13 Years Living in an ECOVILLAGE

[@Piecesoftheshadow]

It's crazy how we now call this radical living when this is how humanity has lived for thousands of years. This is my dream. I'd love to find an eco village of good people who aren't creepy, ha.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

People at Dancing Rabbit aren't creepy. I'm not really sure what you mean by that or how you got the idea that people in ecovillages would be creepy.

[@Piecesoftheshadow]

Hardcore Sustainable There are certainly creepy villages. Never said Dancing Rabbit was. I have seen plenty who want everyone to always be together, eat together, and check in all the time. Community is great and one thing, but never being able to be autonomous and having your time watched is another. All villages are different. Some require more participation than others. Which is fine if you're into that. That doesn't make it creepy. But there are definitely some weird eco villages out there.

[@whitedandelion3074]

Star Dust so many of them are cults, let’s not forget that.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

@@whitedandelion3074 You have no idea what you are talking about. I don't think you know the difference between an ecovillage and a cult. So if what you are saying is true, name some ecovillages that are cults. I'm pretty sure you will not know a single one.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

@@Piecesoftheshadow Which ones are those?

[@Donneczka1]

You are doing it right! Most people sacrifice their souls to the way they live!

[@carterriemer4609]

Dude I love this channel. When grow up. Which is in 7 years I want to have a sustainable life. I want to terra form a piece of land so then it was able to hold life and grow food. Dude I feel so like you can tackle the vineyard full force. Get that soil test. Get some shade. Get but nets to protect the fruits of your labor. If I am 13 and planning to help reduce food waste in landfills in my community by making a composting business. You can make a vineyard. When I am old enough to drink I am going to dancing rabbit and gonna taste that wine dude. Come on become a really good wine maker. Become the best. BELIEVE!!!

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Hey, wow, thanks for the great encouraging words and for your inspiration! It's true that if you put your mind to something you can accomplish it. Glad to see that the interest in sustainable living is still rich in the younger generation. A composting business seem like a great way to make the world more sustainable and eliminate a problem. I have another video from last year on community composting if you haven't seen that. Good to have you as a viewer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHvEmKKCap6metk

[@carterriemer4609]

@@HardcoreSustainable Thank you more information the better.

[@leannhoward7306]

You're 13?! You give me hope for the future !

[@Galemor1]

I bought a cabin, I'm currently turning the forest into a food forest.. Mushrooms, leaf you can eat in the spring, harvesting sap, berries, weed that you can eat, mix of wild and garden plants that you can eat or use in different ways, fruit trees.

[@madamsophia1503]

@@carterriemer4609 Goodness, I wish more of the youth were like you! You must have amazing parents. Many people waste much of their entire lives trying to figure out what to do with themselves. Here you are only 13 and you already know what you want. You will be very successful, very wealthy, and go far. Look into “permaculture,” it has the potential to save the planet, if the majority were to practice it.

[@RVBadlands2015]

The more people the more conflict, I live in a small town of 3,000 people and it’s nice we don’t have all the consumerism. It’s nice to not have Starbucks, chipotle and all that trash. It’s a very relaxing community most of us have gardens. A small gold rush town and the tourist are always saying why don’t you have more convinces like fast food is because we don’t want it. They just don’t seem to understand, maybe we are behind the 21st century but we like it that way.

[@HayaRubin]

Actually you are ahead of it.

[@ronanryan9472]

I love how yanks say a town with 3000 people is small

[@tieflingcorpse9817]

yea but on the other hand conflict is good because conflict leads to change. without conflict we'd still be in feudalism or even hunter gatherer societies

[@oliang66]

where is your town？😆

[@planetwalker798]

sounds like the sierras or Nevada. I agree either way!

[@mildredmartinez8843]

I moved to the city to be near my son, since I am getting older and i didn't feel i had community connection. I wanted community, I want community. That is why i have all these ideas running around my head of living a nomadic life in a van, which i think I'm too old for or joining an intentional community.. Then I stumbled into these videos about eco villages and intentional communities. (It brought back the wonderful book I read years ago, 'Walden II). I am now watching many of these videos and seeing the different ways people organize themselves. Skmetimes I think that I woukd like to organize an eco village but don't know the first thing about doing that. With the housing problens and climate change it seems like a good alternative. Besides, older people are more commonly living a lonely life alone. Thank you for permitting me to ramble on and for making this honest video about your experiences, the good and bad. I would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Thanks for your thoughtful comment Mildred. Depending on where you live, there maybe be an intentional community in the city. It can be hard to start one, but if you find others with a like mind, that is the first step. It is too bad that our society has lost the community aspect that took care of people as they got older, and still gave them community support. I wonder what I will do as I get older as well. We have some people that are retired and moved here to have community, but some of our older people wonder how they will be able to stay here because our village isn't set up for mobility in bad weather, and we are far from some stores that provide basic necessities. I would guess city life might be easier, if not as pleasant in some ways. One good place to start the search for intentional communities is the Foundation for Intentional Communities website. ic.org. You can search on a map for communities in your area. It's not comprehensive, but it will give you an idea of different communities. I've never read Walden II, but I've heard of it. It sounds really interesting. It was written a while back, post WW2. There were a lot of cooperatives started following WW2 because so many soldiers were inspired by European cultures and communities. So much has changed since then it would be a good read and comparison. Looking on Wikipedia Twin Oaks and East Wind were started on the Walden II model. I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on my videos and let me know if you find anything or find others to help you set up a community.

