The following is the proposal which arose out of the group which formed to continue the community and energy that made Newforest so special:
Perennial Living Center and Hostelry
Summary:
- Two Hostels: 3 season Hike n' Bike Hostel and a 4 season Hostel
- Two connected Institutions: The existing 501 (c) (3) for educational programs and a "B-Corporation" for Site Development and Micro-business Spinoffs.
- Each institution would have a 9-person board with 2 from each board participating in a Collective Communications Panel.
- Food Forest Research, Development and Education: The food forest is poised to begin producing a noticeable amount of food and other resources. Three more years of intense development are needed. Out-buildings to include a Processing Kitchen, 3-season huts, Tent Platforms, and an Earth Ship Structure.
- Finances: A crowd-funded capital campaign using appropriate crowd-funding services to collect funds in the amount of $400,000 with $200,000 through each Institution. In addition we are looking at the possibilities of grants and are wishing as well to discuss owner financing of the property. Programs to be considered will include those which are self-supporting, and those which are known to be lucrative to ensure all expenses can be covered.
Five year development plan:
Year 1: Water Harvesting, Integrated Cisterns, Tent Platforms, Weatherizing
Year 2: Attached Barn Development, Lavender Barn Development, Food Forest "Permanent" Pathways
Year 3: Food Storage, Lavender Barn Development, Huts/Cabins
Year 4: Earth Ship, Food Forest Process Kitchen
Year 5: Finish all work projects
First Year Educational Plan:
- The Seven F's (Food, Fiber, Fuel, Fodder, Farmaceuticals, Fertilizer, Fun)
- 3 Tenets Applications
- Permaculture Design Practicum
- Educational Potlucks
- Summer Camp for Children
- LEEDS Development Program
Hostelries:
Two hostels, one for Hikers and Cyclists, another for general travelers, will be constructed using the existing “Lavender Barn” and “Farm House”.
Three Season Hike n' Bike Hostel:
- Specially designed and priced for hikers and bikers
- Four rooms with 4 – 6 beds/each
- Upstairs Lounge
- Self-Serve Kitchen Downstairs (freshly-prepared foods)
- Indoor/Outdoor Dining facing Garden
- Integrated Cisterns
- Off-Grid Infrastructure
- Library
- Bike Maintenance Area
Four Season Travelers Hostel:
- Two Integrated Cisterns
- Indoor/Outdoor Dining
- Wood-fired Cooking
- Rocket Stove mass heaters
- Common Room/Public Gathering Space
- Two offices
- Accessible Entry Vestibule
- Canopied Summer Dining
- 6 - 8 beds
- Rain Water Harvesting
Food Forest Development:
- Removal of unwanted specie
- Construction of Pathways
- Identification of Species
- Infrastructure Development
- Studies: Biodiversity, Transect analysis, Species Health and Growth, Soil Development Study
Educational Programs:
- Permaculture Design Practicum
- Monthly Educational Potlucks
- Summer Day Camps
- Home School Programs
- LEED Development Program
Institutional Structure:
- B-Corporation Development - A “B-Corporation” with the mission of providing Site Development and Micro-business Spin-off support. B = Benefit and brings corporations back to their original purpose. Will combine Social, Ecological, and Financial bottom lines.
- 501 (c) (3) will provide educational support including intern program, workshops, courses, practica, and colloquia.
Finances:
- Initial funding provided by a crowd-funded capital campaign. Currently researching services from Conception Fund and Rocket Hub. We will also look for capital through Educational Grants.
- Alternative Economics (part of the permaculture system) will provide institutional time dollars to volunteers.
Advisory Board:
- Educational
- Financial
- Hospitality
- LEED Certification
- Structural Engineering
- Passiv Haus Technology
Internship Opportunities:
- Gardening
- Construction
- Food Forest Development, etc
- Hospitality
- Office Assistance
Marketing and Outreach:
- Advertisement of the hostel in New England-wide and other publications (especially travel publications).
- Advertisement of educational programs in a region-wide geographical area, to include regional publications and posters, as well as a larger internet presence and possible advertisement in other media, in order to broaden the attendance base and ensure the programs’ financial self-sustainability.
- Communication and collaboration with other organizations with educational agendas, as well as organizations which could benefit from use of the facilities.
- Continuation of existing marketing and outreach methods and channels.