Common Place Land Trust Cooperative

Common Place Land Cooperative is a 428-acre, rural land trust community located in the rolling hills of Truxton, New York. It was founded in 1980. Our community is made up of adults and children at varying ages and stages. We are continuously evolving into a small-scale community aimed at greater cooperation and food and energy self-sufficiency. Fourteen homesteads have been created on the land, seven of which are off the grid, and most are using alternative energy of varying types and designs. From time to time there may be a home for sale, but anyone interested in joining our community would benefit from exploring options to build. Over the years, we have come to agreement on 11 core ideals, which define and guide our community, including land stewardship and trusterity, economic self-reliance, diversity, consensus decision making, community participation, and voluntary simplicity. As a community we are not affiliated with any political or religious organization. Members have diverse views and interests including organic gardening, homesteading, organic farming, perennial garden design and maintenance, permaculture, alternative energy and house design, attachment parenting, homeschooling, the arts and music, teaching, natural and herbal healing, draft horse use, yoga and activism. Our decision-making process consists of one to two meetings per month using consensus. We are working to create a cohesive community that inhabits the land, preserving its integrity and resources. The spirit of the wider community of Truxton was demonstrated through its efforts to save and recreate its Elementary School. When Homer Central School closed its Elementary School in Truxton the local community purchased the building to create both a community center and the first rural charter school in New York State. Years of application to the state led to the development of a shared dream of what an ideal school for our young children would be: “Imagine a school where hands-on learning happens every day in a Rural Life lab, Spanish language education starts in kindergarten, and students learn to work together in a supportive community environment. Tuition-Free!” The school’s mission statement sums it up, “Truxton Academy Charter School will cultivate an enthusiasm for learning through project based curriculum that celebrates our rural life, environmental stewardship, and our agricultural heritage. Using real world, student centered learning we will plant a foundation for future academic success.” https://www.truxtonacademy.org/ To learn more about our community, please visit our website: https://commonplacelandtrust.wordpress.com/