Catfarm

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • English
  • 4 Areas of Regeneration
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 2018

What we do

Catfarm is an off-grid intentional community in the South of France where people from all walks of life come together to live, learn, and create. This is where big ideas become real projects, and where we explore new ways of living that are more just, connected, and in harmony with the planet.

Our community is the heart of everything we do. Catfarm is home to a diverse group of curious minds and bold doers who want to go beyond dreaming and start building. Here, people design and run volunteer projects themselves, gaining knowledge, confidence, and the tools to shape their own futures.

We view Catfarm as a living laboratory for regeneration, exploring how community life can help restore and protect not just nature, but also the social, economic, and cultural systems that surround us. Through various non-formal educational methods integrated into our workshops, youth exchanges, trainings, and hands-on projects, we provide an opportunity to test ideas, share skills, and make a meaningful impact using limited resources.

Art and creativity play a significant role in our shared culture. They are how we experiment, communicate, and reimagine the future together. Creativity fuels innovation and problem-solving, helping us transform challenges into possibilities and bring regenerative ideas to life.

Equally important is belonging. Living in community teaches us the values of collaboration, care, accountability, and well-being. We believe that fostering connections, freedom of expression, and mutual support and solidarity are essential qualities for building just and regenerative systems.

Daily life here is simple and rooted in nature. It’s a place to slow down, reflect, connect with ourselves and each other, and flourish together. We work closely with local allies to support and strengthen our region, while staying connected to a global network of intentional communities and organizations that, each in their own way, are creating a more diverse and regenerative world.

Our Vision

We envision Catfarm Education as a living school of regenerative culture, where people can experience, learn and practice new ways of living together and caring for the Earth. By sharing Catfarm’s knowledge and lived experience, we aim to inspire regenerative change beyond our community and contribute to a more resilient, inclusive and regenerative society.

Our Mission

Mission

Our mission is to share Catfarm’s lived knowledge through transformative learning. We create spaces where people can explore, experiment and develop practical skills for regenerative living, through courses, workshops, trainings, exchanges, internships, volunteering and online learning. We also nurture connections and help newcomers understand and contribute to Catfarm’s culture.

 
  • Purpose
  • 4 Areas of Regeneration
  • 4 Areas of Regeneration
  • Languages
  • English
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Sustainability practices
  • Ecosystem restoration
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Sustainability education and community engagement
  • Regenerative agriculture or permaculture
  • Permaculture design
  • Natural / low-impact building
  • Activities
  • Ecological Restoration
  • Permaculture
  • Construction
  • Education
  • Ecosystem
  • Mediterranean

Commemorative dates

  • November 9, 2018
  • Assocation creation

Video

Gallery

  • 25 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
10

Basic expectations or agreements for members

https://app.notion.com/p/catfarm/Welcome-Pack-27932894ae87808eb26be5a8add78753

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Decision-making process

  • Consent-Based (Sociocracy)

Decisions proceed unless someone has a reasoned objection.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Conflict resolution approach

Self-responsability and radical honesty welcome

Internal role dedicated to human care and mediation when needed

Dedicated time for 1-1 feedback and group feeback

Spaces to process tension collectively

External facilitation

Economic model

  • Cooperative Business

Community operates shared enterprises that provide income.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • The community provides jobs in community run businesses or nonprofits

Additional economic information

We run various projects Erasmus+ project per year and also do local activites.

Vehicle accessibility

  • It would be easy / doable to live in this community without a car
  • There are one or more community vehicles

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Housing and food provide without financial cost for all.

Frequency of communal meals

  • Approximately all meals

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Growing our own
  • Locally sourced
  • Wildcrafting / Foraging
  • Dumpster Diving / Food Surplus

Dietary type

  • Others

Dietary restriction

  • These restrictions are throughout the community

Nature of social activity

  • People in the community regularly socialize together

Community activities and engagement

Land regeneration and collective care.

Educational and retreat offerings

Agroforestery, eco-construction, NVC, consent, Horizontal governance, self expression and art.

Local connectedness

  • We have strong relationships with our local community

Friendliness of people and local government

  • It’s a mix

Pet policy

  • No pets are allowed, except in special cases

We live with 3 cats. No dogs allowed at the moment.

