High Cove
Bakersville, North Carolina, United States
- Updated on: Jan 4, 2025 (about 2 months ago)
- Created on: Aug 17, 2008 (over 16 years ago)
Mission Statement
living well, with respect for others and for the land
Community Description
High Cove is a community in the mountains of western North Carolina, focused on the environment, the arts and sciences, and lifelong learning. We are creating a sustainable community that fosters rich and lasting human relationships and provides a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to live, learn, and share experience––while preserving the land, water, and native plants and animals. High Cove includes a forest preserve, future organic farm site, and trails along creeks and ridge tops. There are two neighborhoods, and a mixed-use village center is planned. High Cove is located less than an hour from downtown Asheville, near the renowned Penland School of Crafts, in an area alive with potters, woodworkers, and other crafts workers. Building sites for homes and studios are available. Development standards call for green homes that conserve energy and natural resources. Sites allow for passive solar, and renewable energy is encouraged. Small (and tiny) houses are welcome. Rental housing is available, but goes quickly. A small, mixed-use village center is planned. This “main street” is called Castanea Street in honor of the magnificent tree that was decimated by blight. By planting chestnut trees, we will help bring the chestnut back to this region. Land is also set aside for an organic farm, and community garden plots for residents. In addition to caring for the natural environment, High Cove supports the human environment with a variety of public and civic spaces. These gathering places are the foundation of neighboring, and build the social capital that makes great communities. We seek diversity in age, income, and background.
- Status: Established (4+ adults, 2+ years)
- Started Planning: 2001
- Started Living Together: 2007
- Visitors Accepted: Yes, rarely
- Open to New Members: Yes
- Please read the details in Membership below before contacting this community.Send Message
- Website: https://highcove.com/
- Contact Name: High Cove
FIC Membership
Location
About
- Type(s):
- Ecovillage (organized around ecology and sustainability)
- Unspecified or Other
- Transition Town or Eco-Neighborhood (focused on energy/resource resiliency)
- Programs & Activities:
- School, Educational Institute or Experience
- Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association
- Festivals, Conferences, Events
- Location: Rural
Housing
- Status: We have land we have developed on
- Area: 100 acres
- Current Residence Types:
- Single-family homes
- Lots to build on
- Current Number of Residences: 22
- Planned Number of Residences: 45
- Planned Residence Types:
- Multi-family homes
- Tiny house
- Lots to build on
- live/work
- Housing Provided: Purchase
- Land Owned By: households own their house-site; plus there is common land
- Additional Comments: individual households own their lots; common land including a forest preserve is owned by an LLC
Membership
- Adult Members: 27
- Child Members: 0
- Non-Member Residents: 0
- Percent Women: 61-70%
- Percent Men: 31-40%
- Percent Transgender: 0%
- Visitors Accepted: Yes, rarely
- Visitor Process: Tell us a bit about yourself. Why are you interested in High Cove? When would you like to visit? Lodging may be available for overnight visitors (small fee). Email Info@HighCove.com
- Open to New Members: Yes
- Membership Process: Informal. A series of discussions allowing both parties to get a feel for one another and whether there is a good fit.
- Additional Comments: There are five additional households who own land but have not yet built at High Cove.
Government
- Decision Making: By a council, group of Elders, or leadership group
- Identified Leader: No
- Leadership Core Group: Yes
- Additional Comments: Founding partners and elected representatives play the largest role in decision-making. Elected representatives implement community principles to which all members have agreed. We have recently started using a sociocracy-based process for most decisions / projects.
Economics
- Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
- Monthly Fees($): 50
- Shared Income: None
- Open to Members with Existing Debt: Yes (some debt)
- Additional Comments: Although there is no membership fee or buy-in, members are responsible for providing their own housing. Typically this means building a house on a lot. Rental housing is occasionally available. While there is no formal labor contribution requirement, in practice people contribute by doing things they are passionate about, which also enriches the community.
Sustainability Practices
- Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
- Current Renewable Energy Generation: Up to 25%
- Energy Sources:
- Solar
- Geothermal
- Clean Energy from the Grid
- Planned Renewable Energy Generation: 26-49%
- Current Food Produced: 0%, or close to 0%
- Planned Food Produced: Between 26-49%
- Food Produced Locally: Up to 25%
Lifestyle
- Common Facilities:
- Garden(s)
- Library
- Outbuilding(s)
- Swimming pond or pool
- Fire pit
- Internet
- hiking trails
- Internet Available: Yes, both the community and individuals provide it
- Internet Fast?: Yes, exceptionally.
- Cellphone Service: Good for most people.
- Shared Meals: Rarely
- Dietary Practices:
- Omnivorous (plants and animals)
- 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
- Dairy-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No - people may eat however they wish.
- Special Diets OK: Yes
- Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
- Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
- Additional Diet Comments: common meals are optional and somewhat impromptu in scheduling, but much enjoyed meals typically include beer/wine, although some members don't use alcohol
- Common Spiritual Practice(s):
- Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices)
- Eclectic (integrates multiple religious or spiritual beliefs)
- Not a particularly spiritual or religious community
- Christian
- Buddhist
- Jewish
- Quaker
- Agnostic
- Humanist
- Ecumenical (includes \"all religions\")
- Spiritual Practice Expected?: No
- Education Style(s):
- Home Schooling
- Private School off the property
- Public Schooling
- Up to each family or individual
- Healthcare Options: Up to each family, household, or individual
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
lifelong learning, arts, sustainable, eco-community, new urban, green building, tiny houses