Living at MMV

(or visiting)

The following is a model for our intentional living. The specific protocols will be agreed upon by our core group of founding members within the next two years. We are officially in the "forming" stage of development and looking for congruent, committed people to create the infrastructure of sustainable living and intentional community.

Remoteness. Some people have a hard time transitioning form high-density populations into a remote wilderness setting. Please take this into consideration before making any long-term commitments.

Work. We've had several volunteers who were very much excited about the idea of sustainable living, but when it came down to actually doing it, living it, building it, or maintaining it, they became ... somewhat less enthusiastic. Weeding, digging, raking, hammering, and loading materials is physical work. The average American isn't used to that kind of activity, especially if they've been groov'in on sedentary, cubicle, TV watch'in mojo. Creating permaculture is quite different from reading about it in a magazine, thinking about it, or talking about it, especially at our current phase, which is building the systems and structures the community needs.

We're like to set realistic expectations for our visitors and maximize everyone's satisfaction. If you're not in pretty good shape, our rugged terrain will probably replace all your gym memberships. If you have bad knees, back or feet, or are lazily apathetic, the desk job will be much more comfortable than this.

On the other hand, we are very flexible about fitting people -- and their physical fitness -- to a proper work day. But make sure you're up for the challenge. If you haven't put in four to six hours of physical labor in a while, it'll take a while to build up the endurance, and we take this into consideration. It's not only fair, but smart, too, as doing too much too soon leads to depletion or injury. Generally, what we ask of our volunteers is 24 hours of work a week. the rest is yours.

In conclusion, please assess if you have the work ethic for working the land permaculture style, and also for remote wilderness living. Think about your motivation for coming here -- hopefully it's not just an escape. Having realistic expectations and evaluating congruent aptitudes and attitudes will help ensure a more rich and meaningful experience.

Weather. Unless you're visiting between mid-May and Early October, which are a joyful piece of cake, you should be apprised that this is subtropical rainforest. It's cold and wet. It can rain for eight days straight. In order to be groov'in on your groove here during winter-ish months, this means that 1) you should be OK with cold wet days and 2) You should have suitable rain gear. See our weather chart so you know about what to expect.

Bees. We have bee hives for honey production relatively close to most of the living quarters. If you are allergic to bee stings it is your responsibility to come prepared with Epi-pens or other medications.

Internships. Live here for free, volunteer your work -- learn alternative building techniques (cob, cordwood masonry, straw bale, living roof, etc). Help create permaculture design, organic gardens and water systems. Stay short-term or long-term

Housing. Living and visiting at MMV is free -- there are no fees or dues. We will match guests or Resident Members with the most comfortable and appropriate housing we have available, or build to suit their/our needs. Some storage is available on site, but the capacity is meted on an individual basis. From June through September the forest service bans open flames of any kind, even incense or paraffin candles. This ban is appropriate, as forest fires are real concern.

Pets: We allow pets but require that they are friendly to all and well socialized. Some pets are not allowed inside of buildings and this is considered on an individual basis.

Drugs. MMV is a drug-free zone. This about facing life and it's pain and joy, not escaping from it. We ask that, in the spirit of health, you leave all tobacco, alcohol or any other recreational substances behind.

Composting Toilets. This is eco-rustic living utilizing composting toilet systems, building soil by recycling a valuable resource, instead of discarding "waste." With simple maintenance -- adding the right amount of organic cover and transferring/exchanging containers into the main thermophyllic batch bins -- it is odor free and easy. Neglect makes it somewhat less enjoyable.

Recycling. We like to minimize having to recycle plastics and other materials when possible, by buying environmentally friendly packaged items. Divide your waste products efficiently and relocate to large export bins for regular transfer.

Kitchen/Meals: We like eating our meals together at least once a day, our largest meal, lunch. We ring a bell ten minutes before we gather. Breakfast is individual and varied. By next year most of the food will be grown ourselves and the menus will vary increasingly more with season. The cook for the day chooses the menu.

Values. This is an untratolerant culture where openness, transparency, authenticity, personal freedoms and freedom of expression are respected. Nine months old, nine years along, or ninety years young, male, female, dogs or cats; clothing is optional. (to clarify: this doesn't mean anyone walks around nude -- that's uncomfortable. In application it mostly translates into a comfort with our bodies that allows us to take an outdoor solar shower without sneaking it in or hiding, or enjoying a sauna without covering up w/ a bathing suit. There's no shame in the human body here) Any and all religious practices, political beliefs, sexual orientations, and ideologies are OK here. (See Covenants). While respect and consideration most often trump free expression, trampolines, goofy hats, cartwheels, singing and screaming are OK, too, and may even be encouraged.

Vehicles. MMV operates a small fleet of vehicles (from a backhoe, quad, to automobiles) for use by its members and others by permission.  We strive to minimize our use of the vehicles by ride-sharing and good planning so that multiple errands are done on any given trip.  We also may restrict vehicle use at MMV, as parking is limited.

Fire. MMV is a smoke-free, drug free zone, first and foremost. June through September (although CalFire has designated days based on fire danger criteria) is almost entirely a no-burn period, as forest fires are a real concern.

Transparency. It's a spirit of openness; one that generates a sense of tremendous personal freedom. "See, this is who I am," is transparency in action. If we have the courage to be vulnerable and be real -- really who we are -- the energy freed up from having to hide, deceive, or otherwise fake it is available to do wonderful things. We are committed to great interpersonal communication, which means, among other things, creating a safe space for true human experience. It's not always flattering but it feels good. .