Hickory Nut Forest

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Hickory Nut Forest

Located in Gerton, North Carolina, United States

Mission Statement
We are a sustainable neighborhood where people live near caring neighbors, who share the common values of protecting the land’s biodiversity, growing food organically, living in green-solar homes, using renewable energy from water and the sun, and using education to share good ideas with others.

Community Description
Hickory Nut Forest is a sustainable neighborhood near Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Located on over 100 acres in beautiful Hickory Nut Gorge, we are a sustainable neighborhood where people can live and work among caring neighbors, sharing their inspiration and enthusiasm with each other. As well as protecting the land’s biodiversity, we have organic gardens and an apple orchard, a retreat site/community center, green-solar homes, and use renewable energy from water and the sun.

Forever-wild land surrounds Hickory Nut Forest, protecting a healthy, diverse community for plants, animals and people. We have kept the special places wild for all to enjoy: cascading streams, tumbling waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and distant vistas. Over 15 miles of hiking trails exist to enjoy the adjoining 800 acres on Little Bearwallow Mountain and Florence Nature Preserve. Chimney Rock State Park is down the gorge with another 3500 acres of waterfalls and cliffs.

Our organic orchard contains over 75 old-time apple trees, a small vineyard of heirloom grapes, newer fruit trees, and an organic garden.

Laughing Waters is our community gathering place, retreat site and educational center. It was completed in 2010 along Hickory Nut Creek at the ruins of an old gristmill. Here we offer workshops, weddings, conferences and private retreats. We have a large fire circle for bonfires, potlucks and social gatherings.

The community is designed to allow for different living situations. Residents own one of the 23 individual lots. For guests and visitors, there is a campground with cabins nearby. We have committees to help with particular community aspects: land protection, trail building, renewable energy, growing organic foods, green building, events and activities. We are continuing to grow and invite you to visit and learn more!

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 100 acres
Current Residence Types: Single-family homes, Lots to build on
Current Number of Residences: 6
Planned number of residences: 4
Housing Provided: Purchase
Land owned by: Individual community member(s)

Membership
Adult Members: 14
Child Members: 4
Percent Women: 50%
Percent Men: 50%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
Contact John Myers at (828) 712-4926 or by email at [email protected]
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
To all potential members, we share our values and goals and show them around, so they can decide if they want to be part of our community. If they decide they want to live here, they purchase a homesite in the neighborhood, and build a home whenever they are ready.

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Regular Fee per Month: $23
Shared Income: None
Required Labor Contribution: No
Open to members with existing debt: Yes
Additional Comments:
Annual Homeowner Association dues

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
Current renewable energy generation: Almost All, around 90%
Energy sources: Solar, Hydro-Electric
Planned renewable energy generation: 100%
Current food produced: Between 26-49%
Planned food produced: From 50-75%
Food produced locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House
Internet Available: Yes, individuals provide it
Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.
Shared meals: 1-3 times per month
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, Raw or Mostly Raw, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
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.
Education Style(s): Home Schooling, Public Schooling, Up to each family or individual
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/hickory-nut-forest/
              http://www.HickoryNutForest.com