Interview and community exploration with Patrick, co-founder at The Garden

I visited The Garden in Lafayette, TN, which is one of the nation's leading and most open intentional communities. Being operational for 10 years, their egalitarian approach to community equally weighs all voices and promotes a collective-sustaining lifestyle, largely free from the financial burdens of society. Having the desire to expand their vision exponentially across the world, it is their mission, as well as my own, to eliminate hunger and provide accommodations for everyone.

[@billderinbaja3883]

Hi. I just saw the Vice video about The Garden. I love what you are doing... I don't know what "intentional" means in regard to your community, but I definitely understand being closer to the earth, and the soil, and nature, and what it means to raise your own food, and animal husbandry, and community building, etc.. What you are doing is good. I know it's impossible to ignore the horrible negative people who are getting "popular" by being negative, mean, cruel, threatening. I hope you find a way thru it that keeps your community generally happy. Living a happy life is the most important definition of success... it appears to me you are on the right track.

[@emilyjakubik]

It seems to me that ppl that live herr just want to skate by for free. Wo struggle of working a job.

[@practicalhealer3058]

@@emilyjakubik nothing wrong with that

[@kingjoseph5901]

Lol these people are not what they pretend to be!

[@billderinbaja3883]

@@kingjoseph5901 ... and how would you know that? What do you think they are?

[@kingjoseph5901]

@@billderinbaja3883 research

[@caroltrammell6972]

I absolutely loved the interview with Patrick...and the intentional living...I was a teenager in the 60's...and I still believe in this way of living...I like a lot of people got lost in the consumerism and the false ideas of --- 9-5 and the white picket fence....at 69 years of age I can honestly say...I can leave every material thing I own and live quite comfortably at the garden...if I did not have a husband who needs to be taken care of...I'd be there in a heartbeat...

[@jonbuchalter]

with enough hands of expertise down the road, that can be a possibility!

[@GzGlitchers]

Enjoy your stay at camp cult and don't forget to drink all of your kool-aid.

[@mr3817]

Therein is the conundrum of intentional communities I wish I could solve.... There are NO OLD PEOPLE in communes. It takes significant excess production to create sufficient resources to take care of the sick, moribund and elderly (unless you decline modern health care and die young/er). It requires one to save and invest in massive human/financial capital sufficient to have care in old age. I have a friend who it takes $2k/month in medical care to keep him alive AFTER $2 million spent for 1 year of illness. These systems barely function running on just young people in subsistence lifestyles while forcing their huge medical bills on the rest of society when ANY medical issue arises. I LOVE the idea of intentional communities, I just see the hypocrisy of total forcing dependence on others for one's lifestyle. If you can't pay your doctor to have a broken bone set or for antibiotics when you get a cut gardening, you're NOT truly self sufficient. You're dependent in ways you ignore.... something to tune into...

[@phoenixbleistein6360]

I'm am so incredibly excited about what is going on here and this video is fantastic (thanks for making it) I have been dreaming of this for around 6 years and searching out in so many different directions for where my passion and heart lies. This is it. 100%. I can't go into it without writing a book on here...but I am planning on visiting and contributing to The Garden in the future (hopefully near future). My heart soars with what this place is about, all the points he touched on...and of course living in harmony and connected to The Mama 🌎

[@hexrain8763]

Unfortunately, as of now, the Garden is (temporarily in all likelihood) closed to the public. A smear campaign is happening against those that live there, and have lived or visited in the past there. Tiktok and other media outlets are suggesting that it may be a cult of some sort (I can assure you its not, but that just a random guy on the internet's word.) because of a several biased Tiktok videos, as well as some Tiktok videos made by people who are associated with the Garden, that were also in poor taste, but spun to paint a more negative narrative. I would wait a bit and inquire about it in a few months or so. Right now, people are receiving death threats/threats of deportation, doxxing, etc. from people who are obviously (in my opinion) fishing for clicks. It's unfortunate that the Garden got tied up in this, but some poor decisions were made by some people who live there as well. It's some imperfect people who are politically incorrect in many ways, who are good at heart, and want to share a vision of a different way we might live, besides capitalism, and even socialism/communism in the traditional sense. The vision as I see it, is about creating something new, but relying on each other to learn those things, because everyone has a passion that they can share with others, and no one has nailed down sustainability or communal interaction yet. Not in a perfected sense anyway.

[@GJM000]

Did you ever end up going?

