intentional - Season 1 Episode 2: Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage

intentional・2 minutes read

The community at Dancing Rabbit embodies sustainability, personal growth, and community support, fostering deep connections and a shared vision for a more sustainable future through cooperation and shared resources. Living in this close-knit environment challenges individuals to become better versions of themselves while emphasizing the importance of personal choices in creating a better world.

Insights

The community at Dancing Rabbit emphasizes sustainability through shared resources, ecological covenants, and a focus on natural building materials, showcasing a commitment to environmentally friendly practices and efficient energy use.
Personal growth, support systems, and close relationships are pivotal aspects of life at Dancing Rabbit, fostering a sense of extended family, deep connections, and a nurturing environment that encourages individuals to strive for self-improvement and a more connected lifestyle.

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Recent questions

What is the decision-making process in the community?
Consensus-based decision-making with ecological covenants.
How does the community handle wastewater treatment?
Working on setting up a compliant system.
What roles does the narrator have within the community?
Meter Reader, Bookkeeper, Administrator, Communications Director.
How does the community generate income?
Through various activities like video production and innkeeping.
What are the future goals of the community?
Growth in sustainability practices and interpersonal relationships.

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Summary

00:00

Community Embraces Sustainability with Encouragement and Unity

People coming to the community for sustainability are surprised by the deep level of acceptance and encouragement they receive.
Initially, the community was less developed, with everyone staying in a double-wide trailer and using a pole barn as an outdoor kitchen.
Cooking vegan meals for 35 people on a wood-fired cookstove was challenging but empowering.
Decision-making in the community was done through consensus, with six ecological covenants guiding their actions.
The community transitioned from a full consensus model to a representative model with the Village Council making decisions.
The narrator is involved in various roles within the community, including Meter Reader, Bookkeeper, Administrator, and Communications Director.
The community is working on setting up a wastewater treatment system to comply with regulations.
The narrator has multiple jobs within the community, including serving on the Village Council and working at the milkweed mercantile.
The narrator and their partner make a living through various activities, including video production, voiceover work, and innkeeping.
The community is transitioning the mill suite mercantile into a cooperative, allowing workers to share profits and reinvest in the business.

14:03

Transition to Worker-Owned Co Op: A Community Advocate's Journey

The individual is involved in the milkweed Merck and transitions to a worker-owned Co Op, running a grocery store as a private business.
They work online, specifically doing closed captioning for videos, while their husband is a landscaper and they were a teacher.
They sell products online, guest blog, and are a certified professional Midwest who attends homebirths within an hour and a half of their location.
They are a member of the Village Council and part of the process team at Dancing Rabbit, understanding how to move ideas into action.
They participate in the Dancing Rabbit Vehicle Cooperative committee, helping with finances and setting rates.
They make income by gardening, growing their own food, and building their own home to save money.
They are the executive director of the nonprofit Center for Sustainable and Cooperative Culture and are involved in the Visitor Program at Dancing Rabbit.
They aim to bridge the gap between Dancing Rabbit and those interested in community living, facilitating the Visitor Program.
They explain the process of residency and membership at Dancing Rabbit, including applying for residency, membership benefits, and the community's decision-making process.
They discuss the establishment of the Milkweed Mercantile as a gathering place at Dancing Rabbit, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and sustainability advocacy.

28:10

Sustainable Living Practices at Dancing Rabbit Community

Dancing Rabbit has a micro grid called Better Energy for their Power Co Op, allowing houses to connect and monitor their power usage.
The community aims to share resources like power tools through a tool co op, but sustainability remains a challenge.
Plans for an agriculture cooperative, large-scale farming cooperative, and alternative transportation cooperative are in discussion.
The CRP program has limited agriculture at Dancing Rabbit due to land contracts, but it helped pay off mortgages.
The community boasts 25 natural buildings, the largest collection in the Midwest, due to lenient building regulations.
Green construction at Dancing Rabbit focuses on sustainable materials and high insulation for conventional-looking buildings.
Straw bale homes at Dancing Rabbit have 18 inches of insulation, providing efficient temperature control.
Earth contact homes at Dancing Rabbit utilize the earth's constant temperature for heating and cooling.
Residents at Dancing Rabbit experiment with natural building materials, like clay straw and natural plaster.
The community emphasizes shared spaces and resources, with an average of 200 square feet per person in buildings.

43:05

Community Support and Growth Amid Tragedy

The community came together when a member fell ill before passing away, showcasing strong support systems in place.
Liaisons regularly checked in with the partner of the deceased, Sharon, offering support and assistance.
The community took responsibility for organizing the funeral, celebration of life, and burial arrangements.
Living in the community allowed for deep connections with residents, feeling like an extended family.
The relaxed pace of life in the community provided ample sleep and reduced rushing around for work.
Being surrounded by people interested in personal growth challenged individuals to become better versions of themselves.
Living in the community allowed for a close-knit environment where personal relationships and connections flourished.
The community's emphasis on sustainability and shared resources enabled a lifestyle aligned with personal values.
The close proximity and intimate relationships within the community fostered support, vulnerability, and personal growth.
The community's future vision includes growth in sustainability practices, interpersonal relationships, and becoming a well-known destination for visitors.

57:35

"Community and Sustainability: A Holistic Approach"

Living in a way that's more connected with oneself, others, and the earth is essential for overall sustainability, as demonstrated by the community at Dancing Rabbit. Sustainability encompasses physical, interpersonal, and inner aspects, all of which must function together for optimal results. The community fosters personal growth, encourages thoughtful decision-making, and emphasizes the importance of individual choices in creating a better world. Community and sustainability are challenging but ultimately rewarding, with the support of a close-knit group being a crucial element in making it work effectively.

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