The Source Farm Foundation and Ecovillage was established in 2005 to facilitate the need of Jamaicans in the diaspora to return home, and to create a place of ecological stewardship and care.
Blondel Shirley-Atwater, the founder of The Source Farm Foundation and Ecovillage (The Source), left Jamaica in the 1980’s in search of greater opportunity and an education for her 3 children.
After many years of work, learning, and a myriad of life experiences, Blondel felt that it was time to return home and get back to the source of what had sustained her and her family.
She was afforded the opportunity to create The Source in pursuit of her dreams to heal, teach, live, learn, and love.
Since 2005, The Source has evolved into a dynamic, innovative, model community demonstrating; sustainable living, organic and natural farming, community development initiatives, and a variety of approaches to assist in improving personal and interpersonal relationships.
We invite you to join us at The Source!
Mission Statement
The Source is a multi-cultural, intergenerational, intentional ecovillage. We have a commitment to:
Natural Living
Holistic Health & Spirituality
Ecological Stewardship & Social Stewardship
Permaculture
Organic Farming & Gardening
Educational Sharing (Learning & Teaching)
Natural Building
Arts & Culture
The Source creates a healing retreat for residents and guests and a spiritual sanctuary to experience serenity and tranquility.
Vision Statement
The Source will be an innovative, model community that is dedicated to respecting and restoring Mother Earth. We will foster personal growth, personal development and empower our community to be ambassadors of natural and progressive living. The Source will be known for its diverse social and economic opportunities with a mosaic of award-winning cultural, recreational and artistic amenities and services.
VALUES
The Source Guidelines
1) Natural Living
To be deeply connected to the place in which we live, learning its boundaries, rhythms, and living in synchronicity.
We will create and design structures and gathering places to blend with and complement the natural environment, using natural, bioregional and ecologically sound (renewable, non-toxic, recycled) materials and methods of construction.
To use renewable, non-toxic energy sources to heat and power The Source.
To research, test and demonstrate innovative technologies that are ethical and support natural systems.
To create a way of life that contributes to a peaceful, loving, sustainable world.
2) Holistic Health & Spirituality
We will be a non-secular community, yet acknowledge the higher power in all things.
We will develop options for restoring, maintaining or improving health (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual), including natural remedies and alternative health practices.
We will respect the many ways of spirituality and support a variety of opportunities for development of the inner self.
We will foster a sense of joy, belonging, fun and mystery through ceremonies and celebrations.
We will acknowledge the interconnectedness and interdependence of all the elements of life on Earth.
3) Ecological Stewardship & Permaculture
To respect natural life, its systems and processes- preserving wildlife and botanical habitat, and creating a lifestyle that regenerates, rather than diminishing the integrity of The Source environment.
We will maintain an ecologically sound and economically prosperous stewardship of the land utilizing the techniques and principles of permaculture.
We will use and dispose of human waste and waste water, to the benefit of the environment and community.
We will use permaculture design principles in the planning and building of The Source.
To practice conservation in transportation systems and methods.
To minimize consumption and the generating of waste, while respecting individual needs.
To establish a clean, renewable water supply- respecting, protecting and conserving it.
We will live with respect for the land and one another.
4) Organic Farming & Gardening
To choose food that comes primarily from The Source itself, or other local and bioregional sources, that are organic, varied and provides nutritional balance.
We will work to maintain our own personal gardens as a contribution to our food needs.
We will use Non-GMO seeds.
We will not use chemical pesticides or unnatural growth enhancers.
We will work cooperatively to maintain The Farm and other Source common areas.
5) Education
To value and nurture personal growth, learning and creativity, developing opportunities for teaching and learning of all age groups in a variety of forms.
We will establish educational, leadership, internship, and exchange programs that will enable us to be of service to others, communicate and share our experiences, and link with similar local and global efforts.
We will establish an elementary and secondary school.
We will establish a grant for all children of The Source to continue their education at the university level.
6) Arts & Culture
To nurture The Source's vitality through artistic and other cultural activities and celebrations.
To value creativity and the Arts as an expression of unity and interrelationship to our universe, and encourage and support various forms of artistic expression and artful living.
To preserve and enjoy beauty and cultivate aesthetic values.
We will value visual and healing arts and work to bring beauty to our community to improve our quality of life and lifestyle.
7) Self-Sufficiency
To develop a flow of resources- giving and receiving of funds, goods and services.
We will contribute ideas, talents, energies and finances to achieve community goals.
We will create business enterprises to assure economic viability and minimum dependence on institutional structures and market systems.
We will build self-sustaining infrastructures to meet our basic needs.
8) Social Stewardship
To co-create a sense of social stability and dynamism, with a foundation of safety and trust that enables members to freely express themselves to the benefit of all.
To co-create spaces and systems that support and maximize communication, healthy relationships and productivity within The Source and with the surrounding community.
To share talents, skills and other resources within The Source, and outside to serve the greater good.
To honor diversity as a source of health, vitality and creativity in the natural environment and in community relations.
We will create a safer and more loving environment in which to raise children and will work to ensure that children will be supported in every way in the community.
We will connect with and serve the local community through workshops, employment opportunities, and business relationships.
9) Technology
To create opportunities and use technologies that enhances communication within The Source, and throughout the world wide community.
To avoid using technologies that will harm or endanger The Source and the Earth.
We will use sacred technologies to enhance our understanding of our environment and assist us in healthy living.
We will use ancient building techniques that are in accord with utilizing and preserving our natural environment.
10) Code of Ethics
We will consider each person to be an individual member including those in a coupled relationship and children.
We will deal directly, openly, and honestly with each other.
We will seek to work, learn, and teach others.
We will each have equal decision making rights.
We will build consensus among members as a means of collective decision making.
We will be open and respectful of feedback and criticism and when conflict arises, resolve it immediately and peacefully, seeking mediation if necessary.
We will agree that violence and abuse whether physical or emotional, have no place in the community.