[@dancesjoy]

Hi Mildred, I dont know if you will be checking back on this message but I thought I would leave you a response. I am an older woman, 70 yrs and I am thinking very much like you. I not only want community, I very much want to provide what I have to offer to a community as well. We older folk can have wisdom, understanding and a valuable skill set to give from our life experience. We also have much more to share. I am excited about finding an answer.... I want to live closer to the Earth mother and work with others toward a healthier sustainable lifestyle for humanities future. I have been checking out what I find on the ic.org website. There are so many possibilities ... I too would like to travel around and check these out in an RV or something. I have even thought about writing a blog or something about the experience and what is out there from the eyes of a senior. Let’s go !! Ha. I’m in Wisconsin and I may be helping my daughter move out to California, I thought I would check things out there to see what is available along the way too. Robin. PS. I am enjoying this site, I love hearing about your thoughts on your planning and outcomes. I dont have the skills to do many of the building yet it is informative and helps me to make decisions and understand more deeply what kind of intentional community could work for me. Thank you Robin M

[@mildredmartinez8843]

@@dancesjoy Hello Robin. Thank you for writing to me. I enjoyed hearing your story and observing that it is very much like mine. Little by little I have been loosing family and friends. That is one of the main reasons I would like to see if an intentional community is right for me. I need comunity and where I live there is none. Gee I wish we were living closer and we could share talks, opinions and experiences. Next week I am going to Austin, Texas and am thinking of exploring things there. I have asked information about several IC but have only gotten an answer from Dancing Rabbit. I like their style but the thing that keeps me back is that they are so isolated. I wanted something in the South so that i could be closer to my son. I have all these thoughts and sometimes I have anxiety about taking that step but my present life is not to my liking. I'd love to hear from you again. Please keep in touch. Mildred.

[@dancesjoy]

@@mildredmartinez8843 yes Mildred I’d like to keep in touch. Is there another way we could do that? Robin

[@mildredmartinez8843]

@@dancesjoy Glad to hear from you. I am a retired teacher. I have a wonderful son who is married so I don't get to see him very often although we have a wonderful relation. I want to live in a community that fosters peace, responsibility, sharing and sustainability. I am going to Austin Texas for a 3 day conference and hope to stay there for a couple of days and see some sights. Then I don't know. I have been asking for info on IC but have received no answers except for DR. I much want to change my life and enjoy company and sharing work and other experiences. I think this also resonates with you which I am glad. Yes I would like to keep in touch with you and share information and plans. My email is: [e-mail] and my phone is [phone]. You can email or leave a text message. Sometimes i get a little anxious because this is new and sometimes it seems overwhelming. Glad to know there is someone out there going through a similar process. Mildred.

[@frantzsaintil3624]

Living closer to nature has been my dream for as long as I can remember. But the pressure of global industry in America makes one lose sight of that. But oddly enough I was returned to my native country of Haiti after residing 23 years in America. And from the time of arrival I began to assemble resources in order to build and live in a sustainable eco village, where nature lovers of liked minds can get off the grid and live on the earth. Peacefully and progressive.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I'm glad to hear you made it back to a saner life. Living closer to nature is important.

[@maryrock7698]

Hi Dan, Thanks for sharing your 13 year biography in a Ecovillage. Whenever I watch your videos it reminds me of how beautiful Dancing Rabbit really is . I guess I just forget about that aspect of the place. It is nice to hear such honesty about the challenges of your life there. I appreciate you sharing your life with us. It is very heart warming.

[@safiteaprivate1997]

Really appreciated your uncensored and honest thoughts on living in an Eco village, specifically dancing rabbit. I've lived in intentional community in the past and am currently renewing my interest in doing so again. I'm currently building out a van so that I can travel around and do a lot of visitations. I also spend my Winters in Florida currently. Right now I'm in Bradenton. If you find yourself in bradenton/serasota/st Petersburg/tampa Bay and would like to make a friend, maybe go for a hike or kayak, then let me know. I grew up here, in St pete, and know some pretty cool places. Either way, I look forward to checking out more of your videos.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Which community did you live in? I spent a winter in Bradenton over 10 years ago now, but this winter I'll be in back in St Pete. I love Anna Maria Island. I'm always looking for kayaking/hiking buddies, and I'm interested in finding new places to explore. I've been wanting to go kayaking in the southern bay between Ruskin and the Skyway bridge. It's a little drive and I haven't had a car. I could look you up. I'm headed down next week and will be there until April. I know someone who lives in St Pete that has built out Sprinter vans. Hope you enjoy my other videos and glad you found my channel. This video is suddenly getting a lot of views.

[@safiteaprivate1997]

@@HardcoreSustainable I left a big reply just a little bit ago but it looks like I forgot to hit send or something. 🤔 Dang.... Anyhow, I lived at East wind community many years ago. At that time dancing rabbit was just a concept I believe but we had heard about it and everyone was very interested. I had always planned to go check it out, but life took me in different directions. I do not recommend kayaking anywhere near this skyway bridge. St Petersburg is having a lot of issues with it waste disposal system. They are fully aware of this issue, but refusing to do anything to remedy it. It's actually pretty bad. Anyhow, I wouldn't get in that water. Have you been to weedon island? There's some very pretty kayaking through the mangroves there. Also, I cannot recommend weeki wachee springs enough! That is is one of my favorite kayak runs! I imagine I will be in Bradenton until April or May myself, so long as I am able to get the van ready by then. Hit me up when you're in town. Here's my Facebook page. Let's connect on there and keep in touch. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010326450781

[@HardcoreSustainable]

@@safiteaprivate1997 I do kayak at Weedon Island pretty frequently when I'm there. I love the mangrove tunnels. I also like to go to Shell Key and around Ft DeSoto. I think there is a lot of mangrove preserves between Skyway and Ruskin, so I'm sure there is a lot of good kayaking in there. I've watched a KZbin channel of a guy who kayaks that area a lot and it looks great. Lots of mangrove tunnels there too. I know about the problems with the wastewater systems. I once was participating in a panel at the St Pete Ecovillage (now defunct) and there was someone from the city there. I remember when I was talking about our Humanure system for composting human waste at Dancing Rabbit she gave some comment about it, and I brought up the fact that it's much better than mixing human waste with clean water and that every time it rains a lot in most cities, raw sewage is just flushed into the nearest waterway. I think she realized I had a point. So many people are so grossed out by humanure, and think that by flushing the waste is magically disappearing, but don't realize that the waterways they are boating and swimming in are full of human feces. Tampa Bay is really polluted in general, so you have to take your fun where you can find it. The springs are great. I'd like to spend more time there. I'll message you on FB.

