Phoenix Forest Gardens

Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada

  • Updated on: Aug 29, 2024 (about 7 months ago)
  • Created on: May 28, 2023 (almost 2 years ago)
Phoenix Forest Gardens

Mission Statement

Vision Statement : Creating paradise together on our little piece of Earth Who we are: A small group of individuals stewarding a beautiful piece of land on Salt Spring Island, BC Goals: Regenerating the land growing a food forest garden with a wide diversity of edible, medicine, and other helpful perennial plants for the long term and future generations Annual gardens to feed our community and beyond Striving towards a localized food system and food security Beautiful, healthy micro-Housing with some shared facilities Creating a beautiful, uplifting place that others want to visit and be inspired by (agri-tourism, teachings…) Values: Caring for our planet Sustainability Collaboration and friendship Clear communication Respecting each other Listening Taking responsibility for ourselves and what we use Abundance mindset (no scarcity/poverty mentality) Can-do attitude Fairness and equality Play and fun

Community Description

Our community is based on a gorgeous 18 acre property on Salt Spring Island, BC. Rolling fields, multiple established orchards, berry patches and gardens are interspersed with private corners for residences and groves of trees. There are currently 6-7 adults and a teenager living on our part of the land (The other land partner has multiple tenants on her side and is not part of this project per se). We also accommodate work traders throughout the growing season and have a large dome as a communal structure for workshops, events, ceremonies etc. There is no religious affiliation of the project.

  • Status: Established (4+ adults, 2+ years)
  • Started Planning: 2013
  • Started Living Together: 2013
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes, rarely
  • Open to New Members: Yes
  • Please read the details in Membership below before contacting this community.Send Message
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixfarmssi
  • Contact Name: Freyja Skye
  • Phone: 7789917013
  • Community Address:
    1911 North End Road
    Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1C9
    Canada

  • Location

    Directory Map Placeholder

About

  • Type(s): Ecovillage (organized around ecology and sustainability)
  • Programs & Activities: WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming
  • Location: Rural

Housing

  • Status: We have land we have developed on
  • Area: 6 acres
  • Current Residence Types:
    • Single-family homes
    • Tiny house
    • Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent
    • Lots to build on
  • Current Number of Residences: 6
  • Planned Number of Residences: 3
  • Planned Residence Types:
    • Tiny house
    • Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent
    • Natural built structues
  • Housing Provided:
    • Rental
    • Work-exchange
    • Included in Membership
  • Land Owned By: Individual community member(s)

Membership

  • Adult Members: 7
  • Child Members: 1
  • Non-Member Residents: 10
  • Percent Women: 31-40%
  • Percent Men: 61-70%
  • Percent Transgender: 0%
  • Percent Non-Binary: 0%
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes, rarely
  • Visitor Process: Please send a brief introduction and we will share more of our operating documents. If it resonates with you, please send a more detailed letter of intent outlining what you can bring to the community as well. then we can schedule a visit or online meeting and go from there. You are also welcome to join our Friday farm days, help out and get to know some members and the land.
  • Open to New Members: Yes
  • Membership Process: If you are interested, please read our Operating Agreement and Vision Statement. The next step is to send an introductory letter to freyja@phoenixfarmssi.com - letting us know who you are, what you can bring to the table and why you think you would be a good fit. Then there will be a meeting with at least one farm member, which will be followed by a meeting with all current members if the first meeting is positive. All members must contribute monthly fees to cover the operating costs of the farm, infrastructure, and agricultural lease. Beyond that all members must take on certain areas of responsibility as well as be involved in the farm, garden, managing work traders, be available for weekly meetings and work parties, and reliably use Slack as our communication Channel as well as organizational documents.

Government

  • Decision Making: Democracy (majority rule)
  • Identified Leader: No
  • Leadership Core Group: No
  • Additional Comments: The land is leased by the community from the owner, who is also a community member. while the owner has the right to veto a decision that is against their vision, and certain lease conditions and agreements need to be fulfilled and cannot be changed, day to day operating decisions are made by the community with a more horizontal governance structure.

Economics

  • Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
  • Monthly Fees($): 700
  • Shared Income: None
  • Required Weekly Labor Contribution: 10
  • Open to Members with Existing Debt: Yes
  • Additional Comments: Operating costs contributions may change based on number of members and needs, and be re-evaluated at year end. They may also change if the community purchases the land. Labor requirements change seasonally with the farming season and based on projects on the land, and are not fixed hours.

Sustainability Practices

  • Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
  • Current Renewable Energy Generation: 0%, or close to 0%
  • Energy Sources: Clean Energy from the Grid
  • Planned Renewable Energy Generation: Up to 25%
  • Current Food Produced: Up to 25%
  • Planned Food Produced: Between 26-49%
  • Food Produced Locally: Up to 25%

Lifestyle

  • Common Facilities:
    • Garden(s)
    • Greenhouse(s)
    • Workshop
    • Outbuilding(s)
    • Swimming pond or pool
    • Large Scale Kitchen
    • Tractor & Farm Equipment
    • Fire pit
    • Gym or sports area
    • Internet
  • Internet Available: Yes, community provides it
  • Internet Fast?: Yes, it's fine.
  • Cellphone Service: Good for most people.
  • Shared Meals: About once a 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)
    • Vegetarian Only
    • Mostly Vegetarian
    • Mostly Vegan
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
  • Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No - people may eat however they wish.
  • Special Diets OK: Sometimes
  • Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
  • Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
  • Common Spiritual Practice(s): Buddhist
  • Spiritual Practice Expected?: No
  • Education Style(s): Up to each family or individual
  • Healthcare Options: Up to each family, household, or individual

Photo Gallery

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

Food forest, ecofarm, sustainability, orchards, berries, micro housing, ecovillage