Energy

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Optimist’s view of Peak Oil – The new oil end game

One of the great advantages of living in an intentional community like the village is that you join with can-do people who, instead of just wringing their hands about world conditions, are actively engaged in solving problems. That’s a good feeling, you learn a lot and it’s fun.

Examples:
1. This summer, we lived about 80% on the food we grew in our garden and are planning to extend that winning streak through the winter with a green house.
2. We’re working on a green energy system that utilizes our unique local resources to power our home in the woods where wind and solar aren’t good options.
3. Our rain water collection system now gives us the option of living independent of public water. Our water is soft, pure without chemicals and free.

This week, confidence in our financial systems took a major hit with the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, AIG bailout, stock market roller coaster ride, etc.

Here is a TED talk that gives us lots of reasons for optimism about the potential for future world stability on many levels, including financial, ecological, social, and geo-political.
Take a look at this video for an injection of optimism.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/amory_lovins_on_winning_the_oil_endgame.html

PS: For those of you who don’t have the capital to tackle the world’s large-scale problems, but are not satisfied with sitting at the sidelines, join us in the village. We’re working on personal sustainability with some very encouraging results.

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Where can I get cheap gas?

Everybody is feeling the pinch of high gas prices.  Many are beginning to realize this isn’t a temporary thing.
What to do?  How about relocating to a place where we think long-term about all aspects of our lives, including the true cost of energy to our lifestyle, our peace of mind, as well as our pocket book?

I recently purchased a plug-in electric vehicle that I am outfitting with solar panels.  I like infinite MPG and $0.00/gallon.  In our rural location, we live only about two miles from a small town that supplies most of our daily needs.  A few more miles down the road is a wonderful University that supplies most of our social, intellectual and cultural needs.  All within easy commuting distance with our electric vehicle that cost under $5,000 equipped with solar.

What about the other energy costs in your life?  We are one of very few truly green communities that is working through all aspects of life after cheap oil and our damaged environment.  Our “green rebate” on the purchase of a lot puts money back in your pocket to help you install solar energy or a rainwater catchment system like the 7,500 gallon one we put on our house that makes us water self-sufficient.

Our community organic garden employs an organic coach that will help you learn to compost, improve the quality of the soil on your own mini-farm and ultimately reach the peace of mind that only comes from being truly self-sufficient.

Our unique combination of vision, philosophy, natural beauty and green expertise make this the perfect place to live an abundant, self-sufficient life in spite of a confusing, complex and distressed world.

Give me a call or come visit us to see how we are preparing our little village to live peacefully, a community in harmony with nature.

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Educating a Community to become self-sustaining

I just viewed a youtube video that I suggest everyone take a look at along with the many other wonderful videos produced by peak moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajqgOCxGEAo&sdig=1

Here at the village, we continue to stay focused on building a self-sustaining community.  Part of that effort is reaching out to the surrounding rural community that is rich in sustainable resources and culture.

I think independence day should be symbolic of our need to become resourcefully independent of our brittle, oil dependent world.  On the evenings of July 4th and 5th, we will be screening some educational videos on how to become self-sustaining and engaging folks in conversation about proactive measures we can and are taking here at the village.

If you are interested in coming, send me an email or give me a call.

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Tennessee Mountain Community

I’m intensely committed to BUILDING a close-knit, self-sustaining community of like-minded, intelligent and resourceful people within the Village on Sewanee Creek.

But there is a sustainable mountain community surrounding the Village proper already in existence.  It is filled with highly resourceful people who already know how to live joyfully in good times and hard times in harmony with nature and people.  Let me tick off just some of the resources that surround us here.
– Band Saw Mill within 1/2 mile.
– Free Range Cattle within 1 mile.
– Free Range Chickens within 1/4 mile producing free range eggs.
– Bees that produce local honey
– Worm Farm (one of 3 largest in the US) produces worm casting compost for organic gardening (not to mention fishing worms)
– Many small and medium acreage farmers and a well-organized web based farmers market selling everything from organic soap to indigenous herbs and ornamental shrubs to organically grown vegetables and delivering them to your door.
– Greenhouse within 1.5 miles producing sprouts for flowers and vegetables.
– Many skilled craftsmen in masonry, timber frame and traditional construction.  Strong Mennonite community in nearby Altamont.
– An artist community within about 2 miles that features experts in welding, glass blowing and pottery.
– Two mid-sized supermarkets, 2 dollar stores and a home improvement center 5 minutes away for every day shopping.
– Outstanding educational and cultural institutions that span Kindergarten to University within 20 minutes.