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs in peripheral / discrete / only in personal or private spaces
  • Substance use is prohibited in the community

Practiced relationship models

  • Monogamy
  • Polyamory / Open relationships / Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM)
  • Others

Member support features

  • Onsite or nearby medical facilities
  • Spiritual Practices
  • Active Meditation
  • Dancing practices

Internal and external practices

  • Volunteers for organizations fighting for social justice
  • Supports or creates land reparation/reclamation projects
  • Organizes trainings and workshops for your members
  • Develops a system for addressing microaggressions

Level of LGBTQIA+ inclusion

  • Somewhat - we have some LGBTQIA+ members

Gender composition

  • Very diverse mix across all categories

Age demographics

  • Primarily young adults (under 40)

Racial / ethnic demographics

  • Very diverse (many backgrounds represented)

Socioeconomic and wealth composition

  • Very diverse (mix of working class, middle class, and wealthy members)

Diversity representation

  • Neurodiverse (ex. autism, ADHD, sensory processing etc.)
  • Mental health conditions

Property status

  • Leased

Property owner

  • By a single individual, couple, or Family Trust

Ecosystem

  • Mediterranean

Characterized by wet winters and dry summers
Specific flora and fauna adapted to this unique climate
Found around Mediterranean Basin, parts of California, Chile

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Community type

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

Community type

  • Partially built or remodeled with recycled or environmentally friendly materials, and/or using natural building methods
  • Entirely or almost entirely built or remodeled with recycled or environmentally friendly materials, and/or using natural building methods
  • Built or remodeled using passive solar design

Sustainability approach

  • Ecosystem restoration
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Sustainability education and community engagement
  • Regenerative agriculture or permaculture
  • Permaculture design
  • Natural / low-impact building

Land practices in our community

  • The community practices permaculture
  • The community is working to build soil using only natural methods
  • The community is working to restore natural habitat

Community type

  • Partially built or remodeled with recycled or environmentally friendly materials, and/or using natural building methods
  • Entirely or almost entirely built or remodeled with recycled or environmentally friendly materials, and/or using natural building methods
  • Built or remodeled using passive solar design

Some or all of the buildings are...

  • Partially built or remodeled with recycled or environmentally friendly materials, and/or using natural building methods
  • Entirely or almost entirely built or remodeled with recycled or environmentally friendly materials, and/or using natural building methods
  • Built or remodeled using passive solar design

Self-produced energy

  • Over 66%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Food forest

Renewable water use

  • Up to 33%

Source of water

  • Well water
  • Rainwater capture and storage for use (barrels, cisterns, etc.)

Wastewater management

  • Septic system

Water conservation practices

  • Rainwater capture
  • Composting toilets

Waste management practices

  • Composting
  • Recycling program
  • Reuse or repair systems

Guest Book

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Our Members

. .

United States

Location

Catfarm

Promoted Needs and Offers

  • Events
7 years ago

Preserve the Serra de Carnaxide

This event will be supported by the meeting of a group of collectives of citizens, who are promoting the preservation of a mountain range. Then, we will have a popular dinner and we will see one of the interviews that will broadcast between February 1st and 6th. Description of the civic movement Serra de Carnaxide, with 600 hectares, is one of the few green spots in the metropolitan area of ​​Lisbon that can contribute to the improvement of air quality and public health, promoting adaptation to climate change. There are currently urbanization projects that threaten the Serra de Carnaxide, some of which are ongoing and others are in the planning or project phase. Its implementation would destroy the Serra, causing significant impacts in the short, medium and long term, both for the populations and for the environment, which includes interesting dimensions in terms of soil, water, flora and fauna, in addition to classified architectural heritage. The preservation of the Serra will promote the sustainability of the water environment (rivers and groundwater) and the associated ecosystems. The richness in groundwater is evidenced by its past use, materialized in the architectural heritage constituted by the Carnaxide aqueduct and the Francesas aqueduct (both subsidiaries of the Águas Livres aqueduct) and its skylights, circular structures and mother-of-water . Current scientific knowledge, sustained governance practices, as well as agreements and treaties to which Portugal is committed, including the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (imposing targets to be reached by 2020), impose the urgent need for a new management of the territory of Serra of Carnaxide. It is possible to find innovative solutions for an integrated and sustainable management of the natural and architectural heritage of the Serra de Carnaxide, recognizing and taking advantage of its immense environmental and socio-economic value, in addition to tourism
  • Events
8 years ago

