the farm

in 1971 twenty five old school busses with around 100 hippies left san francisco on a massive road trip across the country following a charismatic leader by the name of stephen gaskin. after many interesting situations and adventures they ended up on a piece of land in the countryside of tennessee near the small town called summertown.  for twelve years this group lived in a commune setting sharing everything, money, partners, clothing, food, living spaces ect, with stephen at the head.  in 1983 they changed from a commune to an intentional community with a more democratic organizational system. since then 'the farm' has been developing into a very well organized intentional community with more then 150 people living on the land and many different privately owned businesses as well as many non profit organizations.

 the sign

the welcome center

the dome with stage

lots of goodies in here

where people live

more living space

the gazebo 

 hippie art

the frog pond

our campsite

the cleanest out house

transportation on the farm

solar panels

beautiful

the old silos

there are now many businesses on the farm. they are:

veggie deli - vegan take out and catering

bloomfield construction - building, painting and the like 

the book publishing company - founded in 1974 this community owned press has published books that promote a helathful and sustainable lifestyle through titles on plant-based cooking, nutrition, natural health care and alternative therapies as well as books about the native american indian culture. they have also printed many books by people who have lived on the farm since the beginning.

(www.bookpubco.com/www.nativevoicesbooks.com)

the farm catalog - online shopping. selling the books printed on the farm (www.farmcatalog.com)

farm excavating - clearing and prep for new buildings, roads, ponds, driveways

farmsoy company - produces cirtified organic frim and extra frim tofu, soy yogurt and soymilk (www.farmsoy.com)

the farm store - sells assorted groceries, veggetarian snacks, gifts, tye-dyes, books and more

the farm store coop - a cooperative for ordering vegetarian food items in bulk

the farm welcome center & gift shop - sells books, clothing, jewelry, information and history of the farm (www.thefarmcommunity.com

the law offices of alan graf - radical civil rights and disability lawyer and progressive journalist (www.hippielawyer.com)

lee restoration & painting - licensed and insured general contractor specializing in historical building restoration, additions and painting

the mail oder catalog - retail division of the book company's titles from other publishers and vegetarian food items  (www.healthy-eating.com)

mushroom people - mail order company which sells supplies for growing shiitaki and other types of edible mushrooms (www.mushroompeople.com)

s.e. international - develops, manufactures and sells radiation detection equipment that ensures safety and security worldwide (www.seintl.com)

sustainable life retreats - host for many types of retreats throughout the year that take place at the farm, community and green home tours, gardening and vegetarian cooking workshops, and spiritual retreats.  (www.sustainableliferetreats.com)

swan center for wellness - massage, energy therapy and retreats

the tempeh lab - the leading commercial producer of tempeh culture in the usa

village media - utilizes state of the art digital equipment to design, host web sites, shoot, edit and produce videos of all kinds. their multi-track audio recording studio is used by local bands, gospel groups and songwriters (www.willagemedia.com)

the farm yoga studio - classes for all levels

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there are also many non-profit organizations on the farm. they are:

'ecovillage training center' is part of the global ecovillage network offering internships, conferences and workshops on permaculture, construction based on natural materials, organic gardening and other sustainable technologies (www.thefarm.com)

'kids to the country ' is a project that brings at-risk and urban kids to the farm to enjoy nature and to study peace education (www.plenty.org)

'more than warmth' is an educational project for students of all ages to learn about world cultures.  the creation of quilts fosters a greater understanding and knowledge and compassion through nonviolent, non political and non- religious means.  the quilts that are created are sent to countries in conflict, such as afghanistan, iraq and jersusalem, as a gesture of peace (www.morethanwarmth.org) 

'peaceroots alliance' links individuals and groups dedicated to peace efforts around the country and the world with real projects and actions (www.peaceroots.org)

'plenty international' in an international aid and development non-governmental organization to benefit indigenous populations, children at risk and the environment in projects in the usa and abroad. (www.plenty.org)

'swan conservation trust' is a land trust dedicated to preserving and restoring native hardwook dorests, wildlife habitat, biodiversity and water quality in the area.  since 1992 'swan trust' has purchased over 5 miles of clear running stream and 700 acres of mature hardwood forest. (www.swantrust.org)

'the farm midwifery center' is famous world wide. ina may gaskin is the author of 'spiritual midwifery' with over a million copies in print and has always been at the fore front of midwifery and natural childbirth.  the certified professional midwives of the farm midwifery center have attended over 3,000 births since 1027. in addition to providing maternity and birth care they offer midwife assistant workshops throughout the year. (midwives@midwiferyworkshops.org)

'the farm education & conference center' provides conference facilities including a large meeting space and separate break rooms

'the farm school' provides a state certified alternative education for children from kindergarden through 12th grade, helping each child reach their unique potential rather then conforming to the standard. the school also offers a statewide satellite campus program for home schooling families. (www.thefarmschool.tv)

                                    

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there is a wonderful little dome that is built of beautiful stained glass by a woman on 'the farm', we visited the dome and were blown away by the beauty of it. 

the wholeo and mud oven

the wholeo

in the colors

sparkle 

sunlight

magic

'the farm' is big and is doing many wonderful things. it has changed a lot over the 40 years of its lifetime but the basic beliefs and agreements that were formed back in 1971 when the hippie caravan headed out from california together to find the place they wanted to be, are still the same:

the belief that there are non-material planes of being or levels of consciousness that everyone can experience, the highest of these being the spiritual plane. we are all one, the material and spiritual are one, the spirit is identical and one in all creation.

the belief that marriage, childbirth and death are a sacrament, child rearing and care of the elderly is a holy responsibility.

the belief that being truthful and compassionate is instrumental to living together in peace as a community. we agree to be honest and compassionate in our relationships with each other.

the belief in nonviolence and pacifism and conscientiously opposing war. we agree to resolve any conflicts or disagreements in a nonviolent manner. 

the belief that vegetarianism is the most ecologically sound and humane lifestyle for the planet. we agree that animals will not be raised in the community for slaughter.

the belief that the abuse of any substance is counterproductive to achieving a high consciousness. we agree to strive for that high consciousness in our daily lives.

the belief that the earth is sacred. we agree to be respectful of the forests, fields, streams and wildlife that are under our care. we agree that the community is a wildlife sanctuary.

the belief that humanity must change to survive. we agree to participate in that change by accepting feedback about ourselves.

the belief that we, individually and collectively, create our own life experience. we agree to accept personal responsibility for our actions.  

the belief that inner peace is the foundation for world peace.

(taken from 'the farm' welcome brochure)

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visiting 'the farm' was wonderful. it felt like a village of people all doing their own things but with the common goal of making the world a better place. if there were more intentional communities like 'the farm' on the planet, then the world would be a better place. a beautiful, peaceful place of respect and caring for mother earth, for our fellow humans, for the plants, for the animals, allowing the love, respect, and caring to even ripple out into the spiritual world where we are, in fact, all ONE.