The Farm

In 1971, a caravan of 80 brightly painted school buses and assorted other vehicles carrying more than 320 hippie idealists landed on an abandoned farm in central Tennessee. They had a mission: to be a part of something bigger than themselves, to follow a peaceful and spiritual path, and to make a difference in the fate of world.
Today The Farm is one of the largest and longest-lasting intentional communities in the United States. The Farm continues as a school of change, demonstrating ways to operate collectively in terms of:
Land, water and stewardship
Health care, building and infrastructure
Local, national and global activism
Cooperation, compassion and spiritual values.
For humans to survive as a species, we must re-learn the skills needed to work together and to live lightly on the Earth. The lessons of The Farm can be applied in any community or organization.
In 1974 the Farm founded Plenty International, its relief and development arm, working primarily to preserve indigenous peoples’ lands, rights, and culture, and Global Village Institute for Appropriate Technology, to advance the tools and methods needed for constructive transition. In 1980 The Farm received the first Right Livelihood Award for its work with indigenous rights. It won the award a second time in 2011 for re-establishing legal midwifery in North America. Since 1994 the Farm has operated the Ecovillage Training Center, teaching permaculture, natural building, renewable energy and other skills for ecovillage living to people on six continents. For ten years this was the headquarters office of GEN in the Americas. Students from more 50 countries have come for permaculture apprenticeships and immersion experiences in ecovillage living.
The Farm is always looking for a few good souls to help in its work, and new members are always welcome.