Description

Please write a few lines about your co-op.

We share a large craftsman style home and a small cottage. We have gardens in both the front and back yard. We try to grow as much of our own food as we can. The house is entirely solar powered. While not a queer house, we have lots of queers here.

When did you form? Briefly, what is your co-op history?

In 1998, we transformed from just sharing food, to sharing meals, having house meetings, and attempting to be more intentional about our community. Recently we've started being more serious about raising as much of our own food as we can.

What is the long term vision of your co-op?

Deep roots. More members who plan on staying here long-term. Growing and raising more of our own food. Having a more "extended family" feel... we already have an affiliated elder living the cottage. Someday we'll be ready for younger people.

Do you own or rent your living space?

One member owns it, the rest rent. This has both advantages and disadvantages. Rents tend to be a bit below market rate.

Are there any social or environmental causes that unite your co-op?

We're all environmentalists, but each individual has their own definition and level of dedication. We're all progressives, and believe in both social and environmental justice. We tend not to be activists. We have a rather strong out-doors bent (hiking, backpacking, sailing, etc).

Describe your co-op's themes.

Gourmet food, energy efficiency, growing/raising our own food. We try to be non-dogmatic (except perhaps for energy usage). We're trying to live "the good life", but with a much smaller negative impact on the planet then most people -- we're not generally trying for absolute minimum impacts.

What skills can residents of your co-op offer the community?

Energy efficiency, solar energy, gardening, computer

What features of your co-op (as a whole) can you offter the community?

Vegetable garden space, function space, energy.

What services do you desire from our community that we do not currently have?

A more targeted forum for finding prospective members interested in intentional community living. Perhaps a bulk purchase co-op of co-ops. Sharing of both information and tools -- we'd love to share an apple press, but cannot justify buying one on our own.

What would you like to gain from this directory project?

A sense of community with other co-ops in this area. A nexus for spontanious solutions to problems unique to co-ops.