Wildlight Refuge

  • Community
  • 0 followers

About the Community

  • Forming
  • Rural

What we do

Wildlight Refuge is an idea I’ve had for the last 12 years. The basis of it, is to start a multidisciplinary, non-denominational sangha, or satsang. Seekers from any and all religions, traditions and faith systems who are focused on pursuing the light together, are all welcome here.

Wildlight Refuge is situated on 143 acres of land, with a natural spring on-site and a little over half a mile of riverfront access to the Spoon River. 33 acres of the property is rented farmland. around 60 acres is Wetland Conservation area, which can be explored freely. the remainder of the property is old-growth, relatively unkempt timber woodlands that is home to an astonishing number of species of flora and fauna. There are some tree stands still posted up in some places that have been abandoned by past hunters. They make great spots to sit, relax, meditate or observe and enjoy nature.

I’m working on having the community be self-sustainable, so that all necessities and even some luxuries can be developed and incorporated into the community with resources found nearby or on-site. I have a large garden that can feed a good handful of people, as well as produce some income to help pay for property expenses. There are many, many resources on-site that may be utilized by members of the community to craft goods to sell at local markets, or online.

I’m still working on getting some facilities up and running for a restroom/shower outbuilding, a small cafe area for gathering and cooking and a place to do laundry.

Our Vision

The community focus is spiritual practice. We all work together to maintain a self-sustainable community that will offer us all the time and space needed for spiritual development.

Our Mission

The community focus is spiritual practice. We all work together to maintain a self-sustainable community that will offer us all the time and space needed for spiritual development.

  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Commune
  • Spiritual Retreat Centers
  • Activities
  • Education
  • 1 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
1

How to join

Send me a message and we’ll talk for a little bit about things.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Please just reach out and we can talk.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Single Leader or Founding Couple

One person or partnership has ultimate authority.

Governance structure

  • Founder/Leader-led

Primary authority rests with the community’s founder(s) or designated leader(s).

Economic model

  • Partial Income-Sharing

Members contribute a percentage of income to community funds.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation

Additional economic information

Join fee: $150
Monthly fees/dues: $150
Labor required: 20 hours/week
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes (some debt)
I’m seeking individuals who are aligned with the vision of the community. The initial contribution helps keep things afloat. The recurring monthly fees only kick in if an individual didn’t meet their weekly labor requirements. If an individual has put in their 20 hours for the week, the monthly contribution drops by 25%. Work hours can be made up in following weeks, but should never overlap into the next month.

If things are going well for an individual for a little while, we can discuss long-term residency.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Outdoor Kitchen, Fire pit, Waterfront access

Frequency of communal meals

  • 2-5 times per week

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies

Property status

  • Privately owned

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Self-produced energy

  • Over 66%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • 33 - 66%
  • Land area size
    143 acres

Reviews

Location

  • Illinois, United States

Wildlight Refuge

Promoted Needs and Offers

Need
  • Communities with Openings
9 months ago

Seeking Couples Interested in Long Term Deep Connection & Farming (open to singles)

Description Our  sloped and terraced community farm has far more potential than we have time and energy to use to the fullest. We have been in community for 15 years now, but feeling pulled to the deeper nourishment we find in long-term residents over shorter-term interns.  We seek one to two couples (or super aligned singles) who are interested in conscious connection, intimate conversation, personal growth and healing, regenerative agriculture, and serious about a building a life in community.  Although we hold space and flexibility for shifts in needs, we desire humans who plan to stay for all or part of a season (1-3 months at a minimum), after which we would explore longer-term alignment and relationships.  We MAY also be open to folks wanting to live off-site, as long as we prioritize ample time to explore how we work together before we get too deep. Current Use Heart 2 Heart Farms is a small, forested, 10 acre Permaculture farm nestled in the fertile hills of the Willamette Valley. Between the quaint towns of Newberg and Sherwood, this oasis is in the middle of wine country, just 30 minutes south of Portland, has been an intentional community and teaching facility for over 15 years, hosting a myriad of community outreach, up-cycling, homesteading, and prepping workshops.  Although we have recently slowed substantially, residents should be prepared for both a busy environment, and shared, informal, mixed-use spaces. We are almost completely self-sufficient, producing large varieties of heirloom fruits and vegetables, and we breed, butcher, and sometimes sell heritage chickens, turkeys, rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, and cattle. We tan hides, carve bone, save seed, occasionally blow glass, throw pottery, create alternative/green energy, dig root cellars, and build constantly. We have three large un/under-utilized areas available: The front hill is a terraced and amended south-facing slope that has LOTS of room and potential. We also have a poultry pasture is 2 acres of partially wooded Douglas Fir, an additional 4 acres of wooded mixed use browsing space and native habitat that’s virtually unused at the moment, two large greenhouses (including one set up aquaponically), and lots of space to expand the orchard and rotational grazing system. Additionally, we have a 20’x40′ healing center and sacred space we use for yoga, massage, reiki, ceremony (including traditional Lakota sweat lodge and grief/trauma work), and make available to local practitioners to offer their services to the community. If you are wanting to connect deeply, work hard, learn and expand your experience base, and participate in a small but established intentional community, shoot us a note and let’s explore. Owner’s Short Term Vision for the Property Our short-term goal is to find/train a few young/new farmers to assist with land stewardship and increase productivity of the existing space to spread out the work/responsibility and assist in overall streamlining and cleanup of the existing farm/operations. Owner’s Long Term Vision for the Property Our long-term vision is to continue to use this space as a teaching and educational facility, expanding the diversity and frequency of events we can host and services we can offer. Over the next few years, we hope to find an a couple interested in learning/independently managing most of the farm production, which will allow us to dig deeper into the training and certification we make available, to include natural building, basic and advanced Permaculture technique and application, beekeeping, horticulture, animal husbandry, food preservation, fermentation, plant identification/natural foraging, and primitive skills. Available Water / Irrigation Extensive rainwater collection on site, as well as a high-flow/capacity well. Soil Type / Quality Sandy loam with great organic matter, good clay content, and established vermiculture and mycorrhizal network. Buildings and Structures Available for Farm Use We have multiple barns and greenhouse space for use, or lease, depending on the particulars of use/situation. Farm Equipment Available for Use We have a skid steer on site, as well as rototiller, chipper, 26′ truck, and pickup trucks for use. Hand tools are also available, depending on the arrangement. Any Restrictions That Could Limit Agricultural Production Creating and supporting natural borders, food forests, and wildlife habitat (and incorporating these into a holistic/natural pest management strategy) is a very high priority to us, so intensive mono-crop/large machine harvesting and/or crops needing spraying/chemicals are not likely a fit on this site. County: Washington Total Acreage: 10 Acreage Available to Landseeker: 5 Current Farming Practices: Organic, Not Certified, Biodynamic, Dry Farming, Season Extension Farming Practices Allowed: Certified Organic, Organic, Not Certified, Biodynamic, Dry Farming, Season Extension Agriculture Types Suitable: Beans, Bees, Berries, Dairy, Fiber Animals, Flowers, Goats, Herbs, Hogs, Mushrooms, Nursery Stock, Nuts, Orchard/Fruit, Pasture, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Vegetables, Vineyard, Other
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