About Us

Following the passing of Caroline Estes–Alpha’s last remaining founder/elder–in 2022, the community has been rediscovering itself in her absence. This has proved to be a challenging period, complete with periods of growth, grief, and conflict as the group has evolved. At this point, we find ourselves at just 7 people, trying to chart a course towards the community we all dream of and know can thrive here. We have a shared vision of a future more connected to and interdependent with the land we call home, with more collective accountability. We all know that Alpha Farm represents a unique and beautiful opportunity to foster something more wholesome and connecting that what is typically offered within our society. We have 287 acres of amazing land that we call home, and we continue a long tradition of practicing consensus and sharing our incomes to support the community from a common treasury.

The members of the recent past have been working to “keep the lights on” as we regain our footing and create the foundation for growth. If you dream of helping to (re)build a community that you can call yours, please reach out to us! We are in need of passionate, energetic people to join our family. We are particularly looking for people who bring community experience, self-awareness, homesteading skills, and leadership aptitude. There is room for those with initiative and drive to cultivate a beautiful garden, resurrect a long-lost haying operation, expand our livestock program, support maintenance and repair needs, and facilitate the development and evolution of our internal practices, among countless other projects and tasks. Much like Alpha Farm itself, this website is a work-in-progress. We are aiming to represent both our hopes for the future, and the reality of life here at this time. If helping to bridge that gap sounds like a rewarding and purposeful endeavor, we’d love to talk with you…

Our Vision

Alpha Farm's vision is to create a harmonious and regenerative community that serves as a model for sustainable living. We strive to cultivate a deep connection with the land, promote social responsibility, and empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Through our shared values of cooperation, respect, and environmental consciousness, we aim to inspire positive change within and beyond our community.

Our Mission

Alpha Farm's mission is to pursue a way of life characterized by collaboration and compassion rather than competition. We do this by sharing our income and resources, practicing consensus and non-hierarchical governance, cultivating meaningful relationships, and pursuing self-reliance–while still honoring our interdependence with one another, our neighbors, and the land which sustains us.

Current Practices

The following reflect Alpha Farm’s current practices which align us with our Mission and Vision

Egalitarian Practices

Income Sharing
Consensus Decision Making
Non-hierarchical governance

Cultivating meaningful relationships

Family dinners multiple nights/week
Movie/game nights
Group outings

Self-reliance

Gardening
Raising chickens for eggs
Harvesting of local firewood for winter heat

Honoring our environment

Maintenance of our grounds
Maintenance of a Conservation Easement in partnership with NRCS
Engagement and consultation with local watershed council

Fostering Interdependence

Connection with local community through rural postal route
Perform maintenance and construction work for neighbors
Volunteering with local fire department
Engagement with local community action group
“Community in Dialog” with the Federation of Egalitarian Communities
Participation with Community Village and the Intentional Communities booth at OCF
Occasional trade/barter with neighbors

Aspirational Practices

The following are practices that we hope to incorporate into our community over time to help bring our vision to life.

Egalitarian Practices

In-house expertise on dynamic facilitation

Cultivating meaningful relationships

Deep knowledge and experience within community of NVC
Regular Heart Share or Council practice

Self-reliance

Expanded animal agriculture (dairy, rotational grazing, rabbits)
Expanded gardening (full utilization of
Increased reliance on lumber from our land for construction
Composting toilets

Honoring our environment

Extensive trails and sit spots

Fostering Interdependence

Increased trade with neighbors

Path to Membership

To become a member at Alpha Farm, it is first necessary to attend a visitor period to get a good sense of the pace of life and culture, and to give members an opportunity to get to know you. At the end of your stay, you will be required to leave for a week to provide clarity on whether Alpha Farm represents a mutual good fit. If you would like to return as a resident and the community reaches consensus on you joining, you will be invited back as a provisional member. As a provisional member, you are expected to uphold all community agreements, you receive all of the same benefits as full members, and you are invited to include your voice in decision making, though you will be unable to "block" consensus decisions until you reach full membership.

Provisional membership typically lasts for one year. During this time there will be check-ins after ~3 months and ~6 months. Any concerns that may prevent your acceptance into full membership will be communicated at these check-ins, if not sooner. Full members continue to have annual check-ins, as an opportunity to surface any challenges or appreciations that may need to be shared.

There is no cost to become a member at Alpha Farm. If you have personal assets, you are free to keep them. Financial contributions from members comfortably able to support the farm's mission are always appreciated, but never required.