MISSION, VALUES, GOALS & VISION - NOV. 2021
It has been suggested that I define these. Well, they all do blend together but here are my responses, and the way I am using the terms:
MISSION: (I take this to mean my original, and still valid, intention for my life on this land):
To develop and demonstrate a way to live on earth in these times which
Benefits the earth / Gaia (fertility & diversity)
Benefits humanity (equal rights & justice)
Benefits me (health & happiness)
By creating a Paradise Garden, according to the values listed below, and encouraging and empowering others to do likewise.
VALUES: (I take this to mean the principles on which the project is based):
This project aspires to be democratic; ideally, whatever is accomplished here could serve as a model for anyone having access to a small piece of land and water (your ‘share’)
This project aspires to be non-monetary: needs are to be met by a direct relationship with the land. Money is a last resort. Legitimate expenditures are plants, books and tools.
This project is based on Daoism (“China’s Green Religion”): Earth is an organism, we are a part, playing our role properly benefits us and Gaia. And vice-versa.
This property aims to be so beautiful (according to my, hopefully widely shared, aesthetics) as to inspire a constant sense of thanksgiving for our lives in Gaia and a lack of desire to go anywhere.
This project is based on caring for all life (that includes, especially, rocks and water).
This project is guided by spirit.
GOALS: As of Dec.2021:
To provide food (vegetables, grains, protein, etc.) for everyone living here (that includes poultry but I’m not sure how to incorporate a dog & 2 cats)
To attract 6-8 permanent (or long-term) residents of like mind to take over the operation and management of Mountain Gardens and make a good living from it.
Continue labelling, cataloging & mapping the plant collection towards the ultimate goal of producing an actual or virtual guidebook to the gardens for visitors.
Make more educational videos and continue and improve outreach to the public using social media.
Increase our housing stock by upgrading campsites with roofs and walls.
Continue work on the school project by framing in the roofed areas for classroom and kitchen.
Experiment with green roofs over several campsites.
Remove invasive plants (Lamium & ivy) from affected areas of the gardens.
Renovate, reorganize and catalog the library.
Find somewhere to put the title to the property which will permanently de-commodify it.
VISION: A consensus based community of 8-12 adults who will, collectively and individually, manage and operate Mountain Gardens as a Paradise Garden (described as a botanical garden of useful plants, grown ecologically and arranged ornamentally). Each member will take responsibility for, and earn income from, a part of the whole such as: the herb shop /apothecary, the school, the plant nursery, food production and preserving, seed collection, educational outreach (workshops, plant walks & tours, etc), buildings water & energy, the library and many more possibilities. Mountain Gardens provides for everyone’s needs: food, shelter, medicine, utilities (electricity, phone, internet), transportation (shared vehicle), needed tools, materials and information. Mountain Gardens will exemplify and promote a way of living that is based on satisfying our needs by means of a direct relationship with Gaia / the garden rather than by money. Mountain Gardens will serve as a refuge and an ark when needed.