Thirty years ago, a group of permaculture experts purchased 329 acres of damaged land in Western North Carolina with a bold vision: to restore the ecosystem and create a sustainable way of living together.
Today, this vision has transformed into Earthaven, one of the oldest co-housing communities in the U.S.
Residents live in close connection with each other and the environment, guided by permaculture principles.
“This whole site had a big permaculture design at the beginning,” shared a long-time resident. “The whole thing’s part of really wanting this as a living laboratory and a lot of experimentation. So here we are.”
Restoring the land with permaculture principles
From the start, permaculture experts played a pivotal role in shaping the community, using their knowledge of ecological systems to regenerate the land.
The group focused on creating a self-sustaining environment to repair the damaged ecosystem and support a thriving community.
Their efforts laid the foundation for Earthavenโs commitment to sustainability and collaboration.
Building a sustainable community
In its early years, the community focused on constructing essential infrastructure, including the Village Center, now a central hub for gatherings and activities.
Originally a lumber yard, the space evolved into a multifunctional area.
“It was originally a lumber yard when we were building,” said a resident. “Now you can see soccer balls, the maypole โ it gets a lot of use here.”
The Village Center also features the Council Hall, a distinctive round building made from locally sourced wood.
“The posts were all from trees right around here, mostly tulip poplars,” explained the resident. “It has 13 sides, with a core and weight-bearing straw bale construction.”
This innovative structure reflects the community’s experimental spirit, guided by permaculture design principles.
Diverse housing and neighborhoods
The layout of Earthaven emphasizes small, interconnected neighborhoods, each accommodating three to six families.
“With this topology, there isnโt room to just put everybody together,” explained a resident. “Instead, we have these little valleys, and they become neighborhoods.”
Permaculture experts also influenced the design of various housing models, which range from small cabins to Earthships and co-housing units.
This diversity allows residents to choose homes that fit their preferences while contributing to the broader community.
One notable neighborhood, Village Terraces, exemplifies the co-housing model. A resident explained, “Itโs a co-housing model. Weโve got a little farm down here, which some neighbors are farming for us now.”
Shared kitchens and flexible housing options make this model accessible and affordable.
Off-grid living: a commitment to sustainability
Earthaven residents embrace off-grid living, relying on renewable energy sources like solar power and micro-hydro systems.
“We have solar panels on our roof,” shared one resident. “Itโs enough power to supply two residences and a communal space.”
In addition to energy innovation, permaculture practices such as composting, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable agriculture are integral to the community.
These efforts align with the permaculture expertsโ original goal of creating a self-sufficient, regenerative way of life.
Challenges and triumphs in co-housing
Building and maintaining a thriving community has not been without its challenges.
Residents acknowledge the complexities of balancing individual needs with the shared vision.
“Thereโs a whole experience and value and orientation to the village that comes before that,” said a resident. “Itโs around the project that is bigger than any of us.”
Meanwhile, Hurricane Idalia recently swept through Earthaven, causing widespread damage to homes and community spaces.
In the aftermath, residents have come together to begin rebuilding and have launched a fundraising campaign to repair critical infrastructure.
Their efforts aim to restore the community while staying true to their sustainable and regenerative living mission.
Despite these challenges, Earthaven is a testament to the power of collaboration and permaculture principles.
Guided by the expertise of permaculture experts and the dedication of its residents, the community continues to evolve as a living laboratory for sustainable living.
Tour the off-grid village built by the permaculture experts through the video below:
Help Earthaven Ecovillage Recover from Hurricane Helene
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