Heartbeet Lifesharing
A Community of the Future

by Hannah Scwartz

Heartbeet is the beginning of a community on a beautiful 150 acre farm in Hardwick, Vermont. It has been envisioned and pioneered by my husband, Jonathan Gilbert and myself. We drew our inspiration from the social forms developed in the Camphill movement and from the spiritual science of Rudolf Steiner. I grew up in Kimberton Hills, Camphill Village in PA, and Jonathan developed his interest in farming through practical work on biodynamic community farms.
When I look back, I am astounded at the speed that carried Heartbeet into reality. After living in northern Vermont for two years, in the summer of 2000 we began to envision a farm community where we and eventually other families could share our lives with adults with disabilities and invite others to come for shorter times. Through my connection to Camphill and other organizations within the North American Council for Anthroposophical Curative Education and Social Therapy, I found the advisory circle that supported our ideals and we began to do research and gather the Board from the community of anthroposophists in Vermont. Not long after Heartbeet was incorporated we found this amazing property in exactly the area we had hoped for. Imagine the thrill of telling our story to the older couple who owned the land, and hearing form them about their own 50 year old daughter who has special needs! They went out of their way to lower the price and provide conditions which made it possible for us to buy their farm. Mr. and Mrs. Bronner have been staunch supporters and friends of our endeavor ever since. (Like when the well went dry in the drought of our first summer and they paid half of the cost of the new well.)Since we began 4 years ago this lively home has provided respite care, vacations and day programs for individuals with special needs, long-term residences to adults with disabilities, and social service practicum opportunities for high school students. The farm has hosted summer camps for children from
Camphill Special School and Camphill Soltane. There have also been numerous work parties and farm programs for school children. We recently enjoyed a visit from a second and third grade combined class from the Wellspring Waldorf School for a three day farm stay. Lately we have also discovered the healing potential of our setting for teenagers who find themselves in need of a more structured environment.

Why is the community centered around the farm?
Heartbeet produces organic/biodynamic fruits, vegetables, meat, and eggs, and we recognize that there is a healing aspect to working with the earth. Caring for the land brings us together as a community. Life skills are developed in the practical work in the fields and garden and with the animals. People learn to cope with the inevitable frustrations and to live up to the tremendous responsibility involved in this work. We need to cut, split, and stack 10 cords of firewood every season to keep the house warm. We grow and preserve food (32 gallons of sauerkraut, 52 jars of tomato sauce, 45 jars of picked beets…)
The 6 cows, 12 sheep, 2 pigs, 2 bunnies, 75 chickens, and 11 ducks all depend upon our faithful daily care. For High Mowing Seed Co. we raise several seed crops in our protected valley landscape. Jonathan is bringing the old farm fields back from their wild state, growing hay for our animals. He has been making compost and using the biodynamic preparations. With the help of the animals he is working towards the ideal of a self-contained farm. Winter is long in Vermont, and the woodwork shop and the fiber arts work are the scene of creative productivity when snow lies deep.

Why in Vermont?
Vermont is recognized for being at the forefront of the movement to deinstitutionalize and develop strong community support for people with developmental disabilities. There is a commitment to quality of life for individuals with DD, and Heartbeet broadens the choice of opportunities being offered. This is possible in part because Vermont is still made up of small towns and rural landscapes. There is a mix of progressive values and traditional ethics that supports diversity, for example a growing organic and biodynamic movement, as well as a history of family farms.
Neighbors and friends have supported us generously with donations of farm equipment, cows and building supplies. Festival celebrations mark the cycle of the year, and already the midnight gospel reading and singing carols to the cows in the barn by candle light on Christmas Eve has become a "tradition" (Thirty people came this year!) Michealmas festival drew 75 people, and many more friends came to celebrate St. John's Day.
Our three young children are an essential element in the life of the household. Our greatest current challenge is the closing of the Green Mountain Waldorf School (which closed for financial reasons, not out of a lack of interest). We are supporting new and creative Waldorf endeavors and working to reunite the 80 Waldorf families in the area.

Where do we find the strength to carry forward?
In community so much more can be accomplished than when one is working alone. In one day we can: clean the house, prepare and clean up three meals for ten or more people, laundry (three loads a day or we get behind), office work, continue work on renovations, bring a group to art class, children to and from friends' houses, weed in the garden, and do chores in the barn. Our days are extremely full and have their moments of chaos but in community there is someone to turn to for help. We have had wonderful coworkers join us along the way.
An important and rejuvenating aspect to our life is the inner work we do through our local anthroposophical study group. Last fall, a group of us in the area decided to come together once a week, meeting at Heartbeet throughout the long winter to begin the study of the foundational works by Rudolf Steiner. This time of reverence and inner reflection feeds us and reminds us of the stream that we walk within.

What is our Vision for the Future?
Heartbeet is currently one healing household. We carry the vision of becoming a five house community with a community center that could host the craft workshops, a bakery, and cultural events. Currently all the baking and crafts occur in the house.
We are presently moving forward with the next house, as the demand for our program is far more than our single household can accommodate. The second house will bring with it a flow of social exchange that will provide sustainability, flexibility, and further opportunity. Right now the second house at the farm is a go, but we are still behind on our fund drive goals for the house.
Presently we are welcoming Mac and Ellen Mead into the community as one of our new families. Mac and Ellen are long time anthroposophists, who focus in biodynamic farming. Kent and Caryn Hesse will also be joining us at the farm. Kent is an anthroposophical doctor and Caryn is an educator. So everything is moving forward smoothly as Heartbeet grows steadily into the future.
Heartbeet is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and its primary purpose is serving individuals with developmental disabilities. We are a youthful organization with significant capital expenses so your support is greatly appreciated and can be directed towards the following areas of need; General Operations, Building Improvements, Equipment fund, or the Campaign for the Second House which is in its beginning phase.

Contact Information: Heartbeet Lifesharing, 218 Town Farm Rd. Hardwick, VT 05843
E-Mail: HeartbeetH@aol.com Web: www.heartbeetlifesharing.org

Reports: Heartbeet • Youth Conference • Eurythmy