[@eEefloormouse]

So the community becomes the ever-evolving individual entity, needing to network with other communities, while the individual becomes a (functioning) part of the community. The community is not a possession of the individual, but the individual may find self-definition from the community.

[@bubblesandstardust9387]

I support you guys! I really wish yall the best!💜💜

[@theaustralianhulk]

Do you know if the Garden will reopen? I want to visit! This is so cool.

[@deliabowlen3834]

I'm very impressed with how y'all have come together to make a wholesome self supporting life for yourselves. Keep up the good works!

[@mottahead6464]

Kudos to all the gardeners. They're walking the walk. And haters.......haters hate, right?

[@alessandracirri]

Love the little kid’s T-shirt “let’s root for each other” ❤️

[@Florabama70]

Ya'll rock, I just watched the vice episode, thanks for letting me see your home! It's beautiful, wonderful and you all are awesome from what I saw. Keep on and screw the haters!!

[@richardlynch1094]

Thanks for this interview. Love to the Garden and, especially, Sister Stacey, empath of Occupy Wall Street. Angry loves you.

[@DavidtheBeloved86]

Omg, dude. Your literally speaking my mind. You are literally living my dream. It's INSANE. To a tee. I didn't know anyone else was doing this. Exactly the way I envisioned. Who are you??? Like, my long lost brother or something???? It's insane. It's like you have my same mind, or God was telling us the same thing all along. Same location. Same strategy. Same tactics. People. Everything. I was planning to come move to Nashville. Do my music. Then get my land. And start a community. Literally right there in the same area. And use Nashbille as my go to for income with my music/busking. But with the same intentions. Becoming less reliant. And building cabins. Bringing in people. Same area. And then expanding and going to build more communities elsewhere. It's INSANE. Your literally living my dream. LITERALLY. I plan to come out there soon. And maybe I can join you guys. Because your already doing it. I can help you for a while. We'll build together. I'll help you build the community cabin (My same plan for my land EXACTLY!!! :)) And maybe you can help me find and choose my land. So we can start another community. And you can help me build and grow my own property, with the same intentions. To bring in more people. You can help me with the garden I wanna plant and grow. I have a lot of structural components I also wanna incorporate. A very extensive project. Already mapped out. Garden. Vegetables. Animals. Livestock. People. Cabins. Sustainable survival community. Maybe you can help me. Let us get together and collaborate. I'm trying to get out of here. Out of Babylon, CA. And I plan to come there. Maybe you can help me with my dream, and I can help you with yours. If we have the same dream, then we can build each other up, and help sustain and save many more. And train the survivors. We could make great partners. I hope to see you soon, brother. Godspeed.

[@SistersofTwilight]

I respect the sustainable way of life. One day it will become necessary to know how to do this. It is also a dream Ive had all my life. Even if I had the money to do this, at 54 Im too "old". However I feel I have a lot to offer a community like this. Its a shame that there is so much hate over something like this. Its SO eco friendly and is so equalizing. Much respect!!

[@sherekhan53]

First hand experience in community is truly inspiring and the best way to learn about the movement. Also, many mistakes can be avoided by studying the successes and failures of fallen communities. For this I recommend reading Diana Leafe Christian’s books. She has studied intention communities for decades and has disseminated valuable information in her books.

[@odgreenoutdoors20]

Excellent video

[@johndorsey4597]

I lived half of my life in Lafayette, Tennessee. Macon county... Just moved away from there after a mental breakdown in August of 2019. There's something strange about that town in general. I'm a loner, always have been. Thing is though I've wondered about cults and brain washing in that town. Anderson funeral home was right behind my Hollis Apartment building. They were holding meetings in that building constantly. It has a very large parking area, and it was full all the time at night especially. Sometimes clear up through midnight...

[@Natasha-ce3rm]

What kind of brain washing vibes do you get? You have my attention I’m highly curious about your experiences.

[@lifeisstillrad9296]

What a beautiful way of life, shame on those who spew hate! Only love to share, how nice. Sending my love ❤️💕❤️

[@kingjoseph5901]

They've murdered dogs and cats, predators on property, kidnapped a guy at gun point, etc

[@lucidshade144]

Awesome interview Patrick!!

[@DeMiTriDreams]

@Quentin Qwent I just found out about this place recently. Did some digging on the people there. Rei is still there. I noticed her being nasty to people on social media even if they were being nice to her. And In the women's cabin there's a full bed and a bunk bed. She gets the nice full size bed all to herself and everyone else gets tiny bunks apparently that's fair.. it sucks because I've been looking for an alternative lifestyle but it looks like this one isn't it. thanks for sharing your comment, it was enlightening

[@satansawoman]

@Quentin Qwent is Patrick's new girlfriend the one with the kid?

