Baltimore Free Farm

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Baltimore Free Farm

Located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Who are we?
Baltimore Free Farm is an egalitarian collective of gardeners and activists who aim to provide access to healthy food for all.

How we operate…
We believe that hierarchical systems of organizing are damaging to our lives, our minds and our relationships. In an egalitarian collective, we do our best to create an environment where everyone is valued equally. We value the input of all collective members and encourage honest discussion. Our decision making process is consensus-based and we allow the voices of all members to be heard.

Mission Statement
Baltimore Free Farm is committed to creating ecologically sound alternatives by combining the best technologies of modern and age-old practices. Baltimore Free Farm strives to promote urban agriculture, sustainability, and permaculture through the creation of green spaces and community sanctuaries which utilize reclaimed materials whenever possible. By providing entertainment, educational opportunities, and ethically produced food to local residents, we hope to instill a sense of pride in one’s community and its ability to sustain itself.

Community Description
Baltimore Free Farm is an egalitarian collective of gardeners and activists who aim to provide access to healthy food for all.

Horizontal Housing Co. is a non-stock corporation formed by members of Baltimore Free Farm in 2013. Because Baltimore Free Farm is a project under the umbrella of the 501-c3 organization Fusion Partnerships, it cannot collectively purchase property. The sole purpose of Horizontal Housing Co. is to purchase property for utilization by Baltimore Free Farm members as either gardening space or housing. In 2012, our good friend and Baltimore Free Farm member Paul Pojman passed away, leaving behind a house which BFF collective members lived in but did not own. Working in conjunction with Paul’s family members and NASCO, an organization which helps co-ops and housing collectives purchase property, Horizontal Housing was able to purchase this property and continue housing several BFF members on campus.

In addition, Horizontal Housing was able to purchase two lots from the city that are a part of Baltimore Free Farm’s gardening space. Like much of Hampden, these lots were under threat of housing development before Horizontal Housing was awarded the rights to purchase the land and it will now remain part of our garden for many years to come.

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Current Residence Types: Room(s) in a house or building, Tiny house
Current Number of Residences: 3
Housing Provided: Rental
Land owned by: The entire community membership

Membership
Adult Members: 15
Percent Women: 41-49%
Percent Men: 51-60%
Percent Transgender: 1-10%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
Send us an email!
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
To be considered for organizing committee membership, new volunteers must attend one scheduled workday per week, and attend either two bi-weekly organizing meetings per month, or one organizing meeting and one BFF subcommittee meeting per month. After three months of participation, the current committee may then vote on issuing collective membership to the volunteer. Consensus must be reached among all existing members in order to add new members to the organizing committee.
Additional Comments:
In addition to Baltimore Free Farm membership, local residents may gain access to our warehouse, garden or other spaces for use on personal or community projects by applying for key holder status. Examples of key-holders include people who host workshops out of our warehouse space, and various community members working on their own projects. Key-holder membership does not have any requirements as far as attending meetings or workdays, however we do request a periodic update on the project you are working on at Baltimore Free Farm.

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Shared Income: Partial share of income
Required Labor Contribution per Week: 0
Open to members with existing debt: Yes
Additional Comments:
We have not yet begun sharing income, but since we will start soon, we want new collective members who are open to this idea.

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
Current food produced: Up to 25%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Large Scale Kitchen, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Internet
Internet Available: Yes, community provides it
Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.
Shared meals: 2-5 times per week
Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), Local (food sourced within 150 miles), Mostly Vegetarian, Opportunivore (dumpster diving, nature harvesting, etc.)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.
Special Diets OK: Yes
Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Tobacco Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Common Spiritual Practice(s): Not a particularly spiritual or religious community, Buddhist
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/baltimore-free-farm/
              http://www.baltimorefreefarm.org/