We are building a cohousing community and agrihood in Burns, TN! We have a contract on a 17-acre site about 30 miles west of Nashville, TN. The site includes frontage on a small year-round stream and a number of large old oak trees. We are planning for 36 homes and a 4-acre farm, with five wooded acres to be undeveloped. The community will support a professional farmer and benefit from access to farm produce on site. Currently we use modified consensus for decision-making about our community, and we are learning more about sociocracy as an approach we might integrate as well. We know that ongoing education and skill-building for enhancing the quality of our relationships and decision-making is important for developing and sustaining the kind of neighborhood we want.
The site is part of a 150-acre farm which has been owned by one family for four generations. They support our plans for this community as part of their goal to conserve agricultural land. A mix of shared wall and stacked flat units will be clustered around shared spaces and designed to encourage interaction and social cohesion. We completed the site schematic design in July 2023, our common house (clubhouse) schematic in January, 2024, and the design elements of four styles of living units in April, 2024. These range from 2 bedroom, 2 bath to 3 bedroom 2.5 baths units. We offer more information on our website, as well as opportunities to register for site visits and zoom meetings with Members.
Burns Village & Farm is a multi-generational diverse community that follows best practices of cohousing, sustainability, and agrihoods.
Burns Village & Farm is a multi-generational diverse community that follows best practices of cohousing, sustainability, and agrihoods.
We ask people to start by participating in at least one of our events – a virtual or in-person gathering, or a site visit, and to ask questions. An individual can become an Explorer by paying a $150 non-refundable fee. An Explorer is expected to participate in more events for at least 30 days and up to 90 days before deciding to apply to become a Member. During this time the Explorer will have access to more information about cohousing, agrihoods, the history of our community, and responsibilities and benefits of being a Member. The Explorer fee is applied to the $500 Member fee which is non-refundable. As an Explorer or Member, an individual or family is welcome to participate in monthly General Meetings. Members are expected to participate in meeting twice a month, and to participate in the modified consensus process used to make decisions for the community.
We do not yet own the land. We schedule site visits with people who register through our website (https://burnsvillagefarm.com) or via email – [email protected].
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Join fee: $500
Labor: Encouraged or suggested
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes
We have not made decisions about some of these questions, such as the amount of HOA dues. Regarding sustainability practices, this is a priority for our community. Currently we plan for homes to be solar-ready and to have electric car charging stations. We aspire to produce food for our community and surrounding neighborhoods as well.
Common House, Garden(s)
Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.
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