[@hannxtay]

@Quentin Qwent Bro start talking about your experience on tiktok

[@bethdallas4330]

@Quentin Qwent I definitely think it would be worth you making a tiktok ! they're advertising the "commune" there and inviting teenagers and children to come & they have the address in every caption they make. I really think people would listen to you as you have first hand experience:)

[@bethdallas4330]

@Quentin Qwent there's a few accounts on there of people speaking up about them so if you do make a tiktok you should put it here so I could comment on those accounts so they could boost your videos ! :) so far I'm not sure if they have any first hand experiences so it would be really good if you could talk about your experience there :) don't feel pressured to though !!

[@grooverjamesr]

The camp is far below basic, rudamentery, poverty stricken filth, it's a wonder they live at all. Wasted resources, poorly built squatter shacks, exposed drainage, inadequate food supply, housing, heating, sanitation issues, lack of sustainable energy, water catchments, biogardening. I've studied off grid housing, geothermal, regenerative farming, cob home building, biomass recycling, and many other techniques. I feel sad they are forcing themselves to live in hardship.

[@answerthecall265]

Well why don’t you go there and share your knowledge then?

[@MrTaterTot86]

This place looks beautiful.

[@genemanson139]

i love the garden people !

[@maryreynolds5310]

Hi ...question..I’m 58 yrs Old, are there people my age there? I’ve not watched the video in its entirety yet to see if there are. Anywho, curious. If this place were around 30 yrs ago, I would have been there, no question! Keep loving, keep respectful to all things. ✌🏻

[@theaustralianhulk]

Did you find out? I’m 50 and thinking of going 😁

[@maryreynolds5310]

@@theaustralianhulk no, nobody got back with me. I love this..if I didn’t have an ileostomy, I would go too. :)

[@susanwerner7784]

Love ❤️

[@LionOfKingston]

Beautiful

[@GG-zb5nr]

very good interview with Patrick, have talked with him n we are working on a place here in the western part of the Ozarks n Arkansas

[@eliyahuzerubabel3747]

Me too. Ozark Refuge

[@cathymccormic9750]

Very interested in a community like The Garden in AR. I’m in the Ricer Valley area.

[@Jake2670]

@@cathymccormic9750 take it U mean River Valley ? can't find or ever heard of Ricer Valley. What part? we n the Boston Mnt Range of the Ozarks - North of Alma

[@Jake2670]

@@eliyahuzerubabel3747 have to b more specific as that brings up way too much

[@chrgore]

My kind of cult right there #permacult

[@forksssss8483]

They ate a cat

[@bubblesandstardust9387]

@@forksssss8483 and? It happens.

[@eyewokeupinhell]

People don't realize Cult comes from Culture...lol

[@eyewokeupinhell]

Forks Ssss you ate a chicken, a cow, a pig, a turkey...

[@heidihofkamp666]

I am watching the doc, & I have to say I am disabled, broke my pelvis 7 times in 8 months, the plate somehow, clavicle, tailbone x2, sacrum and was still on crutches after 2 years and I bought a shovel. I also have sciatica, I have this rare muscle disease, degenerative & bulging discs and I spend every sec of the day, and night with a head lamp and learned how to trellis in multiple ways, grew everything for 5 years in Wisconsin. I can and freeze everything I can and Oak is pathetic for just whining and pointing the finger bc no one likes someone who talks about ppl, doesn't participate etc and ppl like him, who give up, let yourself go, and have an excuse for everything. Wtf did he expect? Oh he said Navy Seals etc. it's ppl like him who gives me a bad name bc I am too disabled. It's about not giving up.

[@mattdr9488]

Wow! Really inspirational guy.

[@SykotikShadow]

It's funny how people these days want to be seen as how they are identified by and doesn't like society judging them because they don't want to fit the stereotypical male/female but yet are so hypocritical at judging others like from the garden who are also finding themselves and finding out who they are. What hypocritical BS. You can't judge me because I don't fit the norm but yet I'm going to judge you because you don't get to norm. Bravo to what you all have done. They have essentially created The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio except inland. I love it and awesome as hell.

[@mojoro23]

Wanderlust!

[@michellepetros8491]

Did you poison a woman's dog?

[@jmcc6104]

Is he the one star reviews guy from vice?

