Ardent April 2025 Almanac

Dear Friends,

Spring is in full swing with new life emerging at every moment; so tiny and tender, yet containing the power and strength to burgeon and thrive through circumstances both kind and cruel.  It’s in the nature–the very essence–of every creature, plant, microbe, and mushroom to grow and thrive–and that includes us.   But we don’t do it alone.   

At Common Ground, we are ardent about growing community.  While so much is in flux in the world around us, we are finding balance, nourishment, and healing increasingly through our connections with each other and the land.  And yes, there are skads of challenges that we don’t yet know how to meet, much less overcome.  And there’s plenty of uncertainty about methods and means to achieve our goals while honoring our aspirations.  But as you’ll see in this Almanac, we persist.  

There’s so much goodness within and around us that we hope to share with you.  So take a close look at the News, Meetings, and Events in this Almanac.  There’s never been a better time to join together and support each other to co-create the more vibrant and life-giving world that we know in our hearts is possible.

See you at Common Ground.

Mighty March Almanac

You are made, fundamentally, from the good.
With this knowledge, you never march alone.

You are the breaking news of the century.
You are the good who has come forward…

…we can make a house called tomorrow.
What we bring, finally, into the new day, every day,

Is ourselves.  And that’s all we need
To start.  That’s everything we require to keep going. 

Excerpted from A House Called Tomorrow, by Alberto Rios*

What is mightier than Spring, when all manner of flowers, foods, and creatures seemingly emerge out of nowhere?   Suddenly, redbud blossoms pop, tender chickweed grows and greens, and frog song soars over the wetlands.  Change can happen so fast, so beautiful and strong, and nothing stops it from coming.  Winter’s last lashing winds and freezing cold may slow the surge, but Spring is powered by life itself and a determination to live, grow, evolve, and express its vital and nourishing gifts. 

At Common Ground, we recently carried out a prescribed burn on our largest field.  Six acres of broomsedge and briers sparked into furious flame, leaving little but barren ground and charred remains.  On the surface, it looks devastated.  But beneath the blackened chaff, roots and seeds of new growth are warming and readying to erupt. 

This is a dangerous time in our country.  But while the foundations of our democracy and ways of life are under siege, our hearts can ignite with love, and strength, and purpose, fueled by the energy of Spring that will never be crushed for long. 

Such is the reason that Common Ground Ecovillage exists—to join forces with each other and the land and rise up together with the beauty, wisdom, and resilience of life itself.  In this Almanac, you’ll find many ways to feed your body, nourish your spirit, and contribute to the forces of creativity and meaning that are igniting here—and spreading with every spark we strike with love.

See you at Common Ground

*Shared by Jessica Craven in a Chop Wood, Carry Water Substack post. 

Fearless February Almanac 2025

February may be cold and still, but beneath the surface and behind the scenes, momentum is building. The Farm Team is transforming the farm business into a cooperatively held enterprise, Planning & Development is navigating permits and finances, and new members are deepening their roots in the community. Even in winter’s quiet, big things are in motion, as this Almanac reveals.

Meanwhile, the world feels more chaotic than ever. The news cycle spins, politics shake, and uncertainty seems to be the only sure thing. But at Common Ground, something different is happening. Foundations are being built—literally and figuratively—for a better way to live. A place of resilience, connection, and care. We remember that there is another way.

And so, we keep moving fearlessly, joyfully forward. Joy is a practice, a steady light, a quiet kind of courage. In uncertain times, it grounds us, connects us, and reminds us why we build, why we care, why we keep going.

Joyful January Almanac 2025

I’m January
by Annette Wynne
I’m January bringing you
A year of days—all brand, brand new;
I step upon the frosty ground,
When chimes and sleighbells ring around;
You welcome me and children sing,
And joy comes into everything.
I bring you love and lots of cheer,
And work and friends for all the year.

As we turn the page to a new year, let’s take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress we’ve made in 2024. For Common Ground, this was a year of determination, vision, and teamwork. The dream of living on the Land feels closer than ever, thanks to countless hours of meeting and planning, digging deep into our relationships, and navigating complexities.

This special year-in-review Almanac celebrates the milestones, challenges, and triumphs that have brought us to this threshold. Here’s to the rewards of resilience and the joy of shared purpose!

