Acorn, a 30 Year Old Income Sharing Community
This week, I’m visiting Acorn, an intentional community in rural Virginia that’s been around for 30 years. Acorn was co-founded by Ira and Kat Kinkade, who were motivated by the long waiting list at Twin Oaks, another community nearby. With some extra funds from a successful hammock business, they bought 75 acres of land and founded Acorn. Today, it’s a small but thriving community with around 15 members.
What Makes Acorn Different?
At Acorn, everyone lives and works together, and the main source of income is the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, an organic seed business that specializes in heirloom seeds and promotes sustainable agriculture. But here’s where it gets interesting: no one at Acorn earns a salary. Instead, all the money from the seed business goes into a shared pot, and members have access to a community credit card to buy food and necessities. It’s a model that challenges the typical capitalist structure, focusing on collective wellbeing rather than individual financial gain.
The entire community is structured around shared ownership, both of the land and the business. Decisions are made by consensus, meaning everyone has an equal say. It’s a flat structure with no hierarchy, setting Acorn apart from the traditional workplace model.
Want to Support Acorn?
If you're into sustainability or organic gardening, why not support Acorn by purchasing seeds from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange? Not only will you be getting high-quality, heirloom seeds, but you'll also be directly supporting this incredible community and its mission.
Who Lives at Acorn?
The community at Acorn is small but diverse, with a strong presence of queer and BIPOC individuals. It’s a welcoming and inclusive space where people from different backgrounds live and work together. I’m planning to interview some of the members during my stay to learn more about their experiences. What’s it like to live here full-time? How do they spend their days? And what challenges come with living in a community like this?
Want to Visit Acorn?
If you’re interested in visiting Acorn and getting a firsthand look at how this unique community operates, you can message them on Instagram. They’re always open to connecting with people who want to learn more about communal living.
A Different Approach to Living and Working
Living at Acorn is very different from the typical 9-to-5. There’s no boss, no hierarchy, and no individual financial gain. Instead, it’s all about working together for the collective good. For people who are tired of the pressures of capitalism and looking for an alternative, Acorn offers a glimpse into a different way of organizing both work and life.
Join My Digital Community
If communal living interests you and you’re looking to connect with others who share the same passion, check out my digital community. It’s a space where people interested in intentional communities can meet, share resources, and learn how to build their own communal projects.