Acorn Community is a 30-member, egalitarian, income-sharing, farm-based community that collectively owns and runs a seed company called Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. We strive to democratize the seed supply, promote organic agriculture and gardens, and preserve our genetic heritage and diversity.
We have a six-acre garden to grow seed for our business and food for ourselves. Our members have a variety of different projects, such as our outside garden at the local food pantry (Plant A Row for the Hungry), a growing dairy and meat goat operation (8 adult females so far), construction for expansion of our infrastructure, food and seed processing and preservation, raising chickens for eggs and meat, coordinating with other seed growers in our region, and much more.
Help develop and/or retrofit systems to be more energy efficient, utilizing appropriate technology when possible. Could include research and implementation of one or more of the following: root cellar, solar ice machine, solar oven, wood-fired domestic hot water, solar electric water tower, rain catchment systems, outdoor kitchen facility, rocket stoves construction, solar driers, bicycle-powered cellphone charger stations, bicycle powered wash machine, and biodiesel production. Participation in the construction of small building projects using available and/or natural materials may also be possible. Expect to sign up on our rota chore board twice or more weekly. Participation in ongoing projects is also encouraged, including working in our seeds and food gardens.
Most of the education or training that is offered is self-directed. Acorn is full of resources, human and otherwise, and is very supportive of members and interns using community resources and projects to educate themselves and offers a high degree of latitude as an internship position.
Gain experience working with tools, building, and learning how some alternative systems work.