Home Life
Fresh flowers and beautiful art fill our homes with a warm, nurturing feeling that supports the well-being of each individual and the community. Domestic and life skills are cultivated through meal preparation and shared upkeep of the homes. A typical life-sharing home at Heartbeet consists of 3-4 adults with developmental disabilities, two long-term householders (some with children), and 2-4 short-term live-in volunteers, all working together as a team.
Life In Vermont
Our Vermont community offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and connection with nature, catering to diverse interests and preferences. Vermont’s stunning natural beauty makes it a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With numerous ponds and pools for swimming, lakes and rivers for paddling, and majestic mountains and waterfalls to explore, every season brings new opportunities for exploration and discovery.
In the cooler months, our community enjoys adaptive skiing and snowboarding, while the nearby Craftsbury Outdoor Center, renowned for its world-class cross-country skiing, provides endless trails to explore. Our private land offers miles of trails for walking, hiking, and snowshoeing, as well as a serene pond for summer swimming and winter ice skating. To promote relaxation and well-being, we also offer weekly yoga classes in our tranquil Hall, providing the perfect setting to unwind and rejuvenate.
Biodynamic Agriculture
At Heartbeet Lifesharing, we prioritize the well-being of our community members, the land, and the animals in our care. To achieve this, we employ regenerative and Biodynamic agricultural practices that foster a harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and the cosmos.
Biodynamic agriculture, a holistic approach developed by Rudolf Steiner, views the farm as a self-contained ecosystem. We consider the intricate web of relationships between soil, plants, animals, and the lunar and solar cycles to create a balanced and thriving ecosystem.
Our person-centered adaptive approach to therapeutic activities on the land empowers each farmer and gardener to contribute according to their unique strengths. Everyone has opportunities to deepen their agricultural skills, promoting personal growth, social connections, and a sense of accomplishment.
By integrating Biodynamic principles with adaptive therapeutic techniques, we cultivate a nurturing environment that supports the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our community members.
Farm and Garden
Nestled on our picturesque farm is a thriving community and a haven for our beloved animals of pasture-raised chickens, pigs, and small dairy and beef herds. Our farm and garden activities are diverse and rewarding and are guided by a deep commitment to animal welfare and sustainable practices, while incorporating Biodynamic principles and preparations to create a thriving ecosystem.
Farm Activities
Some of our daily farm routines include: Milking cows and collecting fresh eggs, Rotational grazing and haymaking, Fence building and barn upkeep.
Garden
In our vibrant garden, we are busy cultivating a diverse array of annual and perennial vegetables, fruits, and herbs using a human-powered, no-till, permanent raised-bed system.
Sustainable Living
The fruits of our labor are enjoyed daily during the growing season, and we take great pleasure in preserving the harvest for year-round enjoyment. Our farm and garden serve as a true embodiment of sustainable living, showcasing the beauty of harmonious relationships between humans, animals, and the natural world.
Artisan Studios
Creative Expression and Community Engagement
Our community members cultivate their creativity and skills through our Felting and Woodworking craft studios, utilizing natural materials to craft beautiful products such as wall hangings, cards, frames, and birdhouses. These handmade items are showcased and sold at local craft fairs and galleries, generating revenue to sustain our studios while providing our artisans with the rewarding experience of sharing their work with the wider world.
Music and Performance
Music is an integral part of our daily life, with many community members being skilled musicians. We offer singing classes and regularly come together to perform as a group, both formally in our community hall and informally in our living rooms and gardens. Our hall also serves as a vibrant cultural hub, hosting local choral groups, orchestras, and bands, which enriches our community and provides a valued cultural offering to the surrounding towns of Hardwick, Craftsbury, and beyond.
Felting
Artisan Handwork
We use richly dyed sheep’s wool to collaborate on one-of-a-kind felted paintings, garlands, and dolls. These projects, particularly the very fine paintings produced in our studio. allow us to experiment with color and texture to express the richness of the world around us and in the worlds in our imaginations. The results are stunning
Woodshop
Artisan Woodworking
Woodworking at Heartbeet focuses on creating a socially warm and inspiring space where each individual can bring and share their ideas and learn new skills. Wood is our medium to transform each person’s gift into useful, beautiful, fun and simple items, from picture frames and carved signs to cutting boards, bird houses and more.
Culinary Arts
Cooking, Baking, Preserving
The Culinary Arts crews produce breads and other baked goods, make yogurt and kombucha, and prepare community lunches, often using ingredients grown or raised in Heartbeet. We create a supportive environment of mutual leadership and growth where we become each other’s teachers and everyone can learn new kitchen-based skills.