[@user-nw8tg1pg9y]

Are y’all still taking people?

[@cultofcoin]

Is the garden still going? I'm really thinking of going here, living and helping to build and plant. Does anyone on here live there or know how to contact them? Thanks...SBN RESONATE

[@jonbuchalter]

Show up. thefreegarden.org/contact/

[@cultofcoin]

@@jonbuchalter Thank you for that information. I appreciate that. Take care...SBN RESONATE

[@dennisking4589]

West TN satellitte...How can I connect with you without travel...got questions before travel :}

[@jonbuchalter]

thefreegarden.org/contact/

[@Someonesburner404]

homie's got manson eyes.

[@ki5ngau]

For sure.

[@Mamutoi44]

HE killed my dog

[@sharonhainesNumber1Red]

This man skinned a Cat alive and ate it.

[@sharonhainesNumber1Red]

@@Mamutoi44 I’m so sorry that happened to you. 😢

[@sharonhainesNumber1Red]

Patrick skinned a Cat alive and ate it.

[@zelmasedano5070]

Does Tree have legal residency to live more than 90 days here? Seems a lil suspish, tbh.

[@no_foxx_]

How do I get in contact with this guy?

[@jonbuchalter]

Shoot me a message on fb and I'll fill you in

[@therabbithat]

@@no_foxx_ dude don't post your gmail on youtube!

[@answerthecall265]

@@jonbuchalter do you have ig? Or email?

[@jonbuchalter]

@@answerthecall265 @jonbuchalter

[@whitesea8434]

These comments are hilarious and it sounds to me like Rel the genocidist, Patrick the cult leader and Cornbread the woman beater are real characters. Even tho I have been interested in communes and commune living, doing research on a lot of places such as Auroville in India and other less famous places, I would never join a commune not because I don't have faith in an alternative system but because I don't have faith in humanity because people are fucking weird and whenever you bring a lot of weird, eccentric people together, you end up with weird ass situations like eating cats and all the drama that comes with communal living. I'm sure it works for some but I'm more of an isolationist I guess.

[@R4venshore]

So, this is Amish for hipsters?

[@sharonhainesNumber1Red]

Not quite, Patrick kills Cats and Dogs.

[@eyewokeupinhell]

Sharon Haines what do you kill

[@jonathansheehan3121]

@@sharonhainesNumber1Red country living cat or dog eats chicken, it might get shot... Horse kicks dog in the face, dog might be put out of its misery.... Country living and perspective is different than the city....

[@sharonhainesNumber1Red]

@@jonathansheehan3121 I grew up in the Country. You know nothing about me! It is still pure evil to kill a cat!!

[@michelleayres5608]

Are those "his" hat and shirt? Clever guy. The land is his. He gets free labor to improve it.

[@Mamutoi44]

SLave Driver

[@Zariho]

Hes definitely Mansons mini me the way he's a co-founder its like he doesn't want to labeled the "Leader"

[@Zariho]

But owns the land

[@Mamutoi44]

@@Zariho He is partial owner and uses hippies for free labor

[@therabbithat]

​@@Zariho if you are so actually interested in cults why don't you check out Freedom of Mind foundation, Opening Minds, Robert J Lifton, and other people who have dedicated their lives to studying cults so that you can understand the fact that this in no way shape or form resembles a cult. Like are you interested or are you just intent on spreading ignorance for fun?

[@ppdayz888]

BRILLIANTE

[@eddieleeschrock]

best place ever

[@Mustang3813]

I would join only if marijuana flows like wine

[@eyewokeupinhell]

Plant more seeds

[@chantelchaplin201]

You should redo this interview now after all TikTok cult stuff and ask about that!!

[@alextupu4716]

people are spastics and im ashamed of you being a human

[@14AspenDrive]

What happened?

[@practicalhealer3058]

Are you open?

[@jonathansheehan3121]

Yay Rainbow Family💖

[@kingjoseph5901]

😂

[@megankerr4665]

I live in Tennessee and I’d love to know about other communities like this around TN, I’m in the east tip. Thanks ☺️

[@sydneychristine2464]

My dream is to help with the networking of intentional communities and shared land. I am financing some land in arizona and i would love if anyone wants to help with financing for it but even if not, id love people to come and help garden and live freely

[@jonbuchalter]

We're looking to do the same things on the Hopi and Lakota reservations as well. Reach out to me on fb, insta, or twitter if youd like to chat more!

