TL,DR:
23 year-old permaculture designer in central Ontario looking to build a community of like-minded individuals and experiment with alternative forms of living. Working title is the “Humble Roots Project”
The project should be structured as a commune, with income and resource sharing, and will follow libertarian socialist principles. All decision-making will be done by modified consensus. Other things to consider (such as location, buildings, housing, etc.) will be determined through the decision-making process.
If you’re interested in working on this project you can email me at jacobtw.kidd@gmail.com and we’ll talk to see if you’re a good fit. Those with knowledge and experience in some form of skilled trade are especially encouraged to reach out.
Full explanation:
It’s no secret that we live in uncertain times. We face increasingly hazardous international tensions, surging food prices, ever more divisive domestic politics, and plummeting biodiversity rates. Many believe that this decade will determine the future of our species. Despite this, politicians have proven themselves unfit to take meaningful action on the manifold crises we face today. At such a crucial moment in Human history, we find ourselves lost, with little control over our lives. The problems before us are incredibly complex and pose serious threats to our future, yet our governments seem to be enthralled by inertia. The existing institutions prevent politicians from being held accountable. Every election cycle, they feed us false promises that drop as soon as the victor enters office. It is ordinary people who face devastation in the ecological crisis, and it is ordinary people who do not hold the reins of power. It’s time we took matters into our own hands. We must decide for ourselves the story we want to tell. Humble Roots offers one possible narrative. It is a narrative of simplicity, humility, and conviviality. It is about security, stability, community and direct democracy.
Hey there! My name is Jacob. I’m a 23 year-old permaculture designer and horticulture technician (in training) living in central Ontario. I’ve spent the last few years studying politics, philosophy, and economics and thought extensively about the problems we face as a species in the 21st century. Given the events over the last two years, along with my research into complex systems, I’ve begun to feel rather pessimistic about the future. Rather than fall into complete despair, I refuse to look at these problems as black or white, all-or-nothing scenarios; any degree of warming we can prevent or any life we can improve is a win.
So what exactly is the Humble Roots project, you might ask? Humble Roots is an experiment in communal life. It is an attempt to intentionally downshift our way of living to one that uses the planet’s resources in a responsible manner and rethink our ways of living. Communal life will be structured along libertarian socialist principles and so will work towards economic democracy, meaning that resources and income will be shared. The goal is not absolute abstract equality among members, but to ensure that everyone is given a chance to thrive and fully develop in their individuality. This experiment will also require us to change ourselves and the way we relate to one another. We need to recognise our social, interdependent nature and build a world that allows this side of ourselves to flourish. By working at the local level, we can create a resilient and life-sustaining community that will meet our immediate needs better than any existing system. Humble Roots begins as an experiment in communal life, but understand that politics runs through all aspects of our life. As such, I do not want our future community to close itself off from the rest of the world, but rather it should be actively engaged in sharing alternative life-ways with others. I currently do not own land, but am setting aside funds while I work on my apprenticeship and would appreciate any support from other prospective members. We can collectively decide where to purchase land, whether it be a completely vacant rural lot, or something closer to some municipality. In either case a less energy-intensive infrastructure will need to be prefigured over time. Everyone is welcome to join regardless of your race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. Those who are trained in a skilled trade are especially encouraged to reach out!
Once again, know that Humble Roots is an experiment in alternative forms of living. Most of us were raised in a hyper-individualistic consumer culture and so will not be able to instantly adapt to a different way of living and being. Expect this to be a slower and iterative learning process. We will do our best to prefigure the society we want to build but only through practice will this work. If you’re patient and willing to put in the effort it takes to build a community from the ground up then we’d love to have you on board. Another world is possible – let’s build it together.