East Wind Community

Tecumseh, Missouri, United States

  • Updated on: Aug 20, 2024 (about 7 months ago)
  • Created on: Dec 1, 2004 (over 20 years ago)
East Wind Community

Mission Statement

Cooperation and Sharing; Homesteading, producing our own food

Community Description

We are a 70-member collective located on 1,045 acres of rural Ozark Hills in southern Missouri. We are a member of the Federation of Egalitarian Communities, and as such, we put great value in cooperation, nonviolence, and sharing. We support ourselves through two industries: East Wind Nut Butters and Utopian Rope Sandals. Our membership is very diverse, we have no central leadership, and we practice democracy. Our work lives are busy and varied, but we always find time to relax and enjoy community meals, music jams, and Ozark sunsets. Our land is one of a kind, very rural, and filled with all sorts of wildlife. We encourage individuality and diversity in our members. We are looking for skilled, hardworking, responsible, self motivated, and balanced individuals that share our values. Prospective members are encouraged to contact membership. Drop ins are not accepted, you must contact membership to visit.

  • Status: Established (4+ adults, 2+ years)
  • Started Planning: 1970
  • Started Living Together: 1973
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes
  • Open to New Members: Yes
  • Please read the details in Membership below before contacting this community.Send Message
  • Website: http://eastwind.org
  • Business, Project, or Organization: http://www.eastwindnutbutters.com/
  • Contact Name: Membership Manager
  • Phone: 417-679-4682
  • Community Address:
    1361 County Road 547
    Tecumseh, Missouri 65760-9503
    United States

  • Location

    Directory Map Placeholder

About

  • Type(s): Commune (organized around sharing almost everything)
  • Programs & Activities:
    • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association
    • Ethical Business, Investment Group, or Alternative Currency
    • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming
  • Location: Rural

Housing

  • Status: We have land we have developed on
  • Area: 1100 acres
  • Current Residence Types:
    • Single-family homes
    • Multi-family homes
    • Room(s) in a house or building
    • Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent
    • Mobile homes, RV's, converted buses
  • Current Number of Residences: 48
  • Planned Residence Types:
    • Single-family homes
    • Multi-family homes
    • Room(s) in a house or building
    • Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent
    • Mobile homes, RV's, converted buses
    • Large dormitories
  • Housing Provided: Included in Membership
  • Land Owned By: The entire community membership

Membership

  • Adult Members: 47
  • Child Members: 1
  • Non-Member Residents: 1
  • Percent Women: 21-30%
  • Percent Men: 61-70%
  • Percent Transgender: 0%
  • Percent Non-Binary: 11-20%
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes
  • Visitor Process: Prospective visitors are encouraged to contact our membership team to arrange a visit, but email first, as dropping in unannounced is not permitted.
  • Open to New Members: Yes
  • Membership Process: Three week visitor period. One year provisional membership which includes a vote at the six month mark and then a full member vote at the end of that first year.

Government

  • Decision Making: Democracy (majority rule)
  • Identified Leader: No
  • Leadership Core Group: No
  • Additional Comments: There is a Board, a Social Committee, Membership Committee, and management teams for our businesses. The various managerships can serve as checks on one another. We try to avoid unhealthy power dynamics. It's all about the people, really!

Economics

  • Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: No
  • Shared Income: All or Close to All
  • Required Weekly Labor Contribution: 35
  • Open to Members with Existing Debt: Yes
  • Additional Comments: 35 hours/week, members are required to work a designated number of these hours per week in our businesses.

Sustainability Practices

  • Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
  • Current Renewable Energy Generation: 0%, or close to 0%
  • Planned Renewable Energy Generation: 0%, or close to 0%
  • Current Food Produced: Between 26-49%
  • Planned Food Produced: From 50-75%
  • Food Produced Locally: From 50-75%

Lifestyle

  • Common Facilities:
    • Common House
    • Garden(s)
    • Greenhouse(s)
    • Vehicle Share
    • Library
    • Workshop
    • Outbuilding(s)
    • Swimming pond or pool
    • Outdoor Kitchen
    • Large Scale Kitchen
    • Tractor & Farm Equipment
    • Stage or Auditorium
    • Fire pit
    • Swingsets & play areas
    • Waterfront access
    • Gym or sports area
    • Internet
  • Internet Available: Yes, community provides it
  • Internet Fast?: Yes, exceptionally.
  • Cellphone Service: Good for most people.
  • Shared Meals: Approximately all dinners
  • 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)
    • Vegetarian Only
    • Mostly Vegetarian
    • Vegan (plants only, no animal products)
    • Mostly Vegan
    • Raw or Mostly Raw
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
  • Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No - people may eat however they wish.
  • Special Diets OK: Yes
  • Alcohol Use: Yes, used often.
  • Tobacco Use: Yes, used often.
  • Additional Diet Comments: We have an organic garden and full working ranch with cows, pigs and chickens. Vegetarian and vegan options are served with every meal There are designated smoking and non smoking areas
  • Common Spiritual Practice(s):
    • Not a particularly spiritual or religious community
    • Paganism or Earth Religions
    • Atheist
    • Agnostic
  • Spiritual Practice Expected?: No
  • Education Style(s):
    • Home Schooling
    • Public Schooling
    • Up to each family or individual
  • Healthcare Options: Up to each family, household, or individual

Photo Gallery

Community Network or Organization Affiliations

Federation of Egalitarian Communities (FEC)

Community Affiliations

Acorn Community, Sandhill Farm, Twin Oaks Community, Living Energy Farm, Oran Mor

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

Egalitarian, Income Sharing, Democratic,