Click here for the Delightful December Almanac

In the cold and dark of winter, we hearty souls of Common Ground look beyond the dreariness and discover the light within. While the world outside may feel cold, we find joy not in fleeting distractions or material gifts but in the warmth of shared moments, the glow of inner peace, and the resilience of our community.

At Common Ground, we can embrace the season as a time to cultivate gratitude, spark creativity, and kindle the kind of light that carries us through the longest nights.

Enjoy this Almanac, a document of our shared hopes and aspirations and a record of our work to realize those intentions.

Onion babies are tucked into the east tunnel for winter. Photo by Kai.

Nestling November invites us, like seeds, to nestle down and find our grounding as the season shifts. Though the days are still warm, soon enough the chill will settle in, and we’ll be drawn closer to the fire, pulling on layers and savoring our cozy spaces.

As we nestle in for the coming winter, we’re reminded of the vision we hold for our ecovillage—a place where we’ll all gather together, not only for warmth but for shared purpose and connection. This month, let’s lean into the warmth of community, planting the seeds of what’s to come.

Lots of love …

Roshana

Open-hearted October Almanac

I don’t know about you, but every year around this time, I start to feel a little … contracted. I pull my jacket a little closer around my neck and dig out my scarf from the coat closet. I make sure my boots are ready for another cold season.

What can I say? I grew up in Minnesota. 🙂

Here in North Carolina, it’s a bit different. There’s just a touch of chill in the evenings. And though we’re a couple of hours away from the East Coast, we are well aware of the calamities produced by wild weather. Our friends just a few hours west of us are really struggling after Hurricane Helene’s wrath. Some didn’t make it through that storm.

So, while I zip up my jacket, I don’t want to close off my heart. I want my heart open to those who are struggling. Because we’re all part of this one big community here on Earth.

At Common Ground, our aim is to serve as a model for others — a place where collaboration thrives, where we practice self-reliance while also caring for our neighbors, near and far.

Weighty aspirations for these autumn days.

These are not just fall days, but in some ways, fallen ones. The storms remind us how fragile things are—how modern life can unravel so quickly under the weight of water and wind, and how much our world is changing. That’s why having a strong, open heart is so essential. It’s not just for the season but for the times we’re in.

So, let’s keep our hearts open as we face our challenges together and continue building a more resilient and compassionate world.

Lots of love …

Roshana

Photo by Kai

Auspicious August 2024 Almanac

Pickles, the barn frog, knows how to stay cool in the summer. She’s a smart cookie, hanging out in the shower.

May we all be so smart, because, as we know, summers aren’t getting any cooler. Maybe it’s best to hang out where there’s a little water, a bit of shade, and friendly folks.

I asked ChatGPT 4o to write an ode to Pickles. Here’s what the chatbot came up with:

Pickles in the Shower

In the heart of August, scorching and bright,
Lives a little barn frog who hops with delight.
Named Pickles, she’s quite the charming lass,
With a shower in the village, she finds cool repast.

In the ecovillage, where nature thrives,
Pickles finds comfort, where cool water arrives.
In the heat of the day, when the sun is a beast,
Pickles seeks refuge, where warmth is decreased.

She lounges on tiles, so smooth and so cool,
Avoiding the sun, August’s fiery rule.
Water droplets glisten, a refreshing retreat,
For a frog in the shower, it’s life’s simple treat.

So here’s to Pickles, in her cool, damp domain,
Finding joy in the water, amidst August’s reign.
With each little croak, she sings with delight,
In her Common Ground shower, where all feels just right.

Jubilant July 2024 Almanac

In Summer

Oh, summer has clothed the earth
In a cloak from the loom of the sun!
And a mantle, too, of the skies' soft blue,
And a belt where the rivers run.

And now for the kiss of the wind,
And the touch of the air's soft hands,
With the rest from strife and the heat of life,
With the freedom of lakes and lands.

— Paul Laurence Dunbar

It’s been sultry, steamy and sticky! And summer has only just started!

Still, our common dream remains … to be an agrarian intentional community that is regenerative, collaborative, creative, and celebratory in all that we do. 

And we’ve done it again … experienced another month of collaborating creatively and celebrating life (and each other) in regenerative ways.

Yay us!

Here’s another look at our evolving adventure. Enjoy!