Introduction
- When we started Oasis Community Farm over six years ago had many plans and dreams about how we would connect with the larger community. Petaluma and the bay area have many diverse groups, interests and activities with which we share values such as nurturing, caring for and protecting people young and old. Self expression, art, critical thinking and a love of justice are core values and we are openly progressive and political. We are not a business nor are we open to the public. Rather our singular purpose is to live a good life, share with others and build community around the farm's abundance.
Term
- $500/ month rent
- We anticipate a one year commitment although it is not a contract but an understanding
- Also we ask for a 3 month probationary period that give you and us an opportunity to reconsider
What is included
- Free wifi, utilities, laundry, available farm food and kitchen basics
- Free or arranged use of kitchen, hall and grounds for your personal use, projects and activities
- Some limits may arise and a 10 pm main lights out and quite hall rule generally applies unless previously arranged. This means you and us.
Work commitment
- 10 community hours per week
Additional professional collaboration
- Help at markets, booths, farm events and parties, social media, farm tours, food processing projects, community cooking, depending on skill sets may be arranged either for additional compensation or in lieu of community hours
How is work directed
- We will avoid ad hoc direction but rather rely on scheduled, planned or agreed upon routines
- We will use the certification model that will allow work to be self directed as much as possible
Decisions
- Decisions about work, garden planning and house activities will be made the spirit of collaboration, planning in weekly meetings. However we are the farm managers so your input although encouraged is advisory
Visitors
- Openly welcomed to encourage community although visitors should respect boundaries, farm routine
- Intimate friend overnights are natural but visitors should leave in the morning and not turn into extended stays.
Workshops, parties and farm stays
- Scheduled parties and gatherings are possible with no excessive drinking or drugs and a focus on fun and caring
- Out of town/country friends are expected but should have limits that are agreed upon in advance
Personal items
- Many tools and resources are shared on the farm. Personal items left in community space should either have explicit boundaries such as labeled boxes, etc or be clearly committed as shared resources. Knives and kitchen gear come to mind as well as personal food in refrigerator and pantry.
Camp Stay Policy
The use of the camp ground is to
encourage the enjoyment of nature and connection to the farm among
friends of Oasis Community Farm. A family with kids for instance
could use and overnight stay to make a vegetable CSA work day
memorable for the kids - a real adventure. In addition it will be
useful in farm work and stay arrangements, (Perhaps with Wwoof
http://www.wwoof.net/how-it-works/, especially with young people and
usually short term of a week or so. In the case of an agricultural
project that required more help the terms of a farm worker stay could
be up to 90 days. We do not have such a project currently as we are
focused on getting the barn done. So 2 or 3 weeks is more likely.
From time to time people may just need
help with a place to stay during a transition or disruption in their
lives. Out of generosity and compassion and friendship we may offer
accommodation on a case by case basis. It is not the main goal of the
campground to provide for such emergencies and yet we recognize that
this may happen to friends and friends of friends as time goes by.
What Is Included In a Farm Stay?
- Free wifi, utilities, laundry.
- Free or arranged use of kitchen, hall and grounds for your projects and activities
- Some limits may arise. The Hall is not completed yet so us may be limited to Kitchen area hotwater electrical outlets and the bathroom.
- Fire wood from scrap
What Is Asked for In Exchange for a
Stay?
- Working/contributing to the farm 10 hours per week
- Bring stories, uplifting, inspiring adventures and a loving vibe
- Respect boundaries of other residents, farm life and routine
How is work
directed -- Our goal is to avoid ad hoc direction but rather rely on
scheduled, planned or agreed upon routines. Regarding campground
stays it is more likely that work will be arranges side by side with
a permanent resident as there will be little opportunity to set up a
routine.
What About Visitors?
- Openly welcomed to encourage community
- Visitors should respect boundaries, farm life and routine
- Intimate friend overnights are natural but visitors should leave in the morning and not turn into extended stays.