As we build the Village, it’s good to know that a larger wonderful village already envelops us.  There is a certain peace of mind being anchored in such a community.  We are truly blessed to be in this part of the Tennessee Mountains.

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Is There a Prepared Community Out There?

Pick up today’s newspaper and you will likely be hit with news of surging grain prices, “peak oil”, changing weather patterns, flooding, drought, economy woes, terrorist threats, war….  Bummer!  So, toss the newspaper and just hunker down, right?

At the Village we see a bigger picture.  “Being prepared” for life at The Village on Sewanee Creek is made into a full, joyous lifestyle.  This “intentional community” plan is based on sustainability, self-reliance, and unity in a drop-dead gorgeous piece of nature in Tennessee where 500 of the 750 acres is set aside for a nature preserve, shared by Village neighbors.

Why Tennessee?  While the Village could have been founded anywhere, there’s a certain allure about a state that has:
–  no income taxes,
–  low property taxes,
–  low cost of living,
–  lush, green woodlands,
–  rocky bluffs overlooking canyons and streams,
–  and a diverse culture from “mountain folks” who know how to live simply to academia.  (The ivy league University of the South is nearby with its rich cultural offerings).

Sustainable living at The Village is an old-fashioned concept with insightful new applications on four levels:

Energy:  10% of the purchase price of a lot up to $10,000 is rebated for building with alternative energy such as solar, geo-thermal or wind.

Food:  A community garden is maintained with help from a horticulturist and an organic gardening coach.

Water:  Rain water collection systems are encouraged and the rebate offered may also be applied here.  Most food storage would be useless without water.  Many who have rainwater collection systems are able to be completely independent of municipal water for both household and garden use, even during drought years.  Municipal water lines are still available, of course.

Community:  The most important thing that distinguishes the Village on Sewanee Creek is the sense of community.  Hiking and biking trails wander through pristine woodlands and past waterfalls through the 500 acre nature preserve.  A community garden brings neighbors together in America’s favorite pastime, gardening.  On the cleared bluff is a common area with breath taking views of the canyon and the mountains beyond.  An outdoor pavilion and barbecues will welcome you for a picnic or to watch a spectacular sunset, or even to linger for an outdoor movie.  A natural rock amphitheater surrounds a stage and large screen where family movies are shown against the backdrop of a starlit sky.

Located between Chattanooga and Nashville, the 750 acre Village on Sewanee Creek is placed in a rural setting, with shopping, restaurants, etc. an easy 5-25 minutes away.

Whether you’re looking for your primary residence in a prepared community, a beautifully located retirement or vacation retreat, or a second home safe haven, The Village on Sewanee Creek is an ideal choice.  Prices for a two acre lot start in the low $30’s.  One-of-a-kind home sites feature stunning bluff views, creeks and magnificent waterfalls.

I have seen the world from many angles having spent 30 years as an executive in international business.  I’ve worked in over fifty countries and have seen the way societies all over the world function, noting the ever decreasing self-reliance of our own.  My experience with and love for people, cultures and places around the globe were instrumental in developing a unique philosophy on the development of a diverse, healthy, intelligent, intentional community in harmony with people and nature.

All in all, It’s not just prepared living.  It’s joyful living.

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The Self-Sustaining EcoVillage

The press is beginning to wake up to something known as Peak Oil.  Check out today’s Wall Street Journal for a feature article.

Yes, it’s time to wake up and get serious about achieving energy independence on a national scale for many reasons including our economic health, the health of the planet, the human cost of fighting over the remaining fossil fuels, to name a few.

But while we work with civic leaders to change things on a macro level, I’ve always believed that real change must start with me, where I can make an immediate and meaningful impact.  In the short term, my peace of mind and well-being depend on things I can do right now.

That’s why I’m building a community of people who are ready to enjoy an abundant lifestyle and to commit to an old-fashioned concept – a self-sustaining village.

Our mission is to become self-sustaining on four levels:

* Water
* Food
* Energy
* Community

I don’t believe the gloom and doom model is in the cards for those who think and act now.  Life should be sweet.  Send me an email if you would like to explore what life can be.

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Green, Sustainable Development Incentives

The other day my wife and I were discussing the importance of sustainable, green conservation and construction in the Village.  We have already dedicated about 500 acres or 2/3 of the development to a nature preserve, but we agreed that we need to do more.

Here’s the plan:
1.  We have organized an advisory board of green experts to help us better define and drive green development.
2.  The first item on the board’s agenda will be to enhance the Village Covenants with construction standards for energy conservation, etc.
3.  We will rebate 10% of the lot purchase price up to $10,000 for installation of approved sustainable systems including solar water heating, solar energy, wind energy and rain water collection.  Installation must be completed within 12 months of closing.