A non-profit 501c3 unincorporated Association
dedicated to removing land from the speculative
market to be used for charitable purposes.
What is EARTH ABIDES Land Trust all about...
The Land Trust is dedicated to preserving the land: to using it wisely
and replenishing what has been depleted. It is the responsibility of the
trust to maintain the Environmental health of the land and the community
on and around it . The land includes several archeological sites that are
protected under state law. They are valuable sites because they have not
been disturbed by mining as have so many sites in the Mother Lode. Future
archeological study and development of these sites is a possibility.
The property is situated in arid country in the foothills of the Sierra-Nevada
Mountains. Forest fires are an ever-present threat, so the members of the land
trust are well trained in fire safety and fire fighting.
The Land Trust is the mother organization. It holds title to the land
and is a fulfillment of the original intention that no individuals may benefit
by selling the land for profit.
The Catholic Worker Farm is a house of hospitality on the land. In the
words of Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, the purpose
of Houses of Hospitality on the land is to provide places where "it
is easier to be good"....."where workers can be scholars and scholars
can be workers" and to live out the philosophy of Personalism.
The work of the farm is done by members and guests. Maintenance of land,
buildings and equipment; tending the animals; providing hospitality ; directing
work parties for special projects; and the general day to day operations
of the community is done by the staff and guests who stay for a week or
longer. In exchange for the above work performed workers receive $25.00
a week and room and board. There are regular meetings and discussions, as
well as worship services. The land consists of 80 acres of pasture land,
cleared land, and forest. Chickens are kept for food products.
There is a young orchard which
produces apples for home use, but the land is not good for raising larger
crops. The structures have been built by members and guests and the donated
services of architects and construction crews. All structures are the property
of Earth Abides.
The Catholic Worker Farm has existed since 1976 -begun on property purchased
with donations from the Martin De Porres Catholic Worker in San Francisco, Ca..
In 1983 the land was deeded to Earth Abides Land Trust, which has continued
with the work. The land is located in the Township of Sheep Ranch in Calaveras
County, California. Every summer between 1987 and 2006, we had a summer Program for
Developmentally Disabled adults. The aim was to provide a camp experience for
developmentally handicapped adults: to help them participate as they are able
in the activities of the farm; to feed the chickens and gather eggs; to take
nature walks in the woods and to visit the archeological sites and learn about
the native culture that flourished here in the past; and to enjoy the recreational
activities available such as the pond and the meadow.
Catherine's House. In March of 2001 this house was completed. We have been
operating it as a Retreat House for persons living with HIV/Aids and their caregivers.
This activity is similar to the Summer Program described above but is more spiritually
nurturing. The volunteers who live here do meal preparation , housekeeping,
and accompaniment of the guests. We solicit the donated services of priests
and other religious to conduct semi-structured retreats and religious services.
We are currently offering retreats 2 times a month.