This spring has been cool and consistently moist. Luckily, the garden crew was able to get four consecutive dry days to get everything out of the greenhouse and into the fields. The strawberry harvest is getting into full swing this week and the number of yummy smoothies being consumed has increased proportionately.
The hoophouse has been producing excellently. The first zucchinis were harvested this past week. The gardeners are eagerly awaiting the first tomatoes and peppers of the season.
This May Day marked the forty fifth anniversary of East Wind Community’s founding as a not for profit organization in the state of Missouri. There was plenty of music and I was fortunate enough to film an interview with Jim Adams, an early member who had lived at East Wind from 1977 through 1987. On the day of Beltane itself there was quite a bit of rain, but not enough to dampen spirits. Some festivities, such as dancing around the Maypole, were postponed. People played volleyball and frisbee and in the evening there were smores around the fire. Thank you to everyone who helped setup this year!
Alexis of Living Energy Farm came to visit for a couple nights after installing DC solar arrays with nickel iron batteries for destitute, off grid people living in the deserts of Arizona. The funds to purchase the solar energy equipment and his travel expenses were covered through donations and fundraisers. Alexis showcased the nickel iron battery technology (comparing it to the shortcomings of lithium ion battery technology) and shared his experiences with off grid DC motors.
We have nearly one hundred freshly plugged shiitake logs behind Rock Bottom (RB), our dining hall. The building maintenance crew has successfully finished the nearly complete overhaul of Foopin (the food processing space). East Wind has also hired a local roofing crew to help keep up with building maintenance this year. There are plenty of building projects in consideration right now and there are many opportunities to learn some serious building skills right now.
I have completed a number of new videos and have seen some good traction on the East Wind Community YouTube channel. I make blogs and videos when I feel inspired to do so. Comments and suggestions are most welcome. Have a wonderful rest of Spring!
Post and pictures by Sumner Pinetree
Hi Friends.
I was wondering if you have any knowledge about communities similar to East Wind, that are located in one of the countries that are members of european union. And that accept new members.
It’s hard to find out who is decent and who is not. There is BS everywhere… And on top of that, such communities are few in between, even in the country that is the size of US, moreover in EU.
I hope to get a response from you soon. Thank’s in advance.
All the best.
Hello, no I have no personal experience with communes in the EU. I have heard of communes in Germany, France, and Portugal. Perhaps ic.org could help direct you?
Situations like East Wind are very few and far between, no doubt.
Hi
I am living in England and as a British citizen I wondered if I could visit with a view to full membership if accepted?
Regards
Geoff Verrill
Hi Geoff, We require any member to have a Social Security number in order to become a member. So it is possible, but could be difficult depending on your circumstances.
My husband and I currently reside in Kentucky. We are interested in becoming a part of your community. Please contact us!
Do you accept new members? Im looking for a community to join.
Why?
This i couldn’t find a place to leave membership applications, so…
Hello, (hopefully) future friend,
I suppose I’ll go with your outline on your website, and get right into it: My name is Danielle Rizzi, more often called Dee or Dani. I am 29, born March 28, 1990. If I am so blessed to be invited to visit, I’ll be coming from NJ. I am single with no children and no pets. I learned about West End, while searching for like mined communes. I would love to start to with a viait, bit I’m ready for the move. I have lived all over NJ and a few years in FL. I spent a few years in Community College, Liberal Arts major. But more importantly, I have several licenses, in order to what I earned: yoga cert, personal training, real estate, esthetician. I was very successful, but I’m sure you realized that means nothing. Volunteering has always been a part of me, soup kitchens and art classes for the “under-privileged”. My free time is spent walking/hiking, reading/writing, listing to music, serving my family and my church. I’ll take that into self care practices, prayer time is number one. Allow be to be clear- I love and accept everyone, my beliefs are just that, mine. Breathing, eating, living positivity – really that’s it – other than my workout routine and mindful eating.. What motivates me – family, my love for people, and my annoying bleeding heart (sliding some sense of humor in there). I have a heart for people, life. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve fully found my motivation, that’s why I’m writing to you. No allergies, vices – I think I’m blessed to say I don’t have many vices other than a constant need for excitement. No no no – to a lot of those questions. I was caught shoplifting when I was 19, but I’m nearing 30 and I was silly and lost then… that’s really all my dirty secrets, I just feel lost. Nearing 30, three careers in, no children, I know pulling up to your land would be the start of my life, and I pray you see the sencerity in my mediocre writing. Section 4: I read your bylaws, and I would have love nothing more than a full membership. Whenever.
Please email ew.membership@gmail.com for membership inquiries.
Yes hi my name is Ed Hogan I was wondering if I need to be debt-free in order to be considered as a member?
No, you do not.
