Residency and Membership

How to become a resident and a member of The Farm:

The following is an outline of the procedure for becoming a resident. One of the first steps involves visiting us often and getting to know as many members as possible. Some people have taken this step by moving near The Farm and visiting over a period of time. There are conferences and other social events that take place here that offer good opportunities to visit.The most challenging aspects of relocating here have to do with career opportunities in the vicinity and the availability of adequate housing within the community. Visiting frequently and getting to know community members and residents is the best way for you to gain a better understanding of these challenges.We appreciate your interest in community and ours in particular. If you wish to contact the Membership Committee, write to vickie@thefarmcommunity.com or call Vickie Montagne at the Welcome Center (931-964-3574).Classifications
Visitor – an individual who makes a short-term visit to The Farm. This visit must be arranged through the Welcome Center or through the Host. A Visitor and/or Host must pay The Farm’s overnight fee, the amount of which is determined by the Board of Directors (currently $3.00/night/adult).

Host – the Farm resident(s) with whom the Visitor is staying during his/her visit.

Extended Visitor – an individual who wishes to extend his/her stay beyond the Visitor period but who is not committed to making The Farm Community his/her primary residence.

Resident – an individual who wishes to make The Farm Community his/her primary residence. It is highly recommended that individuals interested in applying for Resident status make several visits to The Farm prior to applying for this status.

Sponsor – a resident Full or Permanent Member in good standing who serves as an interface for the Extended Visitor or Resident with the Membership Committee and the community. The sponsor will

take an active role in notifying new resident(s) of all community meetings and gatherings, and facilitate participation,
act as an interface with the community or individual members should the need arise, and
take an active role in seeing that the resident is gainfully employed and paying their community dues.

Starting Your Visit
A Visitor may arrive as an individual or through participating in an event or workshop. Upon arrival, a Visitor or his/her Host should provide the following information to the Welcome Center: date of arrival, living arrangements, and contact information. If the guest or visitor stays beyond two weeks, he/she or the Host should contact the Membership Committee.

Becoming an Extended Visitor or Resident
If a Visitor desires to stay longer than 30 days into the visit, the Visitor must contact the Membership Committee and have a sponsor. A representative of the Membership Committee will provide the Visitor with an Extended Visitor/Residency Application and invite him/her to a Membership Committee meeting. The Visitor must find a sponsor who will accompany him/her to the meeting and come to the meeting with a completed application.

After meeting with the Membership Committee, the Extended Visitor or Resident applicant must provide the Membership Committee with a letter of introduction that will be made available to the community prior to the Membership Committee vote on the status change. Community members will have at least two (2) weeks to submit comments to the Membership Committee regarding the application. Regardless of status, an individual residing in The Farm Community is obligated to pay the equivalent of minimum dues on a monthly basis as of Day 46 of his/her stay. This amount is determined annually by the Board of Directors and is fixed for a calendar year (for 2025, $114/month/adult 24 and older; $57/month/adult 18-23yo).

Becoming a Provisional Member
Individuals who have lived here with Resident status for at least one year can apply for Provisional Member status.

The applicant must complete a Provisional Member application which includes:

Application form
Financial disclosure form
TRW information for credit check
Medical history sheet,

There is a $150.00 processing fee.

The applicant and his/her sponsor must meet with the Membership Committee. After this meeting, the applicant must provide the Membership Committee with a letter of intent that will be made available to the community prior to the Membership Committee vote on the status change. Community members will have at least two (2) weeks to submit comments to the Membership Committee regarding the application.

Becoming a Full Member
Individuals who have lived here with Provisional Member status for at least one year can apply for Full Member status. There is a $75 Application fee. The applicant and his/her sponsor must meet with the Membership Committee. After this meeting, the applicant must provide the Membership Committee with a letter of intent that will be made available to the community prior to a community vote on the status change. Community members will have at least two (2) weeks to submit comments to the Membership Committee regarding the application. Full Members in residence can vote in community elections and can serve on the Board of Directors and Membership Committee.