We will acquire 15-100 acres (6-40 ha) for each community, and obtain zoning approval for 10-20 acres (4-8 ha) of advanced, year-round, professionally managed greenhouses, incorporating leading edge technologies in eco-agriculture, and growing a broad diversity of fruits, vegetables, herbs, flora, and tree stock. (See “Eco-Agriculture Book” tab).
For each community of ~40 ha, we will identify 1,000 families who see growing a highly diverse, high-quality range of produce as essential for food security for the entire greater community; and are willing to purchase a 1/16th section of a large, single slope, advanced year-round passive solar greenhouse under a cooperative structure where 100% of the net profits are distributed to unitholders.
Profit Sharing. Each family unit, as Cooperative unitholders of ~670 ft2 of greenhouse space, will be entitled to a pro-rata share of the profits of the Cooperative. We estimate the profits before taxes per unit at $$30,816 annually from year 2 onwards (see the FoodCooperative tab)
Family Participation. The applicants and their families should ideally be willing and able to dedicate up to 10 hours a week, to assist in planting, harvesting, preparing and packaging the products. Each participating family member will be fully trained and supervised – a wonderful way to learn about growing food sustainably in a community setting.
Community Centre/Restaurant/Farmer’s Market. Included in this first phase will be a large community centre where packaging, food preparation/restaurant, farmer’s market and farm-to-table operations will be carried out (See Food Cooperative). Up to 40% of the total Community Centre area will be reserved for residents’ educational and recreational use in Phase 2. Unitholders will be invited (not required) to participate in the operation of the community centre, and all aspects of operations as part of their family’s contribution to the cooperative.
Phase 2. Residential Community.
Luxury Townhomes, or “21st Century Farmhouses”. The zoning applied for will include, as a second phase, the construction of 1,000 housing units: - and 3- storey luxury townhouses with rooftop gardens adjacent to the greenhouses, as shown in the graphics on this page.
Residence Right of First Refusal. Once the greenhouses are operational, and the cooperative is making a profit, or on track to do so, Cooperative Unitholders will be assigned a right of first refusal to acquire the home adjacent to their greenhouse section. Lots will be allocated according to their choice, on a first-come, first-served basis, within certain limitatios. These units will be priced below market.
Financing. L&GC will offer market rate financing on bank-qualified purchasers, but also low-cost alternative financing for those who do not qualify for conventional/bank rates.
Equal Opportunity/Not for Profit Allocation. Live and Grow Communities will offer a number of the homes per community (TBA) to citizens who would not qualify for conventional financing, or who do not have the required downpayment to purchase. We will work with housing agencies to enable a rich, diverse, community makeup, as representative as possible of the demographics of the community as a whole (e.g. the GTA), with ownership as a goal for everyone.
The technologies, and surrounding ethos we are employing in the project, are described here to in the Overview section of “More Abundant Harvests”; and choose whether or not you would like to purchase the book. Each copy will come with a unique code, which will be requested if you decide to become part of a “Live and Grow Community”. We would prefer our future partners, and customers, to be fully briefed on the very latest developments in Eco-Agriculture.
If the “Live and Grow” opportunity is of interest to you, you will be asked on that page to click on the link to complete the Community Questionnaire.