[@sydneychristine2464]

@@jonbuchalter That is great! I will send you a message on facebook

[@k.graceross7177]

Where in Arizona? Please message me ♡

[@jonbuchalter]

@@k.graceross7177 look for me, Jonathan Buchalter on fb

[@Shinnyuu2]

Absolute madness...they're all gonna end up drinking special cool-aide

[@BorisOzma]

so a bunch of eric cartmans were pissed with some hippies

[@corncob_say]

how many are on food stamps?

[@angiespradlin3026]

I wonder that too..probably all bc they dont work so like they are either on benefits or??

[@rayhill5767]

People are competitive and people use each other. We are social animals. It’s complicated and not always pretty

[@mczensun8610]

Rad!

[@hexrain8763]

Unfortunately, as of now, the Garden is (temporarily in all likelihood) closed to the public. A smear campaign is happening against those that live there, and have lived or visited in the past there. Tiktok and other media outlets are suggesting that it may be a cult of some sort (I can assure you its not, but that just a random guy on the internet's word.) because of a several biased Tiktok videos, as well as some Tiktok videos made by people who are associated with the Garden, that were also in poor taste, but spun to paint a more negative narrative. I would wait a bit and inquire about it in a few months or so. Right now, people are receiving death threats/threats of deportation, doxxing, etc. from people who are obviously (in my opinion) fishing for clicks. It's unfortunate that the Garden got tied up in this, but some poor decisions were made by some people who live there as well. It's some imperfect people who are politically incorrect in many ways, who are good at heart, and want to share a vision of a different way we might live, besides capitalism, and even socialism/communism in the traditional sense. The vision as I see it, is about creating something new, but relying on each other to learn those things, because everyone has a passion that they can share with others, and no one has nailed down sustainability or communal interaction yet. Not in a perfected sense anyway.

[@NPK476]

Ohh are you talking about the video were you killed a cat and ate it?

[@NPK476]

My cat has been missing for a few days, did you eat her?

[@lindsycage5035]

So do you guys regularly eat house cats or only in special occasions along with the raccoon road kill? I guess along giving a f about covid you also don’t care about rabies too huh? What about cornbread the women beater? He’s great with kids!

[@amandacalhoun3965]

Lol wut

[@Polarbearjunkie]

@@amandacalhoun3965 look into it. They literally killed and ate a cat. And cornbread beat a woman there and was allowed to come back.

[@odgreenoutdoors20]

Road kill is good and healthy and an Indian ate the cat , they honor it by eating it , so quit criticizing things you know nothing about , all your doing is going through life spreading negative energy everywhere

[@lindsycage5035]

@@odgreenoutdoors20 you know what’s negative energy? When that girl rel posted on Facebook (and there’s Picture proof) saying she believed in mass genocide and people need to die. Oh yeah of of course once again cornbread the WOMEN BEATER

[@lindsycage5035]

@Allison Loftis no

[@infectedhyena]

they eatin cats tho????

[@kedskies]

Eating cats doesn't mean... Being in cult.. Here in my place in Asia... Nagaland we eat Cats... Call me culty too

[@kedskies]

Yes eating cats mean... Being in cult.. Here in my place in Asia... Nagaland we eat Cats... Call me culty too

[@smith-marsette2721]

Those kids are screwed.

[@midwest4416]

Hope the "mission" stays pure and Patrick is never appointed "Leader" All theologies have the opportunity to turn ugly and Many have.

[@GJM000]

It seems as though the leaders are appointed in the minds of the community. I think that is a natural progression.

[@madhulikaprasad5225]

😁😁😂😂😁😁😁

[@burgerking220]

cult vibes.

[@eyewokeupinhell]

What culture are you a part of?

[@eggmansexwife]

@@eyewokeupinhell what's that got to do with anythin????

[@eyewokeupinhell]

death and destruction cult is culture... you are part of a cult

[@eggmansexwife]

@@eyewokeupinhell oh. didn't know that.

[@minecraftcartiasmr6059]

These people are thriving off of capitalism but are hating it aswell?

[@angiespradlin3026]

for real!

[@kaya_y.]

Dog killer

[@sharonhainesNumber1Red]

That’s not his land. It’s somebody else’s land that he is claiming.

[@rufinokopolos]

Haha I felt like I was listening to my self for past 10 years. Except I've been a little less involved, and backpacking a lot too. I live in a makeshift greenhouse now, primarily growing herbs now. I also raise quail and chickens now too, I like the bantam size birds.