FAQ
Why are the lots sized the way they are? Why are the homes so close together?
'Clustering' homes creates a community scaled to people rather than automobiles. It also frees up space for common facilities and areas such as a common building, community gardens and greenhouses, ponds, open playing fields and permaculture landscaping and all the amenities associated with your village share.
I use my computer a lot at home. Will my energy needs be met or will I have to give up something?
You can use your computer, watch TV, listen to the radio and run your appliances as you would normally. The difference at Abundance Ecovillage is that the houses are so well designed up front that they use only 1/4 the amount of energy that conventional homes do.
What about condensation and mold in the earth tubes?
The earth tube cooling, heating and fresh air system is designed to allow any condensation to drain out of the system, thereby assuring only pure air is delivered into your home.
Is rainwater safe?
Rainwater is much cleaner than the water that most municipal city systems provide. The village drinking water will be ozonated with basic sediment filtration. Further purification is at the discretion of the homeowner.
Why did you pick such a barren piece of land?
The site is auspicious from a Sthapatya Ved perspective and allows bicycling to campus or town without crossing a state highway; it has been an organic hay field for ten years, has 18 inches of very fertile topsoil and offers a blank canvas on which to restore wetlands and woodlands and create orchards, permaculture landscapes, and open spaces.
Do I have to work in the community garden? Will I get free vegetables?
The perennial crop foods from the orchards (nuts, fruits) and vineyards in the common areas will be free for the taking by the villagers. Vegetables can be purchased from Abundance CSA, villagers can work in the CSA gardens in exchange for vegetables, or villagers can grow their own in the common gardens or their own yards.
What do I do about my dog if I want to live at the Ecovillage?
We do have a grandfather policy that says Rover can continue his days with your family at the Ecovillage. However, in settings with swimming ponds and community gardens, dogs are a sanitation and safety concern and so after serious consideration we've decided not to allow them.