[@hailehoughton6103]

You are doing something significant. Thank you for taking the time to inspire others to live in greater alignment with the earth. :)

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Thank you. I get inspiration from the encouragement and support of others.

[@veganvocalist4782]

Thank you for sharing as it seems a little out of your comfort zone so very much appreciated. Specially grateful for the negative aspects as it's good to have the whole balanced view of that way of living . Was nice to see you smile and giggle over the chickens kicking over their own eggs lol that's what they thought of you guys taking their eggs 🤣 you reminded me of Dr Jones whom has a KZbin channel called Veterinary Secrets. Your smile and laugh is so similar . Enjoyed seeing your dog companion 🤗🐶 very sweet . We are in Cornwall, UK just to give you an idea of how far reaching your videos get . Continue having a splendid life and hope you find many more things that make you smile inside and out 😊 🌻

[@jerseystotler3615]

Peace and Love. This reminds me of the communes of the 1960s beautiful🦋💖🦋

[@j.hanleysmith8333]

Very inspiring, thanks for doing what you do.

[@mollygrace3068]

I know this is a me issue, not a you issue, but it always irritates me when I hear people refer to early pandemic and say we were all home with nothing to do. I was still working from home with two kids and doing distance learning. We weren’t all on lock down vacation 🙄

[@JINNIBOO4477]

Yes my friends and I are planning to join the village out here in Arizona that's the only way we're going to push these billionaire pigs out of business we need to go back to our ancient ways it's better for our health anyway

[@mlindsay527]

Thank you for the truth. It is obvious that you are really trying. My goal is to pass the x8 billion test with my lifestyle. So far, it has been very difficult to do so while maintaining anything that resembles an American lifestyle. Maybe someday, everywhere, rich and poor alike, can look a bit more like Dancing Rabbit. Keep up the good work!

[@josdesouza]

Mowing the grass with a scythe also hones your golfing skills. ;-)

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Don't say that around scythe snobs. They will rip you a new one. I know because they've done it to me. An ideal scythe swing is a pivot more than a swing like a golf swing. You are slicing the grass off like a knife rather than just hitting it like with a golf swing.

[@fignewton0000]

Please explain how a car co op works. I'm just trying to imagine the insurance policy covering those vehicles is a NIGHTMARE of legal redtape

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Everyone shares 4 vehicles. We pay 69 cents per mile for use of the cars and that pays for everything, the fuel, maintenance, insurance, and cost of the car. We sign out the cars on a schedule and can share the ride with others. The ride is charged per mile, so the more people in the car, the cheaper it is. When we go somewhere, we record the ride in the logbook and that is used to bill us. The insurance was really easy to set up. You just have to explain what you want to the insurance company and they set up a kind of custom insurance policy. Unfortunately, the insurance covers the cars and not the people, so it doesn't extend to rental cars like some insurance does, so when we rent cars we have to get the extra insurance, which is usually more than the cost of rental.

[@luciemunson]

Thank you so much for living the way you do and showing it to the world. I truly believe that this is the wave of the future, and it's probably the most significant thing you can do for a more positive impact on our planet. I aspire to live in an ecovillage myself, and these videos make me feel empowered and inspire me. Thank you!

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Thank you for the positive words and the encouragement! I make these videos because of the feedback I get from people like you. You make me feel like the way I'm living is reaching and inspiring people and that it's worthwhile, since it can be a lot of hard work at times. When the pandemic is over, you should come visit Dancing Rabbit and see it in person.

[@frantzsaintil3624]

I share the same feeling. Recently I have invited friends, nature lovers to come out to the wilderness of northwest haiti and together we can finish an eco village that I have started to build a few months ago. Loneliness and limited resources slow the process but I am certain that I will be blessed to meet someone who loves peace, nature and people like ourselves. I believe by sharing my story, opening the door to my humble, simple lifestyle and sharing as many video as I can; maybe someday I will find a peace of mind and my place in the natural world.

[@johnhill1629]

Is there high speed internet at DR? P.s. I've been watching you for years, can't believe you're over 20k. Congratulations!

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Yes, we do have that available now because they installed fiber optic cable a few years ago thanks to something that Obama passed to fund internet in rural areas. The fastest we have is 100/100 Mbps, I believe. I'm not sure if faster is available.

[@dalegribble4308]

The problem is capitalism. Not individual people. This is great . I’m off grid too, but let’s not kid ourselves about the planet . It’s corporations and the military

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Capitalism is definitely the root of the problem. A system that can only thrive on constant growth and constant resource extraction cannot survive in a world of finite resources. If you watch the video I made about why I came to live in an ecovillage I believe I talk about capitalism. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX_MqKGtjdJjeLs Capitalism can't survive much longer. That's why they call this late-stage capitalism. And as we've seen in this whole "infrastructure bill" process, capitalists don't like doing anything about the massive and mounting problems that threaten the capitalist system. And definitely war and the military are responsible for large-scale destruction of the planet and human cultures. You won't hear any of the mainstream environmental groups taking an antiwar stance though, because war has been so engrained in our culture as something positive.