"Topluluk Olmanın Gücü" Zirvesi - Kars Buluşmaları

Please see below for English——- “Topluluk Olmanın Gücü” Zirvesi Şu anda Dünya’da gerçekleşen değişimin bir parçası olmak ister misin? Yada zaten öyle olduğunu mu düşünüyorsun? Fikirlerini paylaşmak için bize katılmaya ne dersin? 1-10 Şubat tarihleri arasında online gerçekleşecek olan “Power of Community Summit”- Topluluk Olmanın Gücü Zirvesi” süresince en 2 kere bir araya gelerek topluluk olmanın, bir diğeri ile bağ kurmanın önemini ve bunun Dünya üzerindeki etkilerini araştırma, tartışma niyeti ile sizleri “Etkileşim Buluşmaları”na davet ediyoruz. Zirve boyunca Dünyaca tanınan konuşmacıların online konferanslarını beraber izleyeceğiz. Video izlenimi öncesi ve sonrası Evrensel Ekoköy Ağı (GEN-Global Ecovillage Network) ve Zirve ile ilgili görüş ve bilgi paylaşımlarına yer verip, kendi yerel toplumumuz ile olan bağlarımızı konuşup, paylaşacağız. Yeni bağlar kurma, birbirimize ilham alıp verme ve beraber varolmayı deneyimleme niyetleri ile biraraya geliyoruz. Sizleri de aramızda görmeyi çok isteriz. Buluşmalar ile ilgili saat, gün ve yer bilgisi için be*****@********il.com mail atabilir yada Facebook üzerinden benimle iletişime geçebilirsiniz – betül katıgöz. Sevgiyle ve ilhamla güzel bir gün dileriz ———————————– Power of Community Summit Would you like to be a part in the change which is happening right now in our World? Do you think you are already part of it? Would you like to be willing share your thoughts about it with your community? We are inviting you to join us with ” Interactive Hub Meetings” at least 2 times during the Summit where we can hold a space to discuss how important to make a connection with one another and become a community and how this connection will may inspire the change in the World. During the Summit there will be several talks by well known World Changer Thinkers, Writers, Philosophers and Activists. We will have a chance to watch them via videos and we will have some discussi
  • Events
10 years ago

GAIA Ashram Teacher Internship 2016

Are you a Permaculturist? Ecovillage Designer? Deep Ecologist? Builder? Gardener? Natural product maker? Healer? Herbalist? Nutritionist? Shaman? Dancer? Artist? Yogi & Yogini? Are you looking for a community to live to practice your knowledge and skills, a space to share your knowledge and skills with others, a place to use your knowledge and skills to create positive impact on earth? Then, you might be interested in this program! What is Gaia Ashram Teacher Internship Program? The Gaia Ashram Teacher Internship is a program where we provide a learning space for those who wish to deepen and widen their knowledge and skills relating to sustainable and conscious living, who wish to use their knowledge and skills to help creating a better place on earth and who wish to share their knowledge and skills with others, who want to gain experience on teaching, leading groups and practice their facilitation skills as well as other skills for community living. Who might be interested? We are providing this programme especially for people who are interested in teaching / practice/ experiment their knowledge that is related to sustainable or conscious living such as the following areas: Permaculture, Ecovillage Design, Deep Ecology, Spiritual Ecology, Wilderness retreats, Gardening, Natural Building, Alternative Technology, Nutrition, Herbalism, Healthy Food & Diet, Natural Healing & energy healing, Natural Products, Shamanism, Dance, Artists, Yoga & Tai Chi etc. What the Gaia Ashram Teacher Internship offers to teacher interns? Time to study/research/experiment in your area of expertise for two days a week. This does not include the holiday (Sunday) Space to practically practice/experiment/to go deep in your area of expertise/interest Training and mentoring on facilitation skills and leadership styles (workshop on facilitation skills every two weeks) Training and mentoring on workshop/session design Chance to lead /give small workshops/presentations a

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