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About Us
Hearthstone Village Cooperative started out in 2015 when a group of like-minded folks heard about a property for sale north of Powell River. Although that property didn’t work out, the group decided to meet regularly to discuss and pursue the idea of forming an intentional community in the Powell River area. After three-and-a-half years of meeting and working together, sharing fabulous meals, bonding during yearly retreats, and visiting other communities, we found not just one but two suitable properties. As a result, the founding members formed two co-ops instead of one. The 3 families who preferred a more rural setting retained the Hearthstone Village Cooperative name and purchased a 42-acre parcel 19 minutes south of Powell River in the qathet Regional District, and moved in on Jan 8, 2019. The acreage has three ponds, a gorgeous section of the Eagle River with fabulous swimming holes, and several creeks and streams. The beautiful land we call home includes a large common house, 2 cabins and other outbuildings that all form part of an old homestead. There’s also mature fruit and nut trees, and a community garden. Many hiking trails criss-cross the magnificent forest. |
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Our plans are to create between 8 to 16 family dwellings (16 is the maximum number we can officially have on a property this size) which are primarily built of natural materials (Cob, slip-chip, straw, earthbags etc...) and are modest in size (900-1200 sq ft). We are developing legal, sustainable technology for our potable and grey water, as well as energy systems, (rainwater catchments, composting toilets, geothermal, solar, and masonry heaters). We will be creating food forests, potentially raising livestock within a permaculture approach and build a greenhouse. We have been improving our soil in the large community garden and added some 25 trees to the existing orchard since moving in. Members will be able to have individual plots as well as an opportunity to contribute to the community food growth.
We use a form of governance and decision making called sociocracy (sometimes called dynamic governance in the US) based on the values of effectiveness, equivalence and transparency, decisions are made by consent. The meetings flow around the circle, with everyone having a chance to speak. We are organized into circles (heart, head, & hand) for all the work that needs to be done. The motto of sociocracy is "Good enough for now, safe enough to try". This allows us to introduce and work with ideas, without having to be perfect before implementing - and this has proven to be one of the loveliest parts of this process.
We have prepared 8 building lots on the ridge above the big pond - One home (on the homestead) was built in 2020. Then 2 homes were built on the Ridge in 2021, another in 2022 and 2 more in 2023. There are two cabins (both occupied), and 2 families living in the common house, for a total of 9 adults and 4 children (plus two 4-legged friends).
We use a form of governance and decision making called sociocracy (sometimes called dynamic governance in the US) based on the values of effectiveness, equivalence and transparency, decisions are made by consent. The meetings flow around the circle, with everyone having a chance to speak. We are organized into circles (heart, head, & hand) for all the work that needs to be done. The motto of sociocracy is "Good enough for now, safe enough to try". This allows us to introduce and work with ideas, without having to be perfect before implementing - and this has proven to be one of the loveliest parts of this process.
We have prepared 8 building lots on the ridge above the big pond - One home (on the homestead) was built in 2020. Then 2 homes were built on the Ridge in 2021, another in 2022 and 2 more in 2023. There are two cabins (both occupied), and 2 families living in the common house, for a total of 9 adults and 4 children (plus two 4-legged friends).