[@mariethomas-stanley4009]

Have you thought of making money as a tourism spot? You also could set up classes for building and farming there or teach your skills at a college. Love what you are doing. Praying for financial increase. Proverbs 3:5+6 God gave you this love for the land. HE WILL PROVIDE!

[@HardcoreSustainable]

That would definitely be a goal. Unfortunately we are far away from most things, and maybe not enough of a tourist destination yet. But we do get people from all over visiting. Not enough to really support the economy though. We do natural building, permaculture, and other classes at DR. I have recently started a solar powered bookkeeping business. This is building on a skill I already have and it's something that's flexible and can be done remotely. If you have any ideas for clients, send them to solpowerbookkeeping.com. Thanks for the support and encouragement!

[@corbinprydwen4130]

I bought 11 acres a yr ago, built a tiny house and started a community! ❤️❤️ I love it!!

[@addjin]

Thank you for the candid talk regarding the downsides of living in an ecovillage. It was relieving to hear someone talk about them like that.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Yes there are some downsides, but a whole lot more upsides, or i wouldn't live there. But sometimes I see people talking about alternatives to mainstream society and they aren't honest about it because people are much more impressed when you make everything seem like a utopia. I prefer to tell it like it is. But this is just my experience and everyone has their own opinion. The mainstream society is a fantasy world based on overconsumption of finite resources. Still, it's not able to make people happy, though we might think the conveniences make our lives easier.

[@bodilskumsrud520]

I love to follow you and your ways of solving challenges!!And the way you are honest to what you do,how you live...that’s the only way!! Thank you...stay safe.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Aw, thanks so much! It's comments like yours that keep me inspired to keep going. You stay safe as well.

[@julieowen5874]

So very true....skills are so important. No one appreciates skillful people....and they certainly don't pay for skill that's why corporate America is sucking the life out of each and every one of us...

[@sajge7750]

I’d really like to become a part of this natural way of living. Thank you for such insight!

[@campbub]

Tony Packos!! 🤣 I live and was born in Toledo ... I wasn’t expecting to see the shirt in a eco village video ☺️ I’ve lived in a few old boats ( wood ) on Lake Erie .. on my way home to the boat , I passed the original Tony’s on front st

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Nice! Yes, I went to Tony Packos several years ago and got that t-shirt. I'd never been before, but had heard about it on MASH. I'm a big MASH fan.

[@angelahamilton3700]

Why have you not contacted other communities that “ARE” producing income ? How about Business Mastery with Tony Robbins ? Start a Facebook group to Network and Mentor each other !

[@VitalityMassage]

I enjoyed the TRAIN NOISE every half an hour all night long. I also loved the never-ending meetings where they take a topic and beat it for hours until it's dead.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Maybe you need a few more massages.

[@ozzyhouston2535]

Wow. I'm bothered by train noise in the city. Sorry to here DR isn't free of noise pollution.

[@berjafamily1673]

I love watching you

[@AdrianaNoDos]

What are you doing in Florida? I mean is it another eco village? Are you making money somehow else in Florida?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I'm in the Tampa area. I stay at a house that a friend owns and it is kind of run like a cooperative. Bunch of people in a house. I am working on building more income for myself. I have recently started a bookkeeping business and I'm building my client base.

[@outsidetesseract6389]

didn't elaborate on the negative side of dancing rabbit enough, would like to know the details like what opinions of yours were rejected?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I talk about this in another comment someone made on my website. I don't expect all my ideas to be supported, but one specific example had to do with a major project some in the village wanted to village to embark on. It would have cost over a million dollars. I didn't think we'd done enough planning and the budget kept going up despite some objections and concerns about our ability not only to carry out and finance the project, but to pay for it in the long run. We ended up going ahead with the project and I and a few other opinions felt shunted to the side. The community spent $200K on the project before realizing that we didn't have the financial capital or fundraising ability to pull the project off. Now we have this debt to pay off and little to show for it but an expensive learning experience, in my opinion. I think we have been making more sensible decisions in recent years.

[@laylaverbance4673]

What about syntropic agroforestry techniques for your Vinyard? (Interplanting) Also, how are the grapes sweet and fresh?😁

[@jamesthornton8964]

You mention in the video you are looking to produce some crops on a larger scale and that you are not finding like minded people at dancing rabbit that share this vision. Please elaborate as to what you would like to grow and what is your vision. I am finally in a great transition and I may be able to move to dancing rabbit within a year. I am finally able to work remotely and I would love nothing more than to be a part of this community and leave the big city once and for all. Everything now is contingent of course on a vaccine before I would make any serious moves. Thanks for your great channel and videos.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Trying to grow vegetables for profit at Dancing Rabbit doesn't work, so the best way to grow them on a large scale is cooperatively. But we need dedicated farmers who are willing to get out and do the work when it has to be done. You have to be able to get out when the weather is good for whatever you need to do. When I was trying to get cooperative growing together, it didn't seem like farming was enough of a priority to people to do the work needed. It would be great to get equipment needed to grow staples on a larger scale. I'd started out with 5 crops that would grow without any protection from animals, onions, potatoes, squash, cucumbers, melons. There are some new residents excited about agriculture, mostly into livestock though. Well, you should check out our visitor program when it gets going again. Having a source of income always helps to get established and stay at DR.

