Life in the End of the Rainbow Valley: SKINNY DIPPING IS OPTIONAL...

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

SKINNY DIPPING IS OPTIONAL...

Wiscoy Valley Cooperative was formed in the mid 1970's by 4+ adults and now has some 20 adults on the land cooperative of 358 acres in southeastern Minnesota near Winona.
We witnessed the Co-op's mission statement in action during the open house as it was filled with fun - swimming and music, creative - in the food ingredient choices including the berry jam varieties and the organics ie: land management. Residents volunteered greeting, leading tours, answering questions, in food prep and serving guests.
The land is divided into 85 acres of native prairie, 5 acres of perennial fruits which are grown organically and the remainder is woodland and wild areas.

We visited Wiscoy Valley Cooperative Saturday during their Blue Fruit Farm open house. Many enjoyed exploring the land and cooling off in the creek fed swimming hole.

BTW: The kiddos were the only ones seen running around in their birthday suits after skinny dipping in the pond.

Tour guide, resident Jim Riddle shares

this tri pod device which attracts insects

to fake trunk, climbing into cone trap

There were also Farm tours and we made it in time to join the last tour (albeit a bit late) learning about the trials and tribulations of berry growing.

Signs marked the varieties of blueberries, elderberries and armonia .

Unbeknownst to us one of Natureman's friends, Mike Breckel from our Coulee area invented an instrument used on the farm that detaches berries from their clusters. How cool is that?

Nets cover the entire berry crop to save it from birds and other critters.

The outer fence (with sign) was an electrified 12 ft fence to prevent deer from jumping over.

Resident Joyce Ford's dream of having an elderberry crop in the 80's came to fruition

We could taste test the berries in the field

Aronia berries
not ready til almost black

Jam Berry tastings and purchases were available in their berry work area.
In the community pavillion we enjoyed a farm fresh salad with delicious Aronia berry dressing and a tasty bean salad.
Three different desserts included a cheesecake with berry sauce, berry crisp and berry cookie.
We each took a different dessert to sample and share.

Members are required sign up for 4 work project/ cleaning days per year of various community areas. Other projects depend on volunteers ie: this open house. Some work is paid for ie: bookkeeping/ maintenance with mowing, etc...
Wiscoy residents choose their own house style,
manner of income, diet and schooling for children. Current Residence types are single family homes. The property is Group Owned by the entire community. Both solar and clean energy are used.
Consensus rules and while visitors are accepted through a process and a contact person, no new members are being accepted at this time. But if you were interested in being a member, it might take as long as 2 years as a trial member during which you must meet and get to know every community member and only be allowed to join if every member agrees.

I've also attached another chart I found on line regarding Sustainability Practices.

It might be difficult to live in a world of 100% consensus but wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all live in communities like Wiscoy where land and nature are respected. It's up to us to use caution on our daily demands and to be kind to the Earth because as if you didn't already know, it's the only one we've got.