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A living laboratory for a sustainable human future.

Live and Work at Earthaven

Live and Work at Earthaven positions are by arrangement with various hosts—Earthaven members who are working on their site development, buildings, businesses, or gardens. Positions are arranged privately between you and the host (at this time, Earthaven does not have positions sponsored by the community). We also sometimes have rentals available that involve less work and more money. Workers and renters are part of Earthaven’s New Roots program, which includes orientations, check-ins, and other activities for support and accountability.

Earthaven members expect a lot of themselves and they expect a lot of you too. Earthaven is a working, building, living environment, and most of the work is hard, physical labor outdoors—digging, hauling, building. Learning by doing (work study), in a service role, is very different from today’s formal education. Like many hands-on experiences, you may not realize what you have learned and the value of your experience until months or years later!

A standard position at Earthaven is 24 hours a week: 20 hours a week in exchange for hosting, food, and camping, plus 4 hours a week for Earthaven. There are, however, a wide variety of arrangements, depending on what the host expects and offers. See below for positions that may be currently available. If you are interested in one of these opportunities, please contact the host directly.

Butterfly House Permaculture Work Exchange

Dates: May 2024

Butterfly House is a 19-year-old homestead in Earthaven’s oldest neighborhood, the Hut Hamlet. Projects will be facilitated by resident permaculture professional Zev Friedman. Projects include natural-built home tending, annual crop production, agro-forestry and biochar, water systems, integrated poultry, food preservation, natural building and light carpentry, and much moreContact: Zev at  . 
Hours: 12 hours/week for Butterfly House plus 4 hours/week for Earthaven
Costs: Approx. $260/month food plan. Bathhouse fee: $10/month.
Earthaven fees are $35/month, plus $15/month per vehicle, plus a $25 one-time administrative fee.
You Receive: You bring tent, stay on large sheltered wooden platform. Use of phone and office.

Suncatcher Work Exchange

Dates: Not taking new applications at this time.

Suncatcher neighborhood is home to the Hobbit House, built with seven vernacular construction methods from Rod Rylander's 50 years of experience. We’ll make repairs and upgrades to the Hobbit House and plant gardens in Spring. Seeking responsible, happy, self-managed folks who love to learn and share skills, work hard, and cooperate.
Contact: Amy at
Hours: 20 hours/week for Suncatcher and 4 hours/week for Earthaven.
Costs: Suncatcher fees: $50/month. Earthaven fees are $35/month, plus $15/month per vehicle, plus a $25 one-time administrative fee.
You Receive: A space to sleep (tent, trailer, or room in house), use of outdoor kitchen and outdoor shower, experience in intentional community living, and hands-on education.

Wheelhouse Collective Work Exchange

Dates: Available now.

Seeking work exchangers who share our vision of collective, permaculture-based living, and are excited to live, learn, and work with kindred spirits. Ideal candidates are willing and able to share cooking, cleaning, and outdoor work (e.g. firewood, gardening, help with carpentry). 2-Month Minimum. Poison ivy, snakes, and insects present.
Contact: Deborah at .
Hours: 15 hours/week for Wheelhouse plus 4 hours/week for Earthaven.
Costs: $150/mo maintenance; $200/mo food; and one-time deposit of $200. Earthaven fees are $35/month, plus $15/month per vehicle, plus a $25 one-time administrative fee.
You Receive: A small private room, shared phone, internet, family rooms, office, kitchen, gardens, shower, outdoor toilet.