[@sharynhughes1061]

Hi. Yer Awesome! A Survivor, and Courage. Doing the only way to survive! Not fair you had to go through it, but yeah! U! Know the best survival skills. People live of people, they don't know anything hing else. It's good to see you are Happy and can enjoy the fruits now. Me I'm still stuck old ways, nobody to unerstands how or when why I'm forced to live to survive. Sad I Never met anyone. That life could have been better. ThankU! For awesome! Updates. Go where yer happy. To many people will keep you down. Sad. But you've done the hard life on yer own. That's Awesome! Çongratulations. 😀👌💋

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Thanks for the support and encouragement! It's always good to get the positive feedback. Good luck to you.

[@sharynhughes1061]

@@HardcoreSustainable Your Welcome and ThankU!!!!

[@kimulm0619]

I want to say how well delivered the info on this video was.Well done 👍

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@diannerisdon388]

Thanks, Dan for this latest video. i always enjoy watching and learning new things from you.

[@zbigkozak]

Thank you for sharing your story. Very good insights. I am building sustainable community in the Amazon Rainforest - it is always green!

[@ourfutureismars8965]

I wish I could live in an ecovillage

[@HardcoreSustainable]

You should try to find one.

[@mariaritaviaja3446]

I recomend you see ecoaldea MiTribu

[@harmonysalem9377]

Merci from Montreal, Canada.

[@GodiscomingBhappy]

"brought down to submission on what things should be"....that would be an issue with me.... i dont handle submission very well....to be shown "the right way" by explaining the reasons is ok.....but "do as I say because i know better" style is not my thing as incstinctively my brain does the opposite....

[@HardcoreSustainable]

It really depends on the people you are dealing with and that is changing all the time. I think it was different earlier in my time there. I think I said "browbeaten".

[@OneTribe.Community]

Thanks so much for your honest appraisal of DR! It was VERY helpful since it's hard for me to find much constructive criticism about communal living... I suspect those who leave might have the most to offer on that subject, but they're probably less likely to spend the time to make a critical video. I was due to visit you guys for a weekend back in July, but damn this pandemic all to hell! Really messed up my plans 😜 Anyways, thanks again. Looking forward to watching your other vids! OH! I do have one question that you touched on; Does DR use group consensus to make decisions? It sounded like they dismiss your ideas/concerns a bit. And if they don't use consensus, what method do they use and how many hours of meetings do you have per month?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I'm glad the video was useful. We do use consensus for group decisions, though a lot of decisions are made by the village council nowadays. That has made it easier to make decisions because we don't have to get consensus of the entire community, just the village council, which is 5 people. Our meetings are 2 hours a week usually, though sometimes they run over. Many topics take many meetings to get to a decision on. Consensus can take a lot of time. With the VC, members of the village can just tell the VC members their opinions about any proposals or they can attend the meetings and give input then. I didn't mean to imply that my ideas are dismissed often. I just said it's happened in the past. It really depends on who it is and what the meeting topic is. I think now that I've lived there so long my opinions are valued more than in the past. Hope to see you visit next year if we have visitor sessions. A lot of people have been interested in visiting since the pandemic.

[@1019jen]

This is my dream too

[@MrTolykozin]

great video, loved hearing about the positive and negative aspects of communal living. In the end its all about getting together without sacrificing your core values

[@sidonieburton2448]

I live this way on my 5 acres! I am in Missouri, and have considered Dancing Rabbit for years... I would love to move my Tiny house there and bring my teaching skills and materials with me. What stops me is the transportation issue. I have family all over the country, and am an avid hiker/camper... Not having freedom of movement with economic transportation is a deal breaker. If I could afford an electric car, it would work... but I’m curious... how do you travel around every winter, when DR doesn’t allow vehicle ownership?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Electric cars are not super expensive used and there are rebates you can get from the power company or government. They are about as expensive as any other car excepting maybe the higher end Teslas. you could also do what we do and share one with others. Cars do give you freedom, but they are also probably the single most destructive thing that humans do to the planet. In past years I have rented a car for my trips to Florida and made sure that I stay in a place that is bike friendly. It still limits your freedom, but if you are in a bike friendly city you don't need to go far. But people at DR do travel. There is also train, bus, plane. They don't allow as much freedom as a car does, but they get you around. The pandemic has made travel by mass transit more difficult. DR doesn't technically disallow cars, though ownership is frowned upon by some. Our covenant clarification says that you have to store a car far enough away from the community and not use it while living at the community. So you could technically own one but keep it somewhere else and only use it when you want to travel. Usually people get rid of their cars when they move to DR because it's a hassle and a waste to just have a car sitting unused for most of the year. It's questionably worth it to own one if you rarely use it.

[@bobjob3632]

There are cars at DR. Just not privately owned.

[@visnuexe]

Lived this way, back to the land, in the 70's as a young adult, then did the work for the "man" Thing a good while. Now I want to return to the land. Left the first time for the same reason you described as negatives in your experience at the Ecovillage. Now I am retired, but willing to return to the simple, but never boring life you describe. Thanks for your candor about the bitter sweetness of living this life!

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I'm glad you appreciate the video. It can be hard at times. I definitely enjoy community and miss some aspects of it since I haven't eaten in an eating co-op in a while and that's a great source of social fulfillment. Sometimes you need a break. I think many people living in community don't realize that and get burned out.

[@visnuexe]

Thanks for your rep;ly. Yes getting back to civilization, ie restaurants a nice change. Get ready for culture shock, I fear. Humans are such adaptable creatures! :}

[@homesteaderfiftywmartha603]

So- growing up with gardens ,live stock, Out house & off grid was ECO - okay

[@kimulm0619]

Your new sub here.Luv how your living.This is also my dream.

[@meganking4399]

Why not ask the county extension office about soils and crop types for the area before investing work into your project?

[@ButterflyHummingbird]

I’ve been following the progress of Dancing Rabbit since it was brand new on pretty much raw land. It’s on my bucket list of communities to visit.

