site Volunteer Coordinator. • • • Staying for a week, a month, couple of months or the whole season? No problem. The work-stay and/or instructional programs can be from a week to the whole open season or in-between, but space is limited so the schedule is on a first come first serve basis according to the program and/or project. Please see the agenda description for programs, projects and volunteer endeavors. • • • The founders of Oasis Gardens are also experienced businesspeople who own Cedar Bear Naturales, a successful herbal products manufacturing and distribution company located a short drive from the gardens farm. The founders believe that to cure the environment and planet's problems, humanity must be taken care of on a person to person basis starting with the individual taking care of themselves first. Kindness, diversity, inclusivity, respect and providing a positive productive working and living environment for learning and acquiring sustainable, spiritual, self-reliant skills are the first steps to this process. It is upon this legacy that Oasis Gardens & Learning Center and its associate endeavor, Cedar Bear Herb Farm, are founded and shared.

Photo Gallery

Community Network or Organization Affiliations

The Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC), Sponsor local community gardens. Member of local farmers markets. Food bank donor. Interface with 4-H, FHA and University of Utah extension programs.

Fair Housing Laws

This community acknowledges that their listing does not include any potential violations of the Fair Housing Law, or that they do not provide housing. For any questions about this topic please see our Content Policies and contact FIC with any questions or concerns: directory@ic.org.

Keywords

Sanctuary, Ecology, Sustainable, Gardens, Organic, Inclusivity, Herbs, Nutrition, Spirituality