Shires

S.H.I.R.E.S.
School of Homesteading, Indigenous Restoration, and Ecological Studies

The school will acquire 100+ acre plots of conventional agricultural land for students to build homestead-based villages, restore native landscapes, and create models for natural living.

The 100+ acre plots will be subdivided into 3-4 acre plots leaving 10-30% for restoring native landscapes and another 5-15% for community spaces. Each student will choose a 3-4 acre plot of conventional agricultural land to observe, bio-remediate, design, sculpt, plant, and build their own organic homestead. Students will have the opportunity to choose their neighbors and co-create community. Homesteads will be for lifetime use by the students and inherited by the student's heirs. Students will be supported by experienced instructors and a recommended outline as students design their own curriculum and creative process.

A school tool library, workshop, greenhouse, and dormitory will be available to students.

Students will collaborate to design community parks, cooperatives, campgrounds, trails, community buildings, and native landscapes.

Over a 4-8 year curriculum, students will learn to co-create homesteads, buildings, gardens, communities, and villages and learn to restore, plant, and protect native landscapes and watersheds.

In addition, students will have the opportunity to study a wide range of other subjects.

Field trips to native landscapes and eco-villages will be an option to each student.