Birdsfoot Farm

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Birdsfoot Farm

Located in Canton, New York, United States

Mission Statement
Learn/Grow, good food and friends

Community Description
Birdsfoot Farm is a consensus-based agricultural community founded in 1972. Our farm is located where the St. Lawrence River valley meets the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. Though the area is quite rural, the presence of four colleges nearby brings cultural diversity we appreciate.

Our 73-acre farm has fertile loam soil, woods, a stream, a large community house, three comfortable homes, a schoolhouse, two barns, and a small cabin. In order to grow we need to build new dwellings. The land and buildings are owned by the community.

Members share monthly living expenses, purchase equity in the property, and participate in community work projects. We care a lot about each other and find time for many kinds of sharing–such as communal meals, rituals, parties, etc. Each person follows his or her own spiritual path. Individuals are active in social and environmental issues. The new-member process includes a one-year trial period. We welcome new members, including children and elders.

Our vegetable business grows two acres of certified organic vegetables for the community, wholesale, CSA, and farmers market using low-input techniques, intensive spacing and cover cropping.

Little River Community School was started in 1998. The school now serves 39 students in grades K-12 with four full-time teachers. The school is founded on the belief that children are inherently motivated to learn about their world and should be allowed to proceed at their own rate. See the school on the web at http://www.littleriverschool.org.

The farm and school provide income to some of the community members and others work off the farm. Each year the veggie business and school seek interns.

For more information about our community, or internship programs, please send a letter.

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 73 acres
Current Residence Types: Room(s) in a house or building, Tiny house, Lots to build on
Current Number of Residences: 5
Land owned by: The entire community membership

Membership
Adult Members: 6
Child Members: 2
Non-member Residents: 4
Percent Women: 50%
Percent Men: 50%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
Please write a letter to describe yourself and what you would like.
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
One year trial membership.
Additional Comments:
We have a K-12 school.
We have an organic vegetable farm.

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Shared Income: Partial share of income
Required Labor Contribution per Week: 0
Additional Comments:
We have a weekly work day, cook once a week and do household chores.
Members pay approximately $275/ month toward equity and expenses and $140 per month for food.

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
Current renewable energy generation: 100%
Energy sources: Solar
Planned renewable energy generation: 100%
Current food produced: From 50-75%
Planned food produced: From 50-75%
Food produced locally: From 50-75%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Internet
Internet Available: Yes, community provides it
Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.
Shared meals: Approximately all dinners
Dietary Practice: Mostly Vegetarian
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Somewhat – there are some dietary restrictions or customs.
Special Diets OK: Yes
Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
Additional Diet Comments:
We grow and preserve all of our own vegetables.
The main house kitchen is vegetarian. People can eat meat in their own houses.
Education Style(s): Private Schooling at the Community
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/birdsfoot-farm/