Birdsfoot Farm Records

This collection contains records and papers pertaining to Birdsfoot Farm. Box 1 contains a brief history of the beginnings of Birdsfoot from 1972-1975. Within the collection are meeting minutes, financial records, and land trust agreements (1988-2007) pertaining to the Birdsfoot community. While Birdsfoot was founded in 1972, this collection mostly documents the activities from 1987 through 2007. The disposition of records for the period 1972-1986 is currently unknown. Selected materials from the this collection are part of the Back to the Land Research Collection.

History

Birdsfoot Farm is a consensus-based agricultural community founded in 1972 and located in Canton, St Lawrence County, NY. The 73-acre farm consists of “a large community house, three comfortable homes, a schoolhouse, two barns, and some funky seasonal housing.” The land and buildings are owned by the community. Members share monthly living expenses, purchase equity in the property, and participate in community work projects. “We care a lot about each other and find time for many kinds of sharing--such as communal meals, rituals, parties, etc. Each person follows his or her own spiritual path. Individuals are active in social and environmental issues. The new-member process includes a one-year trial period. We welcome new members, including children and elders.”

Birdsfoot operates two businesses: A vegetable business grows two acres of certified organic vegetables for the community, wholesale, CSA, and farmers market using low-input techniques, intensive spacing, and cover cropping. Little River Community School was started in 1998. In 2009 the school served 23 students in grades K12 with three full-time teachers. The school is founded on the belief that children are inherently motivated to learn about their world and should be allowed to proceed at their own rate. The farm and school provide income to some of the community members and others work off the farm. Each year the veggie business and school seek interns.