Sites
Participants can choose from two settings in which to live in community. There is a town setting and a country setting.
Northfield: The population of Northfield is about 18,000, including a student population of 5,000 from St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges. Northfield is within a half hour from the suburbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Although many residents work in the Twin Cities area, the town still retains its own identity and there are many exciting endeavors in existence already and also many that are in process. Northfield was one of “12 Great Places You’ve Never Heard Of” (in the U.S.) in the August/September 2006 edition of Mother Earth News.
Many of the town’s residents are politically, socially, environmentally, artistically and spiritually active. There are peace groups, a biodiesel cooperative, promoters of wind power (with a wind generator at both colleges), healers, dreamworkers, plant rescuers, several Community Supported Gardens (CSA’s) and organic farmers in the area, bicycling proponents, a budding green business initiative, a food co-op, crafters, speakers, a community theater, college plays and concerts, arts organizations, cabarets. Northfield historically has been a predominantly white town, but now there is a sizable population of Latinos.
The town setting is in a private home on the northern edge of the town in a quiet neighborhood. The home has two levels and is surrounded by a naturalized lawn and beautiful flower gardens. Participants live in the lower level of the home – a basement walkout. In that level there are 3 bedrooms, a bath, a large living area and a kitchen. Each participant has a private bedroom. The permanent residents of the household are Herb and Olivia Frey.
If your work tends towards the arts, political or social activism, street theater, or cultural diversity, then the town setting may be a more suitable environment for you.
The country setting is located about 6 miles south of Northfield on a 10 acre hilly, wooded site in Wheeling Township. This area is part of the Seven Mile Woods – a portion of the Big Woods that earlier covered the southeastern part of the state. It is about 5 miles from Big Woods State Park. The neighborhood is active in forest preservation, having formed a non-profit association to preserve woodland. Many neighbors are also active in land development issues in the local townships, seeking to preserve both agricultural and wooded land. Wheeling Township has varied topography. The northern half is hilly and wooded and the southern half more suited to agriculture.
The country home is a two-story structure with a basement. There are 2 upstairs bedrooms available for participants. There is another bedroom belonging to the permanent residents on the second story. There is a shared bath on this level with a bathtub (no shower) and a shower in the basement. Each participant has a private room. The permanent residents of this household are Gene and Rose Ann Steenhoek. (for more information about Rose Ann, check out “Community Lifeâ€)
If your work tends towards contemplation, a slower pace, or connections with the natural world, the country setting may be a more suitable environment for you.
The work site is located on a farm one mile from the Steenhoeks – Valley Creek Community Farm. On this farm Olivia, Rose Ann and Gene rent land to operate a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). CSA’s are an alternative economic arrangement. Instead of purchasing vegetables, members financially support the farm and its farmers. Members share the benefits and the risks of growing food along with the farmer. They pay a yearly fee and in return receive vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit on a weekly basis throughout the growing season. Much of our food (particularly during the growing season) comes from this farm. All Starwalkers participants, both town and country residents have opportunities to work on the farm, to learn about growing their own food, to grow and harvest food for our community meals.
