Why Guatemala?
Abundant natural resources
Strong Mayan culture
Locals know how to farm, build, repair, construct, and are already quite ‘self-sufficient’
Low barriers to entry and foreigners can buy land easily
Low cost of labor
VISA free from most countries
Crypto-friendly payments (BTC ATM nearby at the lake and in the city)
Why this land?
Fresh mountain spring water in abundance
Hydro electric plant neighbors give us extremely cheap electricity
Small hydro electric on the farm that we plan to renovate to make our own electricity again
6+ waterfalls on the land, swimmable and drinkable
Great elevation, and good temperature all year round
Extremely fertile soil
10+ coconut trees already here that produce consistently (rare for this elevation)
50+ year old fruit trees all over the land, referenced in the “Food Forest Basics” section
Strategic location nestled under the south side of the mountains around Lake Atitlan
1 hour ride from Santiago at Lake Atitlan
3 hours from the pacific beaches
2.5 hours from Antigua
3 hours from Guatemala City
Intentional Community Homestead design
Private location: “dead-end” we are the last farm on the road that leads up the mountain.
Who currently owns the land?
The farm estate is now 100% legally owned and secured by a new entity created to hold and protect the land, that designates “Arabia Verde” as the operations management corporation, in partnership with Tierra Fresca to coordinate programming, events, agriculture and community activities on the land.
How To Deal with Problematic People/ Situations?
We have in place a set of systems designed to alchemize conflict into valuable learning opportunities. We use practices similar to the ‘talking circle’ from ancient cultures, and incorporate modern practices like “Non-Violent Communication”, “Heart Circles” and “The Clearing Model” to create cohesion within our groups and community, as described below:
“Creative Tensions” Process:
*abuse, rape, violence and conscious theft will not follow this process, and be asked to leave immediately.
If all steps of the process and have been followed, and someone is issued a warning or strike, they are all recorded on a transparent ledger that can be seen by all members and residents.
The Warnings & Strikes system and process is outlined in the “House Agreement” referenced in the Homestead Handbook the Project Basics page.
“Heart Circle” Process
“Non-Violent Communication” Steps:
Observation
Feelings
Values/ Needs
