Well, dear ones, I think I've finally found 'the place' - now we just need 'the money', LOL! Its a beautiful, full-fledged retreat center an hour north of LIttle Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas?? That's what I said, too, until I went down to look at it. Traveled most of NW Arkansas, looked at a lot of places, and this is IT! The land is gorgeous (80 acres, half in cedar forest, half in pasture/growing land). The Ozarks are abundant with mountains, rivers, lakes . . . . truly one of the most beautiful areas I've been to . . . The retreat center is 8,000 square feet, built with precision and beauty. 2 24-person bunk houses w/ a total of 6 showers/toilets/sinks; a huge outdoor covered pavillion; an indoor grecian swimming pool in its own 2,000 sq. foot poolhouse. And the Center itself has a30'x35' great room that has a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace; hardwood floors, knotty pine walls/ceiling, a vaulted ceiling with skylights; a great kitchen, 4 small bedrooms, a master suite that's 16'x30' and 3 bathrooms. There are two ponds on property, one stocked with bass and catfish; the Center is heated by geothermal heat coils submerged in one of the ponds, and while they have three wells on property, the retreats are all supplied with water catchment and they only have to tap the wells at the end of summer.
This place will make an incredible Eco-Academy where we can teach permaculture/organic gardening; alternative energy resources; alternative houseng; and all based on indigenous eco-spiritual principles. The governor of Arkansas has just started a commission on global warming and wants Arkansas to become a model state for reducing the carbon footprint. Meanwhile, many of the Christian Chruches in Arkansas have jumped on the ecological bandwagon and want to learn all the above - so we may finally get to preach to someone other than the choir! And have community as well.
When we have purchased the property, I intend to create a long-tem leasehold with up to 21 lots where community members can have a long-term (20-50 year) lease; build their own alternative energy homes in an eco-village. The village will attract skilled community members who have the expertise to teach others how to live eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyles. I'm talking to the county now about putting in gravel roads, and a reed bed septic system and composting toilets. We want to create examples that will show mainstream people that they can live in an alternative way w/o giving up all their 'conveniences'.
At this moment, I have a potential partner, and I'm looking at other options as well. If y'all know of someone who might be interested in thsi project, or grants that might be available for building the eco-village, putting in alternative energies such as water catchment; solar; wind; and geothermal, please let me know. The photo is of the main building of the Retreat Center.