[@survivalistt9011]

Total respect 👏🏻

[@salmo6263]

This is how everyone should live really. Totally inspiring.

[@ariesdelfuego]

i ❤ the zen grass-cutting. sustainably living is a lifestyle that hits different

[@jeanne553]

Are there any good ecovillages in places where it doesn't snow in the winter?

[@xxuniquexx1000]

We are building one here in the south

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Where at?

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I would love to found an ecovillage in my part of the world (Portland, OR), since our existing ecovillages are all full. I appreciate so much you sharing so frankly. It's really helpful for those of us aspiring to live an ecovillage life to hear stories from long-term residents.

[@kaylaworley6109]

What do you mean by “large scale” for staple foods? Like trying to produce for the whole village? Or trying to create a cottage industry?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I mean growing our own food staples on a large scale so we can feed ourselves. I don't think growing staples for a cottage industry would be profitable.

[@dawnjohnson8739]

You had so much produce. Did you sell what you didn’t use?

[@joebonsaipoland]

Where is dancing rabbit what state is it in?

[@lorenavivian9503]

you are better than Tarzan ! lol wonderful soul!!! do you know about Tamera in Portugal and Auroville in INdia? Greetings from Sweden via Lima , and Paris ...............

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I'm pretty sure I've heard of them or seen some of their buildings or project, but I'll look them up. Greetings to you too! Thanks for the kind words.

[@benvoliothefirst]

I LOVE my push reel mower. After 40 years of sucking in gasoline fumes and being deafened by the noise, it's so wonderfully zen to just hear it go "swish swish" and still be able to hear the neighborhood kids playing in the background.

[@midorithursday]

Heckin' awesome mate

[@Opa773]

How do you afford to move to Florida in the winter , and who takes care of your land \ belongings while you are gone ?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I am renting out my house for the winter to someone else. I have a good deal staying at a property a friend owns and I've been organizing workshops at Sweetwater Farm to help pay some of my costs. I also continue working for $ while I'm in Florida. It's uncertain as to how much longer that housing option will be available. My land doesn't really need maintaining during the winter. It's mostly just dormant, but my hoop house will be planted in by someone here over the winter.

[@gipsygirl888]

This is awesome i always wanted to do something like that.

[@bobjob3632]

My guess is, it’s an all white/« get out » community.

[@courtneyheron1561]

Thank you for freely sharing your insights. The sparrow comment struck a cord with me. In LA growing up in the 70’s and early 80’s there were loads of sparrows around, then at some point they began to disappear. It took me awhile to realize that because I was so slammed by the way I was leading my own life. Today I find it to be a hole in my heart and psyche when I return to visit my parents in the home I grew up in...along the interchange of two of the busiest freeways in the US. I imagine pollution and urban sprawl (displacing their food and needed habitat) played a big role in there disappearance. This was probably one of the key factors in my decision to leave the city along with a downward spiral of my mental, physical and spiritual health in LA. Currently looking for a place to settle down and your style of community seems quite appealing. Thanks again for sharing Pros and Cons. 🙏😊❤️

[@HardcoreSustainable]

haha yeah I forgot my sparrow comment. I can't believe there would be too much pollution or lack of habitat for not even house sparrows to survive, but I suppose it's possible. I thought they thrived in human landscapes. Hope you are able to find a good place to stay.

[@dianeibsen5994]

What? Living in a radical way? Your living in the way we all should be living. So much of the US is messed up! economic inequality, broken food, and medical systems, poisoning ppl. Homelessness at a all time high. We have gotten so far away from the way we are designed to eat and live. Thank you for being an example for us all!💝😊👍🍅🍇🍋🍊🍆🍎🍏🥑🥝

[@ozzyhouston2535]

More of us should get away from the mainstream before it implodes.

[@dianeibsen5994]

@@ozzyhouston2535 What does imploded mean? It seems a bit of a strong of a word. Just sayin.

[@miriamgrove8517]

Dream of living in a place like this...

[@ShannonE1821]

Great video and not too long at all as I listen to it on my daily walk. You did answer a lot of questions. I am aware of many investors who are going to be investing in humanitarian projects once the funding is released which is expected by the end of the year or at least no later than January. So all of the ecovillages will have whatever funding they need to make it to stainable and Thrive and be a wonderful experience for everyone. Thank you

[@HardcoreSustainable]

That would be great. Direct the ones you know of to Dancing Rabbit. :D

[@ShannonE1821]

@@HardcoreSustainable sure will!

[@rockinroberta9925]

Bravo 👏🏼

[@AdrianaNoDos]

Sorry one more question, where in Florida?

[@Logiwonk]

Glad to have your perspective on this - you answered a lot of my questions about the up and down sides of this type of community.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I'm glad it was useful to you. This was really only the tip of the iceberg of community living.

[@nuggetsofperspective3734]

Love this! Thanks for sharing.

[@justbeingkar]

I appreciate the positive and negative balance. It gives me perspective on the idea and makes me realize I may be more on the end of promoting more sustainable living within my own town and hoping to make an impact that way. Maybe someday in the future we'll all be closer to the ecovilliage lifestyle with a few more amenities that more people would be able to manage.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Living this way isn't for everyone, but like I say, there are some drawback to my village that you wouldn't have closer to a population center. And also, many people come visit for the eco lifestyle and stay because they find the community that they can't find anywhere else.

[@salmo6263]

This is so lovely but not sure I could live there. For me there would have to be an added purpose. Like a community that all lived together and produced art for the outside world. Like there would be a huge print studio set up where all the residents would make art and people in nearby towns would come to exhibitions held on the land.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

The great thing about the way we live is that you have an entire community of people to cooperate with in creating such a thing. Everyone wouldn't have to take part, but it could be a subcommunity. I'm sure some people would be interested in that, and if it existed as a thing, it could attract more to live in the community.