2 related membership questions: you ask if people have income like pension, Social security, etc… payments and if they would be willing to share it with community. so 1, can people who are not willing to share that outside income with community still become members? and 2, could someone who is not very able to work anymore but wants to share this income with community instead of working become a member? This are hypothetical questions as I have no independent income nor am I in a situation where I can´t work. It just crossed my mind when I saw those questions. (currently just window shopping, but might in time send you a visitor´s application)
Technically, all income is to be shared. However, some members with pensions do have say in how the money is used. Some have it put toward building projects and one member uses it for personal supplements.
There are retirement stipulations, reduced hours for older members, etc.
hi, i id like to ask do you accept barefooter members? like is it possible to be barefoot all year around in your community, and do you accept people who have little to no experience but willing to learn?
Most certainly possible to be barefoot year round and no one would think much of it.
What if we want to become a member, but we do have debts to pay off (CCs, student loans, etc)? What about if we have a mortgage?
Message for Boone Wheeler
Hello Boone…
Today I read your Reddit I Am A and see that you are writing a book. If I can help you with this project, I’d be happy to do so. I’m a retired teacher and published writer and do editing for people at no charge if I like their writing style and content. I also do volunteer work for the local farmers market and for several environmental organizations and am very interested in hippie communes (and what happened to them) and intentional communities today. This editing would be my way of supporting what you folks are doing and learning about how to make such communities work in today’s world.
I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota and hang out with tree hugger types who are working to protect our water from pollution by gold mining operations and oil pipelines coming down from Canada. Also work with wildlife managers helping them do their job—we have a lot of wildlife here and how it should be managed gets very controversial, especially when it comes to a hunting season on mountain lions.
So if I can be helpful to you in any way, just drop me a line and I’ll see what I can do.
This is one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. Good for Everyone and lots of love to you all. Hopefully someday I would be blessed to make it down for a visit as I live in Minnesota it would be a big trip but most worthy atleast
my name is Henry Hamilton I’m 55 years young, the wife is 40 daughter is 7
we feel the world is going bad government has turned against Americans
and looking for a better way of life, considered different avenues such as survivalist groups found them a bit extreme, we are more preppers with some stored food, guns, and ammo, and survival gear.we have many skills to offer, mechanic electrition forklift operator, herdsman
farmer, construction and computer tech and love to hunt and fish, love to build almost anything if you think this may interest you, please contact us at hankh64@gmail.com
I am 55 years old and have been fighting this Rat Race my entire life. I have had the dream I’m having a farm and living off the land, my ex-husband and I have made many plans to do so. All of that fell apart what are marriage dissolved. I work everyday I live paycheck to paycheck so I have nothing built up as I was a housewife most of my years. I could not offer an income to contribute but I would love to learn gardening and I am a hard worker I cannot do as much as I used to as I have lung issues but I’m a fighter. Would you consider me for membership?
How so I get in touch with someone from east wind?
See the Visit Us page on the website.
Hopefully, everyone there is alright with the pandemic going on. Please be safe East Winders!
I don’t agree with their socialist views but I respect the east enders …. but I think their BATSHIT CRAZY
Thanks, piggy. Very few socialists here. More anarchists, I’d say. Maybe a couple communists.
Well said Sumner. It produced an honest done to earth grin on my face that I haven’t felt for way to long. I’m from independence but I am a hillbilly. I think my search is over. Peace on
I am a hunter and trapper. Is there very good trapping along the river?
Joe this is Joe. You know you wouldn’t make it there….they probably don’t like moonshiners!
Hello,
Hope all is well for your community during such tough times
Where can I locate the bylaws or more information on how your community runs (income, labor, housing, etc)? I did read over the site but really would love more information.
Me and my significant other have been taking about joining a community such as yours and would love to see what type of fit we may be. I understand membership/visits are on hold due to Covid but would love to research while we can until the world slows down.
Thank you!
Hello,
Hope all is well for your community during such tough times
Where can I locate the bylaws or more information on how your community runs (income, labor, housing, etc)? I did read over the site but really would love more information.
Me and my significant other have been taking about joining a community such as yours and would love to see what type of fit we may be. I understand membership/visits are on hold due to Covid but would love to research while we can until the world slows down.
Thank you!
The bylaws are on the website somewhere. I believe in the “Government” tab or something like that. Its a link within the text.
I’m so happy you have a website with photos of your beautiful land. I visited for a month back in the early 90’s while in college to interview members about gender roles in the community. There was a conflict brewing at the time related to tension between a commitment to individual liberty and a commitment to doing for the greater good. It bubbled up a few months later and I was told that many people left. I’m so happy to see East Wind continues, despite any growing pains it experiences over the years. May you all be healthy and well.