Saint Michael’s Eco Village

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Saint Michael’s Eco Village

Located in Chires Abajo and Gaupinol, Puntarenus, Costa Rica

Mission Statement
Our fist mission statement was to build a community that could truly be a solution and model for living sustainability and in harmony with nature. Now our mission is to continue as a model community and bring true sustainability to the rest of the world.

Community Description
We are a functional sustainable community with a large surplus of food and water. We built the community years before the aqueduct was brought to our area. We have springs, rainwater collection, clean streams that start in our community, and many water storage cisterns (one is the first floor of a building, but you would never know unless you were told). On any given day we could provide food to feed over 50,000 people. Our design is to use as little labor as possible. Currently, the work crew is the owner and a local family of 3.

Intentional design integration touches every part of our community. Homes are built beyond LEED standards. All homes have either a rainwater collection roof or a livingroof or a hybrid of both. The landscaping is edible, for utility, and full of medicinal plants. We grow the medicines for ourselves and our animals. Our Permaculture Country Club is unlike any other Country Club in the most important ways possible. Our course takes people though a food forest. It uses no purchased water or toxic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides. The course has examples of regenerative agriculture, sustainability, and permaculture at every hole. It hosts the National Disc Golf Championship of Costa Rica every July. We are a community that produces more than we consume.

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 99.5 acres
Current Residence Types: Single-family homes, Multi-family homes, Room(s) in a house or building, Tiny house, Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent, Natural built structues, Lots to build on, earthships
Current Number of Residences: 12
Planned number of residences: 150
Planned Residence Types: Single-family homes, Multi-family homes, Room(s) in a house or building, Tiny house, Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent, Natural built structues, Lots to build on, earthships
Housing Provided: Purchase, Rental, Work-exchange
Land owned by: Individual community member(s)

Membership
Adult Members: 9
Child Members: 3
Non-member Residents: 4
Percent Women: 51-60%
Percent Men: 41-49%
Percent Transgender: 0%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
please call or email to make an appointment in advance.
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
We believe starting a community with great members is the best key for future success and harmony. Our selection process contains proprietary information.

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Regular Fee per Month: $150
Shared Income: Partial share of income
Required Labor Contribution: No
Open to members with existing debt: Yes

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
Current renewable energy generation: Almost All, around 90%
Energy sources: Solar, Hydro-Electric, Biomass, Biogas, Biofuel, Clean Energy from the Grid, horses, oxen, mules
Planned renewable energy generation: 100%
Current food produced: Almost All, around 90%
Planned food produced: 100%
Food produced locally: Almost All, around 90%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Outdoor Kitchen, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Waterfront access, Gym or sports area, championship disc golf course
Internet Available: Yes, both the community and individuals provide it
Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.
Shared meals: About once a week
Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), Paleo (no grains, dairy, processed foods, or legumes), Local (food sourced within 150 miles), Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers), GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms), Vegetarian Only (no animal meat; dairy and eggs okay) – Please check this only if you are 100% Vegetarian, Mostly Vegetarian, Vegan Only (plants only, no animal products) – Please check this only if you are 100% Vegan., Mostly Vegan, Opportunivore (dumpster diving, nature harvesting, etc.), Raw or Mostly Raw, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, humanely raised
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.
Special Diets OK: Yes
Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
Common Spiritual Practice(s): Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices), Eclectic (integrates multiple religious or spiritual beliefs), Not a particularly spiritual or religious community, Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan, Protestant, Lutheran, Catholic, Native American, Paganism or Earth Religions, Atheist, Agnostic, priesthood of all believers
Spiritual Practice Expected?: No
Education Style(s): Home Schooling, Private Schooling at the Community, Private School off the property, Public Schooling, Up to each family or individual
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/saint-michaels-eco-village/
              http://www.stmichaelscr.com/