Seeking help in Starting up an Intentional Community In Western NC

Discussion
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1

I’m wondering how to find folks interested in helping Co-Found an Intentional Community. I have been reaching out now for a number of years without any permanent members yet. I have had visitors and some interest.

One of the hurdles is not having any members to start with. Having hosted dozens of Woofers and Interns over the years, I have some experience working with lots of folks, and many of the issues that can arise.

A lot of the groundwork for a community is in place: Hydro/solar off-grid power system, decent roads, temporary housing, a fishpond, well-established garden, etc. They say, build it, and they will come, however, this hasn’t been my experience. Perhaps someone has ideas for getting things rolling. I’m looking to get the land in good hands for the future. Paul

2

Hi Paul,

I am on the coast of South Carolina and am interested on joining a community. I am a grant writer and an artist. My possible travel partner is a welder.

My interest is in helping build AND RECORD a community model that can be duplicated anywhere in the world helping get people untied from a utility company and food sources created “who knows where.”

But I also have the goal of designing something that will help be a model to lift the poorest folks out of poverty, create community that educates the young and cares for it’s older generation. And I plan to actually put it in design form that anyone, anywhere can read and recreate and maybe hopefully improve on and share.

I’d love to here from you and maybe come for a visit? You are close enough to where I can be available to family in South Carolina if I’m needed.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sheila

3

If you’d like to stop by for a short visit, we do many of the things you talk about.

www.stonegardenfarm.com www.ohiofarmmuseum.com FB -Stone Garden Farm & Village

4

I;d be happy for you to visit. You can call me at 828-342-2137 or email at coweeta@gmail.com.

thanks for reaching out!

paul chew

5

Hi Shiela, Thanks for contacting me and sharing some of your vision. I agree that intentional communities need to be one of the options for folks in the future, but currently don’t attract folks. I’ve been looking for folks to help co-found a community for a number of years without success. There may be many reasons why folks choose to go their own way (usually alone). Establishing a model for communites could be helpful. I welcome you to contact me and/or visit. I just was in SC for a 3 day vacation in Beaufort, SC. I had a wonderful time.

You can email me at coweeta@gmail.com.

best wishes,

paul chew

6

What a beautiful place! I love the roots and shoots program having been an art teacher! I’d love to schedule a call to find out how you guys are preserving the information that you are passing down.

7

Your land up that way is gorgeous. I’ve white watered the Nantahala and Chattooga rivers several times. I’m glad that you had a lovely time in Beaufort. The Low Country is unique and beautiful place.

I honestly believe that communities are hard to form because 1. the majority of folks have never heard of them and 2. community has become a foreign concept to us as each person focuses on their individual struggles.

We’ve forgotten that there is another way.

I’m going to email you and I’d love to find some time to chart as well!

Sheila

PS - I’m sending from my s..........44@gmail.com account.

8

Sent email from s**********44@gmail.com

9

Thanks! I’d love to visit! Can you email me your address?

paul chew
Coweeta Heritage Center/Talking Rock Farm/Otto