Vision

The Finger Lakes group is now in their third year of establishing a Climate Safe Village.  We have property, a large garden, four members who are moving to the land this year, members who are a part of our extended community, and several who are not quite ready to move but are active in the group. We are located just outside of Rochester, NY in the Town of Walworth.

Given the current projections for climate change and the current political upheavals, we decided to start with what we can afford within our group.  We have a seven-acre parcel with a house containing two living units in it, a greenhouse, and a medium sized barn currently used for programs, community gatherings, and storage for our equipment.  The plan includes adding two or three additional homes (can subdivide into at least two other lots).  Our plan is to add additional land as our membership grows.  A local farmer friend is approaching retirement age, and we hope to purchase some of his land.

Additionally, our model includes networking with neighbors and other groups who wish to participate in the local economy in anticipation of supply chain issues.  We’ve connected with two specific groups and will continue to develop relationships with other groups locally. There are several neighbors who are offering land for our use when we are ready to expand.  We anticipate being food independent by the fall of 2027, if not sooner.

The property is 20 minutes from the nearest Level 1 Trauma Center.  We are 15 minutes from shopping resources.  Eight miles north of us is Lake Ontario.  She is a wonderful climate modifier for the Finger Lakes Region. There are two CSA farms within two miles of our property.  Another valuable resource is a local seed company that has 15 years of experience developing heritage seeds and locally adapted fruit and berry plants.