[@thegirlwholovesmusic]

You should be selling this as an experience for people who are interested. A lot of people think about this lifestyle all the time but don’t know if they would be able to do it themselves. You could make money by having a one week stay or a week and stay where people pay for the experience of living there, with mandatory participation.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

We do have 1-2 week programs for visitors, but they are for people who might be interested in living here. It's a crash course on how things work. But it is fairly inexpensive as an experience of that length. We want it to be accessible.

[@mydailybread777]

Are Etsy business frowned on at Dancing Rabbit?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

No, they are fine. Most businesses are encouraged. The distance to markets is a problem and at least for now, serving a market that may be distant is not ideal, but it's necessary until our population grows.

[@Adnancorner]

have you thought of making peach wine ? its a famous product in Japan. Just my suggestion.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I would love to make peach wine. Unfortunately, it's harder to grow organic peaches here than organic grapes. We used to have peach trees when the community first started, but they have all died and when they were producing, the fruit would get brown rot before it could mature. Dead gray inedible mushballs. There are so many great foods in Japan.

[@georgecarlin2656]

Are you allowed to grow cannabis in your state? That could make you some money.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Missouri did just legalize recreational pot, and it has been legal to grow for medicinal purposes since 2018. Someone at a neighboring community is growing it for commercial purposes, but on a very small scale. I expect it will be grown a lot more now.

[@guiller2371]

That looks great!

[@g00d-news]

i feel u , i went from germany to brazil to have year round veggie season :) living eco here is so much more easy from the standpoint of seasonality... lots of rain (Bahia state) and lower living costs also - pretty much can agree to all the points you mentioned. thanks so much for sharing and opening your heart, cheers mate

[@HardcoreSustainable]

I'm sure everything grows really fast there like in Florida, probably faster.

[@postmodernfreak]

I like you. We'd get along! That sense of scarcity is rife throughout the eco community. I want to live as gently but I'm also open to making the most of modern conveniences...attempting to find a fair balance. Thanks for your great video. Frloida in winter is genius. Travel well!

[@threedawgz6559]

Where are you now?

[@AlexGreif]

I'd love to know what you think about everything that's going on in our world with hyper surveillance and social credit systems coming our way. Would be great to connect

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Social credits are a reality in China. I don't know how that would ever be a thing in the US. I mean if you think of it, a lot more is already expected of people because of the connectedness of society through technology. Your information is out there for everyone to see and to judge you. We volunteer this info, or the system is forced on us by our desire to have certain things corporations provide for us that we can't do without. There is also a lot of expectation from corporations when we look for work. Businesses have to worry about their reviews and their reputation online. And to some degree everyone else does too. But it all depends on how much you want to give up to the corporations for some kind of perceived payoff.

[@AlexGreif]

@@HardcoreSustainable id rather seek an alternative lifestyle free from that realm

[@HardcoreSustainable]

@@AlexGreif Yes, that's part of the reason I live where I do. But we are still connected. You are going to have social cred wherever you live. People call it "social capital" at DR, and I really don't like that term or perspective...the idea that everyone is keeping track of everyone else and judging them based on what they do or don't do instead of just giving people cred for being humans. There are those who never say the hard things that need to be said in community, and they always have a lot of "social capital" because they never rock the boat. But when you have a community full of people like that you avoid conflict and you can't possibly move forward. Those who say the hard things and do the hard things that need to be done tend to be less popular, but they actually move things forward and get stuff done.

[@AlexGreif]

@@HardcoreSustainable yeah I got tired of being quiet for the sake of being liked...but now drained from all the backlash. Anyway, I hope there's some way that I can live a peaceful life without being controlled by a global oligarchy...sounds unimaginable

[@mollygrace3068]

Do a lot of people leave in the winter? For the people who stay, what do they eat? Are there any greenhouses to grow in the winter?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

A small number of people leave for the winter, but not anyone as long as I do these days. Usually people try to put up food for winter in root cellars or canned or frozen. I have a hoop house I grew greens in for the first 6 years or so that I had it. Now it mostly goes unused in winter, though there is someone now making use of it for a perennial plant business. I could get a fair amount of greens from it for all but about 2 months of the year. ] Sorry to leave out the people like you who worked even harder during the pandemic in my comments. There were so many that have children and had to juggle no longer having the child care of public school and also having to work from home. Thanks for mentioning it.

[@ericchristen5433]

But what about costs? And how do you make money and who helps you build your house? Is it your land? Did you buy it? Can homeless people go there? Is this only for people who can afford to live there?

[@aviansoul]

Interesting video! Well done! Appreciate your perspectives and your way of life. Thanks for sharing here!

[@mildredmartinez8843]

Hello Dan. I'm sorry to hear about the fire at DR but glad no one was hurt. I miss hearing from you. I guess i just got accustomed to finding out what you were doing and sharing thoughts with you. But that does not have to be so. I was thinking about what you said about sharing your sustainable life and the difficulties that it entails. I wonder what the most difficult parts have been. "You're walking a different direction from most people I've met." That road is hard but you did not choose because you thought it might be easy. You chose it because you think that it is the right way to live. I wrote a long message to you previously and said some things that maybe did not sit well. If this is the case, i apologize. Keep safe my friend.

[@diversitylove5460]

Mass production of food and accelerating profits will only work in an industrial capitalistic system. Sustainability is designed around producing what you need and sharing the extra. You biggest asset is returned “time” So it seems that we choose between the extreme of it. The lack of certain modern conveniences will bring scarcity in other aspects. However my sustainable vision is revised. I call it high tech traditional.

