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A living laboratory for a sustainable human future.

Farms and Gardens

Earthaven members engage in agricultural endeavors on many scales, from home gardens, to neighborhood gardens, to farms and orchards. Farmers and gardeners experiment with a wide variety of crops, animal husbandry, and growing techniques. From the time that the founders decided to settle at Earthaven, as a forested piece of land, they knew that much clearing would need to happen for agriculture. Members have been building and heating homes with wood from the agricultural clearings for many years.

We intend to use agriculture to provide sustenance and livelihood for ourselves, through a regenerative relationship with Earth, peaceful trade with our neighbors, and demonstration of our values. Our agriculture will enhance, rather than diminish the fertility of the soil and the biodiversity of our ecosystem. As Earthaven member Chris Farmer says, “May we bring the consequences of our lives within the horizons of our lived experience.” Only then will we sense in common our connection to the source of our lives.

Take a peek at some examples of farms and gardens at Earthaven…

Gateway Farm

Gateway Farm comprises five beautiful acres of bottomland adjacent to the Earthaven gate. The farm is a growing demonstration of integrated agriculture, incorporating pasture-raised poultry, cattle, annual and perennial plants, forestry, and biofuel production.

Imani Farm

Imani Farm is a 4+ acre pasture-based, homestead farm in the center of our village. It is operated by the residents of Village Terraces Cohousing Neighborhood. Imani’s production plan is centered on annual and perennial plants, and laying hens, all organic.

Peace Garden

The Peace Garden is situated at the heart of the community in a secluded area where bamboo grows and two creeks converge. It is easy to find, directly across from the Visitor Kiosk and in front of the second bridge. The intent of the garden is to create a place of quiet refuge in the midst of the marvelous but intense activity of our village. All are welcome at any time. It has a peace pole, pathways, benches, fruit trees, and a living fence to separate it from a parking lot.

Stones’ Earthship Home Garden

Sue and Geoffrey Stone’s hand-built Earthship (house made of recycled tires) boasts a beautiful home garden. The artist/builders are pictured here in front of their retaining wall garden of hanging plants such as strawberries and herbs, also made from recycled tires.

Trout Pond

The Trout Pond is located across from the Rosy Branch Creek hydro-power station and is stocked with hundreds of trout. We thoroughly enjoy fishing for and eating these beauties when they grow to full size.

Useful Plants Nursery

Useful Plants Nursery is a small, permaculture-based nursery selling to a retail market, specializing in useful, phytonutritional food and medicine plants well-adapted to our southern Appalachian mountains and surrounding bioregions.

Village Terraces Neighborhood Gardens

The Village Terraces neighborhood gardens are located on the south side of our buildings, so it’s hard to see them from the road. The marble and wood terraces add an artful feel to the gardens. We created terraces in order to maximize space and minimize weeds.

Yellowroot Farm

Julie and Andy run Yellowroot Farm on agricultural land in the Persimmon Grove Pod. The farm grows food for their family and collaborates with other farmers and gardeners raising livestock

Hurricane Helene has impacted Earthaven severely:

Roads, bridges, hydro systems, and homes sustained heavy damaged. We are all uninjured and involved in recovery work. Please support our recovery by donating here or through our GoFundMe.