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“The Garden is a space where people practice and learn to live a more sustainable, and collective lifestyle,” said Patrick. “We learn from and teach one another traditional skills necessary to provide our own means (Food, Water, Shelter, Clothing, and Medicine). We learn from each other by doing these things. It’s a process where like-minded people can live together and enjoy living, not just existing. We do grow a lot of food here as well.”

Patrick goes on to explain the core of what the Garden represents.

“The idea behind the Garden is not of this being an isolated space unto itself,” said Patrick. “We strive to exist within a network of other spaces and communities. It’s kind of like parks or national forests in our thinking. We build simple infrastructure like water collection, and shelter. We have outdoor kitchens and outhouses. Very primitive, and yet very effective resources that provide basic needs, and then we share according to values. We outline values like peaceful cooperation, sustainable earth stewardship, equality, and economy. Those are the simplest core values that we strive to adhere to. There is a lot of education shared here. We also learn conflict resolution skills which are important for a thriving community.

“For me it’s all about education and empowerment,” said Patrick. “If people are able to meet their basic needs and not sell their time as much in order to meet those needs then they are able to do what they actually want to do with their time.”

The Macon County Times visited The Garden during the week of “The Gathering,” a time when people from all over the world meet and share knowledge and just catch up with friends.

Azriel was a visitor at the Garden who on this day was helping to construct bee hives.

“Humans helping humans,” said Azriel. “It’s the idea of how we can all support and contribute towards each other’s journeys and be of service and share our creative expressions of love.”

Christian was another visitor to the Garden during the gathering.

“I’m here because a lot of my friends live here and come to these gatherings,” said Christian. “I lived here for a few years. It’s good to reconnect with friends and touch base on certain projects we are working on. This week I’ve been attending meetings pertaining to fundraising and land projects. Also, I have been involved in a lot of gardening with Patrick. I enjoy eating the wild natural edibles that grow all over the community. No additives, just good clean food. Just hanging out with good people and listening to music around the fire at the end of the day. It’s nice to have that ‘coming home’ feeling when I visit now.”

Ryan is another visitor that has been to the Garden before.

“I heard about the Garden for years,” said Ryan. “Finally, two summers ago I came through on a road trip to see different homesteads, communities, and festivals. It’s always an amazing experience here at the Garden. Just a pure positive and enjoyable time. I think I have decided to dedicate several weeks or months out of the year to being part of this community.”

Bob and Marissa were at the gathering to contribute their knowledge and skills to the community.

“I have crossed paths with Patrick and the Garden crew at different communities and rainbow gatherings over the years,” said Bob. “I have been an admirer of their project ‘The Peoples Project’ creating free land for free people. I wanted to come and experience the Garden for the first time. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for us to come down to meet people, and pitch in.”

Bob and Marissa are co-founders of EarthSeed Ecovillage in Southern Vermont.

“It’s a place similar to the Garden,” said Bob. “People can work, grow food, and live collectively on 430 acres on the edge of the mountains. We have beautiful streams and forests at the end of a dead-end road. It’s very private there. It was just purchased in June of 2022, and we landed there in June of 2024. We have dedicated time to building living structures and kitchens like what you see here at the Garden.”

“So, part of why we are here is to learn about setting up things like a kitchen,” said Marissa. “Is this how we would do it back at Earthseed, or would we want or need to do something different? We are doing a lot of learning and observing this week about the different systems that they have in place here. The Garden is a great place to come and learn about many things.”

Grammy, as she is called, is Patrick’s mother. She was also visiting during the Gathering.

“I have 16 grandkids and one great grand kid,” said Grammy. “I think the Garden is marvelous, especially how it is growing so wonderfully. It’s exciting because it’s finally to the place where you can look around and say to yourself ‘It works.’ It didn’t always look this way.”

Anyone wishing to learn more about The Garden can reach them through their Facebook page simply titled one word, TheGarden.