[@maikekelting1295]

Love it

[@ladymeropi]

Where is Dancing Rabbit located?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Northeastern Missouri in the US.

[@ozzyhouston2535]

Good video.

[@tammyprovost936]

A ghost part about this place is that they Inspire not only do they expire but they drive people to have what they have because they're successful doesn't really matter if it takes 7 years or fifty years the point is you're going towards the future and the right away because you're making the lowest impact you can if all of us could do this to our planet wouldn't being so big of trouble thank you for sharing your story and remember that you thought of this seven years was six years before the the coronavirus so you guys have the whole entire place has foods sustainability and you didn't know what was coming so primitive culture and leave seeking the point is is that you're getting it done God bless and thank you for sharing this I wish that we could see more I don't know what channel you're on but I'm hoping that they will mention it in the details God bless and thank you again

[@64maruca]

Excellent info. I’m wondering if an one is physically not able to build their own home, if it would be possible to move there?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

There are many homes for sale right now and there are usually homes available for sale. We also have many who move here and pay others to build a home for them. It's very possible.

[@64maruca]

Hardcore Sustainable ok thanks! How are the visitor sessions working with the pandemic? They’re still happening with masks or outside?

[@HardcoreSustainable]

@@64maruca Actually they haven't been happening but I thought someone said they might resume in July. Have to check out the website for updates.

[@jerseystotler3615]

@@HardcoreSustainable I have got Danceing Rabbit newletters for 2 years now I live close on my own small farm. Love the country life in all aspects I am a vegan now for 40 years. Yes I am a old gal now but still believe in the hope for peace and tranquility in our world. I live a quite life with nature now. It is so much better than liveing in the concrete jungle. I am in the mist of writeing my first novel. I am finally liveing in peace. I am also painting and createing art again🦋🌈🦋

[@Myeyeofthebeholder]

Maybe don't submit your feelings or thoughts like you feel you have to.... I know you might fluff a few feathers but maybe you will open a few others that feel the same way to speak up too.

[@thetraumatwins3943]

Amazing!

[@middleway1885]

Om Ah Houm

[@rajeshexpowtr]

god bless u brother...sharing we r looking for setting up an eco village

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Good luck and best in your efforts. Where will your ecovillage be?

[@rajeshexpowtr]

kerala, palakkad, alathur...

[@jessicaderosa9625]

Real life

[@magnoliahampton7298]

Hi, am old black woman. Age 65. Are blacks' welcome? Diagnosed with gastritis. Can't eat any processed foods. Food is not organic and really making me sick.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

Hi Magnolia. Anyone is welcome to visit and apply to become a resident. We would not have any restrictions based on race, creed, etc. We have a visitor program for people to learn and experience the ecovillage. It's a chance for you to see what life is like here and decide if it's a place for you. You can meet and get to know other community members. Sorry about your gastritis. I don't know what diet you prefer for treating that ailment. We try to eat organic as much as possible and do have people here raising vegetables and animal products. Most people eat in eating co-ops, as I say, where they buy food together and alternate who cooks for the group each day.

[@magnoliahampton7298]

@@HardcoreSustainable got your post. where do I sign up. Am friendly. Would like to see if I can visit and perhaps live in village Would like to know everything before I commit. Sounds fair? Waiting to hear from you.

[@HardcoreSustainable]

@@magnoliahampton7298 Just go to dancingrabbit.org and click on the link for Visit and then click on Sustainable Living Visitor Program. There is an application and you can visit for one to two weeks and you'll get an intensive orientation to the community. It costs money, but if you can't afford it you can apply for a scholarship. We charge money because the people here put on the presentations and workshops and it is much like a workshop experience where you learn a lot. People here don't make much money, so they have to get something for their time and knowledge.

[@postmodernfreak]

I think meetings of any kind are one thing that most of us hate! They're much worse in community because it's so much more personal than a board room. That sense of scarcity is something that repulse me about ecoliving. I want to live simply but also live with sufficient and abundant means. Modern living- rightly or wrongly - allows a "magical" living in a way that these places can't...something I'm not yet ready to let go of. Good luck with your journey!

[@HardcoreSustainable]

You say you want to live simply but with abundant means. I'm not sure what that means. I don't think living simply has to mean scarcity. It's possible to create abundance and still be sustainable. Maybe that's what you mean, but you also talk about not being able to let go of "modern living". The lack of abundance I talk about in this video could be completely turned around if there were just hundreds more good people interested in living in our ecovillage. We can easily create abundance through cooperation. If we had a few hundred members, we could have our own self sustaining economy. But Americans are so ignorant, and all obsessed with their convenience lifestyle based on fossil fuel, so it's hard to attract people to this kind of place. Right now all the abundance of "modern living" is a fake abundance based on fossil fuel. It isn't sustainable and this kind of lifestyle will be a flash in the pan of humanity only made possible by falsely abundant fossil fuel. We could have stretched it out for thousands of years and still lived incredible lives, but our economy is incredibly wasteful and is wasting all those precious resources on stuff that mostly ends up in landfills and allows a few hundred super rich to have 10 homes and 3 superyachts. But I guess you could get away with living this way a little longer before the consequences get really serious. Already, even the super rich in California are finding their homes burned to the ground by fire. I guess they can afford to just rebuild, but not everyone will be able to. I haven't ever been to a corporate board meeting, but I imagine they are much worse at dealing with conflict than we are in our community. We put a lot of thought into conflict resolution and meeting organization and facilitation so that ideas can be shared and conflict is minimized. I imagine a lot of corporate board rooms are hierarchical and they don't deal with conflict at all. But yes, meetings are rarely something enjoyable, no matter what group is meeting. Thanks for wishing me luck. Good luck to you!