As of DECEMBER 2025: We currently have an opening for new tenants. If you’re interested, see our FIC Classified Ad:
Churning Rapids Community—Seeking Tenants Seeking Community
We are located in a rural area on the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that is about six miles or a 10 min drive from the town of Hancock, and three miles from McLain State Park on Lake Superior. Our climate has long winters with heavy snowfall with a defined spring, summer, and fall. Our USDA Hardiness Zone is 5b (-15F to -10F). The property is located 1/2 a mile from the Churning Rapids trailhead which contains mountain bike/hiking trails in the summer and cross-country ski trails in the winter and is right across the street from the Portage Canal.
Each household has its own garden space, plus access to a shared community garden for food production. We maintain a comprehensive system for composting food and garden waste. We also encourage practices of waste reduction and creative repurposing of non-organic materials and “trash”. Adjacent to the garden is the poultry coop and yard, and an edible mushroom production area.
Central to the property is a small horseshoe-shaped pond fed by Finni Creek which runs through the property and powers our hydroelectric system. Our other renewable energy systems include solar and community harvested firewood for heat in the winter. In 2020 we built an energy-efficient commons building that includes a studio apartment/community gathering space, workshop geared towards woodworking, root cellar, and indoor parking with an electrical vehicle charging station.
We operate through the system of Sociocracy for decision-making and project management. This includes regularly scheduled work and policy meetings, about twice a month. Each household hosts brunch (or another agreed-upon meal) once a month in conjunction with meetings, with the expectation of additional community service work outside of formal meeting times. Many of our community members work full-time and part-time jobs outside of the community as well.
Our community is currently exploring making a change in legal and governance structure from a landlord-tenant model to an owner equity model with the goal of increasing the sense of solidarity and investment among our members. We embrace multi-generational cohabitation and welcome people of all ages and stages of life.
Churning Rapids Community explores and models ways of living in harmony with each other and the earth through cooperative group living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Churning Rapids Community explores and models ways of living in harmony with each other and the earth through cooperative group living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Trial period/ probationary period of 1-2 years.
Contact us, by appointment only.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
Organized in circles or domains with distributed authority.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Monthly fees/dues: Yes (amount not specified)
Labor required: 5 hours/week
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes (some debt)
Our community labor inputs vary seasonally with the garden and landscaping (Summer), firewood (Fall/ Winter), and snow removal (Winter). (This is just a glimpse of our workload!) We suggest people plan for 3-10 hours per week to fulfill their community service, which includes time spent in work and policy meetings. We aim to see mutual benefit/support ideals practiced amongst community members.
Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Vehicle Share, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Internet, Sauna
Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.
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