Egrets Cove is a group of nine people including two children that live on 15 acres of land about 7 miles southeast of the town of Berea, Kentucky. The land is mainly hilly oak forest with about one acre of open land with gardens. It is located on a paved road across from a small lake that serves as the water supply for the town of Berea. Our primary focus is developing a more ecologically sustainable way of living in this area. Transportation is the most difficult aspect of this for us.
We don’t subscribe to any preset religious, spiritual or political beliefs as a group, though there is no shortage of individual opinions, and lively discussion is one of the more engaging aspects of Egrets’ Cove.
Currently there are 4 households. Two have built cabins, one is in the process of building a timber frame straw bale cabin, and one is living in a camper awaiting inspiration before building. We try to keep the cabins small and energy efficient. So far all have a footprint of 20 X 24 feet of heated insulated space, one has a loft and one has a second story planned. All have screened porches. We also have a community building that is 1100 square feet; it includes a freezer, washing machine, and wireless Internet access. We have a photovoltaic electric system that serves the cabins and are working towards a net metering plan with the local utility.
Concerning finances: A household pays $27,000 membership fee and $100 per adult monthly dues. The land is jointly owned through a limited liability corporation. (Kentucky state law makes it difficult to establish as a land trust, which was our preference). Members own their homes. They are expected to address their housing needs, but there is latitude in how they do so, as long as it stays within the general principals of relatively small, low cost, and energy efficient.
The people here make their livings in a variety of ways. John works for the Kentucky Environmental Foundation; Brian; a social worker, works with abused and at risk children; David is the director of a small non profit that focuses on nutrition issues in Latin America; Joanna and Janet are part of a local alternative education group (homeschoolers); and Therese works with the regional Quaker teen group. Dick is a retired sociology professor doing some writing... when he isn’t fixing his boat. Madelyn, 11 years old and Wynn, 8 years old are both homeschooled and love to catch frogs and play board games.
Decisions are made by consensus and we are looking at ways to make our process more responsive, lively and organic. At the moment, it is in a bit of flux. We have one common supper a week with a different member preparing the meal. Other meals and gatherings are informal and spontaneous.