It’s a land-sharing community that spruiks the benefits of rural village living in today’s world.
Just 15 minutes out of central Maitland lies Shepherds Ground, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to bring back social, economic, environmental and cultural vitality to day-to-day life.
Residents within the 277-acre parcel of land at Butterwick all share a common goal.
“They’re conscious of having a lesser footprint on the planet,” Shepherds Ground founder Lucie Bruvel says.
“That is the one thing that connects all people that have bought in here – that environmental awareness.”
Shepherds Ground promotes sustainability through all aspects of living and farming; regenerative agriculture and farming practices; organic and chemical free; intergenerational living, with members ranging from two to 83 years of age; and affordable housing.
Members come from a wide variety of career backgrounds, including emergency medicine, teachers, engineers, a plumber, and farmers.
Each member has a 99-year licence to occupy a certain plot of land, with the rest locked up for farming and bush regeneration.
“My husband is a farmer – he’s just starting up again with organic farming and it’s a lot of cost to buy a property, prices are really high,” Bruvel adds.
“So, to buy a property and then set your farm up, it’s a big expense.
“Whereas here, the land is already owned so you just have licences to use certain areas of land.
“That makes it much more cost-effective and there’s also help on hand if you need it.
“It is really close to town, just 15 minutes from Maitland, so you can still have a job in town but then come to this more quiet, peaceful area.”
Shepherds Ground’s practices were on display at a Spring Open Day over the weekend as part of a national event called Sustainable House Day, which fell on 15 September.
Sustainable House Day aims to open the door to sustainable living by touring some of Australia’s most environmentally progressive homes.
The Spring Open Day included a village tour, inspection of two Hemp Masonry homes, and sustainable living and construction information.
It was supported by Maitland-based organisation Hunter Valley Slow Food.
Plants, seedlings and pots, flowers, vegetables, herbs, ornamentals and honey were all for sale.
Visit shepherdsground.com.au or sustainablehouseday.com for more information.
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